2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Saving-for-a-house

I'm in. I've been lurking for a year and ready to make some serious lifestyle changes. Great spreadsheet by the way. I look forward to using it as I adopt a more frugal lifestyle.

FrankieM

Morning All

I'm back at work today, so lunch being organised.

I've done a top up shop to see me through until the weekend with some money left over from last year and I'm trying to use up what I have in the freezer so that I can start afresh for the year.

Thankfully, there are 'tubs' (my version of home made ready meals) in the freezer as I'm still jet lagged and don't imagine it being much better for the next week or so, and they'll do me for tea.

Have a good day

Nicki_Sue

Morning all!

My first proper 2019 update. Moving my grocery budget to cash from account has made all the difference. I'm determined not to part with it unless I really need to. Went shopping on 31/1 - £48 in Aldi (three bags) and £14.98 in Tesco (3/4 of a bag). Clearly, Aldi is still the best choice for us. I went armed with a shopping list which came from my meal plan (I'm using a smaller 2019 diary my sister gave me) and have to say, only bought 2 things off list which to be fair, should have been on it.

DH's car is parked up outside with an engine light on and a reluctance to accelerate. We are waiting for our mobile mechanic to come and have a look (if you have someone who is mobile, good and reliable like ours, it can save you a fortune!). In the meantime, he is getting a lift to work so at least the petrol is staying in the tank! Once it is fixed we are taking it to where we bought it from where we should (hopefully) get £1300 for it. We're hoping to find something there for less than this so we can pocket the difference (save). There will be time down the road to upgrade the car, we really just need something small (terraced street!), reliable and cheap to run.

Today my fabulous Dad is taking me and the boys to the hospital in the next town for an appointment, saving me train fayres and a taxi ride or two. I'll treat him to some fudge when he isn't looking.

Also... my Halogen cooker has died. It's a tabletop one, cheaper and quicker/easier than using the oven but unusable. I bought it off Amazon and they've agreed it must be faulty so have accepted a return. They'll refund me when they receive it back then I'll buy another. I need to find a box and packaging suitable first and arrange a courier. Any suggestions on which courier is easiest/cheapest?

That's pretty much me to date!

Have a wonderfully frugal day.

cw18

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

I bought it off Amazon and they've agreed it must be faulty so have accepted a return. They'll refund me when they receive it back then I'll buy another. I need to find a box and packaging suitable first and arrange a courier. Any suggestions on which courier is easiest/cheapest?

Was Amazon the seller or was it a marketplace seller?
When I've had to return something bought directly from Amazon they've sent me info/label to return it without it costing me.

System

Well yesterday was a NSD as didn't go out the house due to being poorly. Not intending to spend anything today either and will hopefully list a few things on selling sites.
Have a good day everyone

try_harder

Please may i join in .Thank you

Maisie_M

Good start to frugality yesterday. No spending as we were at Brother and sister in laws for dinner so only had breakfast here and made some sausge rolls for snack for the kids before we went as dinner wasnt going to be served until 4pm.


Today had a bit of a lie in and now had breakfast. Will need to get some bread as completely out but will be using up food from stores for the rest of the day. Planning to go out for a walk so will take snacks with us and maybe a flask of hot water for cocoa as its really cold out today.


Have done a gut of my spices and herbs cupboard and found stuff I would like to get used up as they have been languishing there for a while so I would like to use them up rather than waste them.

RebeccaAnn

I shall be back later with the budget. I have just amended last years and slashed many areas. How low are people going with clothing? I am seriously thinking I could do nothing but to be safe £20? I only really buy things from the charity shops now anyway.

miss empty piggy- the household waste you produce is amazing. That is something I am aiming for. Regarding the meal planning, I also really struggle. I work 12 hour shifts and last year I would often grab a take away and then we would end up throwing food that went off in the fridge away. I got so sick of it that I have gone and bought a chest freezer and I have been batch cooking. As well as family sized portions I have made individual sized microwave type meals.

System

miss empty piggy....
How do you manage to reduce your waste so well. We get collections once a fortnight and the normal bin is usually 1/2 -3/4 full. Normally nearer the 1/2 mark TBH, but I would love to get it down. I thought I was good at recycling, but obviously not....lol
What are your tips?

BrownHare

Recently read the inspirational buying a house without a mortgage thread from start to finish and I followed last year's frugal living challenge.

I'm not in debt and lucky enough to live for minimal rent with family so should save a lot more than I do.

I've tried putting myself on a tight budget but get stressed at not meeting it and end up spending more. Simply trying not to spend much and NSDs work better for me so that's my plan for this year.

Today is a NSD, I've avoided buying lunch at work!