2015 Frugal Living Challenge

sistercas

I've spent a good part of the day doing a budget for next year, I thought I had it sorted and then I found 2 cc's that DH has been using . There's quite a bit on them too so it's thrown my calculations out . He's been using them instead of maxing out the current account, I think he thought he was helping. We've had a long chat about not using the cc's under any circumstances and I'm hoping he will stick to the budget , he tends to bury his head in the sand rather than face up to his spending .
It's going to take us much longer now to become debt free

Kerry_Woman

Still trying my best and trying to be more mindful about spending. Still need to work on a few things.


Had double glazing windows installed about a month ago. It feels warmer now then it used to be.


Have got rid of some things to the charity shops, some old paperwork into the normal recycling and some things to the recycling centre. Also sorted through photographs and had a clear out there.

parsniphead

I still have single glazing so need to start saving hard to get them done. It's interesting that you are noticing the difference already kerrywoman.

I need to spend part of the weekend looking at incomings and outgoings for next year. The debt needs to go before the end of 2016. I have said that for three years but this year it has to go. I have no choice. Then saving, saving, saving....oh and overpaying the mortgage.

One of my debts should be gone by new year though so that will leave three to kill next year.

I've not seen Hugh's programme, I may have a look online tonight.

Kerry_Woman

parsniphead - The sealant on the outside of the windows were cracked and we were getting a draught. Also we were getting a lot of condensation. Still need the heating on.


Good luck with your debt busting.

parsniphead

Mine are very draughty and they run with condensation every morning. This is causing a problem with mould, especially black mould. It's a constant battle.

It's a single skinned terraced house so the heating would definitely still be needed.

One day......

his_missus

We've noticed the difference having had new double glazed windows fitted too. I'm managing with just having the heating on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.


We're spending about £10 a week on gas, electricity + standing charges at the moment. Quite impressed really as I seem to rely on the tumble dryer much more than I planned to.

TasmanianMinimalist

I have only just joined the forums so I am late to confessing and writing about my savings, but preparing for next year too. I look forward to reading through all the thread in preparation.

sistercas

tasmanianminimiist welcome to the forum , it's an amazing place, although I have been on MSE for a few years I have only recently ventured onto this challenge,

I am going all out next year to destroy any debt and start saving in earnest and I'm hoping joining this thread will give me the motivation I need to succeed I just need DH to come on board :cool:

[Deleted User]

Afternoon All, been wrapping Christmas gifts today as well as getting on with some housework - mainly washing. Heating is ON today which will help dry the washing too. As it's the 1st of the month I took gas and electricity readings this morning. I am noticing a big drop in electricity use since we got rid of the tumble dryer and less gas being used since we got the wood-burner put in - it's only been in a few months so it will be interesting to see how much we save on gas/heating bills vs the cost of buying wood over the next year or so.


I am pretty much done with organising Christmas gifts. The only gift still to get is my Dad's and since I am well ahead of the game I am starting to think about my goals for next year. Last October I resigned form my job due to ongoing high levels of stress and ever increasing pressure to do more. I eventually finished that job in Jan this year and have been 'unemployed' since. Over the course of this year I have swung from feeling relieved and happy to feeling guilty and a bit lost. There is an expectation around me that I should be looking for another job. But thanks to this site and being frugal I am in a fairly good position financially - mortgage paid off, no debts, reasonable savings etc so I don't actually need to work but I do need a focus and to feel useful - I do volunteer work which helps with this.

So one of my goals for next year is to embrace frugal living even more and be proud of my lifestyle. To explore new ways of living well, being outside a lot in the fresh air and aiming to minimise our consumption in a variety of ways - growing more in the garden etc. and continue to work on developing my crochet skills (I taught myself how to crochet from youtube this year).

Other goals will be to add at least £5k to our current savings and to spend more time on MSE for inspiration. I will probably add to these goals but that's it for now. I'd love to hear what you all have as goals for next year. xxx

sistercas

[Deleted User] wrote:

Afternoon All, been wrapping Christmas gifts today as well as getting on with some housework - mainly washing. Heating is ON today which will help dry the washing too. As it's the 1st of the month I took gas and electricity readings this morning. I am noticing a big drop in electricity use since we got rid of the tumble dryer and less gas being used since we got the wood-burner put in - it's only been in a few months so it will be interesting to see how much we save on gas/heating bills vs the cost of buying wood over the next year or so.


I am pretty much done with organising Christmas gifts. The only gift still to get is my Dad's and since I am well ahead of the game I am starting to think about my goals for next year. Last October I resigned form my job due to ongoing high levels of stress and ever increasing pressure to do more. I eventually finished that job in Jan this year and have been 'unemployed' since. Over the course of this year I have swung from feeling relieved and happy to feeling guilty and a bit lost. There is an expectation around me that I should be looking for another job. But thanks to this site and being frugal I am in a fairly good position financially - mortgage paid off, no debts, reasonable savings etc so I don't actually need to work but I do need a focus and to feel useful - I do volunteer work which helps with this.

So one of my goals for next year is to embrace frugal living even more and be proud of my lifestyle. To explore new ways of living well, being outside a lot in the fresh air and aiming to minimise our consumption in a variety of ways - growing more in the garden etc. and continue to work on developing my crochet skills (I taught myself how to crochet from youtube this year).

Other goals will be to add at least £5k to our current savings and to spend more time on MSE for inspiration. I will probably add to these goals but that's it for now. I'd love to hear what you all have as goals for next year. xxx

Don't feel guilty , it sounds like you are doing amazingly well and are in a good position x
I understand the stress , as I am going through a rough time at work , if I could leave I truly would and I have been doing this job for 34 years and have always loved it until we had new managers this year 😠 They are making people's lives hell , one of my colleagues has gone off sick today because she can't cope with it all

You were in a position to help yourself and I think you did the right thing .:T
I'm determined to get rid of our debt save some money and then I will be in charge of my destination