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2018 Frugal Living Challenge
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Nonnadiluca wrote: »... and I have a few beeswax wraps that my friend made for me. This has drastically reduced my use of cling film.
I meant to ask about these sooner - I'd never heard of beeswax wraps until now so could you enlighten me, please?I reserve the right not to spend.
The less I spend, the more I can afford.
Frugal living challenge - living on little in 2025 while frugalling towards retirement.0 -
Beeswax wraps are made from cotton with melted beeswax covering them. There are loads of tutorials on the internet and the beeswax pellets are available online. You wash them in warm, soapy water and let them air dry and use again. Apparently they can be re-waxed when necessary. I've not had them long, but am impressed so far.
Another idea I'm thinking about trying is to make cotton circles, elasticated like a shower cap, to put over a bowl or plate- should be within even my limited sewing capabilities!0 -
Having followed this thread for years it's about time I stopped lurking and actually joined in.
I have always considered myself to be a fairly frugal person but there is always room for improvement and I plan to really get my teeth into it in 2018.
Things I already do:
- Cook from scratch and batch cook. This seems to have slipped in recent months so need to pull my socks up.
- Grow fruit and veg in the spring and summer. Not so good in the winter months but we have a greenhouse so this is something I will look into.
- Heat with a woodburner although guilty of having the central heating on for too long too.
- Recycle and compost as much as possible.
- Keep hens for eggs.
As you can probably tell I am a list maker! Below is my list of to dos for January to help me up my frugal game.
- Monitor and reduce the ever rising water and energy usage.
- Stop using the car for short journeys.
- Reduce grocery costs to under £200 for 2 adults (includes all cleaning products and toiletries). This will be helped by batch cooking and double checking the best price for everything.
- Only spend on absolute essentials.
- And my non money list item is to reduce my time spent on the computer and get off my behind and make all the above possible.
I'm looking forward to hearing all your frugal adventures too.
Happy New Year0 -
Y
Sorry - had to laugh :rotfl:
However, I assume you mean roast lamb. I use Nigel Slater's slow cooked lamb recipe (you can google it) and it works every time and it is delish
Nope, was totally going to roast a lamp
I shall check out the Nigel Slater Recipe if you think lamb would be better:)You might like the old thread (link in post 1) covering the challenge to save to buy a house.
I read it.
OH MY GOD! I had no idea, NO IDEA you did that!
I have a little secret dream, of buying a flat up near my best friend, have taken out a bank loan twice to do it but both times been too scared to be that much debt again (20,000)
You have set my tiny brain whirling!!!
XXXNevertheless she persisted.0 -
Hi! Can I join in please. Frugaldom I found your budget explanation very helpful. CW18 I really like the idea of focusing on the categoties I have most control over changing. I find it really difficult to maintain tracking finances but that should help. Hopefully it will be more motivating. I love reading this thread!2019 fashion on a ration 0/66 coupons0
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Morning Everyone
Had a frugal night of watching 'How to get away with murder' on Netflix and drinking alcohol that was in the house (well...all the alcohol that was in the house!)
No takeaways or snacks bought
And no extra spending when I went to ASDA. Just what was on my list. Given I've been complaining about not having cheese and crackers, I think I've done well!
I've got myself in a bit of a muddle with cash. My daughter pays her board in cash and I use that for certain spending categories, but she's not good at getting it out just after payday so I do a bit of moving it around to cover until I've got it...any way, it's got me in a bit of a muddle this month and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to sort it out properly until the SO and DD start coming out.
We didn't have the chicken pie, we ate up some leftovers in the fridge instead so I've put all that in the freezer for another day. Today it's cauliflower cheese and bacon and JP...before going out tonight. What could possibly go wrong! lol
Hope you all enjoy your New Years Eve, whatever your planning to do. Looking forward to seeing you on the other side frugalling our way through 2018!0 -
I love the sound of this challenge! Please can I join too?Year to date spend on non bills: £34.92
Debts:
1) overdraft £400
2) overdraft £500
3) S credit card £3150 min payment £101 pcm interest £37pcm
4)T credit card £8108 min payment £200 pcm interest £128pcm0 -
Rosesandrainbows wrote: »Having followed this thread for years it's about time I stopped lurking and actually joined in.
