2015 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I've done this challenge for several years and the above has always been true.

However, it seems that my understanding of the meaning of living frugally is now at odds with many others - and that's fine, we're all different...

Hi RFTA, I brought this challenge over onto MSE back in 2007 and agree that it has changed beyond all recognition from what it began as back then. That is exactly the reason why I had to allow it to develop here, but also had to maintain the original frugal living challenge, as I am still following the exact same one now as I did back then - living on £4000 household budget each year.

The frugal forums, as they were renamed, are still running and you are more than welcome to join us there, as it would be such a shame to see you go after all this time. The majority of the original members have gone, I am always hopeful that it is because they have achieved their debt freedom, but don't know why they quit posting. Perhaps solvency deems frugal living unneccessary? Perhaps, for some, it is just a means to an end. I don't mind, I am still living the frugal life and probably always will, even if I became a lottery millionaire.

miss_try_to_save

hi all as its -6 outside I have put the gas on for an hour I put the timer on the cooker so I don't forget to turn it off again this should hopefully heat the house through and help me reduce the gas usage at the same time as radiators should stay warm for a few hours tonight we have a reduced Indian meal the portions are way to big so dd2 is having half of mine as well ds is getting himself a takeaway out of his money as he has been paid

Money_Tree_Faerie

flikkerty wrote: »

I lurk, I have been on MSE for years, I like this thread the most as I feel it helps everyone (and the people are the friendliest.) I have made the dog a toy out of everyone's old socks and put it in to one, when the top one wears I stuff back in and pull out a better one. I am so pleased with it I had to share it with you! No more cheap dog toys that split after 10 mins!

Sounds like an excellent idea as my dog loves to de-stuff his toys (usually baby-safe stuffed animals from second-hand stores). Does your dog stay away from socks that he's not been given? Just curious - because I don't want to give my dog a taste for socks.

quidsy

My cat is currently living in a primark paper bag, he loves it & I haven't the heart to throw it out. It's also very frugal & is keeping him off the beds

Frugaldom

Yesterday was home insurance comparisons day for me and I am delighted to say that I made the call to cancel auto renewal (I still don't think auto-renewal should be included!) Cashback tracked quickly for doing a comparison and then I found a better buildings cover policy for over £50 less and offering £22-50 cashback! Delighted with my savings!

Inthe kitchen, the new £5 per person per week food budget is looking entirely possible, especially after a stock take of what's in store. I don't think I could ever get down to Weazl's 50p per person level, but the zero food waste has been maintained for a very long time and I am extremely proud of the fact thatI can put my hand on my heart and state, in all honesty, that I eat well.

cw18

Mine doesn't auto renew - neither does my car insurance. I'd asked for it not to be a few times, only to find it reappeared - and when I queried this the company said that each time I made a card payment I should be asked if I want the details retaining for future charges.... something I didn't recall every happening. They've not marked my account as NOT to be put back onto auto renewal, and it hasn't happened in the past couple of years even though I'm still not being asked

COOLTRIKERCHICK

if this was the live off 4k a year thread, there is no way I could do it, as my pig food comes to more than that a week!!!!


the 4k works out at £76.92 per week..


our council rates...if divided by 52 comes to £42.08
electric.....................................................£20.00
our house/public liability insurance is............£ 6.73




where we are trying to be frugal, is on food, fuel consumption.. repairs/renovation costs.. and trying to get things for free, secondhand, or heavily discounted..


for us to get anywhere close to the £76. odd

flikkerty

Funnily enough the dog has left other socks alone, because this is a fat sausage of socks I don't think she can tell. She loves to tug on it so it is all stretched..

youngmummy

completely over budget for January ... I know the budget is fine. but I let things slip and get out of control ... I need to get back in the saddle for feb and try a lot harder otherwise we wont pay our debts or save any money this year


I have applied to start college in September due to my funding not being sorted in time for open university I have applied for college instead


ive managed to get some bargain snowsuits for baby on ebay and a coseytoes also


so had a rubbish start but hopefully its upwards from here x

naturaljazz

Money_Tree_Faerie wrote: »

Our vacuum cleaner filter snapped off rendering the whole thing unusable. I was shopping around for new and used vacuum cleaners but I simply don't have the money for either - but I do have a lot of DIY dust accumulating. :eek:

After some thought it was glue to the rescue (should that be Glue-per-man?). I don't know how long it will last but the filter is now suspended via a thick layer of glue and everything's operational again. :j

I will update later if it falls apart again immediately... :rotfl:

Touch wood, I glued a washing machine part 8 years ago... still going strong! Heres to your glue effort