2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

Good luck with the house Nicki-Sue!

SinkorSwim, it's good your daughter is out of hospital, that must be a bt of a relief.

Newcomers to the challenge

You have joined by simply posting in this forum - everyne is welcome at any time. We omitted the list of names as it got depressing looking at the lengthening list every year with so few of the names remaining at the end of it so now it's a free for all, come and go as you please sort of a place - no failures that way.

Lifeisforliving19

Went grocery shopping and came in well within budget, which was good. However I have to confess to spending £8 on 2 single sheets in Mr M sale. They weren't on my list, but as we are in the process of getting new beds sorted for the spare room for when the GC come for sleepovers, they were actually something I will need and they were a bargain. We currently have a double sofa bed but it is horribly uncomfortable and very low to the floor, and also if they share a bed, they fight and argue. So thinking about possibly getting bunk beds or a trundle bed or something. OH actually sleeps in the spare room sometimes if one of us is poorly as well, and he hates the sofa bed. We bought it second hand and have had it about 10 years, so think it has been good.

BrownHare

Frugaling away!

First time this year I bought lunch at work but used points so basically free.

Tried to spend a £5 points voucher in Morrisons but the things I needed were less than £5 - astonishing for me! I usually waste so much money on things I don't really need/want.

Been offered overtime at work so taking it to try and build up my savings.

Need to go shopping tomorrow for fresh fruit/veg.

Merilly

Hello
I’d like to join in please. Recently widowed pensioner and looking to try and save a little from a much reduced income. Wish me luck!

mumof3.12kindebt

Hello all . We are plodding along.

I've started a new job and adjusted the budget accordingly. I've included doing one shift extra (overtime rate of pay a week,) new budget means we should be able to save £20,000 a year rather than the 17,000 originally. But we are sticking with 17000 aim and anything extra is a bonus as I can't guarantee the overtime .

We have £2060 in our house savings so far so on track for our 17000 by December

Hope everyone is well . I will try and catch up with posts later tonight.

skint_chick

Finally caught up with the thread after 5 days away visiting my nephew. Travelled on the cheap - I'm with 3 mobile and their wuntu app got me a free bottle of water at the airport, I brought my own lunch for the plane, then stayed with my brother and SIL. Because my nephew is only a newborn we didn't eat out and did free stuff while I was there. I spent 6euro on a new mascara and powder at DM, the equivalent of Superdrug/Boots. Spent 7euro at the airport on the way home getting water and a cheesy pretzel for lunch. Helped my SIL plan nephew's christening on a budget and found a lovely outfit in the Monsoon sale for him. Only spent £35 on a tank of petrol and £22.80 on groceries since getting back. Been working so much I haven't had a chance to spend money! Need to spend about £10 on decoration supplies for christening, and that should be it for January. Still have enough freezer and pantry bits to get me through to the end of next week, and then £30 should cover next week's groceries. I've sorted out all the pantry bits that need to be used up in the next couple of months, and am starting the process of decluttering my paperwork and then scanning and digitising the majority of it.

sinkorswim2018

Good luck Merilly!

My boiler didn't have an adjustable thermostat, so I had one put in a couple of months ago. It's one you can control form ypur phone. A bit of an expense bit a very.good deal- the installer was impressed - and I rstionalosed I might make my money back in gas savings. Just sent my latest reading in and it asked me to check it was accurate as it seemed low! All good news as this cold spell is upon us.
On another note. I've.been using the YNAB app for my budget..really good and I thought it was free...seems it is only a free months trial. It's over 80 dollar (£65?). Clearly I won't be signing up for that. Any free ones? Thanks

The_Lady_Sarah

So.... what do people have for dinner normally? and lunches too?

I'm thinking a rotation of nice meals will give me a nice easy budget and easy enough to plan but a bit of variety too so not the same everyday..... atm am trying to make my own soups - and a lamb one has made it to the rotation! not doing too bad but know that I need to shop soon so hoping to plan more!

Sarah

little_green

on the topic of living frugally/ not living an overly indulgent lifestyle, so i'm the type of person that gets full use out of clothes. I didnt quite realize how much until i took part in the social media challange going around at the moment where you post photos of yourself 10 years apart. Anyways, it was pointed out to me that the top i'm wearing in the first photo (which was actually from 9 years ago not 10) I STILL own!!! (and regularly use I may add!!) :rotfl: but hey, clearly i've gotten my monies worth from it! :T

gien

End of a frugal week here - I am so tired, just looking forward to a relaxing weekend and a bit of a lie in on Sunday. Tomorrow morning I am selling stuff at my local country market - a fe wbaked good and jams but it all helps aget a bit of extra cash in....