I have always considered myself to be a fairly frugal person but there is always room for improvement and I plan to really get my teeth into it in 2018....
WELCOME ON BOARD! :beer:Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »I read it.
OH MY GOD! I had no idea, NO IDEA you did that!...
You have set my tiny brain whirling!!!
XXX
'DID' it? :rotfl: I still am and will continue doing the same until Frugaldom is absolutely a reality for anyone who cares to come and share it.Hi! Can I join in please.
WELCOME! :T
I'll get our latest new members added to the list and be back later today to do a final update before the ball gets rolling into 2018. I realise some of you have already started, based on income dates etc so good luck to everyone. May 2018 bring you everything you aspire to do, have or offload (like debts).
Time to do a fimal scurry around the cupboards, fridges, freezers and other assorted storage locations suitable for the purposes of enhancing our frugal living experiences.I reserve the right not to spend.
The less I spend, the more I can afford.
Frugal living challenge - living on little in 2025 while frugalling towards retirement.0 -
Ok....so having got super excited over this year's potential saving I caused myself a nosebleed!
My plan this year is :
1) budget and stick to it!
My budget allows £40 per week for food and expenses for my 2 children and myself. (The advantage is weekends they're at their dad's so money saved on food there. It's positive thinking.)
2) Don't buy food unless absolutely needed!
I've a stupidly well stocked pantry. Meal planning to what I have not buying to what I plan. Downside is I work in food store so temptation to spend is daily in my face.
3) Believe in myself!
I can do this! I will do this and I will make it happen!!
4) write it down!
I'm not a computer whizz. I do love lists though. I was given a page per day diary for Christmas and I will write a daily list of how much I spent last year that day and this year to keep me motivated. How much I've spent per week and month. How much I'm paying towards debts etc. I can see me getting obsessed with this!
Bills (household/car needed for work)=£14,376
Budget (food/children's clubs etc) = £2080
Debts to clear (feels like drowning) = £12,500
My bills budget allows increase in rent mid year as well as other bills (although I will be shopping around to make them lower) So as I'm starting the year as if I'm already paying the increase, by end of year I should have a good savings pot in bills account too.
The main goal of course and the reason I'm doing this is to clear the debts! I've given myself 3 full years, given my current income....but would love it to be less!Year to date spend on non bills: £34.92
Debts:
1) overdraft £400
2) overdraft £500
3) S credit card £3150 min payment £101 pcm interest £37pcm
4)T credit card £8108 min payment £200 pcm interest £128pcm0 -
I run my budget from April. Changes to pay due to tax allowance changes, Internet/TV/Phone and mobile contracts all run until end March. There are also changes to rent and council tax at that time. I have been setting a proposed budget for the 2018 financial year. Obviously it will get tweaked on the run up to this as I get my revised bills. Last year I spent £13000 (excluding savings, including rent, ct and all other spending) but wasn't trying to be frugal. A couple of changes I have made this year is to buy more from Iceland and to use their bonus card to make savings. I have also cut back on drinks on way into work.
I am also only putting on my heating when needed, today for example it has not been need. The flat is well insulated, heating does come on for 45 mins in the morning to take the chill off. I have also used my tumble dryer (I have found my elec bills have gone down since got it versus a dri buddi used to use) it warms up the flat too.Paid off the last of my unsecured debts in 2016. Then saved up and bought a property. Current aim is to pay off my mortgage as early as possible. Currently over paying every month. Mortgage due to be paid off in 2036 hoping to get it paid off much earlier. Set up my own bespoke spreadsheet to manage my money.0
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