2014 Frugal Living Challenge

bonsibabe

Hi there, I've not been on here for proper ages! But would like to have a go at this challenge. I've been trying but failing miserably lol.:o

My plan for 2014 is for my and my family to live as well as possible but spend as little as possible. I've been good and given a lot of handmade pressies this year but not enough as I would have liked to so the knitting starts now!

I have also decided that I will be getting all my meat from a butcher from now on. There is one where my nan went to, my mum uses and I use it sometimes. Went in there and they have a deal where you can get 6 items for £22 so last week went in and spent £44 on two meat packs. The best bit is you get a list to choose from. Between that and doing the majority of my shopping at lidls and aldi will help.

But I am also an avid couponer but only use coupons for items i would normally buy. But for next year, I will only use a coupon if it means I will get an item completely free. I have a stock of shampoos and conditioners and shower gels and soap and toothpastes that should last most of next year if we are careful with them so I might just get away with not buying these items. I think I have about 3 months worth of loo roll as well so that should save money.

I will have to go through the finances properly as I have noticed that my figures shown are from 2012 so they have reduced slightly! Apart from OH who is on a sticky wicket at the mo but thats a different story:rotfl:

jackel

Hi All Really enjoying all your posts and help.
I don't want to be controversial but I really hope you don't adopt a plan to switch to Facebook. I know I am only one and that I am hopless and really should try harder(noboddy to show me how) to update my computer skills, but I can't make head nor tale of Facebook and I am so looking forward to this challenge - sorry OM jac.xxx

miss_empty_piggy

Sorry optimisticmummy, I have to agree with jackel, new people/lurkers etc are encouraged to join because they can see what we're doing and if that's hidden then it's not there for others to be encouraged to join. I totally see your reasoning though and it's a good idea in principle.:T

tatabubbly

I like the idea Optimisticmummy but I'd rather use MSE for my frugalling!!

Well today is a very low spend day, planning on doing an inventory of our kitchen. I know there is very little in the cupboards atm but I do have a heap load of spices and herbs (that are thankfully cheap out here!)

OH has to go home on the 5th for a week so I'm going to ask him to bring me back some teabags (i'm a sucker for lyons gold blend) and I'll be a happy bunny!

He is leaving me with the majority of the money for this month. Planning on spending it wisely and getting rid of as much debt as I can in January.. Seems like an excellent time to get rid of the bills that have been overhanging me and concentrate on my cc then!

Just found out last night that I may have a little more tutoring work on the way, if I manage to get another 5 hours I should be self sufficient again ie. not having to take from OH wages.

yukkibear

It's not a silly idea Optimistic-mummy but I think it's better staying here for all the reasons other people have said about tips being in public view. Easier for lurkers to see and gain help from

Mrs_Cheshire

Thats great news tata, bet you'll enjoy February even more with some proper tea bags!
I sorted the freezer the other day but still need to write my inventory. I need to do the same for the cupboards so I can use up some of the bits lurking in the back. Think I'll put a pan of soup on tonight when I'm preparing the other veg for tea, that way I'll have lunch sorted for tomorrow and a couple of portions for freezing!

Frugalsod

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Frugalsod.... I did love the kenwood, but looking at the prices I just could not afford one.. I was lucky as the one I had/got was given to me years ago by my mother, when I told her yesterday it was broken, she couldn't remember having it..lol.. so it showed she only bought it on a whim...


In the end I bought this one
http://www.tesco.com/direct/tefal-kitchen-machine/471-5248.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=471-5248


I did see some other ones that were cheaper etc, but I felt this one would be a good and robust one.. and hopefully will last me a long time.


As I have said before being frugal isn't allways about the cheapest... plus with electrical stuff after having my kitchen nearly go up in smoke due to a fridge we had from freecycle a few years ago.. I would never have anything secondhand electrical again ( unless I know where it came from) It looked as though instead of taking it to the tip, they put it on freecycle and advertised it as good working order...

My only thought was that you may find it hard to get additional accessories for it. Though the addition of the slicer/grater is good. The Kenwood one while very good does have the tendency to clog up. The shape of the Tefal one looks like it will encourage whatever you have sliced to fall out so clearing itself. If you only need those features then you probably have a very good deal.

I wanted to do more and more so the future flexibility was essential for me. Mine cost 4 times the cost of your Tefal, though because I use it more than five times a week I reckon that it will have paid for itself in less than two years, even allowing for the extra accessories that I bought. It is all dependant on what you want to do with it. I hope it does all that you want.

happycrafter_2

Up bright and early this morning oh has started making his ale and will start making the wine next, I would really recommend the Wurzels orange wine method cheap and it tastes great we make it with apple and grape juice from aldi. I have a large beef curry in the oven on low this will portion up for 2 family meals and 1 party portion for new year just going round the neighbours house.

his_missus

Morning all,

Hubby was talking about doing the house up (again!) last night. He's really fallen out of love with it but what we want to do (move a wall, double glazing, new bathroom and kitchen...) isn't going to be cheap. I think he'd planned to extend his loan which he thought was almost paid off (turns out he has 2 more years on it) so I've got him to agree that we will save as much as we can between now and June/July and seee where we're at then and he agreed!:j

This will definitely help get him into a more frugal frame of mind

I checked through the fridge last night to see what needed using asap, nothing needed throwing out :T
Today's frugalness - leftover turkey, ham, cream (if's it not gone whiffy) and cheese pasta for tea and prep those darn spuds for freezing

ETA: I also need to reset the heating. It's been set to come on for 5 hrs a day to dry my backlog of washing but can be reduced now to just 2hrs. Mind you, I've not had the gas fire on for the past few days...

Nicki_Sue

I have the choice of nipping to Tesco for our veg and bits for next week (DH back at work 2nd) or brave the blinking awful wind and rain with my trolley and head into town to Heron Foods and then double back for veg at Lidl (cheapest combo).

Oh well, I guess it makes more sense to make the windy trek (I don't drive so wherever I go it is on foot)