2014 Frugal Living Challenge

ginnyknit

It is hard Pips mum but you did well with your LBM last time so you know what you are doing. Life always steps in to !!!! things up like the car and needs must. wishing you luck with your new LBM xx

Pips_Mum

Thanks ginnnyknit, it was all going well still until the beginning of this Summer, you're right life does like to give us a tripping up once in a while doesn't it!

icontinuetodream

made the patties today.....mixed up my lo runner beans, mash, red cabbage, brie and venison, added a raw finely chopped onion, some crispy fried streaky bacon and bound with an egg, then coated in flour and breadcrumbs and shallow fried... nom nom!!:D

Looking at my budget, the only 'variable' expenses that I have come to over £5k!!!:eek: will have to look further into this!!!:o

Frugalsod

Ceres3 wrote: »

Hi,

I've used the website for years, but never posted on the forums. Although I have no debts, my partner and I are taking out a new mortgage in 2014 to buy out my ex and pay rest of mortgage. So we need to reduce spending and save as much as possible. With 4 teenage boys between us, this could be challenging. As a single parent I have been good at reducing out goings, being inventive and careful so I know we can do it. Its great to read everyone elses stories, tips and advice, keep up the good work. my challenge at the moment is to reduce the food bills. Last week I saved £13 by shopping else where instead of my usual supermarket, by also shopping online at a discounted food website I saved £25, if I keep that up over a month that's £90 or £1080 a year! Whats not to like about that? :j

I use a website called mysupermarket.co.uk. It allows me to shop at any of the supermarkets that have online and delivery services. The site also has features like being able to split deliveries between the stores.

The way I use it allows me to get two big shops from different supermarkets but pay the lowest prices from each store. So even two delivery charges is less than the savings I make by a long way.
They have clever ways of getting better deals by taking advantage of the multi-buys and suggesting alternatives.

mama67

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Nicky-Sue..


Your hubby should have had any wages due and holiday pay, paid by the government.. Your hubby should have received the appropriate forms from the insolvency practionor, so he should not be out of pocket.

And you will get any redundancy pay paid by the government as well.
Depending you can also get pay in lieu of notice, which is what my hubby got as well.

It all does take time, if this hasn't happened talk to ACAS as they will be able to help.

DawnW

Well, the car passed its MOT this afternoon, so only had to pay the fee for having it done (£25)

It still has to go to the main dealer for its annual service, but apart from that all seems to be ok.

I have put a cardigan that OH bought me some time ago on ebay (now he has forgotten all about it that is ). I have never worn it, and it still has its tags. It was probably expensive as it is very good quality (one of the posh 'country' designers who exhibit at county shows and the like) and made from a mohair mix, but not my style I am afraid - a bit 'old' even for me Anyway, hopefully it will sell, as it would be a good buy for someone, and a few pounds gained and one bit of clutter less for me!

Note to self, dissuade OH from buying clothes for me -he rarely does, as he knows he always gets it wrong!

Ceres3

Frugalsod wrote: »

I use a website called mysupermarket.co.uk. It allows me to shop at any of the supermarkets that have online and delivery services. The site also has features like being able to split deliveries between the stores.

The way I use it allows me to get two big shops from different supermarkets but pay the lowest prices from each store. So even two delivery charges is less than the savings I make by a long way.
They have clever ways of getting better deals by taking advantage of the multi-buys and suggesting alternatives.

I have used Approved foods for the first time this week, a lot of stuff is short dated, but a lot if it isn't, huge savings, so will buy some stuff from there on a monthly basis, (this month I saved £25 compared to buying it in tesco as I usually would)

Tiffany_Aching

Joining in and looking forward to this challenge I had my debt LBM over Christmas and I really want to be debt free. The last time I was debt free was in 1998! It was very depressing to realise that.

I can't imagne being able to live on some of the amounts that people here are aiming for and I'm very impressed with those that can! I've been working on my 2014 budget for the last couple of days and think I have cut and shaved about as much as I can. I keep dropping the food budget as it seems an easy one to cut on paper, but I think in reality I'm aiming too low - there are 7 of us here, 3 adults, 3 teens and a 10 year old. I need to look at this a bit more.

Anyway, here's to 2014 - not long to go until we start!

Mrs_Cheshire

Tiffany why don't you post your SOA here, we could then suggest ways to help you. I agree about not cutting the food bill too much.
My main money saving tip is buying low priced meat such as beef brisket and pork shoulder steaks and using them for casseroles and stews, taste brilliant with slow cooking. I also bulk buy potatoes, get a 12.5kg sack from Morrisons for £4.99 although I did buy one reduced to £2.99 about a month ago and still have some left.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Hi All,


Back in work today... and I can now see where my loose change goes.... I normally buy 3 cheap energy drinks every day £1.05 so that's £5.25 just on them.... I must admit I am a bit addicted to them... soooooo think I need to go cold turkey on them....I like Hot blackcurrent squash, so maybe I should try that etc.. to try and 'kick' the energy drinks habbit.. plus If I use a bottle of squash a week.. it will save me at least £4 a week....


Hubby and I smoke ( well a have cut back so much I might as well not smoke) This year we are going to try and grow our own tobacco... all legal and above board.. if anyone else is interested... as long as its for personal use only...


You can buy approx. 1000 seeds for £2...


I bought hubby a brewing kit last year, and we still haven't used it, so 2014 will be the year when he can brew his own ... and hopefully this will save us buying his cans from the supermarket...


Right off to make a cuppa, and we are having turkey sweet and sour with rice for tea....and then make turkey sandwiches for work tomorrow.. so hopefully that will see the back of it..lol..