Living on $12,000 a year

needmoney

moanymoany wrote: »

It's surgical spirit. Has anyone used these as deoderant - and more importantly - does it work.

I know someone with very smelly feet and when they went into hospital the doctor remarked on this and advised using it once a day after washing and it does work

Chipps

moanymoany wrote: »

What is in the tightwad gazette? I've never heard of it before reading the post.

The Tightwad Gazette is a compilation of articles from a newsletter started by Amy Dacyczyn, who believed that it was possible to have a family and buy a "rural pre-1900 New England farmhouse (with attached barn)" She said "I had a crazy notion that I could have both without the two-income/daycare frenzy that has become the norm for the modern American family"

She decided to do this by living as frugally as possible, to such an extent that she was nicknamed the "frugal zealot". Not surprisingly, she and her husband felt they were alone in this lifestyle, but realising there probably were other like-minded people somewhere, decided to publish a newsletter for "mutual support and the exchange of frugal ideas." The newsletter ran for 6 years, after which they had made enough money to be able to close the business and retire early, still living their frugal lifestyle.

The book is a combination of tips and articles where she has researched what is the cheapest way of doing/buying something. She says she received a lot of letters from people complaining that certain articles weren't relevant to them, but her reply was that "in each of these articles, the process - digging for the least expensive option - is relevant to me. And every once in a while I know that the lessons are getting through when a reader takes it upon herself to solve a problem."

So, although the individual articles may not be relevant here and now, it is the whole way of looking at things that is helpful. Her "tightwaddery" is probably more extreme than most of us would be comfortable with (I know it is for me) but then again, look at the results they achieved! It's definitely worth a read if you can get hold of it - see if it's possible to order it from your library!

Thistle-down

Chipps wrote: »

although the individual articles may not be relevant here and now, it is the whole way of looking at things that is helpful. Her "tightwaddery" is probably more extreme than most of us would be comfortable with (I know it is for me) but then again, look at the results they achieved! It's definitely worth a read if you can get hold of it - see if it's possible to order it from your library!

:T I agree completely. I do find much of it relevant to me but the most valuable thing about the book is that whenever I feel the urge to splurge I pick up the book and it gives me the right mindset to continue my frugal efforts.

I think it is a book worth owning.

azjh77

Our annual income is about £12k, for a family of 6. When you take out the 'compulsories' like mortgage/council tax/utilities, you have 'spent' £8k, before you even start on food, a car, clothes, debt repayments......I long for the day when I can go SOS with my money.

FrankieM

azjh77 wrote: »

Our annual income is about £12k, for a family of 6. When you take out the 'compulsories' like mortgage/council tax/utilities, you have 'spent' £8k, before you even start on food, a car, clothes, debt repayments......I long for the day when I can go SOS with my money.

Thanks for that....
I've been reading this thread with real interest, but those managing on such a small amount seemed to be singles or small families.
I was wondering how possible it was for a larger family.
We are 6 as well.
I'd love to know what your budget break down is, if you wouldn't mind sharing it, that is.....

FZwanab

Thistle-down wrote: »

:T I agree completely. I do find much of it relevant to me but the most valuable thing about the book is that whenever I feel the urge to splurge I pick up the book and it gives me the right mindset to continue my frugal efforts.

I think it is a book worth owning.

I wish she had done a follow up book for her teenagers, I'd love to know what way she is living now.

thriftlady_2

moanymoany wrote: »

Buy this book with More-with-less Cook Book by Doris Janzen Longacre today! Buy Together Today: £20.21


.

My bibles I wrote this review of More With Less on Amazon


My absolute favourite cookbook, 13 Dec 2005
Reviewer: A reader

I am a cookbook addict, but amongst all the Jamies, Nigels and Nigellas on my bookshelf this modest little book is the one I actually cook from.The recipes require a set of U.S cup measures(easily obtainable), are all easy to follow and to adapt, and call for cheap, basic everyday ingredients.The introductory pages consist of a thought provoking call to all of us in the west to consume less so that others might simply live.I now have two copies; one for my bedside and one for the kitchen.I have read it cover to cover many times and always leave it feeling inspired

moanymoany

Thriftlady, can you please give us some idea of the sort of recipies there are in the book. I'm interested in it but I don't want to buy it without some idea of the contents.

I've been to the library today and ordered 'Frugal for Dummies', but to get the Tightwad Gazette I would have had to pay £2.60 to get it from outside the area.....!

I looked for this book, but they don't have it in the area either.

Thanks.

Looking for Thriftlady's entry on Amazon I looked up Tightwad and ordered the original and II for .01p each, plus postage.

thriftlady_2

Hi Moanymoany,
The recipes in More With Less are pretty ordinary really. They are certainly not gourmet or full of fashionable ingredients. They use simple everyday ingredients but take very kindly to adaptation and experimentation. for example whenever a recipe calls for margarine or shortening I use butter, oil I usually use olive. You can spice things up if that's what you like.

These are some of my regulars -which I freely add to and adapt;
basic dry cereal formula (granola)
sprouts salad -beansprouts ,slad leaves, sunflower seeds other veg
quick fruit cobbler -simple mixture of flour, sugar, milk with fruit -baked
honey-baked chicken
biscuits -these are like scones to serve with savoury dishes
baked lentils with cheese (I posted this recipe on the thread about lentils)
quick chocolate pudding -milk, cornflour, cocoa and sugar -kids love this and can be made into chocolate ice lollies
roasted sunflower seeds -hm munchy seeds
buttermilk pancakes -I use yogurt, I posted the recipe on the recipe board thread recently


There are lots of bean and lentil recipes so plenty for veggies.

These are the recipe chapter headings
yeast and quick breads
cereals
beans, soybeans and lentils
main dishes and casserole (note that US casseroles are more akin to pasta bakes than stews)
eggs, milk and cheese
meats and fish
soups
vegetables
salads
desserts, cakes, and cookies
gardening and preserving
snacks and miscellaneous

Why don't you go to Amazon.com and read the reviews there -there are loads -nearly all favourable

azjh77

FrankieM wrote: »

Thanks for that....
I've been reading this thread with real interest, but those managing on such a small amount seemed to be singles or small families.
I was wondering how possible it was for a larger family.
We are 6 as well.
I'd love to know what your budget break down is, if you wouldn't mind sharing it, that is.....

I'm ashamed to say that my budget is rubbish, we barely cope, and I tend to feed the kids LOTS of pasta! Once all my debts are paid off though I will start doing things properly. As it is we have about £45 per week for food - we have lots of pasta/noodles/beans on toast. We grow some veg, (and have had a good crop of raspberries this year)...but mostly. We go without a lot!