2018 Frugal Living Challenge

Kerry_Woman

Still trying to keep my spending down this month. At the school where I am currently temping I have been offered free school meals by the kitchen. This has saved me bringing lunch to work and getting dinner in the evening. It has been confirmed today that I will going back after the Easter holidays for a few weeks as they are recruiting for admin. Have looked through my toiletries and found a few that can be easily be used hopefully by the end of April.

CosmicZebra

Following advice on here, I borrowed the Marie Kondo book from the library. Made me quite depressed to realise how wasteful I!!!8217;ve been with clothes and shoes- I!!!8217;ve got so many things I haven!!!8217;t really worn. I sold most of the designer stuff on eBay and the rest went to the charity shop, so hopefully they!!!8217;ll spark joy in someone else! Now I only have things I really like, plus it!!!8217;s easier choosing what to wear. I!!!8217;m not buying anything on a whim again- such a waste of cash over the years. Anyway, no point regretting. I!!!8217;ve definitely had a major epiphany this year and it!!!8217;s better late than never, I guess. Still cooking from scratch, taking flask to work, getting books from the library not buying, going to Ald! not weetrose...and not feeling at all deprived. Enjoying reading all the posts- it keeps me inspired!

FrankieM

Morning

Another spend day here today. Don't you just love the beginning of the month.
It's fuel and getting the few things that we prefer from Aldi.

I'm so looking forward to some days off. I think the clocks changing (in whatever direction) has a real effect on my sleeping so I'm just tired all the time.

Have a good day

Frugaldom

On the topic of rubbish - we have been attempting, for years, to achieve zero waste but it is impossible for me. At best, I recycle whatever I can, even furniture. There was an old cooker left in the cottage we bought last year - grill & oven ok, couple of rings ok - put it on a free ads page to see if anyone could make some use of it and it was gone within 48 hours. A neighbour had some really old bedroom furniture that had to go so I claimed that and am going to just polish it up or paint it. I think recucling and upcycling is going to become much more of a 'thing' again, but like others say, charging at the tips also brings a multitude more flytippers. They already fly tip even when not having to pay for it so slapping on a heftier fee is definitely going to have an impact.

Spending still under control here and I have almost managed to get to the end of the first quarter without visiting a supermarket.

Got holidaymakers booked in all through Easter hols and then I will make a start on tarting up the caravan a bit with some bargain curtains I bought last year. There's enough extra fabric to be cut off the bottom to make cushion covers so here's hoping they all look ok.

Saving like mad to afford to do more work at Frugaldom but it's never ending. Maybe this year I will afford the time and money needed to set up proper veg gardens! In the meantime, I have a house to furnish and that means upcycling to a standard essential to meet current rules and regs. Electrical work and then the test certificate cost best part of £1,000 so that needs recouped asap.

Keep on frugaling, people. Things are still loking like getting worse before they ever get better for those of us trying to earn our own livings and live on a shoestring. The price of shoestring keeps going up!

indigowarrior

I have also fallen off the wagon big style. No excuse really. I am not sure how I am going to approach next month. My friend has given me notice to move out two months earlier then I expected. I have 3 weeks left here and then will have no where else to go. I am going to have to be tighter then scrooge really.

Working_Mum

indigowarrior wrote: »

I have also fallen off the wagon big style. No excuse really. I am not sure how I am going to approach next month. My friend has given me notice to move out two months earlier then I expected. I have 3 weeks left here and then will have no where else to go. I am going to have to be tighter then scrooge really.

Wow that's a shocker - I suppose you have to take a deep breath and put on your big pants and make a plan.

I feel sure you'll do it

((hugs))

WM x

DawnW

indigowarrior wrote: »

I have also fallen off the wagon big style. No excuse really. I am not sure how I am going to approach next month. My friend has given me notice to move out two months earlier then I expected. I have 3 weeks left here and then will have no where else to go. I am going to have to be tighter then scrooge really.

Go back to the Council Indigo, Housing Options team or whatever it is called in your area, check on their web site. Ask your friend to write a brief letter to you to confirm that they are asking you to leave by x date, and take it with you. Take any medical / disability evidence you may have, and actually go along there and ask to see someone, don't be fobbed off on the phone. Councils have a duty to prevent homelessness. Even if they (or local HAs) can't offer you anything, they may be able to help with a loan for a deposit or something like that. Do it today!

indigowarrior

Hi @DawnW,
I rang the council already last week and give me advice to prevent homelessness such as private let which i cant afford and they wont refer me to there scheme and now they wont talk to me until my notice is up. I do have a letter as well. Its frustrating.

Kerry_Woman

indigowarrior - Sorry to hear your news. Hope you get the help to sort out the issue. Sending you hugs.

CosmicZebra

indigowarrior- have you tried Shelter? They have a free advice line. I hope you find a solution soon.