2018 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

ploppy57 wrote: »

Just wondering if its ok to ask on this thread about saving money with energy suppliers? I have asked on the energy thread but awaiting replies.
Just doing my annual switch search and wondered if anyone had any good or bad points to make about any of the lesser known companies? Green Network Energy and Avro are coming up as cheaper options. Always a bit weary about leaping into the unknown.
Anybody got any tips?
We are currently with Sainsburys but they want to hike our monthly payment by £20

There seems to be a huge range of prices available across the board and there also seems to be regional differences, along with extra discounts being available if you lock in both gas and electricity. I'm afraid I tend to stick to the original supplier and keep a watchful eye on energy useage - the emergence of the Smart meters might make more people more conscious of their use but as to price per unit savings... I can't find one that stands out from all the others, if I am 100% honest. I hate being tied into contracts so tend to read the meters and pay up to date each month.

Sorry I can't be any more helpful but I'll post again if I spot any real bargains.

FrankieM

I had chicken portions marinaded with garlic and soy sauce last night, with chips, which isn't the proper plan but felt unwell and headachy last night. I'm still like it this morning so may need to pick up pills.

Anyway, another meal for the list. but with roast veg and perhaps some brown rice.

Feeling unwell last night, I still need to wash up and make today's lunch before work I can't wait till the weekend.

DS is making noises about getting the garden done this weekend. His uni house rent is due and he hasn't got quite as much saved as he'd wanted.
It's so easy to see his sad face and want to throw money at it, but I've learnt that you don't fix money problems with money and at some point he has to get a hold on his budgeting etc.
We'll see whether the garden happens. I'm not pushing it...lol

Moll

Tanya12345 wrote: »

Sounds like a great holiday Moll, I live not far from Boscastle (next time I'll give you my number and you can pop in for tea n cake ) and still am thankful everyday for the privilege of living here.


aww thanks for the offer xx

shish100

Kerrywoman - your bucket list adventures sound great. must have been exciting going over the o2!
Moll - I love Cornwall, your holiday sounds amazing.

Just reviewing my spends trying to see where I have slipped up, and trying to recover.
Thankfully I have still been using my spend tracker to see where the pennies go. I just momentarily took my eye of the ball. All it took it the past couple of weeks was ;some new walking boots, a trip to the fabric shop and an extra weekend away in the camper. I was going to eek another summer out of my boots, use up the fabric that I already own, and have a quiet weekend.

I am going to recover from this set back. This weekend is a catch up with a friend - I'm using my national trust pass and taking a pic-nic.

FrankieM

I managed to not sucumb to the takeaway last night...so I've not spent there.

I bought beer for 'Friday-night wine'night' and that's it....I miss snacks

Anyway, nothing much on today, just pottering about and I'll be doing my first shop with cash so I'll see how that goes. Wish me luck!

Tanya12345

FrankieM, think the sad face thing is a real heart tugger ! I always struggle with this and my default is to wade in and try and fix things - it takes a huge effort not to ! But I know that continuing to bail/ help out means our beloveds never have to face up and that is actually hindering their growth.
Shish100, sounds like your back on track plan is a winner ! Will take a leaf out of your book, when I have a setback I'm prone to throwing my hands up in the air and deciding " it's not working/ what's the point" etc - then proceeding to really mess things up !! Will try to take a breath and avoid the drama queen performance !!
Still packing..........

Moll

ill be gone again tomorrow for a week , meeting up with my American friend in London , Shes been in Glastonbury this week , and had a ROUGH time ,thats putting it mildly , Fell in Wells this morning ! got a hacking cough , but worst of all shes lost her credit card, Has anyone got any ideas on this one please. Her American credit card is like our old fashioned ones , it doesnt have a pin and not contactless, you just put it in then have to sign ,, shes checked and so far no one has used it ( Been missing 2 days now ) she went to the post office , used it there, came out of the post office had it in her hand , put everything in her bag, walked to the bus , re organised her bag on the bus ,and realised the card was missing , . caught a bus back and re traced her steps ,,,,,,,,,nothing , so reported it to the post office and the bus company

Moll

sorry my computer booted me off, no one has handed it in or found it yet, she has another credit card to use for money BUT the big problem , she bought her train ticket to meet me in london using that , and you have to put the card you used in the machine to retrieve your ticket AND she also bought her flight ticket back to America on it !!! so she didnt want to cancell it yet in case it was found , a bit of a dilema. shes put an £8 limit on it , so if anyone tried to buy something for more than £8 it would flag up. does anyone know if theres a way she can still get the train or air ticket

FrankieM

Sorry moll I've got no idea. Is it worth her contacting the U.S Embassey and seeing if they can advise her?

Tanya I think he scares himself about it all, but then yesterday he went to go and see a friend and celebrate her birthday. Haircut, shirt, train ticket. Not to mention the night out, so I think he's not that bothered...and in some ways having some income means that he has the money to do these things. Maybe he shold concentrate on that?

I've done fuel and food shopping for the week and have £3 left for any 'top ups' I may need. It felt like a bigger shop than usual, but I'll see how it goes for the rest of the month.

No snacks were bought...very sad, but I'm impressed with myself.

Kerry_Woman

shish100 - Really enjoyed doing the things on my bucket list. There are 3 more things I want to do next year. First I must concentrate on decorating my flat. Want that done by the end of the year.