2014 Frugal Living Challenge

alja

Some of you might remember wishing me luck with a job I applied for a little while ago, a job that could make a massive difference to me. I'm pleased to say, that I got it!


After being out of work since the end of Sept, I have now been offered a job with a higher salary. I will be earning just under £6000 more a year than what I was on at the beginning of this year. I feel very lucky and I'm so glad I went for the role.


This will be a massive help, as I'm hoping to buy my first home within the next year or so. So next year I'm going to be as frugal as possible to try and make it happen

Kantankrus_Mare

Well done Alja!! Thats brilliant news.

LionessInWinter

Congratulations Alja

Kerry_Woman

alja - Great news about the job.

alja

Thank you so much just can't wait to be saving properly again! Here's to a super frugal year ahead for all of us

BigMummaF

Bobarella wrote: »

That's brilliant about the crisps Big Mumma. I'd say if your children can get excited & enjoy little pleasures like that you've done a great job of raising non consumers.. so great work.

Aww shucks ..thank you!!!
Even though I say so myself, I am very proud of The Offspring & the adults they've become. They each have mates with animals &/or kiddies who are very happy in their company--sometimes more so than with blood rellies --& all have caring & compassion in every fibre of their soul...except with each other of course :rotfl: And the mse ways are coming along nicely too; No1 Offspring seems to have a natural ability for haggling, particularly when it's insurance renewal time :T

Picklepot wrote: »

Hi All


Apologies if i'm not on the correct thread for this - I don't know my way round the OS board well but sure one of you may be able to help.
Can anyone advise on oldstyle spray cleaners, and/or essential oils please?
I have recently become very oversensitive to modern cleaning products and airfreshners etc.. I cleaned the shower of lime and scum with a well known brand (doors and windows open too!) and had such a tight chest for 2 days have not used it since. I now cant seem to tolerate surface spray either kitchen/bathroom . Plug in air freshners and candles had to go a long time ago as they were too strong. The latest is the tumble dryer sheets which I tend to slide into the drawers/bed clothes in DS2 room when he's at uni.
Many years ago I was asthmatic but I have been fortunate it has been dormant for a long time.

Tell me about it citrus scented stuff is my worst nightmare, with any sort of perfumed air freshner not that far behind.

$upaDrug used to do their own version of a neutraliser a bit cheaper--sort of a mix of Debtol & Neutr@dolly--but I've not been shopping in there for a while. The N brand is good tho, expensive initially, but lasts for an absolute aaage!

We can only use f@iry for laundry & have gone back to for personal care cuz MrT changed the formula in their sensitive soap :mad:

The original white c1f is okay (I've been caught out by shops own) but that is bought on offer & only used where vinegar, salt & elbow grease doesn't work! MrT value bio POWDER is just about bearable for cleaning the teapot or making into a paste to leave on stubborn burned-on bits..oh! & not too shoddy for soaking out stains on clothes either

The good old match makes an excellent, instant air freshner particularly good for the smallest room so we always keep a box there, especially the one right by the front door _pale_

BigMummaF

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

....I don't scrimp on my turkey, always order it from the butchers we buy a turkey saddle/crown so all meat, and we never buy it will stuffing..


we haven't bought any of the fancy stuff they advertise on tv like the frozen deserts etc...


for us Christmas day is a glorified sunday dinner with more sweets and nice things to eat..


haven't even put the decorations up for the last 2 years...lol


have also cut back year on year on how many present/gifts I have bought..

My lot are not keen on turkey so we go for a nicer cut of pork (usually have belly to fight over the crackling ) or go really mad & have leg of lamb! It depends what's on offer & how much room there is in the freezer when I see an offer :rotfl: ..we've had beef before too

The gene pool have been more than generous with the ability to protect our innerds so puddings could be spotted rick, jam roly poly, fruit or jam sponge pud...summink like that... or last year's was an unexpected roaring success; meringue nest with half a pear upturned & a cocktail cherry in the little dip..whoda thunk it could be that easy

quidsy

My mum cooks the bird on the day & we all bring something. I'm usually a gammon (done overnight in slowcooker with ginger beer) and the stuffing balls. I make my own of course where as others in the fam buys from shops, mine are nicer so I get the job every year.

But as we spend Christmas eve & boxing day just us 3, thought I'd spend the mozzitons £25 Christmas shop voucher on that, so have decided that boxing day we are having a 3 pork roast with veg & a layered black forest & Christmas eve will be a lighter meal of salmon side, salad & a selection of mini trifles & truffle bites. So pretty much a 3 day food fest but because of vouchers will likely cost me the price of a gammon, which I will get from Costco at a 35% saving to what I paid in Mozziton's last year:)

Christmas is about the only time we make a real effort over food, the rest of the year we eat quite plainly, I never make roasts anyway so it's nice to actually lay out the table, get the proper wine glasses out & make an event of it.

[Deleted User]

Sounds frugally scrumptious, quidsy:A

May I come please?:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

alja wrote: »

Some of you might remember wishing me luck with a job I applied for a little while ago, a job that could make a massive difference to me. I'm pleased to say, that I got it!


After being out of work since the end of Sept, I have now been offered a job with a higher salary. I will be earning just under £6000 more a year than what I was on at the beginning of this year. I feel very lucky and I'm so glad I went for the role.


This will be a massive help, as I'm hoping to buy my first home within the next year or so. So next year I'm going to be as frugal as possible to try and make it happen

Congratulations Alja. Brilliant news:T:T:T