2014 Frugal Living Challenge

DawnW

With regard to Facebook, I think that FB and this site have different purposes IYSWIM. I see that this thread has had 22,051 views, even though there are only 460 posts so far, which indicates, even if you allow for a lot of double counting, a fair number of lurkers who might be tempted to join in, or be helped out without any of us even knowing it

There is nothing to stop a poster from setting up a FB group as well though - I would join! I already have a FB account, but don't find it that easy to use. In fact, I keep meaning to set up a page for my small business, but can't get my head round it - maybe this is an additional challenge for me for 2014, to properly get to grips with FB!

Well, one more cup of coffee and then out with OH to do some errands. I really am going to have to boot myself up the behind shortly, as I have to get used again to early starts and late finishes when I go back to work on Thursday

Penny2myName

Just done an Update version of my budget breakdown for 2009 and in 2014 (5 years on) it has to be £5k I live on and not £4k.

Year to Date spending
Groceries - £960.00/
Household Insurance - £335.28/
Internet & Phone - £420.00/
TV License - £145.50/
Mobile Phone - £816.00/ (paying for 4 peoples phones)
Gas & Elec - £1704.00/
Water - £336.00/
Cleaning - £60.00/
Toilettries -£50.00/
Total £4826.78
Leaving £173.22 for :-
Books - £00
Everything else - £00
Delivery - £00

judi24

Can I join you all please?- you seem like a helpfull and friendly bunch! I have been hanging around the boards for years and I have managed to pay off debt but it always creeps up again - I develop good habits and get very frugal for a while then revert back to my old spendy ways before I know it!


I have worked out a plan and aim to pay £1000 a month off my CC's making me CC debt free in 9 months, however I want to develop habits that will last a lifetime and help to educate my children about money - and making the most of it!


I waste far too much - food, fuel and money and it needs to stop! My aim is give my kids the best life I can - but not in the material sense - to give them fun and experinces that they will never forget and values that will set them up for life!


The fisrt step is to become a master of my money rather than a slave to it!

mumfirst_2

id like to join please. i have about 6500 worth of debt still to pay, the result of relationship breakdown and starting from scratch and having to buy everything again then adjusting to life on one wage. My DD2 now 20 (now how did i get that old?) still lives at home.. sort of, there are pots and a mess so i guess she still lives here though rarely sleeps here so doesnt pay board but finances herself, own food, phone, toileteries and treats me to the occassionally meal out. I am in the process of changing jobs - less hours and have to travel, so less money but i will be much happier but as well as this i have lost £92 a week in tc/cb... which makes me question what the hell i spent it all on???

I had a very frugal christmas, small gift & lottery ticket for essential gifts and a no gift pact with close friends/siblings.
Instead my children (i have 3 - one at uni, one with dad and partners x2) had a lovely xmas eve meal out which i paid for (sort of ..with the help of loyality points) and a catch up lunch with my closest friend instead of gifts. we all agreed was better than a load gifts you dont want anyway. So for the first time in forever, im starting January free from Christmas debt.

Hopefully i can pick the brains of the lovely guys on here and actually be in credit by the end of 2014... heres hoping.

optimistic-mummy

Thanks for your replies regarding fb. It would be a group that was as well as not instead of. I love this thread but with 2 young children dont always get time to get on comp and the site doesn't load properly on my phone so fort by having a page it would help me and maybe others keep on track and hopefully stop me tailing off half way through the yr. People could post as little or as much as they liked weather it be too track there progress/spending or just to offer tips and advice. I love posting on here so will carry on doing so.... I love this site and hoping it will help for me and my family with money in 2014.
If I have the page as closed non of my friends would be able to see my posts will they (only ppl in the group can see the posts)

Definitely considering setting up a page to help me keep track. Will try and post here daily too. heres to a new yr new start ... new frugal me .. will post link later feel free to join if you want to (you dont have to post at all if you dont want to ... post as much or as little as you like.

Off out now but will hopefully catch up with the thread later. Have a lovely afternoon everyone x

mooomin

I'd be interested in joining a FB page as well as this one. I find it's easier to keep up with FB on the go using my phone and I know that I've found it useful to help me keep track of my weightloss using a WW group.

optimistic-mummy

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1408180499425522?ref=bookmark&__user=693797631

Can someone let me know if the link works plz. If not will do it on comp later as out atm

Goldiegirl

My bread maker is now doing it's thing, baking it's first ever loaf. I bought the flour and yeast this morning, and it's immediately clear how much money could be saved by baking your own, rather than buying shop bought. Hope it turns out ok!


We have some unexpected expenditure this morning - a part in the cistern has broken. I've ordered the spare part via eBay. I've got some money in Paypal, for small treats and contingences, so that has been useful. Mr GG is fairly handy with DIY, so he'll have a task to do in the next few days.


In the meantime, we'll have to remember to use the downstairs loo, or use a bucket to flush!


I've taken a few money saving steps - I haven't renewed the subscriptions on two magazines. I realised I received the magazines, leafed through them.... and that was it. Also, all the info I got from the magazines is online, so I can get it for free anyway. I've also decided not to buy a desk diary for 2014. I've got a lovely free wall calendar from P&O cruises, and apart from that, my computer or iPad will tell me the date any time I need to know it.


Horrible wet and dull here. Makes you feel like hibernating.


Incidently, I don't do Facebook. I am a member, but only used it once last year to get some important info. I'd much rather we kept things on MSE

Frugalsod

Goldiegirl wrote: »

In the meantime, we'll have to remember to use the downstairs loo, or use a bucket to flush!

I would usually put some bleach down the toilet and descale it while it was out of action. I live in a hard water area so it scales up.

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Incidently, I don't do Facebook. I am a member, but only used it once last year to get some important info. I'd much rather we kept things on MSE

I only use FB for contacting certain friends. I never use it for anything else.

redbooties

optimistic-mummy wrote: »

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1408180499425522?ref=bookmark&__user=693797631

Can someone let me know if the link works plz. If not will do it on comp later as out atm

I've requested to join the Facebook page as I find it much easier to keep up to date that way