2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Kaylataste

I enjoyed my homemade lunch,everybody here is so supportive! I thought 2 pounds a day was really low but I only work 3 days a week at the moment.I have been really mindful of my spending and not buying so-called bargains.My husband is also trying to be frugal but it doesn’t come naturally to him,he has never been much of a saver.

gien

I always take in a homemade lunch - its way better value than our staff canteen and healthier too. I sometime shave some really odd combinations when I am using up bits of food that would otherwise go to waste but I enjoy it,

I spent the weekend up in the midlands with my son and had a really good time. We had complimentary tickets to a show, did some sales shopping (i start a new job on moday so got some very good priced work outfits) and enjoyed each others company. It wasn't that cheap because it cost money for petrol but its really important that we see each othe rso i dom't mind the expense.
I have planned some emals and bought supplies so we are fine here for a while. We will be happy to see paysay arrive though

Sea_Shell

We've always taken our own lunch to work.

Even when we were both earning good wages and could easily have just bought yummy M&S stuff everyday....but now we are reaping the rewards of not doing so. (and from being generally frugal in most areas) We knew from very early on that the target was Mortgage Free and Retire Early. We've acheived the first, and i'm only on a 20 hr week, so pretty much sorted the 2nd too.

It's funny in a way that if we get any comments along the lines of "why don't you spend on XYZ you can afford it?, do they not realise that it is because we haven't spend on XYZ that we can have the life we now do.

Delayed gratification....it's old fashioned these days, but it's worked for us.

Edie378

I really want to join this year, both to save money and to hopefully reduce the amount of packaging/waste we produce as a household. I know I'm a bit late to the party but can't wait to get started!

ecoelle

Morning all. Hoping to join the thread and use it for support, inspiration and ideas. We are a family of 3 and are aiming to live on one wage for the next 12 months. Allowing us to use my part time wage to pay for work on our house. I want a lovely home but i won't go into any more debt for it. My ultimate aim is to continue living on one wage once the house is done so we can use my wage for debt repayment then overpayments on the mortgage.

Before having our daughter i was very in control of money but things seem to have spiralled as my physical and mental health hasn't been great. I'm determined that this year will be better.

Good morning to everyone and here's to a frugal day x

natnat13

I'm another fan of taking lunch to work, we do have a canteen at my work place but I never get chance to go in there which is probably good. Tuna wrap and a banana for me today.

We are getting an Iceland in my town, they're fitting it out now, any reccomendations would be good. We now have electric in the shed so I'm on the look out for a 2nd small freezer.

Does anyone else struggle with partner's being frugal, DH has been very good with food shopping but keeps looking at "stuff". He's going away with friends next month and wants a new jumper, he has about 10 jumpers. I talked to him about it but he wants "something new". Apart from our bills account we have separate finances so it doesn't actually affect me but does annoy me!

Thinking of you Sinkorswim xx

Treacleflo

Hello.

I'd like to join the challenge please.

Thanks

Lifeisforliving19

natnat13 wrote: »

I'm another fan of taking lunch to work, we do have a canteen at my work place but I never get chance to go in there which is probably good. Tuna wrap and a banana for me today.

We are getting an Iceland in my town, they're fitting it out now, any reccomendations would be good. We now have electric in the shed so I'm on the look out for a 2nd small freezer.

Does anyone else struggle with partner's being frugal, DH has been very good with food shopping but keeps looking at "stuff". He's going away with friends next month and wants a new jumper, he has about 10 jumpers. I talked to him about it but he wants "something new". Apart from our bills account we have separate finances so it doesn't actually affect me but does annoy me!

Thinking of you Sinkorswim xx

Oh yes, my OH is not very good at being frugal...the amount of parcels that arrive from Ebay is ridiculous. If I ask what he has ordered, he sarcastically says...."its a parcel"! :mad: He orders silly little bits he thinks he might need for the computer or his camera, but half the time he doesn't need them and we have a wardrobe and drawer full of cables, plugs, camera bags, and all sorts of assorted rubbish. I am sure he doesn't actually know what is in there. I would start to get rid of it but am worried he will notice the gaps...:rotfl: and as for him being frugal with grocery shopping...well....:eek: If he comes shopping with me you can guarantee I will spend more. He is terrible for putting biscuits, cakes and other rubbish in the trolley. None of which we actually need or are very healthy. He truly does drive me mad

Working_Mum

The_Lady_Sarah wrote: »

Thats great Frugaldom- you are an inspiration (am also reading last years challenge) and so many ideas!!

Do have a question though - I've moved my debt onto a Credit card rather than pay for my OverDraft (Martin's advice on Mondays show.) I do however wonder how do people calculate their debt free date?
Specifically have a loan which intend to make over payments on.... how do I calculate it?

You can use a "debt snowball calculator" to see how to prioritise debts in terms of saving interest costs etc - if you google it then you will find a calculator. I know there are links on the "Debt Free Wannabee" threads but googling it maybe quicker.

Well done for taking control and get "gazelle focused" to paraphrase Dave Ramsey :-)

PipneyJane

Hello. I'd like to join, please. I'll probably be more of a lurker than a participant, sadly - not enough time in my days to post a lot - but I will read the nightly update email every morning.

Quick summary of our situation: no debt other than mortgages (our house and a rental property); have a reasonable emergency fund; currently overpaying our house mortgage by £100/month. BUT we're both contractors and our immediate goal is to build up a six month salary cushion for both of us in our company (this is separate to the emergency fund). Longer term, we have diesel cars that'll need replacing and a bathroom that, while still functional, will need a lot of work done on it eventually.

- Pip