2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Shortie

So sorry to hear of your loss sparrer xx

Shortie

I'm hoping my phone keeps going as I can drop my monthly bill from £35 a month to £10 come December. I dropped it on the pavement about a month ago though and since then it has *quirky* moments. I didn't take out insurance (I know, I know) and it doesn't come wih my bank account. Hoping it behaves though, and I need to invest in a case and screen protector in an attempt to protect it from other potential drops, whoops

So this month suddenly got expensive and I'm juggling things around - I realised I had road tax (the letter had gone to my Dad's as we haven't sorted the paperwork yet) this month so paid for 6months to break it away from August next year, and then I had a bill for medical stuffs confirmed which was a relief but expensive. I still have car insurance to fork out for and I dipped into savings for the medical stuff which now needs repaying

We're looking to apply for a new mortgage too so I'm consious that I need to save for various fees arouns that. Urgh.

It'll all pan out as I'll make it work but finding this month financially stressful (not helped by work being manic and lots if things going on at home too)

Anyway waffle over - sorry for the brain-dump there

Frugaldom

An update from HQ - our 'Active Austerity August' mini challenge has gone exceptionally well and I am really pleased that so many of you took part and will be joining us for the September Simple Savings.

Re the grocery budgets, £1 per person per day is entirely possible, this is the challenge budget I have been following for several years, despite not living near a supermarket, so good luck to our newcomers and those of you looking to further cut your spending.

Making the laundry gloop (see handy links in post 1 or 2) can generate huge savings over a year, as can walking whenever and wherever possible, rather than paying for fuel. It is almost 2 years since I gave up my car and switched to the secondhand bicycle, so I am now about a stone lighter and have saved literally thousands of pounds... all spent on buying the new Frugaldom Project.

Hoping everyone is well and condolences to all who have lost friends or family over the recent past.

Keep on frugaling, folks, it is very, very worth it. Many thanks to all who continue to support this frugal challenge and especially those who have achieved their debt freedom and found the time, savings and inclination to join us at our frugal meets in SW Scotland. Don't forget we also have a members only frugal chat room where we discuss all things frugal living.

Kantankrus_Mare

Thinking of you sparrer.........x x

Nicki_Sue

Morning all.
Yesterday DH's owed back pay came in, minus a hefty tax payment (something for me to chase up, it worked out £300+ less than expected) but it is here.... or it was!

I've paid everything back up to date that fell by the wayside when he was redundant and have paid up Park savings and even the water (ours is over 8 months). We are going into September with a clean slate, newly set up direct debits and hopefully a better budget.

He got his first weekly pay today which was nearly £200 more than expected so that needs checking today! It'll be good to know for certain what his baseline wage is before OT etc is so I can plan properly again. He hasn't been on a weekly wage for 15 years or more! After we get that info and tax credits come back - suspect we'll have lost all our TCs inc the childcare payment because of his new wage but while it'll make things tight for a while he gets a pay-rise after his 12 week probation / induction period which will make things easier.

Phew! Talking about pay-rises and bills paid off makes a girl feel quite dizzy!

Feeling good today. Hope everyone else is doing ok?

Shortie

That's great news Nicki_Sue. Hope the tax gets sorted soon

I'm biting the bullet and raising an overtime form when I get into work today. I don't normally claim on the odd occasions that I'm still in work at 9-10pm but being awake since 4.30am due to various call outs somehow feels worse. Not sure it'll be much extra cash but I need to do something to feel marginally better about last night's severe lack of sleep.

So, I need to try and think tonight what to do with the children this weekend. Mr Shortie is away and I havr a tonne of catching up to do at home. If the weather holds off I'll try and help the boys with their den in the garden in between housework jobs

mummy2threeboys

Morning all, we are back from 2 days of going out all day, Was organised by Parish council was £5 each including entry to whatever organisation we where going to, so cant beat that, plus son had £40 birthday money so we had a nice lunch and also visited greenwich Space show thingy, all i we only spent £20 for two jam packed days!

Humm today though major house workcatch up and hope to put up at least one lots of clingfilm window film and a window quilt! Bank account still looks great!
Anyway loads of love to you all Have a great weekend xx

Frugaldom

Well done getting back up to date Nicki_Sue, hope OH is happy in his new job.

Becky_2

We are doing fairly well frugally wise. After having moved 5 weeks ago we are both feeling too tired to spend and we are using the weekends for sorting out things after the move. We bought a new fridge and oven when we moved, since this wasn't supplied by the landlord. We used my credit card which has got 0% interest until Christmas to pay for it. I have set up a budget plan to make sure this is paid off by then.

My next plan is to change my current account provider. The tricky bit for me is to actually do it. I know the new bank does all the work but I feel nervous about it.

I am one of those who have had my ISA rate dropped by Barclays so need to get that money transferred to a new provider.

icontinuetodream

Sorry for your loss sparrer....sending you hugs :grouphug:

Well, I am going for a super frugal September - I have one birthday to do which will be expensive as I take everyone out for a meal (six adults, plus drinks!) but other than that, no unnecessary spending. I have been a bit lax over the past month or so and I really need to reel it in.

I have reduced my grocery budget and want to stick to or better that and I want to make sure that I use up whatever I have in at the moment before I buy anything else. Tomorrow, its food inventory and menu planning and starting fresh!!

I am also going to get back on the wagon with the energy usage - I have stopped turning everything off at the walls, stopped batch cooking to save fuel and have spent several nights falling to sleep in front of the tv which has meant that it has been left on all night!! I have also not been using my washing line as often as I should and basically have let a lot of things slide....Not good enough - must do better!