2014 Frugal Living Challenge

thepennyfarthings

Happy 2014 everyone

Found this earlier oxfordowl.co.uk
Great for helping children learn to read. 250 free books, it also has a maths section.

I have also found the post office christmas club. postoffice.co.uk/savings
I like the idea of this and will be looking into it. Since the burglary I do not like having anything of any value around the house. I want to sell up and move but this will cost money we simply don't have at the moment.

First NSD of the year:j
Dragged family and dog out for a walk this morning. Got soaked:(
Just had roast beef with all the trimmings, yummy:j
Baking later:cool:

Enjoy the rest of the day!
tpf.

BMG

I am hoping to be more frugal this year. The years of spending what I want, when I want are over.


I have not set a budget yet as I have no idea what we spend in a month. Hopefully after stocking up the cupboards with essentials I will be able to plan meals better and only buy what we need

nannygladys

Hi
Happy New Year to everyone


I have had a nice surprise today when I submitted my meter readings, they have reduced my DD payment by £15 a month, I think they have reassessed my monthly payment as I had solar panels fitted in November (solar panels were free ones) so as I submit my readings every week the electric readings have gone right down, so that's a good start to my first really frugal year.


Its a NSD for me and food for DGD and me is coming from left overs and cupboards so it wont look very pretty but hey ho!!!!


That's about it really, as I cant change my bills anymore, I will submit my annual amount later.


Nannyg

COOLTRIKERCHICK

I think I am going to have to review my thought on just trying to spend £5 a day on shopping...


Just went to Asda to get milk, an they had these selection boxes reduced to 50p each. that works out at approx. 8.5p per item.


http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml?cmpid=ahc-_-ghs-sna1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/product/910001148562


so I bought 21 boxes... at that price I just couldn't help myself.... they would be great for lunch boxes...


Think I need to work out a monthly shopping budget ( including provisions for reduced stuff/bulk buys) and put that money in a separate purse)

[Deleted User]

I am just back from my walk and swim. I was lucky to get decent weather for my walk as it has started raining again now.

Settling down with OH for a wee hour to relax before starting dinner.

This morning we did a freezer/fridge and cupboard inventory and we have plenty of stuff we can use up before needing to buy too much more. OH is back at work on Jan 3rd night shift so we will use up some carrots and make carrot and coriander soup for him to take.

We also stripped the bed and put on fresh bedding. Later we are going to plan ahead for OH to get his hols booked for next year.

Goldiegirl

Here we are, the start of our frugal year.


Seems to be going ok so far we're still on the Christmas leftovers I haven't spent any money so far this year.. but the new year is only 16 hours old !!


We've still got the decorations up - will take them down on Saturday. Work tomorrow - at least I only do Thursdays and Fridays.


My next frugal task will be on Sunday, when I do the first grocery order of the year.


Bye for now!

DawnW

OK, so I have now done the banking and ebaying that I didn't do yesterday

Vension (also from yesterday) now cooked and eaten
OH and brother have finished up the blackberry and pear crumble, and the remaining pear in the fruit bowl has my name on it

Unopened tin of Quality Street is still there but probably not for much longer

Xmas tree back outside where it is sat in its pot enjoying the wind and rain

Back to work tomorrow Must get lunch ready this evening, and clothes etc :eek:

Lots of birthdays this month - I have been giving children and older grandchildren around £60 each for birthdays forever, and have decided to continue to do so for this year. After this year though, I hope to be retired, and won't be able to afford this much any more So anyway, 2 DDs x £60 this month, DS next, 2 in March etc :eek: which will be quite a big chunk out of my £4k till end April total. Also old friend's birthday which is not nearly so expensive but I need to think about a present (already have a nice card in my stash )

In future, I will have more time to look for nice presents that do not cost that much!

Present money for DD2 arranged, as her birthday is next Sunday It is to be put towards a fruit press for juicing apples etc, so a nice OS / prepping present (I have taught her well ). Her OH is paying the remainder - they are expensive :eek:

Work is set to be a nightmare for the next few months :mad:, probably up to requested retirement date - hopefully I can escape then :eek:

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Just worked out how much our fry up for 4 cost us this morning.. was 55p per serving... this was down to the sausages being a YS buy at 40p the pack of frozen hash browns were reduced to 50p ( used half the contents) beans, tin tomatoes and eggs, no bacon.. using that for our quiches..


The juice that was in the tomatoes is now in the freezer, to be added to spag bals etc...


Tea tonight a beef dinner, using up the joint of beef we cooked on Christmas day... carrots, parsnips, pots, frozen sprouts and gravy granules...


Beef sandwiches and tomato sandwiches tomorrow for work...


I have been doing a bit of number crunching and I think £77 per week, (£4004. per yr) is an amount I am going to try use as a budget... Once everyone has gone to bed tonight and I got peace and quiet, I can start doing a load of number crunching.. to see how close I can get to that, this will not include mortgage, council rates, pig food ...etc.. I am hoping I can work out if this will cover food, cat food, electric token.. and bulk buying..etc.. Fuel goes through our business..


Sorry waffling I am thinking and writing at the same time...lol

Florenceem

Written all the year's Birthdays & Anniversaries that need cards in my new diary. I work out when I need to post so I can do second class stamps.
Writing out the menu plan for the whole month using my cupboards/freezer inventory. It is a real money saving way of making meals - use what you have. Of course - if a great YS/Whoops comes along - I am flexible in the menu.
I am going to sit and remove the sequins from a cloth bag given to me - they will be fine and free to use in crafts. I am also unpicking the zip from the bag. The zip will be handy for using in a purse/make up bag project - gift idea.

nikki2002-2008

Sorted out my meal plan today no food needed all month other than bread, milk and fresh veg and fruit. We have enough toiletries for the year I think we had a lot for christmas and I intend to ask for money for my birthday to get myself a meat slicer and the the rest will go in my sealed money pot. I'm ready for this and I will stick to my budget this year. Other than that I have been studying like crazy, its great not drinking last night not only did I save money but no bad head either