2018 Frugal Living Challenge

FrankieM

Frugaldom Thanks also for the advice on seeing takeaways as just another meal that comes out of the grocery budget. It's made me really think twice about buying snacks and takeaways when they aren't coming out of 'personal spends'

Frugaldom

FrankieM wrote: »

Frugaldom Thanks also for the advice on seeing takeaways as just another meal that comes out of the grocery budget. It's made me really think twice about buying snacks and takeaways when they aren't coming out of 'personal spends'

In the beginning, I didn't have anything at all left over fr personal spends, so I just kind of automatically made it a rule that anything eaten was food and, therefore, grocery budget. Sticking with the whole £1 per person per day strict routine, you can see how horrified I am whenever I see the takeaway prices - one single meal usually costs more than a full week's meals. It has to be a very special occasion for takeaway / eating out here so that it comes from the gift-buying budget. Nowadays, with debts behind us and a few savings to be made, I have a slightly increased budget that allows an extra £10 per month for 'junk' like sweets, chocolate, crisps etc and it works as long as I don't buy £10 worth at the one time - or else it would get binged on instantly. Trouble now is weight gain and a distinct lack of enthusiasm for dieting.

DawnW

I agree Frugaldom, a takeaway or a meal out is just another meal. We hardly ever have either, as they are just so expensive, we find it hard to justify when I can make something at home that is just as good, often better, for a fraction of the price. Having said that, it was my birthday this week, which has meant 2 meals out (not my choice!) What also struck me was the size of the portions :eek: Why are they so big? We have healthy appetites (too much so in fact ) and already struggle with our weight, but would be the size of houses if we ate out often :eek:
Good idea to count them as part of the grocery budget. I will definitely be doing that - especially as I ended up paying for both of my 'birthday' meals :rotfl:

Kerry_Woman

DawnW - Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday.

Frugaldom

Belated birthday wishes from me, too, DawnW! :beer:

Frankie, did you get your heating fixed?

[Deleted User]

Belated wishes from me too DawnW...hope you had a fab day!

Frugaldom...ice on the inside of your windows!! :eek: you're obviously made of sterner stuff than me! :rotfl:

Siebrie

In the beginning, I didn't have anything at all left over fr personal spends, so I just kind of automatically made it a rule that anything eaten was food and, therefore, grocery budget. Sticking with the whole £1 per person per day strict routine, you can see how horrified I am whenever I see the takeaway prices - one single meal usually costs more than a full week's meals. It has to be a very special occasion for takeaway / eating out here so that it comes from the gift-buying budget - Frugaldom

I do the same, and also calculate it that way if it is the other way around. So, every work lunch not paid for by me, is never worth more than €1, because that is the most I would spend on a lunch I make at home and bring to work. Even if the boss is treating us to sushi, to me, that is worth only €1

FrankieM

Morning

The heating is still not fixed and I've felt miserable and tired which has meant money spent.

I never saw myself as an emotional spender until this year of really looking at my spending.

It's not been too cold, I think it's more that because it's not my house I'm at the mercy of someone else's decisions as to what they do about it. It feels like my marriage, where we never had money to spend on getting the house up but there was always money for whatever the ex wanted!

Anyway..out to work today to earn some extra pennies but I do need to draw a line under the spending and start again.

Happy Birthday DawnW xxx

FrankieM

Morning everyone

It's been very quiet on here.

My boiler and pump got replaced yesterday and so my heating and hot water is now working. It's lovely. I've never known the house so toasty warm.

So, now that I'm not miserable and cold, I'm back on it. Being cold makes me spend it seems and not having hot water means I don't want to cook

I've pretty much got all my Christmas presents bought also, so today I'm feeling pretty organised.

Hope you're all doing okay

[Deleted User]

Good news Frankiem!! :j