2018 Frugal Living Challenge

datlex

mbmonty wrote: »

If you are really into this Frugal thing then you have missed the boat on the heating.
I open the oven when finished cooking
If you really want to embrace this frugal thing you have to be prepared for lifestyle changes
The most important phrase is "It is not forever"

I think it is you that has missed the boat. This is not about depriving yourself. It is about living none wastefully, so lifestyle changes may be necessary. It IS FOREVER. It's supposed to be sustainable.

CosmicZebra wrote: »

I've been frugal in the past by necessity- found myself in very difficult financial circumstances a few years ago. Thankfully in a much better position now, but I don't want to overconsume. I think frugality, for me, is about thoughtful spending. I'll always put a jumper and extra socks on first, but if I'm cold, the heating comes on. We can adjust the temp on each radiator, so I usually turn them off or down in rooms we're not using.

I like this frugality= thoughtful spending

FrankieM wrote: »

Morning
The work decision was taken out of my hands cause they didn't need me in the end so I'm going to enjoy a lovely weekend of pottering through my jobs, reading online, watching films and generally resting.
I've done the washing and it's currently on racks drying (I do miss my tumble dryer). I'll be getting a couple of batch cooked tubs out of the freezer to cover meals and drinking coffee.

It was a spend day yesterday. Fuel and salad so I have £22 in cash and £6 in the bank to last me til payday. I'm not imagining any problems.

My DD has just booked in her head shots and I said I would pay for them. We had this conversation about 2 years mind you, when I was obviously feeling flush but a deal is a deal and I'm pleased that by getting these done it's a step forward for her. Now I just need to earn/save that extra money so it doesn't throw my budget off!

What are the head shots for? I have a tumble dryer here. I used to use a dri buddi, no room to dry lots of clothes on racks in a one bed flat. It took ages to properly dry things and you were limited by how many you could dry at once. My elec bill has actually gone down since I got the tumble dryer and when it is on I don't need my heating. I'd always been reluctant to get one as you hear stories as to how much they cost.

cw18

datlex wrote: »

I think it is you that has missed the boat. This is not about depriving yourself. It is about living none wastefully, so lifestyle changes may be necessary. It IS FOREVER. It's supposed to be sustainable.

Well said - I 100 agree with that :T



Re: Tumble Dryers. Mine got dragged out of my kitchen and into my hallway must be almost 2 years ago, to make way for an undercounter fridge when the fridge part of my built-in fridge/freezer died on me. (I had neither time nor money to do an immediate replacement of the built-in unit, so bought the cheapest fridge I could find.) Built in unit was replaced 13 months ago, but my dryer is still in the hall. As it's a vented one I can't use it without having my front door open (with the chain on), so I've only used it twice in all that time. There's very little I put through it these days (mainly since changing to microfibre towels which take a lot less room in the washer and dry in no time at all hung in my spare room), but I've no plans to get rid as there's always that 'emergency' and I do have space to keep it. Whether I shall replace it when it finally dies remains to be seen (only going now because I paid someone to give it a good clean and service a few years ago), but I think it's unlikely unless there are major changes in my life (eg. more people to wash for or a smaller property to dry things in).

mbmonty

I get your points, but I think you have misunderstood.

I am cutting everything I do not NEED because I am determined to get rid of my overdraft and live within my means. I have a load of consumer debt that is going to be written off this year and next year, so I want a clean slate.

So for me "it is not forever" that I need to cut back as drastically as I am, having said that I enjoy the challenge and having found a way to eliminate Broadband and TV Licence it is unlikely I will take them back on.

To be clear I DO have internet from two sources, I just do not pay for it. It was a bit technically complex to setup but now I am used to it.

I also have TV, just no live TV, it means that the TV I watch has no ads, has movies and series that are very new, but again a bit technical. It has really improved my lifestyle to watch what I want to watch and my library is better than Netflix!

I got rid of all my DVD's because of the space they took up, I was into that whole possession thing but now my library fits on an external disk less than half the size of a single DVD case.

Reading this thread it is clear I have more to learn from you all.

I am even going to try this gloop stuff for washing, I already have bicarb from pound shop, it cleans leather sofa really well. Simple type soap from Lidl is regularly on offer for about 70p for 4 bars, they have aloe version too.

