2014 Frugal Living Challenge

LolaLemon

DawnW wrote: »

Ironically, I then headed upstairs to my own unit to pick up a little gift box to put my friend's earrings in, (it had been in there forever) just as a customer was heading off downstairs with it to pay :rotfl:Never mind, I have found another one at home, and the sale was welcome .

I used to work in a wedding boutique taht had almost moved away from wedding dresses to more guests of weddings outfits, well the girl was closing down adn told me i could have any dresses i wanted, their was a few i had my eye on, so she told me to take them, i told her if by the day we closed they weren't sold i would take them then. yep you guessed it, all of them went, gutted was not the word for it! haha but at least she made some money from it all.

chirpycheap wrote: »

I have ‘fads’ and find myself overspending. I find an author I like and then buy every book that they have written. I decide to do a diet and buy every book and all the products. I start a hobby and get every bit of equipment for it. You get the idea? The result is a houseful of stuff that I don’t use or need so that has to stop. me too!

One big adjustment I will need to make is to stop thinking of shopping as a leisure activity. If we have a day off there are other things that we can do than a trip to the shops. I need to think of shopping as a means to get the things that we need rather than as a day out. I will then stop buying things that we don’t need and stop my home filling up with even more stuff!

me too! me too! me too!!!!

TM6 wrote: »

However, we really enjoy our days our but we need to be more frugal.

Where do you go and what do you enjoy that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I bought passes for Historic Scotland, i pay out £6/m dd for me, my ex and upto 12 kids (i kid u not! as each adult can take 6 kids!!) to go to any historic scotland site for free or very cheap. throughout the year trhey have different events on that we get into for free. a few months back we went to edinburgh castle 2 adults 1 child would be about £40, we showed our pass and away we went for the whole day. durring the summer we went to Linlithgow Palace for their Jousting weekends. Was amazing! I would have went every day if it was on. Took picnics both days. Saved fortunes on great days out exploring, walking loads so getting exercise, learning about history, so educational without it seeming like being taught.
We can also get into English/Welsh Castles cheaper due to a 'link' between the companies running them, so would be vice versa.

Also pay for a family pass into a 'country estate' about 40 mins drive from here. we use taht a lot and is well worth the money. I buy it around now as tehy have a discount on their annual passes and we get the 'top deck' for the cheapest price. again lots of outdoor exercises, lots of animals that interest kids, lots of themed activities, all free, and 1st in line for any of the paid events (think they have 2 a year which are run by external company hence the charge) we dont go to them. Always take a packed lunch and a pair of wellies haha

Initial outlay is a bit steep, but it gives us stuff to do throughout the year, and if its for the castles that are far away, with a little planning, can make it 'cheap as chips' so something like these for things you are interested in might be worth looking into, and because you have paid out for them, then they tend to get used - a lot!

tatabubbly

Got myself some nice kitchen Gadgets with some Christmas money I had left over, delighted I am!

All food from stores today, currently contemplating what to have for lunch!

Paid off €60 off my CC today as well so I'm mighty happy! I've money sitting in my account to pay off a large bill (€200) and all I have left is the cc which should be under €300! having such a good day knowing that I will definitely get it all paid off next month!

Minesamojito

Morning, or is it now afternoon? well semi-successful day for me yesterday. Clocked up another NSD and OH switched a cc debt to 0% deal which was my mission for the day. On the downside, I did put a load of washing in the tumble dryer as the airer was already full from previous day! Definite downside to not having the heating on much is the washing doesn't dry as quickly in the house. Hoping we will get a run of dry weather soon so I can get some out on the line. Also managed to get through a big chunk of the ironing pile, which was good going for me. I hate ironing! I am sure there is some argument for ironing being a very non-frugal activity.

Am going to have to spend today. Need some bread and want to pick up the Sun newspaper for the holiday vouchers, but hoping that will be the extent of the spends. I have also decided to have a big clear out of clothes. There are loads that never get worn so going to have a big sort out and take what I can to the local cash for clothes place.

Thanks for the tip about the naan breads. Have never thought to look at the chilled section as always assumed they would be more expensive. Just goes to show it is worth exploring all possibilities as savings can come from surprising places!

littleskintdragon

Minesamojito wrote: »

Also managed to get through a big chunk of the ironing pile, which was good going for me. I hate ironing! I am sure there is some argument for ironing being a very non-frugal activity.

