2017 Frugal Living Challenge

System

I'm in! our debt situation is ridiculous and currently getting worse not better for various reasons (including a house move, and finishing the one we are in to sell) Looking forward to being inspired!

I've been saying I will do a freezer inventory for ages, but haven't - so tomorrow is also the day - pretty essential given we are moving in 4 weeks and freezer needs to be empty!

wit40iwtwan

Yes please... I'd like to join!

hickles69

visited my mum at Christmas she bought herself a sealed pot..... she reckons she will save more than me! I have accepted the challenge. she may have to.pot something other than coppers and silver.

my darling child will receive 10% of my total - he did pot his begging proceeds after all. ha ha

hope everyone had a lovely Christmas

Queenofcolouringandtea

I would love to do this challenge. I think I would like to aim for the original 4000 pounds.

I shall go off and work out some budgets.

thank you, very interesting post

sugar23

I don't have a budget ATM. But I'm following with interest

lynnejk

Evening folks

Thanks frugaldom for the new thread for 2017.

I am definitely here for another year. Haven't done final accounts for the year yet, but hoping to come in on or under budget.

I shall be going through all the yearly budgets to see where we can 'trim an inch' and adjusting as necessary.

Good luck everyone and lets hope we can all find ways to be more frugal in the year to come.
Lx

Frugaldom

It's lovely to see so many new names, as well as 'old' ones getting ready for frugal life in 2017. :j

Everyone is welcome to join us here, we've been around long enough to know how best to get started, so as usual, PRIORITISE. Calculate that all-important figure and find your absolute bottom line. Get your lists done to include all the essential payments needed for sustaining life itself, list any debt repayments, work-associated costs (travel, clothing, footwear, lunches, coffee breaks, whip-round gifts, vanity products) and as soon as you think you have included everything you spend each year, add on extra (10% is a good starting point) for the things you have overlooked.

Most important number = expenditure
Next important number = income

It's best not to mix these two up as it is far easier to control your own expenditure than it is to quickly and reliably increase your income if the household & lifestyle accounts don't balance.

Number 1 priority - MAKE IT FUN NO MATTER WHAT! :beer:

System

Freezer inventory done ;-) enough meat and things to last the month and so much stock!! I will need to buy some veggies and make soups for lunch.

For those of you that keep an annual budget - how does this help? By heading to an overall end of year target does it help you stay on track better?

Thanks Ramble

parsniphead

ramblehan wrote: »

Freezer inventory done ;-) enough meat and things to last the month and so much stock!! I will need to buy some veggies and make soups for lunch.

For those of you that keep an annual budget - how does this help? By heading to an overall end of year target does it help you stay on track better?

Thanks Ramble

Ive been out for a walk in the lickey hills this morning so no inventory yet. I'm going to get it done this afternoon while cooking a roast. It would be nice to cover most of January's meals.

This mornings entertainment was free though except for petrol.

haybel19

Ive been going through my seed packets trying work out what I can start off early on the windowsill ready to pot out... I want to make sure I make the most of the seeds I have so I buy the minimal amount and avoid buying plants when I could have grown from seed cheaper. I also what to make sure I focus on what grew well in tubs, what we will realistically use and can dry or preserve... rather my first time last year where I got carried away growing things and grew some things we never eat which was wasteful. It would also be nice to be able to give some jams and preserves as little gifts.

So what do you guys start to grow in January? Ive found some tomatoe seeds which say to start in Jan... but that's it from my current small seed stash.... so looking for ideas.. I have a lot of wooden troughs and planters and will be filling every available space so I can grow the maximum amount.

Also thinking if I grow too many seedlings I can sell or trade for different plants. Sure I miss a million tricks just on the growing front without everything else so very keen to hear any tips or hints.