2019 Frugal Living Challenge

nannygladys

Living Proof
I always go outside and have a look in the box to see if the panels are kicking in before I dry anything, and its definitely made me more conscious of how much and when I use the electric.
With my guests being here over Christmas I was even taking covert gas readings to see how much we were using, and Ive really cut back since they have gone as I cant really afford the dd being put up again.
Nannyg

Living_proof

Nannyg, my bills have been so low for a house my size but I fear I have got complacent as the last bill was £40/qtr more for electric so my use of a dehydrator and the occasional use of the tumble dryer must have been to blame. Then I noticed that the fast freeze of one of the freezers was on since ....? so it's difficult to tell what might be the cause. I think when your bills are very low for a year or two you relax a bit and feel you deserve to use what you want. But I am back to analysing what is costing me the additional price - it's the number of units that have gone up, not so much the price per unit.

Frugaldom

Jabeezah wrote: »

Hello there,
I'm new to this site but have too much debt £6k approx. I would like to cut it down.as I would like to go on holiday and get a new kitchen eventually Out of interest do you think I should come off Facebook and unsubscribe all my emails (too many temptations to spend if you know what I mean)????

Welcome to the challenge. I think if you are easily tempted by advertising then you would probably be best learning how to ignore it, rather than hide from it when it's everywhere. Unsubscribing from emails advertising stuff is a good idea and one that I do myself, as they waste so much time. I just delete them all unread.

Regardng debts, the first thing to do is stop ALL spending for a day - make it a day when you aren't working & have no direct debits paid out etc - then make a list of priorities so you can see how important your spends all are. Start with needs - absolute essentials like food, energy, mortgage/rent etc - and once you know how much they all cost, start counting up what the luxury wants. These include things like cosmetics, alcohol, socialising, TV licence, mobile, internet, takeaways, socialising, hobbies, holidays etc... anything that is a luxury and not part of the basic elements that simply keep you alive. It sounds extreme but debt can cause so many problems that it's best to get to grips with it as soon as possible so you can kick clear of it sooner and breath easier.

Once you get into the practice of thinking about how you are spending, you will find a way to deal with the debt faster by overpaying with what you haven;t sent on non-essenials. Even learning the difference between needs and wants can be a learning curve that shocks soe people. On the food budget, the needs are zero rated tax, whereas wants get charged an extra 20% VAT, plus any other extra taxes imposed on luxury products like alcohol.

Good luck and remember this is about making money saving / frugal living FUN while aiming for debt freedom. Once free of debt, it's about making it fun staying that way.

Welcome to the challenge :T

Frugaldom

miss_empty_piggy wrote: »

FRugaldom - could you give me some more details about it e.g. Where in the country it would be what dates?,living accommodation if any? I know someone who might be interested. TIA? ��

Hi Miss empty piggy, we are in Dumfries & Galloway region of southwest Scotland and the accommodation is either self-catering caravan or in holiday cottage, depending on what type of work is being exchanged. Dates are flexible and available throughout the year. Feel free to PM me here or via Facebook.

the_cross_rabbit

Another one here who use WGAC loo roll, its our first batch. We use shampoo bars and we are a household of long hair (except DH), none of us use conditioner as the shampoo bar is enough for now. Although the intail outlay was expensive we've been (4 people) using the current bar for over a month and there is still plenty left. We we're going through 2-3 bottles of shampoo/conditioner a month. Although the savings aren't huge about (over the year I reckon its about £20) every little helps and its cut down on plastic coming into the house.
I've ended up having to deferr my course this year so need to be frugal for another 4 year (although by then it should have become a way of life) before I graduate and hopefully return to the workforce. Had 2 NSD, but need bread today.
Hope you all have a MSE day
CRx

System

Kerry_Woman wrote: »

Was a expensive day yesterday. Big food shop, hoping with just doing the odd top up food shop for rest of month. Ordered February buddybox from a mental health support organisation, Epsom salts(25kg for £32.50, I know it is a big order but it will last quite a while and it will benefit my arthritis, psoriasis, and other health). The salts came today.

Got the flat measured for carpet/lino. Shop manager gave a quote this evening and said that with the colour of carpet I chose will not be done until February. Said that I want it done this month and he said that he will have to get in contact with the person who did the measurements and come back to me tomorrow at some point.

I do use shampoo and conditioner bars and have no problems with them.

I use Epsom salts as well, for Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. Have to be careful not to put too much in or have water too hot, or it makes me itch. Really good stuff though. I always say you can't put a price on health.:)

ponypal

Hello I would like to join! I am doing No Spend January at the moment, and regularly try no spend months. Feeling really motivated to do more!

angela110660

Such a great read and everyone is really helpful with their tips and ideas. I am really pleased as wash basket was huge so needed to get some done. Although weather yesterday was dry here - re was no breeze and quite overcast but I put the washing out on airers. It was still damp and limp when I brought it indoors later in the day. We lit the wood burner last night and put the airers in the room at bedtime - voila! Totally dry washing this morning ready to put away. Result!
Have done another load today which is now out in sunshine on airer. This Will get the same treatment later if it remains damp. Just love being so frugal. Have a good day all.

mumtoomany

Hi all, great to read all your posts. Still keeping spends low. So far£10 to regular savings and £6.42 to TV licence, (other half paid by DD1). Didn't include TV in the budget so will have to try to cover it from other "pots". Not been near the shops yet, still eating our way through what is in. We need to clear some freezer space for mutton, two ewes going for slaughter on 14th. M2m.

Stuart2507

2 days in the NS Jan and going well avoid the Friday breakfast club at work and took my own for a change! Working through the cupboards and freezer now before the weekly shop on Monday where im hoping to spend approx 45 for a family of 4 this should be achievable with the kids being back at school. Need to get creative with pastas and rice for baits next weeks baits but got soups for tea done my mother which will do and may even freeze some. Its a good start.