My only concern about it is whether it will block the inards of the washing machine if wash temp not hot enough.

As for a drier, they are a No No, just use so much energy.

I did a wash today, opened french windows so no damp and nearly dry, will go iron them in a sec.

I do get that no heating in some properties will help damp, but if you eliminate it first it is not enough to get it going. I am also lucky that I am surrounded on two sides and above and below, so I get some of their heat. I do put the heating on from time to time, usually if temp goes below 16 inside, but I have boiler set very high so it heats really quickly so only needed for an hour or so. Currently with no heating it is around 20 to 21.

Once I have the overdraft paid I will still be frugal, I always was to an extent, but I will be using the money I save for treats, right now they are very rare which is fine because I am on a mission.

cw18

Your internet and (especially) TV setups sound very suspect to me - to the point of being illegal.

It sounds like you can get away without heating because your 'external' walls are heated by neighbouring properties. I don't have that luxury as I'm in a detached property - and my heating only cuts in if the internal temperature falls below 18, so your heat comfort is currently considerably higher than mine (and most of the others who replied are also in the 18 vicinity).

Moll

Hello Everyone .Moll here ,,,,,,,hope you haven't forgotten me I certainly haven't forgotten you all , and been wondering how how everyone is fairing , Weve been a family of illness since I last posted , We came down with the flu / cough thing that everyone seems to have had ,,,,,,but then when I recovered , I got it again ??? Put me in bed for 2 days !! im never ill !!! Anyway , the doc gave me antibiotics, and im on the mend , but wow does illness cost , I used up "Some " of my food supplies , but I just couldn't be bothered to cook with being ill , so everyone had to fend for themselves , and it was mostly take aways or cheap box meals from Heron or Aldi with not much nutrition , but at least we was fed , Extras , might as well do the confessional ............ Had to have my eyes tested , as my glasses need changing , and id promised myself a decent pair this time , instead of a cheap pair , although i got money off , so it wasn't too bad, just an extra expense i could have done without . but my eye sight is precious it needs TLC , Then DH informs me ive picked up a screw in my car tyre ,,,,,,,,,,,,Ive hardly been out !!! so thats the next thing on the agenda to be fixed , or ill need a new tyre,,,,,, I cant believe how much food ive binned , its heartbreaking , but if you don't fancy it , and no one else will cook ,,,,,,,,,then the bin it goes ,,,,,Grrrr . I haven't been able to list anything on the bidding sites for weeks , but im finally feeling better ( Couldn't have sat writing on here yesterday ) the sun has been shining today , and we took the dog for a beautiful walk along a canal path ( Couldn't have done that yesterday either ) so im definitely on the mend , and i got free leisure activity ,& fresh air . Poor old Dad is a worry as hes down with a hacking cough , we fetched him for dinner tonight ( seems like the first proper meal ive cooked in ages) i had a sack of potatoes , so i made double of everything so dinner is covered for tomorrow and no extra cooking , just had enough cheese sauce left for tonight , so that gave it a nice flavour , Ive attacked the under the sink cupboard in the bathroom , found a couple of soaps from gift packs lurking at the back , and chucked anything manky , Much better in there , and its been needing doing for ages, Im still plugging away at saving for the holiday hotel in July ( now got £538.65 of the £950 needed) now im feeling better i need to list some things to boost that amount . Im backtracking to read all the posts ive missed ,but wanted you to know im still here , and ive missed everyone xx Good luck in April .........

spudsmum

Moll! Sounds like you've really been through it - welcome back

cw18 wrote: »

Your internet and (especially) TV setups sound very suspect to me - to the point of being illegal.

It sounds like you can get away without heating because your 'external' walls are heated by neighbouring properties. I don't have that luxury as I'm in a detached property - and my heating only cuts in if the internal temperature falls below 18, so your heat comfort is currently considerably higher than mine (and most of the others who replied are also in the 18 vicinity).

Ditto - I'm in a semi detached and next door has been empty for years so no heat coming from anywhere else. Our is set to come on for an hour morning and night to take the chill off if its colder than 18. Other than that I click it on if its very cold - cant have it to come on automatic as husband always says its cold (rather than say, putting a jumper on) so he fiddles with the thermostat and it ends up being on nearly 24/7 I have two babies though so we do need it fairly warm and like I said - old houses + cold = damp! So we just cant risk it no matter how much money it would save us it would be total false economy. We've switched it off by accident for a few days when we've been away before and the walls were clammy when we came back

Re: tumble driers - I'd dearly love to do without mine but with the twins theres no way I'd ever be able to keep on top of the washing. Cant even hang things outside as husband has severe pollen allergies and cant cope with line dried washing.

