2018 Frugal Living Challenge

abudabi

hi not sure how to start new post but i have a water bill saying im single occupancy but its wrong i live with my partner?

i moved from 2 bed flat to a 1 bed bungalow they knew i was living with partner before? i applied for water meter here but they said they cant do it so im assessed but as i said on the letter it says single occupier? i dont want to get in touch as am worried they will increase it? if i was dyslexic then i wouldnt even know?

Tanya12345

Checking in Fruggies, had a nsd yesterday but today went shopping but kept within budget -total spend of 20.99 - really pleased but had to keep my mind so focused as I went round Morries, it's a real effort not to be bewitched by all the shiny stuff on the shelves ! Knew I had to report in, so that kept me on the frugal tracks !
Seeds planted today ( indoors !!) . Also sewed up my first finished knitting effort and have been heating water on the wood burner ( keeping it going during the day so we don't turn the heating on ). Dishwasher kaput so washing up by hand , hoping this will shave a little off the wretched elec and gas bills. Will start doing a daily meter read/log as we seem to be using masses of power and I would love to reduce our energy bills ( hoping to save enough to out ova in the new place - everything crossed !!).
Hugs to all xx

FrankieM

Evening everyone

Payday for me so the start of a new month. I've just finished doing my monthly online shop. I've come in on my new 'shaved' budget but unless the actual bill is less when the order arrives tomorrow, then that means I've got nothing spare for any top ups, so I'll have to see how that actually works out.
I've put my heating on timer. I'm very sad about it. lolol. I just don't want to be cold but I'll give it a go and I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
I've unplugged my 'plug ins' I'm also a bit sad about this and to be honest, I'm not really sure how much difference it'll make to my electricity bill, but it's worth looking at. It's also worth seeing what actual 'smell difference' I notice without them in.
My new phone arrived today so I need to spend some time sorting all that out and setting it up so it picks up wireless and I don't use up my mobile data.

So, taking a leaf out of Frugaldom's frugal book, below is my list for 'Minimalist March'
• [STRIKE]Declutter food cupboards[/STRIKE]
• Declutter wardrobe
• Try and sell anything that I no longer want/need
• Take any stuff to the charity shop that I can’t sell
• Tie as many visits into a single trip to save fuel and minimise travel
• Cook more and try new recipes from the cook books I have
• Look at portion control and weigh and measure portions where I can
• Think about/plan out what I might like to grow this coming year in pots
• Think very seriously about gas and electricity use. Turning things off where and when I can
• Walk to places in my local area (weekend job, shops, friends) rather than drive
• Look at budget and see if there are ‘shaving’ savings to be made
• Implement the new ‘no snacks and only one takeaway a month’ regime
• Start planning out the garden for the summer so it’s a pleasure to spend time in
• Declutter, declutter, declutter and then declutter the decluttered clutter some more - there has to be something worth selling!

As you can see, one down already

spudsmum

Hi All,
Hope everyone is ok in this rubbish weather -1.5 according to my car temp coming home tonight :eek:

Spendy day here - needed oil and coolant for my car (its an old beast so uses loads of both) Went to Mr T's and was very happy to see both on a half price offer - saved £9

Needed bread also - found a cashback deal for £1 when you buy 3 loaves - its the bread i use anyway and was on offer for 50p a loaf so worked out at 50p for 3 loaves after cashback.
Will probably use two and freeze one for next week.

Cashed out £5.17 for surveys so put that and the £1 from above in debt jar

Car insurance is due next month so began the process of trawling through the comparison sites in search of a better deal.

Spent the evening at my mums so using her heating, electric and food! The payoff is I'm forced to endure the 30 minutes of bilge/torture that is Emmerdale but I guess its a price worth paying (maybe! )

Afternooon off tomorrow and too cold to go out so hoping for a NSD - will snuggle up on the sofa and see if the kids will let me do some comps and surveys.

DH has just said he desperately needs new jeans and slippers (his interpretation of desperate is very different to mine) nevertheless we need to go to town on saturday - this always works out expensive so I'm going to be laying down a strict budget before he gets within 10 miles of a clothes shop. He's done very well on his £15 pw pocket money but I'm not about to let him blow all the money we've saved on clothes or its pointless.

Think thats it for now - off to snuggle up in bed and try to keep warm

Fizzyisbusy

Ah well, first two months down and been expensive learning curve so far. And now I!!!8217;m moving at the end of March this month coming won!!!8217;t be much better! I am planning a massive declutter and hoping to see stuff to help with costs etc.

I live in the Cairngorms and my fuel, both travel and home wise does tend to run high! Food costs I!!!8217;ve got down to the three hundred for the month, but that still much higher than I was aiming for! I live alone but have had my sons and daughter for various visits so that is extra cost.

I am obviously going nowhere today with the snow on, so planning a paperwork and finance day at home.

Thanks for this group, it!!!8217;s inspiring and the support for each other is ace!!

Fizzyisbusy !!!128522;

System

Well the snow has finally arrived with gusto here on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire boarder. Not sure how frugal I will be now as its arctic....so cold. I have layers on but the air is sooo cold even indoors I need the CH on. hope it doesn't last long. Might do some exercises in a bit, that should warm me up...lol

Kerry_Woman

Have added up the spending totals for February. The food/household came under budget. The other spending was high. This I have to get under control. Got my water meter read as the bill was estimated, luckily I did as got the read bill today and it was £9 cheaper than the estimated. Got my electric tariff changed as from 1st April, after my current tariff ends. Went to an event in London which I usually go every year. Brought my own lunch and flask of tea as the refreshments at the venue are expensive.

System

Well snow didn't last long...hoping that will be the last of it as got work tomorrow, Fri and Sat ....2 different jobs and have to drive to the Thursday one and I HATE driving in the snow.
Been working on all my nice new spread sheets. Every time I think I have got it right I think of something else I should be saving for...:(

archwaysaver

Minimalist March!

My main goal is to stick to going out and grocery budgets this month (especially cutting down on alcohol). Rule #1 is trying to use up everything in the cupboard before going grocery shopping, unless it's for staples like rice and oil. Sometimes we fall into the trap of getting excited about a recipe and going out and buying all the ingredients for it - telling ourselves it's still so much cheaper than takeaway! - but the result is a cupboard full of half used ingredients.

Going out is another challenge altogether...I always end up spending way more than I want to. I'm also trying to cut down on booze so these should hopefully go together....

ma-ri-ella

my main goals for march are to try sticking to budget
move somewhere cheaper
declutter some clothes