2015 Frugal Living Challenge

parsniphead

I've had a few changes here moneywise and need to redo my budget and then reload at it to see where savings can be made.

I've made a start on Christmas. I don't spend much as I only buy for 4 people and the most going to the little one which i budget £50 and his daddy puts £50. He only gets two or three presents but loads of gifts (tat) from family. I had a student last year who said her mum had spent £1500 each on her and each of her three siblings. She said I was tight and should spend more. I think differently.

Off to look and see how I can cut the fuel bills a little more this winter. I would eventually like to reinstate the open fire of get a wood burner but I'm not sure if they really save much more money.

his_missus

After countless emails to my previous energy supplier ( I switched in May) they have finally sorted my final bill and we're due £126 refund


It will come in handy especially as we now have another mouth to feed/insure. My cat who went missing 18 months ago has been found living as a stray just a couple of miles away from where we live. So happy

Emski23

I'm new to this but would really like to join. I do have debt to reduce but am also keen to reduce the amount i own and use.
Thanks,
Emski:)

lynnejk

Evening all :hello:

Emski23 wrote: »

I'm new to this but would really like to join. I do have debt to reduce but am also keen to reduce the amount i own and use.
Thanks,
Emski:)

Welcome to the thread Emski and good luck with joining the frugal way of doing life.


I have been busy de-cluttering and sorting/filing loads of paperwork. I must say I feel soo much better in myself for getting all this sorted this year.


I now feel that, at two-thirds of the way through the year, it will be a good time to look again at my budgets and savings plans, ready to change and improve things where I am able.


I am going to make a start this week and hope to get it all sorted before I go on holidays on the 17th, so that gives me three weeks.


Hope you all having a great summer and managing to be frugal as possible at the same time.


Lx

MMCG_2

All the cupboards and freezers inventoried today. Meal planners made for 2 weeks. Let's hope all goes to plan!

Wombatchops

I'm still trying to be frugal, but the budget I set myself at the start of the year is completely shot to pieces, so I'm spending the rest of the year trying to lay the groundwork for next year's budget. This is a must, because I will have major childcare expenses when I go back to work at the start of the year, plus we will be hit by the tax credits cut.

I made some frugal efforts at the weekend. We had a roast dinner using yellow sticker parsnips, yellow sticker stuffing, and a yellow sticker beef joint. The leftovers were then used to make roast dinner sandwiches (sweetcorn, parsnips, stuffing and potatoes, with some mayonnaise added), and a risotto (the peas, beef and gravy). Does that count as frugal, or frugalish? I hope so.

nyg123

Out of contract for my energy now so am switching through moneysavingexpert. My monthly bills won't be any lower, in fact they'll be a bit higher as the amount I'm paying at the moment isn't enough, but the energy I'm buying will be cheaper so it will be much better in the long run.

Wombatchops

Today has highlighted the need to be as [STRIKE]tight[/STRIKE]frugal as possible. Despite posting our tax credit renewal at the beginning of July for the 31st July deadline, it appears the tax office didn't receive it, so instead of getting my next payment today, I got a letter saying my payments had stopped and to pay back £2,280.

I've got it sorted, and everything has been re-instated, but I need to find a way to not need the tax credits. Because, honestly, who needs to go through this carp and the stress it causes? What do people suggest? One positive action we have done in the last few days is arrange to switch our gas and electricity supplier, saving £19 per month. I meal plan and always shop with a list. I love a yellow stickie. What else would people suggest?

cw18

Given the announcement in the budget about the faster clawback from a lower level when calculating tax credits, I think you're wise to try and remove any dependency on them. When I had dealing I always sent forms in by recorded mail - meant I could prove I'd posted them something and that they'd received it at the office.

All I can suggest is looking at all of your outgoings, checking you're on the best deals for you (not necessarily the cheapest, as sometimes you can get more for a little bit extra), and if any 'luxury' outgoings are becoming too regular / can be cut back on. I've repaired more clothes this year than in the last 5 years put together, as I just don't have the money available to buy any more (not that I should really need any given the quantity I own - I just need to lose 2 stone to get back into most of them )

Wombatchops

Recorded delivery just didn't occur to me cw18. I did start to renew online, but, for some reason, I forget why now, I couldn't do it.

The Budget announcement did scare me, and I've been worried ever since. I think I need to be brutal. If only childcare wasn't so expensive, or I didn't have to go back to work and could afford to be a SAHM. However, since I can't stay at home, and the cost of childcare is what it is, there's no point grumbling or burying my head in the sand. I have to simply cut back, however hard it is. That's why I'm so grateful for this thread, and the support of all of you.