2016 Frugal Living Challenge

jess444_2

This being frugal is doing nothing for my waistline!! I have been eating porridge for breakfast instead of my usual omelette as it works out a lot cheaper. However, 2lb on without any other changes means its back on the eggs for me!!

Wombatchops

Hello Frugal Ears. We've had some frugal victories recently.

DH has renegotiated our bill with Sky (TV, broadband, landline), saying we have been a customer of theirs for over 10 years but now we are struggling, and that's saved us a little over £100 over the remainder of the year.

We both entered into a freebie for nappies with Mr T (the big brand name in nappies), so we both got a free 20 pack, plus a £2 off coupon each for that brand in Mr T. We weren't playing the systems, we didn't know we'd each applied for the freebie.

I have won a tin of soup and a soup mug with Mr T, which I am waiting to arrive.

I have been doing as many surveys as possible, and have received some Nectar points and a Mr S gift voucher as a pay out.

I am also selling my old jewellery that I have never worn, and the money will go towards the bathroom. Apparently gold is starting to go up again, but I need the money now and cannot afford to wait.

Over the next few days I plan to make YS soups. I'll make parsnip soup with a bag of YS parsnips that are in the fridge, and a winter veg soup with one of those packs you get that contain an onion, parsnip, carrots, and swede, which I bought as a YS. They'll both be done in the slow cooker.

How is everyone else getting on? Does anyone have any frugal plans for half term?

bmma

hi thurs spends £1.94
fri spends £1.00
sat spends £6.74
sun will be a no spend day
the more i tighten the purse strings-the more i spend !
hope everyone keeping warm x

Frugaldom

For half term holidays I would suggest just getting out there, wherever there may be... as long as it's free. Pack a frugal picnic and walk to the nearest park, maybe? Hope weather is fine for all with kids.

FunBrum

Happy Valentine's day all you frugalites!:happyhear

Today is a sunny but freezing day here in the wilds of Brum!:D

I'm house-sitting again until Tuesday,so I plan on lusting around d 80 booksI want to sell online.
I've decided to go for a hike along the river Rae later. My friends house is in quite a built-up area, so not a lot of good hiking haunts. However, there is a footpath along the Rae and there is always the canal to walk if I get stuck. Sometimes I just like to walk around the streets as its in a 'posh' area, so there are some fab houses to nose at! :rotfl:
Food is taken care of in the form of, spitroast chicken, (2), mixed salad, assorted veg and a joint of gammon that I picked up just after Christmas, reduced from £9.50-£2.50! I froze it and so cooking it today to make an array of meals for both myself friend and DS2, I will let you know how s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d I can get it to go!:D

Tomorrow 2 more direct debits will be coming out of my bank, so I will update my stay a then. I think I am slightly over budget so I must step up and make a bit of dosh to compensate, plus I have a holiday in May,, that is paid for but I like a wee bit of spending money. I am also going to Malta for a month in November and need to pay and budget for that!:eek:

Hope everyone has a lovely day:grinheart

mumtoomany

Hi all, using up leftovers week coming up. DD4 is staying with afriend until Thursday, they are going to a dancing "thing" for 3 days, so it's easier for them to stay at same house and travel together. DD1 working away for 7 days and DSiL1 working away for 3. Only OH DGS1 and me for most of the time. I'll use up food that won't feed everyone. Only had 3 spending days so far this month. This does not include smallholding things,(seperate budget) bought bits for lambing yesterday and more to get tomorrow from the vet. First time we've ever lambed, and expecting 2 singles 2 twins and 2 triplets. Should have a fun time in March. M2m.

[Deleted User]

Hi All, I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday afternoon. I have caught up with some Ironing. It is lovely and sunny outside here today but very cold. I am really looking forward to the warmer days when I can get my washing hung up outside - it is one of my OS pleasures, sitting out in the back garden with a cuppa while the sun shines and washing dries on the line.

I am off to Tenerife on Friday - my first holiday abroad in around 12 years so this week will be spent getting up to date with washing, organising what we are taking and shopping for a few bits and bobs of clothes to wear while we are away. I don't need much just a couple of pairs of lightweight trousers or 3/4 length trousers and some shoes.

February hasn't been great moneywise for me - partly because I took my eye off the ball early on this month and because OHs car had to be fixed and there is still some bits need doing on it (that we were advised about when the MOT was done). I must do much better in March. Surprisingly the holiday hasn't caused much more spending as I properly budgeted for that.

FunBrum

Oh my word mumtoomany you can tell how many lambs your having?! That's fab! I bet you're excited! :j

Wombatchops

allie23, I hope you can pull it back, if possible, for the rest of the month, and that March goes better for you. And have a great time in Tenerife.

I don't know if you have a social networking presence (Facebook, etc), but I have read that some home insurance companies don't pay out for claims if you've posted your holiday all over the internet. I guess it makes sense, it's like a great big advert to burglers saying "my house is empty, help yourself!" Sorry, I'm not trying to scare you, I just thought I'd mention it. Does anyone know if that's true, by the way?

[Deleted User]

Wombatchops wrote: »

allie23, I hope you can pull it back, if possible, for the rest of the month, and that March goes better for you. And have a great time in Tenerife.

I don't know if you have a social networking presence (Facebook, etc), but I have read that some home insurance companies don't pay out for claims if you've posted your holiday all over the internet. I guess it makes sense, it's like a great big advert to burglers saying "my house is empty, help yourself!" Sorry, I'm not trying to scare you, I just thought I'd mention it. Does anyone know if that's true, by the way?

Thanks for the advice wombatchops. The only place I have mentioned that I am going on holiday online is on here. I deliberately have not mentioned it on facebook as, although I have a limited range of friends on there that I know well in 'real' life, I just like to be careful. Also, my cousin who lives across for me will be looking after the house while I am away.