2016 Frugal Living Challenge

bobobski

After my flying start to the new year, it all went wrong today. My car was definitely borderline-broken last weekend but I got the old girl to go, but today she died on me. £150 later, it's like I'm in a Ferrari. I hadn't budgeted for ad hoc car expenses yet as I was trying to get my credit card down first... But the good news is there's loads of room on my credit card for it! Sigh, at worst it'll put me a month behind on reducing my credit card I suppose.

Anyway, I then went to Aldi for the first time ever - what a strange shop! Bought (a?) brisket for the BRAND NEW slow cooker, some veggies and milk, all for under a tenner. And paid by contactless for TSB cashback. Score!

Wombatchops

I love the TSB cash back, bobobski. DH and I have an account with them each, plus a joint account, so we are able to earn cash back on up to £300 per month. It's just a shame how few supermarkets don't yet do contactless, and the limit is only £30.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Going to have a look at a tsb account

At the moment I use my American express card for the cash back, but I am limited at where I can use it..

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Lidl do contactless

bobobski

I have Amex too but once the first three months is up there's a lot less incentive to try to use it. Most supermarkets do, which is good, but it takes a year (from card opening) to get the cashback, and then it's not cash but an allowance which feels different somehow.

I've stopped using my Amex except for big purchases. For day to day, I'm trying to use TSB. Why on earth Mr T doesn't accept contactless is beyond me - that's a big part of why I've decided to try Aldi...

cybertortoise

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't posted until now. I am up to £88.42 for the past 8 days, this includes nappies and formula milk for my youngest as well as food. I am trying to get into the habit of checking what we have in the cupboards before going shopping and today I used the click and collect thing at Mr T to prevent any temptation while I shopped. I need to brave it tomorrow for a couple of extra bits but I will be taking a list and will be focused on getting what I need and getting out.

ancientmum

Morning all,


I have been trying to work out a budget, January is difficult as five birthday presents to buy straight after Christmas, so it has gone a bit banana shaped. I have got it down to £160/month for groceries and household and £10/week for everyday and treats like take-aways. Any cash left over at the end of the week goes in the kitty (a pretty biscuit tin). I don't buy coffee out very often, and take sandwiches to work but there are always collections for birthdays and leaving presents.
I have a separate budget for holidays, visiting grandchildren, and entertainment. I have had 3 NSDs this week, succumbed to a newspaper when getting my free Waitrose coffee.


Good luck to everyone else.

The_Only_Girl

We've just recently opened TSB as well and we're so keen to try the contactless to avail of the cashback. Do sainsborg have contactless?

quidsy

Well good start to 2016. 440 quid refund for packaged bank account from lloyds. Applied on Thursday morning using mse resolver app, had a call at home Thursday evening, another call Friday evening confirming a 410 refund but will be calling back later after checking with a supervisor which resulted in an additional 30 quid added. Was told would take 2 working days but money was cleared in my account this morning.

I'll keep it aside for emergency spends. Have also been put forward for a new job at 25% more an hour, have been in my current role for 4 years without an increase and the cost of everything has rocketed in that time so could do with the extra cash but current job is very flexi and as I will be single parent come March when ex oh moves out I'm not sure I want the upheaval of a new role and potentially more hours! !

But a nice start to the year anyway
Hope you are all managing well with frugality

bmma

catching up spends 0n the 8/1/16 £41.59 (my food and 4 cats food) ocado online shop
NSD today = 7
challenged myself to make home made vegan cheese and butter they both turned out all right- will spice the cheese up and cut down on the salt in the butter,next an easy jam recipe to try.
been catching up on the wastenot programme with HFW-what a shock- I have always recycled now even more vigilant to what can be re-used before it goes for recycling.x
running total = after spends £1,873.62p left (year's budget).