2018 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

Moll, that is great hearing you managed to get the best part of £1,000 squirrelled away into an 'EEK' (Everything Else Kitty) tha fully covers a fabulous holiday. I always think that whatever we do, it comes down to what sort of memories it creates and to be able t make good, positive, happy ones is something else that makes the hardship of doing without everyday luxuries all so worth while.

DawnW - your elderly campervan is like a member of the family so if it can make it to Frugaldom, feel free stop by for a visit sometime.

I hate harking on about spreadsheets but they really are the most worthwhile tool to have in any household budget.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the welcome back!:D

The renovation project has begun!! :j I have ordered and paid a deposit on the windows and started the decluttering

I've also worked out what I need to pay out by the end of December next year and I need to be frugal like never before!!

On the plus side, it's 17 months before I will be living in a home I own that is a sanctuary for me and a beautiful place to spend time with my family. That is the goal and nothing, other than the obvious, will be more important. ;)

I'm going to project manage it all - it's going to be lots of work but I'm looking forward to it :j

FrankieM

The end result of your renovation project sounds amazing squirrelgirl and I'm sure it'll make all the hard work worth it.

I've had a day of getting through my 'earning extra money' to-do list. I've sold some books but we'll see how the rest goes.

Filled the fuel tank up...£52! That's what a trip to Manchester and back does. And went to Aldi. Only £22 spent there but I may need to pick up some more salad stuff later in the week.

I was looking forward to a weekend to myself but my daughter was mostly home. I'm kind of ready for everyone moving out. lol

Also, I don't seem to know how to rest and look after myself with out eating junk. At least I didn't buy the chinese takeaway I wanted.
It seems if I had a plan to go out and spend money, and then it doesn't happen, I see that budgeted money as a free for all. Ususally to be spent on snacks. I need to find other things to do.

This area of my life needs to be my next focus. I feel a notebook of plans coming on.

Frugaldom

Good luck, squirrellgirl, it certainl sounds like a very exciting and busy time for you but it will all be worth it.

FrankieM - free hobbies - just think up a few. My frgaldom 'group' began as the NYK group (pre-name change) and we all write every day. Some write poems or rhymes, some write diaries, jourmals or blogs and some write books.

FrankieM

Frugaldom There's a choir I'm interested. It's only £5 a time. I'd also like a drawing class...and I know there's a writing class that meet too. Other than the singing these are just things I'm vaguely interested in so it may be time to bite the bullet and join something to kick start me off.

A busy day of meetings at work today. Lunch was tuna, sweetcorn, red onion & mayo with salad. (one of my favourites)
Tea was turkey meatballs from muscle food (really, really awful!!) with veg...and oven chips...and choc hob nobs....and toast with choc spread and peanut butter. lolol. What a fail!

Anyway tomorrow is a new day and on the positive side, I didn't spend any money

Frugaldom

FrankieM :T:beer::rotfl: That sounds a lot like our "diet" and I'm never going to shift the extra 2 stone or whatever that's needing to go!! But the more I save, the more the pounds just keep mounting up so I don't want to upset the apple cart. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all the encouragement!!

I've been in a quandry about whether to put our budget savngs to the house fund or to the mortgage - had a chat with dh tonight and he has stated that he wants the house done asap so we have made the decision that all our budget savings, additional income etc will all go to the renovations - the mortgage pay off is going to follow.

I'm happy with the decision we have made - we both hate the thought of the disruption so it makes sense to throw everything at it to get it done as fast as we can. I'm not thrilled by the thought of doing nothing towards the mortgage but I have to just accept that we will throw everything at that the day that we finish the house and we'll finish before the end of 2019 - I hope!! :rotfl:

So, it really is frugal city now! :eek:

The sparky has been and given me a ballpark figure which is 1k below my expectations so even if the true figure is higher, it should still come in on budget I've told him to fit me in between late September and October after the windows and doors have been fitted. I have messaged my plasterer to ask him to come and quote so that I can book him for late October/early November. If I can get the carpets in the December sales, that should really knock a good chunk off the price and I can get them fitted in January and have the decorating sorted in December :j The internal door fitting will happen as soon as the carpets have been laid and the furnishing can be done over February & March. I'm expecting to have the entire thing completed by the end of April 2019 - once the inside is sorted, I need a landscaper to sort the gardens then the mortgage payments can go mental!!

I'm going to really think hard about what I need to buy before I buy it and I am going to check plenty of options to make sure I get the best deal wherever possible. I have to admit, this is such a huge expense for me and one which I am hoping will add real value to our day to day existence so I am desperate to get it right and to do it all as frugally as possible. I am quite literally counting down the days now until it's all done!! :rotfl: (524 if you're interested!! )

FrankieM

I did better food wise yesterday and still didn't spend any money!

I need to pick up some salad today though and try to stay away from the snack isle.

Frugaldom

Good luck with renovations, squirrelgirl, don't forget to check through the cashback sites before ordering anything online and never be scared to haggle with tradesmen

Well done, FrankieM, here's hoping you can steer clear of those extra non-essential bargains and snacks. I have to admit that I have let things slip completely since hosting students and hardly ever being at home in the evenings. Things have to change very soon, otherwise I'm going to be the size of a house and my grocery budget shot to pieces.

Moll

I wont be around much for the next 10 days , my American friend is in the air as i speak and will arrive tomorrow . then a few days doing as much as we can in my area , and then off on our jollies on Sunday ...all payed for by being frugal since January, Cant believe ive managed to save so much in just a short time , and the house is getting de cluttered in the process too. Seems funny not putting anything on the bidding site this week , hope i dont get out of the habit , as i like seeing the clutter clearing , My friend wants to tag 2 days at the end of our Cornwall holiday to go to London , for a convention , so a little bit i didnt budget for , but im happy ,

squirrelgirl wow your an inspiration to us all , Good luck with all your plans , It will be lovely in the end and so worth it x