2016 Frugal Living Challenge

BettyBoof

Thank you stressed.mum. I do normally shop around but thought I would shake things up a bit this month by setting myself a challenge. I think overall my shopping bill will be down by sticking to Aldi as the treats I waste money on are at other supermarkets so my self-imposed "ban" means I can't buy them (should be good for my waistline too!)

bmma

hi catching up
my food and cats food budget left for the year = £879.49- more tightening of the purse springs I think
best wishes to all

milasavesmoney

I'm using up the fridge food. I'm determined to not waste food.

Florence_J

I have had 6 NSDs so far this month but am aiming for 16 so still have work to go. Been re-reading all my Jack Monroe books for ideas about food as the food budget will really need to be looked into. Have been writing to food companies and receiving vouchers in return which is helping with the food shopping.

I set my monthly spend targets at the start of the month and will update with whether I reached them or not at the end of the month.

[Deleted User]

Good morning fellow frugallers. I hope you are all well. Frugal efforts here are going well. Todays plan had been to have a day out with OH (as he is off today) but due to weather we need to rethink.

Frugal plans for this week are:

1. Start working on next month's budget.
2. Help OH do a food plan and then shop for it (he has offered to take this over completely but he needs some help with it jus now).
3. Double check renewal dates to see what is coming up.
4. Finish off crochet project. It is a large baby blanket/playmat.
5. Get organised for August birthdays - I already have a gift for my 3yo niece but I need something for OH.

milasavesmoney

When you have work done get several estimates. We are replacing a section of our cinder block fence and the first estimate was $14,000. Unbelievable!!
The second one was $1,800. That's more like it! These guys came recommended by a friend.
We went with the second one. The guys showed up the next day and have done an excellent job!

Florence_J

So at the start of July I posted my target budgets for the month. To refresh, here is what I decided I wanted to achieve.

TRAVEL COSTS - £30
NON ESSENTIAL FOOD - £21
CLOTHING - £20
HOBBIES - £10
FOOTBALL CLUB - £16
STATIONARY - £0
TOILETRIES - £7
DEBT - £0
SOCIAL- £30
GIFTS - £30
HOMEWARE - £20
POSTAGE AND PACKAGING - £10
BAD TIMES - £0
CLOTHES MAINTENANCE - £15
EBAY FEES - £0
HEALTH - £20
TOTAL: £229
And this is what they ended up looking like
TRAVEL COSTS - £22.60
NON ESSENTIAL FOOD - £53.61
CLOTHING - £90
HOBBIES - £191.95
FOOTBALL CLUB - £16
STATIONARY - £0
TOILETRIES - £0
DEBT - £0
SOCIAL- £26.86
GIFTS - £23.07
HOMEWARE - £2.39
POSTAGE AND PACKAGING - £5.50
BAD TIMES - £0
CLOTHES MAINTENANCE - £0
EBAY FEES - £23.40
HEALTH - £10

Plus the following additions
Accommodation for friend’s wedding £250
Accessories £8
Total (the not very frugal) £719.10!!!!! :eek:

There were a few reasons for this. I hadn’t stated last month that I would be paying for the hotel accommodation for my friend’s wedding, but seeing everything fill up quickly prompted me to do so.
I also had to replace my running shoes, but my partner is giving me the money for one pair as an early Christmas present.
It hasn’t been a frugal month, despite the new record (for me) of 12 NSDs.
I am going to set new targets for August. Which I will make more of an effort to stick to. :rotfl:
TRAVEL COSTS - £30
NON ESSENTIAL FOOD - £20
CLOTHING - £0
HOBBIES - £10
TOILETRIES - £10
SOCIAL- £30
GIFTS - £30
HEALTH - £20
TOTAL £150

milasavesmoney

I made a menu plan for the week and only have to get a very few things at the grocery store. :j
Mainly resupplying fresh veggies, eggs, and a small bag of cashews for the chicken cashew stir fry on the menu.

I discovered a roast in my freezer that was buried behind other things. It's now on the menu plan.

Really trying to cook from my food stores.

bmma

spends £63.73
yearly budget left = £815.76p
best wishes to all

[Deleted User]

Getting that 'back to school' feeling today. Next week I return to teaching after a year's break and I am feeling nervous but optimistic about it. I will need to spend a bit getting organised to go back - new clothes and Union fees etc.

Added to that OHs car is playing up again. A few nights ago he was driving to work in the rain and his windscreen wipers packed in. It is booked in to be sorted (the windscreen wipers plus other bits) which will cost who knows how much! It is likely that we will look to replace it within the next year or so - we want to get some benefit from spending to have it sorted first.

It has been really quiet on this thread - I hope everyone is doing well with their budgets and goals.