On the frugal front - not doing too badly. I came in £75.88 under my weekly budget last week and £17.42 under on my food budget so very happy. Managed to make abother debt payment to my MBNA and my overdraft is looking healthy (well not but not as critical as it usually is by this time of the month!)

:A received a huge box of nappies in return for a test and review
:A also got a load of vouchers for nappies (said nappies were also on offer - £3.75 instead of £8 per pack so using the vouchers i got 4 packs for less than I'd normally pay for one - result!
:A used wombled @sda voucher i found in my trolley against some compost - compost was also on offer so I got 210 litres for £6 - will keep me going until the council do their free compost giveaway
:A used compost to plant up my rhubarb and some onions and garlic - had to put some netting on as birds stole the last lot!
:A changed energy tariff using MSE cheap enery club - allegedly i should save £300 a year - hmm we'll see.
:A also sold some more stuff online and cleaned up some more ready to list.


Quite happy with that for a days work.

On the not so frugal front

:A husband says washing machine is sounding funny - we've had it nearly ten years so might be on its way out.
:A lost £5 on the grand national - blooming donkey I backed came last I think

Hey ho - cant have it all I suppose.

Moll

:A used compost to plant up my rhubarb and some onions and garlic - had to put some netting on as birds stole the last lot!





I didn't know about this Spudsmum, Can you tell me more please , Is it for anyone ? or allotments ?

FrankieM

Morning Everyone

You all sound so productive! I pottered around with house work yesterday but by mid morning I could feel a sore throat and head ache coming on so it was more rest than potter by the afternoon.

I've woken up this morning with the same but things need doing so I'm going to take it easy but try to get the jobs crossed off the list.

I've not got money in my budget for any planting etc until next month and even then, looking at what I need to pay out, I won't have much but I'm determined to stay in budget and get some money put aside for it all. Having to be really careful for these last weeks of the month has been a good focus!

spudsmum

Moll wrote: »

:A used compost to plant up my rhubarb and some onions and garlic - had to put some netting on as birds stole the last lot!





I didn't know about this Spudsmum, Can you tell me more please , Is it for anyone ? or allotments ?

Did you mean the compost giveaway Moll?

If so - my local council give away free compost to anyone who wants it every year - they make it from the garden waste they collect. They print a date and time in the local paper and on the website and you have to go and queue. You get 70l per person but then you can go round to the end of the queue and get more if there's any left - until its all gone.

I dont know if other councils do similar?

Frugaldom

mbmonty wrote: »

If you are really into this Frugal thing then you have missed the boat on the heating....
The most important phrase is "It is not forever"

Sorry to see that you landed in here all guns blazing and completely overlooked the previous 10 full years' worth of posts. We most certainly have NOT "missed the boat". I think you'll find that with some further, patient reading, you may learn a fantastic amount about the lifestyle and how we have all achieved what has been achieved so far.

This challenging lifestyle has been documented to cover absolutely all aspects of frugal living, along with the accompanying challenges for making extra savings, earning extra income, trading, swapping, making your own, bartering etc, etc, etc and generally living a happy life with a clear conscience, knowing that we (many of us) are pursuing an enire lifestyle and not just a temporary fix.

I do hope you are able to make a fresh start as a fellow frugal LIFER, free from self-imposed debt and hopefully also free from incidental, accidental or circumstancial debt. On this front, you are more than welcome to join us at any time, sharing your own experiences but please remember that each year we set up this challenge thread, we are inviting, encouraging and embracing many newcomers to the concept of frugality - for some it is about necessary austeriy, for others it is about changing spending habits and for many more it is about lovng life without the need for waste - prioritising what they need rather than what they want.

For us longterm, dyed in the wool frugalers, this is our lifestyle - forever. We aren't here to judge how others perceive money saving and thrift nor are we here to be judged - we simply love frugal living and all that it brings to the frugal table.

Now, can I add your name to our list of merry moneysavers on the good ship Frugaldom? We'd love to welcome you on board. :beer: