2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Dave_Saver

I cleared my credit cards this week, first time I've been debt free in at least 22 years. I can choose to spend on my credit card again to see me through to payday, cancel my direct debit for my help to buy savings ISA or dip into my small emergency fund and use that money to last 2 weeks until payday.

I'm edging towards using the credit card for purchasing a suit for a friend's wedding and clearing the balance on payday.

After this month I will start filling up the emergency fund so I never need credit cards again.

mumof3.12kindebt

Hi everyone I hope you are all doing well.

We hit our savings target for July / August . Hoping to save the same again in August.

We need a few bits from Tesco today.
New cooker is supposed to be coming tomorrow which means I can finally use some stuff out the freezer. (Cooker broke the day after we did a food shop). Off work today . In again tomorrow.


Trying to stay on the frugal bandwagon so we stay on track for hitting our emergency fund target by the end of the year so I can full concentrate on smashing the mortgage down from January. We have set up an overpayment of £33 to round our payment up to the next nearest £100 on the mortgage. It's not much but every little helps.

We are still following no spend as much as possible.

Siebrie

Congratulations, Dave Saver! :T

Can you borrow a suit? Charity shop? Ebay?

Frugaldom

Congratulations, Dave Saver
:beer::j:T

Life here at Frugaldom is ticking along - I rehomed some roosters and then the same person brought me 3 Runner ducks - which promptly ran away! Thankfully, the neighbour managed to catch them first thing this morning and return then to the barn where they need to stay unti the new runs are built.

We do working holidays here as well as hosting work exchange students so July has been a busy month, August is set to be even busier and will stretch the budget even further with 5 students to feed at different times over the next 6 weeks. No savings being made at the minute as I have loads to buy and all the big bills have occurred over the past couple weeks - insurances, road tax, TV licence... other than that, life is a holiday! :rotfl:

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Hello all. I have been absent for a bit but I have now caught up.


Nonnadiluca - the plate/bowl covers are very easy to make. I just cut some fabric about 4 cms wider than the size of the plate/bowl, stitched some bias binding round the edge to make a channel (I suppose you could call it that) and then threaded elastic through. I measure the elastic by putting it round the bowl and pulling it slightly taught so that it fits when in situ. They aren't waterproof or the like but you probably could do that if you wanted to with beeswax.


I got my bonus last week so I have now been able to purchase a replacement washer/dryer. It is due to be delivered on Saturday. It is just as well as my washing machine really is on its last legs. I have also been able to pay off the holiday I booked for September and have a bit of spending money as well. The money that is left I have allocated to various things that need doing so I can now start fresh and start saving again for either a holiday for next year or just an emergency fund. I may do both. Its a nice feeling knowing that you don't have to find money for any other big expenses which you know are coming.


My no spend days went down to 7 again in July. I really must try harder next month.


My two week holiday I had was very productive and I did do some frugalling then as well. I really needed to do something with my bedroom curtains as they were really faded and dirty and they let a lot of light in, especially this time of year. I decided to try dying and I have also put a panel of another fabric on the inner edge of the curtains. They have come up a real treat, I am really pleased with them and they are much darker now. I also spent a lot of time getting the allotment up together again as it did start to get slightly overgrown. I have put some more seeds in and I have started harvesting courgettes, tomatoes, potatoes, plums and raspberries. The tayberries, broad beans and strawberries have finished. The runner beans will start soon as well. When I was up there at the weekend one of my fellow plotholders gave me some runner beans, a lettuce and a couple of cucumbers because she had so much. Who needs supermarkets when you have an allotment?


Happy frugalling!

Hettyhound

Hello All :hello:

I've been reading but not posting much on here recently. I've spent a bit recently and with the school holidays I'll be spending more. Took my boy to Carfest on Friday and didn't spend that much while we were there but did take loads of picnic food so only bought an ice cream each and fish and chips to share in the evening. My back is still stiff from carrying the rucksack round. I have also just made a large purchase of a new mattress. Mine is 15 years old and I was feeling very stiff on a morning and not sleeping too well at all. The mattresses in a box I'd looked at before currently have 35% off so I have bitten the bullet and ordered one. I also ordered some new bedding last night as my current 2 sets are around 10 years old too. I use an online discount place that sells ends of lines and they had a further 15% off. I also got free delivery as I spent £1 over the free delivery amount.

I'm going to concentrate on building my savings account up over the next two months and my mortgage over payments will just get some Prolific money. I've got another job interview in a week. Its full time so more money but that means more childcare and its a bit further to travel so swings and roundabouts really. An increased salary would be more comfortable when I renegotiate my mortgage next year. I've had epic meal planning fail just recently, I think I got a bit bored so need to find some cheap, inspiring and healthy foods. I might have a look through the cook books I have for inspiration and actually write down the page numbers and ingredients! Payday for me today so I'll be doing all the "pot" refilling tonight and then take cash out for the month tomorrow as it will be shopping on Friday. I must keep to my food budget but I've got a visitor for a couple of days so I'll have to factor extra in there. I MUST TRY HARDER!!

Kerry_Woman

Have managed to get 25 nsd's this month. Overspent this month, as did a panic buy. Things I got will be used and will last me for quite a while. Have to be really careful about spending for the next few months as I am planning to make a start on making plans to move and put my flat up for sale. Have made a list of things to get/do for tomorrow. Have booked a dentist checkup and gp appointment to sort out some medication for next month. Had hospital appointment this month with a consultant and sorted out with what treatment to go for - medication for now. That stressed me out this month as I thought they might go for an operation. Now I can go forward to be making plans for my future.

sinkorswim2018

Hi all.
I've stuck pretty close to budget, despite a weeks holiday. I spent £1.57 in the airport on a filter coffee using my own cup st starbucks and nhs discount. I wasn't as frugal whilst away but was sensible and not extravagant.
Still fitting lot's of overtime in which is reaping benefits. Enjoying paying more off my 0% credit card. Now stands at 3k. Will pay around £600 this month. I have over a year left 0% so will definately rid myself of it before then. Really tempting to 'treat' myself for the overtime, a mindset I am trying to change. I am however taking it easier on my days off.
Just made a wild purchase of a pair of ankle boots from Amazon warehouse. My others are a bit high for walking long distances. Under £40 for a pair that are usually £100+ (Ah, perhaps I have rewarded myself, but I do think I 'need them).
I hear my colleagues talking about their purchases/finances and I know I am the right path. I do try and point them to the site, but 'you can lead a horse to water....'.

parsniphead

I read this thread regularly but seldom post. I'm so impressed by all the amazing progress you are all making but feel frustrated with my own lack of progress. I used to be so frugal it was ridiculous but I'm struggling to find my way back to it.

I'm was planning a no spend weekend for the rest of the weekend but bed to top up my petrol which is budgeted for and also get new inner tubes for DS's bike. He will never learn to ride if I don't. The inner tubes do depend on cost. I've never got any before. I do need some for my bike but they will need to wait.

I'm going to do a check on food and meal plan for the next week or two. We have plenty in and I shouldn't need anything but basics.

Keep the motivation coming everyone and thank you.

Shopaholic_no_more

Well done Dave! :T:beer::j