2018 Frugal Living Challenge

Pipsmum

Morning


I've been through my figures for all spends this year, and I'm roughly to plan. I'm recovering from surgery, and so there have been some spends that I did not plan, but others that I didn't need to make, so I am happy with that. It also shows that there is some room to cut the budget further I think, so will see what I can do there.


I'm able to move around more now, so been able to sow some vegetable seeds, and they are coming along nicely in the cold frame. I've surrounded each of the little plants with crushed egg shells, in an attempt to keep the slugs away from them (I try to avoid putting down slug pellets as worry about what other animals may come into contact with them, and other shop bought solutions cost a fortune) So far, so good, but I don't want to temp fate!


I spent some time yesterday going through my stash of seeds from last year, to see what I can plant out directly in the raised bed in the garden - bending is still a bit of an issue for me, but focusing on what I can do at the moment means that there will be some fresh food from the garden at least.


So a new month, a fresh start, and sunshine! Wishing everyone a great May.

FrankieM

Morning

Felt a bit out of sorts yesterday and I've been quite tired all week. It has just meant early nights so far. No snack/takeaway buying which is good because that's usually my first port of call.

My monthly shop arrived last night so I'm all ready for the big cook off on the weekend and I'm planning on trying to catch up on sleep and generally potter around.

I've done nothing planting wise in the garden and I think I may be too late to start as there's no money in the budget to start this month. Still, who knows! I may be able to pull something out of somewhere!

parsniphead

I've been reading all the post on this years thread from the beginning but said initially that I wouldn't join formally. I've changed my mind. Can I join please. I have slipped a lot lately and have strict deadlines for debt repayments. I need to be accountable.:o

I've started on the garden but still only have two sticks of rhubarb :j:rotfl: and four rows of peas so far. I really need to get a wriggle on.

Over the next couple of days I intend to work out all costs for the rest of the year and see what savings can be made.

Roll on a little more organisation.

Robi90

NSD today which feels good. Hope I can keep the momentum going.

Unsubscribing from a lot of marketing emails as they're too tempting.

Looking forward to having a good declutter and spring clean over the bank holiday weekend.

Treasurequeen

I’m still here been an expensive April as had a few special birthdays but I had money already budgeted. I’ve got a holiday this month but money is already put by. When I bought the holiday I went via cashback site and got £45.00 back which will go towards food. I only drink tap water due to an allergy to artificial sweeteners. So that will be some money saved on drinks. I’m going to take my reusable water bottle and fill it up each day to take out.

Don’t need to do much food shopping this month as have cupboards full of essentials just need to get some freezer shopping. Need to spend less time and money on eBay as I have a slight addiction for buying things I don’t really need.

3 NSD so far as have been feeling poorly.

Treasurequeen

April total spends which includes: direct debits, payment for a course I!!!8217;m doing, three birthdays, food and insurance and mobile topup. = £838.24 come under budget with money left over from being paid =£125.65. So far the only month I went over budget by £39.61 was in January due to a vet trip with my cat. All insurances and yearly vet booster bills have been done for this year. Holiday has been paid for. And I!!!8217;m trying to put some money by each month into my emergency account for the unknown. My course will be fully paid off in June so that will be less expense.

May I!!!8217;m going to try to spend less on eBay and to be more frugal.
10 NSD in April :j

FrankieM

Morning

I hope everyone is doing well this month so far.

I've had a little bit of a spend week. I had my hair cut £30, but I'm hoping that'll do 3 months so only £10 a month.
I've also had the heating back on cause it's just been cold and miserable when I've got in from work.

On the positives:
No unplanned spending, which is a real first for me and I'm still eating through my tubs of batch cooking from the freezer.

It's Friday night wine night tonight and the only one I can have this month due to work and driving commitments on every other Saturday. I'll also be getting fuel and any other bits I need. Fridays are usually my 'spend' day for the week.

This weekend I'm going to be batch cooking and pottering around the house. I want to give it a good old clean.
I'm hoping to get into the garden and hang some washing on the line but the weather isn't looking that great so far!

What are everyone else's plans?

angela110660

Happy busy weekend to you. We are continuing with dejunking garage and living room but hoping to see some of the sun on a couple of walks too. Got a family visitor coming from USA to stay mid week so need to tidy up and our endowment for the mortgage pays out next week too! Where did those 25 years go?? Happy bank hols everyone.

mumof3.12kindebt

Hi everyone havent posted for a while.

Yearly spends currently stand at 6000

Savings are at 5k
Debt total 7796.11

Yesterday was a NSD
Tonight me and my partner are having homemade nandos 3 courses

Water slide is set up for the kids as its a lovely sunny day here

datlex

My frugal thing of recent is to buy a property rather than rent for the rest of my life. (I credit the money saved up to attempting to be frugal here and by following to the money saving mantras on this site- I have actually saved enough for a 10% deposit plus solicitor, broker (his cost is worth it for money saved), survey and removals) Mortgage for 22 years or less with over payments. Then no more mortgage or rent into retirement. Yes a bit more expensive in the short term but thinking longer term no more rent once I retire. The property is a bungalow, so will suit long term- it is close to bus route and local shops. Also due to location of property compared to current I will be able to make savings in my current spends. I am not using all my savings either and will therefore have an emergency fund.