I iron as we wear, because i find somethings get wrinkly in rhe wardrobe, and i havent got the patience to iron it all in one go.
Were all used to it now

his_missus

Hello!

Quick frugal update as work has been busy today.

Quite impressed with my shop on Saturday. £25 at the butchers and £68 at My A's but more than plenty to last 2 weeks+. Stocked up on cleaning stuff and loo rolls as they were on offer - easily 2 months worth.

Massive cooking session to fill the freezer. 3 portions of roasted beef, 2 chillis, a bolognaise and a lasagne, chicken curry, chicken stir fry and chicken fajitas. Also have 2 portions of sausages and 2 of frozen fish. Enough for 2 weeks on just under £100 (though will need to do a little fresh food shop next week). There was a time £100 would be a week's shopping...!

Xmas decs are down but missing the twinkling lights ( how dull does January seem?) so lit a few candles last night and enjoyed a candlelit evening. That'll save on the leccy

kb_soma

Hello!

I sat down over the weekend and added up the receipts from all the food shopping from last year. The OH, cat and I averaged £130 per month. Going to try and get this down to £100 per month this year.

Wish me luck! We tend to spend more every other month or so when we buy meat as we buy in bulk and then freeze it. My plan for the weekend is to do a 'stock check' on the freezers and cupboards to see what we actually have hidden away, I would also like to start up a larder so we have food there in an emergency.

At the beginning of Dec, I bulk cooked Stew and Cottage pies and froze them, the stew fed me all through Dec and meant my lunch money bought all the Christmas pressies! Good luck all, I hope your plans are working

Needhelpsaving

Hi, just delurking for a minute . . . .

LSD - the aldi mamia nappies and wipes are quite good and the asda little angels ones are too - I find that they work out much cheaper than branded nappies.

I only buy branded nappies when they are on special offer and I have a coupon, making them cheaper than own brands.

If you haven't already, sign up for online baby clubs as they send you free coupons (pampers/heinz/ellas kitchen etc) I have used the cereal coupons the most now I am weaning my daughter, but find it much cheaper to make my own meals for her.

Random, but the heinz baby custard pots are re-usable too. I wash them out and use them to put baby portions in the freezer.

cydney65

Blowing a hoolie outside again! Have no mobile signal as a mast has gone down nearby, which is a pain as we use the mobile for the free minutes.

Might be another NSD we shall see. Driving DD to see the midwife later (due in 3 weeks eek) and she always wants to go to the Co*p for something, which means I will be tempted. I do need mouthwash and deodorant but will probably try and get by until we go to Al*i or Ll*dl.

his_missus

mumfirst wrote: »

Aww thanking you very muchly DawnW.. feel daft having to ask at my age, will give it a whirl.. hopefully will be cheaper than the tins i buy for work at the moment, though fridge bottom soup today would consist of 1 tin of stella and 2 bottles of bud.

Mumfirst - are you my bessie? Sounds like her freezer :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

HopefulFuture wrote: »

Morning all!

Off work today with a heavy cold and nasty cough so decided to use the time constructively and join the MSE forum. I've already joined the 'Debt Free by Xmas 2014' thread but would also like to keep in the loop here.

I was a member in 2012 and 2013, it was a real help to me, lovely bunch of people.

To those thinking of early retirement/soon to be retired, I'd love to be able to retire early/work part time. It's something we've discussed. Hubby has two disabled sisters (who live at home still and probably will never live independently) who in years to come may have to live with us if DH's parents get too old to look after them. Our own parents may even need caring for in the future and, as we're the couple without kids, it will probably fall to us.

It's another reason to live frugally, pay off the mortgage and have some savings behind us should this situation arise.

nat21luv

Day 5 without heating or hot water it's blimmin cold but I have a oil filled raidiator we're using. It's not making a dent though as the rooms are so big. My electric bills will be huge but at least the gas won't be

Dinner for the kids is whoopsied jacket pots with a free can of Heinz 5beans and a sprinkling of cheese. Total cost for 2, 32p I'm eating clean so I'll have to find something, might just be bacon, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumber and fruit. Not sure how much longer I can go without shopping for, need fresh fruit/veg.