2017 - my frugal year

SkintTeacher

Had a little foray into our local town this morning. Treated myself to some monkfish for dinner and a dress for a fiver from a charity shop which is very pretty and perfect for school (I'll wear it out for OH'S birthday first). So January's clothes spend = £10. Been given free rugby tickets so off out in a bit for my and my boy's first ever rugby game. I got some cash out so I can treat us to doughnuts if we see the van. Then back home for dinner. OH dropping us and picking us up. Also went for a jog and did some of my exercises this morning. Hope everyone has a great Saturday - what are you all up to?

SkintTeacher

£2.80 on chips at the match - what a great experience!

smallholdingsister

Hello. Another skint teacher dropping in to wish you luck.

Lonire

heya, sounds like an awesome weekend! great news on the rugby tickets! I have had a relatively quiet weekend. So very low spend.

SkintTeacher

'Spendy Sunday' it shall be known as...

Our local Rackhams is shutting down and there were some amazing sale bargains to be had. I stuck to stuff we needed - a £40 kettle for £20 and a very fancy £50 pan for £30 as the OH wants one he can put in the oven.

So, £50 spent.

Also spotted a 3.5 litre crock pot for £18 so snapped it up for my twin who has been wanting one for ages.

SkintTeacher

Booked cinema tickets for the OH'S birthday today and bought ingredients for carrot cake so not an NSD. Pay day tomorrow and I'm wondering how to best 'split up' my money. I still have £340 on the credit card so I'm thinking I'll get rid of some of that. Savings will go out by DD and then the bills and mortgage etc. Maybe I should vow not to spend until all that has happened and I know what is left? It certainly worked for January. Happy pay day - one and all!

Lonire

Spendy Sunday! At least you got stuff you need and got them at cheaper prices

SkintTeacher

Ok, I was very good and made some decisions before pay day. I have a 5% regular saver with FD in which you can put up to £300 a month, but this can be spread over a calendar year. Last month I put in £150, so I upped it to £450 for next month and £300 from then on. For Jan and Feb I'm thinking the 'not having to pay council tax' will cover the excess, but also I was left with £500 in my current account (which I had to move over to my savings to stop me spending it) and it would be better if that disappears at the start of the month from now on.
Spend totals for the month of January:

Bills and mortgage: £1140.32
Savings: £370
House purchases: £78.45
Clothing (including present for new nephew: £31.71
Supermarkets: (groceries and essentials) £87.66
Coffee and cafes: £12.40 - treated my mum at the end of the month and the boys mid-way through
Charity donation: £10
Wedding: £236.98
Vitamins and stamps: £12.20
Fun outings with my boys: £49.85

SkintTeacher

February's social engagements are planned in already and I don't want to deviate from them. Any further social things must be free or very low cost.
Weekend 1: Lunch at friends/ Birthday party (our of town but good friends so a must-go)
Weekend 2: OH birthday weekend. Pre-paid cinema tickets but will buy meal out + karate outfit for his new hobby. Oh and my hair trial for the wedding + make-up trial (but that is already payed for).
Weekend 3: HALF TERM - lots of park trips, play place trips and other low-cost stuff
Weekend 4: Nothing planned
Luckily, it is a short month so I am hoping to use that to my advantage and save as much as possible.

Allotrope

Wow I am in awe at your low groceries spend!