2014 Frugal Living Challenge

23rdspiral

Doh! I thought this was NSD1, but husband just bought a dishwasher online! We tried without for a month & it didn't work for us. But at least he bought it in the sales.

Thanks for the well wishes dizzy, it's nice to 'see' you again. I have an extremely scary/worrying hospital appointment on Wed last week.. (For a test that can in itself do a lot of damage), I have everything crossed that life will indeed be less stressful after that.

InClover

Can I join this one please. I like to think I'm already fairly frugal as I'm trying to pay off debts but I'm sure you all have lots of ideas that I haven't even thought about.


Am making a start this week by trying not to spend any money on food, there is plenty in my cupboard and freezer I just need to plan my mealtimes a bit better.

Nicki_Sue

A composting question. I know that I have enough green & brown to make compost but I wouldn't use much of what I would produce. Is there a market for compost ie people who will take it for use for free do you think?

Part of my frugal living is reducing waste so this is something I'm looking into.

Ceres3

Nicki sue any local gardener should be happy to take any extra compost you make, I never have enough, even with large compost bins in my garden

SarahB1989_2

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Hi Sarah. A good idea is to take out the £100 in pound coins and ask for some of those little plastic money bags and bag them up eg £5 in each one, it does make budgeting much easier.
I used to do this weekly and it did work. Seeing all those shiny £1 coins makes you want to hold on to them for longer.
Thanks for reminding me about it
x

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't live anywhere near the bank. Will have coins once I break into the first note though and that'll be a reminder not to use the next note!

Nicki_Sue

Ceres3 wrote: »

Nicki sue any local gardener should be happy to take any extra compost you make, I never have enough, even with large compost bins in my garden

Fabulous news. If you are passing North Yorkshire in 9-12 months do give a nod
We have a paved garden but a fabulous raised bed that runs the length with herbs, plants, flowers and even a tree. Plenty of green waste there, twiggy and otherwise throughout the year, veggie scraps and the like as well as the "brown" waste needed so I might give it a go. The info on the local council website is great and I can get a 330l composter for just £19.45 there so worth a go.

I'll offer it on freecycle and what not then when ready.
Thanks!

Daisychain1

Evening all. :j

:beer: Happy New Year :beer:

After following this thread for a couple of years now I think it's about time I jump in and give it a go. I really have no idea how much to budget for but what I do know is that if I take each day as it comes and be as frugal as possible everyday then the 12 month challenge should be very doable.

I am generally quite frugal minded anyway but there are always more ways to save and hopefully by joining all you lovely people I should gather more tips, inspiration and motivation.

I have got off to a great start today. I have

Taken a short shower instead of the 10 minutes I usually take.
Made Xmas tags using christmas cards
Had dinner at my folks house
Lit the log burner to keep the house lovely and cozy and warm
Had an NSD.

Tomorrow should also be an NSD. Packed lunch for work is already to go, bus pass to work is paid for and then home for a lovely evening in.

Good luck to you all on your frugal 2014 journey. With each other's help it should be fun.

DC1

judi24

Happy New Year everyone!


Right! now to get started properly with paying off my debt and being frugal!
Had a bit of a party last night and I probably went a bit mad with the food - people also brought things so I now have a house full of leftovers so I won't need to shop this week! The amount of beer and wine leftover was crazy and I have signed up for the Dryathlon for Jan so it is all stashed away for my daughters 21st in Feb.


Tomorrow I need to do a freezer/store cupboard inventory and menu plan for as much of the month as I can - money will be very tight in Jan as I have overspent as usual over Christmas.

happycrafter_2

New calendar filled in, Christmas cards all cut up for new cards/tags this year and done some more knitting. Didn't get round to baking as fell asleep with my dogs on the couch
Have also set myself up with a blog to record everything I make this year, so I keep it all off Facebook as well.

[Deleted User]

ellie-g wrote: »

Ok money savers, tomorrow is forecast to be dry, sunny with some wind and my resolution not to use my tumble dryer is as strong as ever! Consequently I have just done 2 loads of washing which is ready to hang out first thing in the morning. Keeping my fingers crossed there won't be any surprise rain, if so there will be clothes hanging everywhere in the house ....

Good to know, thank you. I have some bedding I need to do. I will get up sharp tomorrow and see what the weather is like.