2016 Frugal Living Challenge

jess444_2

Hi everyone ... hope you are all continuing with your frugal ways.

I have had a few small unexpected spends, but I am generally staying on track.

I have been busy as DD2 moved in for a short while due to break up with her OH. Things seem to be a bit better now and she has moved back to her own home. She is going to be managing on just her own income now, so maybe I need to introduce her to this thread?

Car still not sold and is sitting in the carport. Maybe need to get the scrapman to collect, but feel really sad about seeing it go like that - its strange how we can get attached to 'stuff'.

Veg garden is looking quite good atm, hoping to have some salad leaves to eat from next week if this lovely weather continues. Nice day gardening in the sunshine yesterday, only to put my back out just as I had finished. A bad nights sleep as not able to turn over without being in agony! Hoping it eases off soon.

parsniphead

I have been following but not posting for a while. I have finally been given a final date for redundancy and will work until the end of the academic year and be paid until the end of august so it's not too bad. I have decided to take the plunge and focus on my small business a make it a full time project.

I do need to go ultra frugal for the next few months to save as much as possible. The vege garden is doing OK but more work needed.

I'm nervous about the future but also excited at new challenges.

Enjoy the sun everyone.

cw18

Not really tracking my spends this year, but I've reduced costs on some contracts (phone / broadband and mobile) and my pile of grocery receipts is a lot smaller than last year (to be expected as DS1 moved out mid-Jan which means I both need less and can use up a lot more of my stockpile without complaints over what I'm serving up).

However I know I'm still spending 'too much' on second hand DVDs - even allowing for the fact I don't watch an live (or catch-up) TV so can get through a lot of DVDs.

My employment contract was only for 6 months, so officially expires today. My manager (now on maternity leave) mentioned before she disappeared that she'd had an email asking about renewing my contract (guess she needed to give some kind of performance report) and indicated it was likely to be extended, but I've heard nothing since. Asked the temporary manager on Friday and he confirmed it's being extending, so that's good news But I've heard a rumour they're now issuing for 12 weeks at a time, so I don't yet know how long for.

[Deleted User]

When I go for a carvery lunch - not frugal I know - I always have some doggy bags in my handbag. I lurve roast potatoes but not worth doing for 1 person si have extra and pop into bag along with cauli cheese and as many veg as possible, not usually meat. Next day I put in dish in oven to crisp up and so 2 for the price of 1 and tasty too. Friends now often ask if I have spare bag. Makes sure I have plenty of veg too.

milasavesmoney

I'm trying to stay within a grocery budget I have set and one way I can do that is to stock up on sale item we use regularly. Today it was meat and butter. I have freezer room for it because I have been really trying to use up food we have already purchased. That, in itself, has helped tremendously with my budget.

bmma

Hello playing catch up-year's food budget for myself and 3 cats was £1.920-amount of budget left = £1,218.14-still cooking from scratch and cats eating more of a high quality dried food with a much smaller amount of wet food-have been vegan for 16 years-still am-but eating a vegan plant based diet- not buying expensive ready made vegan food e.g. burgers and sausages and desserts x

FunBrum

Hi frugalites.
Sorry I've been absent over the last month or so but I've been in Ibiza and still here for another 2 weeks!
I've been helping my friend who has paid for me as he's not too well due to his nerve injury. Anyhow, I'm still on the challenge but as things have been upside-down lately, I haven't had time to update anything.
One good thing is that my household bills will be low! Lol:rotfl:
Before I left home, I stared an 'envelope' system and have found that over the last 2 months has help me save a considerable amount towards my debt!
I recommend it to anyone who struggles to control their spending or even if you don't. You can see different versions on YouTube as I did, and now I love it when I can fill my envelopes each month and watch my savings towards debt grow. :T
Now that I am in Wi-Fi range, I can keep in touch....that's if you can get me off the beach!!:cool2:

bmma

spends to date £12.76
new total = £1.205.38 left for the year
I also enjoy the envelope method Fun Brum I know where the money is being spent x

FunBrum

Hugs HOWMUCH hope you feel better
Welcome happytails

I really must tot up my spending, and update. I have had so many freebies lately that I can't remember the last time I even went into my purse!
I think I've become so frugal that I don't know how to spend any more! I'm not complaining and in the last 2 months 've managed to save £2061 towards my debt.When I get back home, I plan on tightening things even further and have a plan to rid myself of this debt by the end of the year!
In the meantime, I well spend the next week relaxing in the Ibizian Sun listening to Enrique Inglasias working out my finances over the last 6 weeks.

Hope you all have a happy day!

FunBrum

bmma I tried it a few years ago, but I never really understood it. This time I have gone into it in a big way, and watched every YouTube video on the subject.
I have a budget book that I check every day and I make sure I budget on a zero balance each month.
I used to dread paying bills and wondering where my money was going or even if I had enough money for the month. Now I look forward to 'payday' and I can't believe how much I have saved because I know exactly where my money is going!