2014 Frugal Living Challenge

Florenceem

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

Hi Florenceem. Do you subscribe to 'Hoobie craft' You get emails when their sales are online. This might save you some money if you're not as tempted as when you go instore. I agree though that place is lethal for spending. If I pop in for one or two things I wander around like a child in a sweet shop...aaaah all the shiny colours...:D
When I started quilting I went there to get everything I needed, sheesh! Mind you I do use it all and hopefully it will last, aside from new blades for my rotary cutter.
x

I don't often go in that shop as so many goodies in there. I have been really good and not bought any craft bits for ages - not that I really need any.

pm2326

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

I am VERY impressed with your Maths pm x :T

ha ha thanks.... but I've just realised the asda voucher expires 3 days before I get paid so that means sums all change :rotfl::rotfl:

Its now costing £33 at asda including delivery or £30 at sainsbury including delivery (£23 if I get the bus).

I think I know who's getting my order either way!

alja

It was a NSD today for me thankfully I can walk home for lunch every day.

In an old job I used to pop over to the nearby shop every lunchtime and I'd always end up with something extra! Not good for my waistline or my pocket, so I'm glad I don't work near a shop now!

Used up two small sample sachets of body lotion this evening, so that was good to declutter a little and get moisturised for free! I'm also making a point of using up my shampoo/conditioner samples that have been hanging around for a while too.

Keep checking the survey websites I use but them seem quite quiet at the moment!

I need a few more ideas as to how to make a few extra pennies this year. I have some clothes I could sell but last year eb*y messed me about, f*cebook selling was slow and when I did have interested buyers they often didn't turn up when my parents were waiting in for them!

Tempted to try a car boot sale again, are they worth doing these days?

Shortie

Oh my bejinxskies.... I spotted a thread about the Debenhams sale and had a little nose. Got lots of little bits for not a lot of money towards birthday pressies for DS1 and DS2 It took me aaaaggges though and I'm now late for bed, whoops. By the time I'd gone to pay for my items something had gone out of stock. I had to go through the payment process to find that out and then it didn't tell me what was ut of stock so I took a guess and took the bits off the Id bought for my sister's little ones and hey presto the order went through afterwards. A pain though as I went back into each item at least twice to see which was out of stock but they were all still showing as in stock. Never mind, got there in the end - I nearly threw the baby out with the bath water though and I nearly canned the whole order...

Frugalling tonight, I changed lunch plans and make 2 French stick rolls for work tomorrow and the rest if slice ready to make French bread pizzas and is in the freezer. It was left over for NYE so was 'saved' and is also a tasty, quick, easy dinner - win-win!

Coulddobetter

Had another NSD today, took lunch to work and made a stir fry out of things lurching in the fridge. Last Sunday I was in T**** and bought a side of fresh Salmon for £5.50. It made 11 portions so had 2 with the stir fry vegetables, lovely
I even walked the dog to the bank to save on petrol. He loved it and I took out cash for the rest of January's food. I decided to put food money in another purse however I don't own another purse. Normally I would have gone to the shop to buy one. Not this time. Searched DD bedroom, she lives away but leaves most if her belongings at home and hey presto what did I find but a new purse. She confirmed she hates the purse, an unfortunate present and I can have it, what a result. :j
I also paid off £61.32 from our mortgage. I love this thread, thanks guys
CDB x

frugalgdubs

I was given a soup maker for Christmas and although a saucepan would have done, I will be making so much soup this year..... I can cut out lunches and several other foodie items but have a heavy diesel bill each month, that will be a challenge to reduce. Good luck everyone

mummy-of-2-boys

hi everyone could i join you all please.

i have a food shop coming today. so will include that with my spends, i have a fortnightly and yearly budget but need to give it one last going over . i have done my meal plan for january for bfasts and dinners. LO now gets free school meals so school days lunch is sorted for him and i think i have enough soups etc in to cover weekend lunches so all meals are worked out with no takeouts so will hopefully save some money there,
i have managed to save £60 towards xmas next yr (aiming for £20 a week)

my aims in 2014 are:
buy a rotary line and start using TD as little as possible
grow as much as i can
as many NSD's as possible
save for a break away (look into the sun holidays)
pay off all debts
save for xmas 2014
use local free facilities
use clippers to cut DS1 and hopefully DP hair
use up toiletries and cleaning products before buying more
do a freezer and cupboard inventory
bake more (would love to save for a kenwood mixer too)
learn to sew (may invest in a sewing machine too)
make do and mend where possible
keep a spending diary
do a meal plan each week/month
stick to my shopping list
dont pay full price for any presents - stick to budget
visit thread as much as possible ..

i think thats it although i may think of more as the year goes on.... can't believe we are already in 2014 ..... really want this too be a frugal year for us although it may take some doing ... really need to get DP on board

dizzy_lizzie

frugalgdubs wrote: »

I was given a soup maker for Christmas and although a saucepan would have done, I will be making so much soup this year..... I can cut out lunches and several other foodie items but have a heavy diesel bill each month, that will be a challenge to reduce. Good luck everyone

I LOVE homemade soup. Ald* had a soupmaker in not long ago but to be honest it looked quite complicated, to me anyway, and I thought it's much easier sticking it all in a pan.
One of my favourites is leek and potato. So easy with just a stock cube thrown in. Yummy Not forgetting the crusty bread!

Hi mummy-of-2-boys :hello:
Hope you enjoy your year of frugalling

smeelicious

count me in x

Daisychain1

Morning all. A quick update as I should be getting ready for work!

Had an NSD yesterday so that made 2 in a row for me. Today's frugal activity will be
Quick shower instead of usual 10 minutes
Breakfast, lunch, dinner from stores
Go to Work on the bus, bus pass already paid for
Will have to do a food shop tonight but that is all budgeted for but will need to make detailed list before I go to ensure I don't buy more than I need

Have a good day and take care in this stormy weather that is predicted.

DC1