2015 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

My council have just posted that they're taking plans to freeze the CT for another year to the councillors next month :T

I hope it goes through, as it'll give me a small amount to free up for other purposes

Saying that, my budget allowed for an increase of under £30 for the 2015/16 year (based on what I found on-line they could increase by without getting having to let residents vote on the increase) so it really is a small amount that'll get freed up... but every penny helps

his_missus

Hello all,


Well, I've spent my last £2 on cat food, I just knew we'd run out before Saturday. Not very frugal as I went to the £1shop and got 6 packs (of the"posh" brand) whereas at the supermarket a pack of 12 would cost £3.70ish but supermarkets offer too much temptation for my DH

happybird71

Hi everyone,

Enjoying reading your posts. Not feeling very frugal Got my self assessment tax bill in. Skint.com to say the least Noticed a damp patch on our living room wall from outside after 2 weeks of crazy rain. Need to find the root of the problem. Hubby has dental appointment at the end of the month to complete implant treatment. All in all a spend of a few thousand this month...and then we'll re-begin the year!

Frugally I have a few things on ebay with bids Am sticking to my meal planner so only buying a few bits and pieces. Bought a new pair of boots yesterday to replace my others which leak! £24.99 but got a student discount of 10% and got 8% cash back and will attempt to sell my old ones on ebay (for a laugh!). Will be honest tho! Keep you posted!

Bobarella

Hi All
I am making progress. Having had some issues with my energy provider I have now resolved them & figured out how much overpayment is necessary to clear my deficit. I am now happy the £78 a month we are paying is enough. So can use that to calculate our annual usage now. Which helps nail down our basic level household bills.

lynnejk

maria3104 wrote: »

I put £3600 into 3 childrens pension.
2015 I want to do the same and also include a new GS. Am going to chop off his Dad from my list as he is now 25 and that is going to be my cut off point.
.....Are people just afraid of being different. Am I on my own with this? How odd am I? Thought this thread was my best chance of finding a like minded soul.

My two boys have already had a good start financially - I gave them a third each from my parent's estate and they received a chunk from my deceased ex-partner's estate. That means they each had about £70,000, which I think is sufficient.

Wombatchops wrote: »

......
Finally, when doing our meal plan on Sunday my DH wanted enchiladas. Instead of buying an expensive pack, we simply bought 8 tortillas, a box of passata (how embarrassing, I come from an Italian family and have no idea if I spelt that right), and used fajita spice in the above-mentioned tomatoes to make the sauce. Tasted really good, and cost less than a kit.

I buy the packs of corn tortillas and use hm chilli beef mince to make them. Topped with some cheese and sour cream. Usually make an avocado salsa to go with - yum
Lx

Frugaldom

Maria3104 I agree with others here, your savings, if you are debt free, are yours to do with as you please. A quick look back to how/why I started this challenge will show that it was primarily to be free from all debt and then to buy a house for cash - no mortgage. Household of 2 living off £4000 plus council tax leaves quite a bit for future investments, so Wills have been made, more land bought (see frugaldom.com) and personal funeral expenses currently being set aside. Investing in the future of my own family is important to me, but I would also like to have some fun. My income is miniscule, so I am definitely in the frugal living group for the long term.

Howling gales here, hope everyone is managing to stay safe.

happybird71

Crazy weather here too Frugaldom. Very impressed with topcashback! Two big essential purchases made and I have banked £23 I also used a code for Argos which also saved money. It's FURNSAVE. I think it ends today or tomorrow. X

dizzytina

Morning Frugals,:)
I still have to work out this years budget which im hoping to do this weekend.
I have sorted out lots of items to put on ebay so i will be doing that tonight after writing a meal plan based on what is in our cupboards,fridge and freezer. Our monthly budget runs from the 22nd -21st as thats when we are paid. I am setting next months food budget at just £50 for 2 adults,1 child and 2 kittens!. I am planning on utilising items already in the cupboards etc to bridge the gap......:eek:

LolaLemon

chika wrote: »

One question, I'm almost out of laundry stuff. Does anyone still use the gloop? Any good?

I make the powder - based on 6/3/1.5 ratio

6 cups of - edit - soap FLAKES, not soap powder! , 3 cups of soda crystals and 1.5 cups of borax (i buy real borax through the net)
Im not exact i 'eye' it using a glass jar, i half fill with soap flakes (soemtimes i grate a bar of soap other i buy the box from the ironmongers) then half fill the space with soda crystals and then half fill the remaining space with borax, give a good shake before using and put 2 - 4 teaspoonfulls in with the clothes in the drum. make sure its not full to bursting or it doesnt get a chance to mix properly with the water.
I use vinegar and essential oils instead of fabric softner.
if i dont use any essential oils the washing comes out with no smell, which is strange to get used to.

[Deleted User]

The rain and wind are dreadful here too. I am just thinking whether I should venture out and pick up a library book that I ordered in. If I do it will be my only spend today as it costs 50p to order the book.

Lidl have some good special offers on this week so I want to had there at some stage too, but maybe not today.

Looking at finances Oh and I have been pretty good this month. We are getting back in the frugal wagon, although me not having a job helps as I am aiming to cook everything from scratch. At the end of Jan we should be able to put some money into savings that was allocated to our food budget and fuel budget for this month.