2014 Frugal Living Challenge

tokicat

ALJA, glad I am not the only one... Been much too soft in the past and this has impacted our financial situation. Went to the shops before with my DS told him I would not be buying him a drink or food out so he better take something from home

Suse, thank you for that link am going to print one out tonight

My mystery meat was not pork as I was expecting but beef so have had to rustle up a quick casserole instead. Must write labels on freezer bags in future

DawnW

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I'll be interested to hear how you get on in retirement, as that's what I'm working towards.


I worked full time up until 4 years ago when my office was closed and we were all made redundant. I have found a two day a week part time job, but those two days do sometimes make me feel is if my life force is being sucked out of me !


I have a tiny ebay business which I like, and I intend carrying on with that. I don't make a fortune, but it is enjoyable, and makes a little bit extra for treats.

I noticed your sig GG, and guessed we might have a bit in common. I am 60 now (how did that happen :eek:), and my job is very full time, quite senior and reasonably well paid, but very stressful and I am always worn out. So, time to let the younger ones take over I think!

My pension will only be small because, having been a full time mum, and then a student, I only have a limited number of years of contributions. After all, you can only expect to get back what you pay in I have therefore spent the last few, well paid years paying off debts and mortgage, and putting some money by to build up a cushion in case something needs doing to the house or whatever. Since savings are actually decreasing in value now due to low interest rates and high inflation, it seems the right time to stop.

I am pretty good at being frugal, as we have been skint for most of our marriage, it is only in the last few years I have been earning well. It will certainly be a challenge, but one I am looking forward to

Shortie

Evening all. Nothing spent today as we stayed in but I wrapped the birthday pressies that we had bought the other day. The neice's pressie looked nice as it is so I decided not to do my usual and try to spend the full amount under the thought that I'd feel guomty if I didn't - I'm happy what she's getting and it's just over 1/4 of the max planned spend so more money here to build savings/pay the bank of Mum and Dad if the worst doesn't happen

We had a 'use up' brunch of leftover drop scones with creme fresh that was bought for a dessert we didn't make at Christmas, a tin of value peace slices, and we shared 2 leftover scones between us all. We've just had dinner of the second half of tbe batch cooked lasagne with hm oven chips. We're off in a mo to our neighbours for a catch up and think we'll take some of our remaining snacks and maybe our christmas cheeses and unopened pack of crackers.

CoolTrickerChick - I'm very much the same - I deal with things in my own head but the ones I can't finally oooozzzeee out surprising everyone as they would have no idea whathad been wizzing round my head.. When I was made redundant 2 years back I knew it was coming just didn't know when. I shed a single tear in the meeting with HR and 'hardened up' straight away. My Dad toks me I wasn't dealing with the emotions as I put my hard head on and got another job sorted 4 days later but it had to work tgat way as Mr Shortie was in tears when I told him (he was working at the time so we were financially better) so I had to be strong...

Ooohh being looked at as we need to leave.. will sort my lunch for work tomorrow when I get in

Have a good evening all, and thanka again for the support from the flap last night xxx

Mrs_Cheshire

suse* wrote: »

I'd like to join too as it is just me and the dog, that means I only have myself to answer to really.

I noticed on the first page it said about sharing gardens / allotments. I have some physical disabilties which mean I am not up to doing lots of digging etc. My garden currently is a bit of a blank canvas as well and just needs some new top soil really then will be all set. I was wondering are there websites for the shared gardens as I thought maybe I could find someone who wanted to grow things but didn't have the space. Then we could team up somehow and I could maybe help pay for them maintaining it for me in other bartered services as well. I had been thinking of putting in some raised beds instead of a lawn possibly, and just getting a couple of offcuts of astroturf for the dog to have a place to sunbath on in the summer.

Where do you live?

millionaire_in_training

Batch cooked today and made 6.5 litres of lentil soup. Will need thinned down so I will get about 20 plates form that for approx 20p per plate ( not counting electricity) Also made macaroni for tomorrow night's dinner and made some extra to freeze. I always make way way too much pasta so I looked at it realistically and I actually got 9 portions for the approx cost of 50p per portion. I am really pleased as good, healthy , filling food made from nice fresh ingredients Happy M.I.T tonight xx

yukkibear

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

I've gone back to using an online butcher (so much nicer than supermarket meat and goes further) but cheaper than our local butcher. I'll have 20 meals worth of lovely quality meat (when I bag it all up individually) on the 31st in the freezer. My order was £51 with delivery. This has always saved me a fortune in the past, no idea why I stopped doing it??!

Is there one you can reccomend? I've been thinking of an online butcher for a little while but never sure which to use

Nicki_Sue

yukkibear wrote: »

Is there one you can reccomend? I've been thinking of an online butcher for a little while but never sure which to use

I switch between Clare Barry (the green offers are great) and Meatpacks dependant on what I fancy / need and any offers. The delivery for Meatpack is more yet even with that added on it is STILL cheaper than my local butcher and the supermarket.

Nicki_Sue

Yukkibear / others

This is a snap of my most recent order for Meatpacks. You'd be surprised how far 6kg stretches when it is really good quality meat and I'm the cook

miss_empty_piggy

I was going to ask the same question - never ever crossed my mind to buy meat of the net, but will definitely be checking out these. Thanks.

for the first time in almost 2 years I have actually listed 2 items for sale on fleabay!. I AM DETERMINED!!! Still got lots more to list but am searching high and low for the box for DD2's ipod!. I've put it somewhere "safe" stupidly.

Right, I'm off to check out the meat sellers now. x

Flutterby83

First time I've managed to read this thread since last night - looks like I missed loads!
Shortie - Glad you sorted your head out and managed to get some sleep
Cooltrikerchick - I walk round in a hello kitty onesie most of the time, and if it's not that, I'm a hedgehog! As long as I'm warm, I really don't care what I look like (oh, and the kids are a dinosaur, 2 smaller kitty's and a mouse!)
Suse - my son has physical disabilities too and we find that a raised planter helps him be able to plant things, although I don't know if this would be accessible to you as we have a private garden. We also find he prefers to do the stuff on window sills (the herbs, peppers etc) as they are at an easier height, would this work for you too?

Today was spent salvaging buttons, zips and materials from my partners old clothes, then did a freezer inventory and found we have enough meals for another 2 weeks! Thinking about attacking our local shop just before closing for bread too as my son and I had some reduced donuts last night (9p for 5, should have been £1) that were really nice, but that's for another day hope everyone has had a good day