2018 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

shish100 wrote: »

- Need to change to a water meter - OH doesn't think this is a good idea, but I have looked at apps and done research. I might just do it and not say anything.

I'd never have done anything that drastic without my hubby being OK about it, however much I thought it might save us.


Some areas let you switch back to water rates after 12 or 24 months if switching to a meter hasn't saved you money. Have you checked if your area does this? If they do you could use that as a pretty strong bargaining tool

shish100

Hi Cheryl - Thanks for being the voice of reason , my just mind just in to over-drive.
I have checked and we have 12 month window to change our mind. My OH tends to work on an evidence basis, so I probably just need to talk him through the pros and cons again and then remind of the opportunity to switch back within 12 months.

indigowarrior

I am coming back to this on Friday. That way there is six month left to the year. I am aiming for £2000 spend for everything except bills and debts. One that is looking serious. (HMRC debt) I am going to include food in to frugal spending though. The rest is going into my house fund as I have 9 months left here. I need to refigure my budget and update as one of my debts will be cleared as of Thursday.

Frugaldom

Indigowarrior - we have 7 months left of this year

I have juyst had a water meter fitted to the frugal letting cottage - didn't have any choice, as it is classed as commercial, so I'll see how it goes. I don't pay council tax on it, only water and sewage rates.

My latest acquisition will be unveiled soon... camping could be on the menu this summer!

spudsmum

I really love our water meter.

We are as careful with water as we can be but with 3 kids including toddler twins - daily baths and at least one load of washing per day means we use quite a lot.

Our standard bill was £57 but i've got that down to £14 since i got the meter.

indigowarrior

Excellent! I am going to round it up to £433 a month which is my PIP and will save my UC. For some reason I thought it was june already. Need to ramp up my No Spend Days and see how I get on.

Frugaldom

Sunshine continues here, water levels falling by the day. Caravan park fresh spring xupply ran dry and we are now on bore hole but I am disgusted at how many people are using hosepipes to wash their cars while on holiday! What's that all about!?

Speaking of holidays, I have bought an old round tent! It should be delivered soon. It needs a few small repairs and reproofing but should be ready for use by summer. Here's hoping we get a summer this year!

Stocking up on basics just in case all the supermarkets stop doing them... Has anyone noticed the reduction in availability or range yet?

FrankieM

Morning everyone

It was payday for me on Friday so a new month has begun.

I've decided to stop doing overtime shifts on a weekend, for now anyway. They were causing me quite alot of tiredness and stress. 40 hours a week at my age is really quite enough.
Working all the time meant no social life at all and I was becoming very isolated.

I've also decided this month to adjust my diet. I really struggle with lack of sleep, low energy and then that leads to low mood etc. I've been reading a book that covers 4 elements of your life that help and so I'm going to start implementing those. Food is the only one that costs, most of the others can be done for almost nothing.
I've got tubs to get through before I shop which will give me time to bargain hunt!

Heating still off (I found out a friend of mine still puts the heating on first thing in the morning!) Washing blowing widly on the washing line.

My gas/electric dd has been put up again. Due to my overuse over the winter so that's disheartening but I'm working on keeping it down now to hopefully get it to a good level when it's all paid off.

And that's pretty much it from me

Still nothing growing in the garden and still no laundry gloop made...small steps

Frugalwannabe

Hello!

I signed up at the beginning of the year and this is my first time posting. I!!!8217;ve spent the last three days catching up on the thread and WOW you guys are inspiring!

We!!!8217;ve spent the first five months of the year getting into a position where our income is covering our bills and finally we!!!8217;ve done it. Going forward as well this will be the case every month which is a relief.

Due to issues a few years ago we pay nearly £1000 to debt every month and our mortgage is £800 with our other bills we need almost 3k to break even. We have an apartment in Spain that has no mortgage on it and we are trying to sell that at the moment. Fingers crossed.

I!!!8217;m going to look at our budget this evening and see what else I can do to cut costs and plan ahead for the rest of the year. We host students as well which helps us out and I!!!8217;m hopeful that soon any money from that will go to savings and debt rather than helping to cover bills.

I!!!8217;ve really enjoyed reading everyone!!!8217;s posts and will definitely post regularly to keep me focused.

L

Kerry_Woman

Went through my spends for the month. They were reasonable. Decluttered some bits from the flat. Had dental appointment, luckily it was only for a check up. Also went to gp for my depression, turned down counselling - not for me, also said that I did not want to back to the dermatology department for my psoriasis as I had a bad experience. Booked some voluntary work for a couple of weekends in August. Have managed 21 NSD's this month. Made the last visit to my Dad's house as I had to take the final meter readings for my brother. Hopefully sale of house goes through tomorrow.