2018 Frugal Living Challenge

nannygladys

Hi everyone, another lapsed member here. I have been thinking of joining in next year if/when another new challenge starts, but then I thought I should take hold of myself and come back now!!

So Xmas, yes well my dd2 and family are coming to stay with me, I know this sounds horrible but its costs me a lot of money and in all honesty I have to take it from bill/saved money. They live abroad and don't land until the early hours Xmas day so they wont be doing any shopping! I have been asked to get a few things and I have managed to buy a couple bottles of wine and some special shampoo but the bottles of whisky, brandy and gin have gone by the wayside along with some other more expensive things. I know I sound ungrateful but they don't contribute even though they say they will and after a week of feeding them (3) Im feeling very hard done by. Anyway, Ive decided to stop spending and just enjoy the holiday with what Ive got but I need to start getting money together for a couple of big bills coming at the end of January and then car related ones in February and one really big one at the end of March, so I need to be really frugal and spend as little as possible. By the way Im an pensioner on just a state pension, owe a couple of hundred on a credit card and luckily own my own house and theres only me, so priorities are
1. Pay off credit card
2. Save to pay bills
3. Redo budgets
4. Eat out of cupboards/freezer.
Nannyg
PS Feel better now that I have got it all down in writing

I really do hope there is one next year as I will need to keep motivated. I will do an inventory of food for the next couple of weeks and Xmas week and see what I can put together.

cw18

I'd be wrapping up anything they'd asked me to buy (like the special shampoo) and giving them that as their Christmas present



But then I'm a real Grinch / Scrooge when it comes to Christmas - essential presents only (younger son & I officially don't exchange, but it sounds like I'll be seeing him on 26th - and providing a bed that night - so I'll pick up a couple of small bits for him), cards for family, work colleagues and immediate neighbours only (the last group only if I get them done in time, which I didn't last year), and the actual day ideally to myself (although older son may be hoping to be fed - need to speak to him yet, but I text him when it's almost ready, he comes round, chats while we eat, and then heads off home again ). I head up to my parents with older son on 26th, and see my DD and GDs (all 4 of them) there - Christmas done, along with early birthday for my Dad (28th). I love the films and music, but can't be doing with any of the other Christmas trappings at all. I can't help feeling I shouldn't celebrate it as I'm not religious, and the whole thing has become far too comercialized and competitive. Bah! Humbug!

Frugaldom

To all who are asking about a 2019 challenge... OF COURSE THERE WILL BE ONE! 2019 is my 20th anniversary of publishing frugal moneysaving challenges, so it's a big year for me. I truly hope to complete ALL my current challenges and then do a proper round up of everything that has happened over those 20 years, successes and failures! :j:beer: :T:D

Frugaldom

Squirrelgirl I am forever in the process of doing home repairs, renovations and developments of some sort but therse are never part of my frugal living budget - these are as a result of my frugal living budget. Despite having spent about £200,000 on our projects over the past 10 years, my frugal living budget remains the same, at £4,000 per year. My household budget is purely about running the household, every other penny a) cleared all debts and then b) was saved to spend on 'projects'. Now everything outside of the household budget gets spent on projects (or ponies, as they cost a fortune to feed) and whatever is left stays in the bank for more work to get done.

[Deleted User]

Hello fellow frugallers, apologies I've not managed to get on here this week. Been busy at work and am so tired when I get home I've been hibernating when I get home in front of the TV.

mumof3 - sending hugs. I hope you are recovering well.

Frugaldom - count me in for 2019! Looking forward to being frugally focussed next year. OH and I have agreed we will not be having any holidays away next year to focus on maxing out our savings. We will budget for days away local to us during holiday times though.


It's been a reasonably frugal week, especially since I've barely ventured out once I am home from work. All dinners made at home. OH is currently making a big batch of chilli for us for the next two days and some will go in the freezer.

All Christmas Shopping done. I like to do it in advance as I know I usually feel exhausted at this time of year. I've cut back drastically on spending on gifts for my two nieces and stuck to agreed budget with my sister for hers and BIL gifts, as well as a set budget for parents, in-laws and others. Cards (all bought in January) are all written and I have cut down the number that I am sending this year too. Most will be hand-post or scout-post and only a few need stamps.

OH and I have planned a boxing day shop this year to stock up on half-price gifts for 2019 and possibly some Christmas cards. I need to have think and plan what I want to buy to set aside for specific people otherwise it's easy to over do it.

DawnW

I will definitely be up for the 2009 challenge! I don't post very often but have been faithfully keeping my spending diary and spreadsheet up to date. It has been a challenging year, with health problems, replacing some household stuff and having to help out a relative, and it is certainly an eye opener seeing it all in black and white :eek:

nannygladys

Sorry for the moaning last night, I was feeling quite down about it all and sometimes the money situation gets to me.

So today Im feeling much more positive and have done an inventory of food and really I can manage with just buying milk and veggies for the next couple of weeks, and Xmas week I will deal with it somehow.

Nannyg

datlex

I think you have a perfect right to complain nannygladys. If I were you I would get a bank balance and do a budget on the back of an envelope, crossing out things which are "too" expensive and leave it somewhere family are likely to see it. Then just get enough in for Christmas Day/Boxing Day. Then let them take you to the shops....

Frugaldom

NannyGladys, no need to apologise, we can all have a jolly old moan about life and stuff anytime we want on here - IT'S FREE!

[Deleted User]

I'll definitely be on board for 2019!