2019 Frugal Living Challenge

sinkorswim2018

A nsd yesterday as back at work, should have another today. Maybe I will make my budget after all. Friday is an overtime shift which is really worth while for me. Was being offered more than I could do but they are drying up a bit now.

tighteningthebelt

nicki_suecoming out of lurking to say how much I'm hoping you get the bungalow.
I'm going to join in a little. I'm on grocery challenge but that only covers what goes in your digestive system... Well, plus toiletries I suppose. And I'm on save 12k in 2019, except my target's 8k, and that's ambitious on my income!
I'm pretty good on the whole, depending who I compare myself too, and there's still lots to learn. I have noticed that my amazon purchases (I use amazon quite a lot) escape my systems, so I'm going to do their top up this year, which I think should be clearer for me rather than all the odd card amounts. In fact I'll set it up now. Right now!!

Frugaldom

teedy23 wrote: »

Hi Folks I'd like to join in. I have a full rewire required in the house and my roof really needs looking at, so will need all the frugality I can stand. I got off to a cracking start the other day in Asdas reduced section. A load of stuff reduced to 10p, I managed to bag 3 fresh chickens, a 1000grm pack of mince, 24 fresh meatballs, 2X 6 beef sausages, a lasagne for 1, a cottage pie serves two and pate. Total bill £1..

:eek::T:beer::j:D WOW! £1.00

Welcome to frugaldom and our annual challenge.

Hettyhound

Well I’ve been and done the shopping which cost me £10.78 and I’d done a quick tot up and thought I could get it in under £13 so I’m a happy bunny. I actually had £24 left in the grocery purse so £10 will go in the car for petrol to get to work until 31st and the rest will go into my sealed pot. I made an overpayment of £4.86 on my mortgage yesterday; I rounded my current account down to a nice number. What’s left in the current account will go towards the credit card but I’m leaving it were it is for the moment, I daren’t go down to zero balance in my account a full week before payday but I promise not to touch it!

The_Lady_Sarah

I am going to so try not to spend next week! I get paid on Monday but must must wait until Monday week!! I soooo hope I can manage it.....I have money in my account still.... it may only be £9 but it's a positive balance!!!

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I had a bit of a disappointment this week. I was doing quite well this month but then when I drove my car this weekend I could smell burning. I had to get it checked out obviously and it turned out that one of the calipurs (not sure on spelling) was kaput. New calipur, brake pad etc come to £412.00. On the plus side I had managed to save a bit of money from last years "expenses fund" so that paid for it thankfully. Not sure what I would have done if that wasn't there. Just goes to show that it is worthwhile having some kind of slush fund.


Apart from the car I had been doing okay this month to the point that I decided that I could afford to put down a deposit for a little holiday in July (not booked myself a holiday for 8 years due to financial concerns so this is a real treat for me). I have been very careful that when I spend money I consider it to be value for money. For example I was paying out £9.00 for a dance class every Friday but I decided that as I was not really learning anything I would stop going. I can do an aerobics workout at home for exercise which will cost me nothing.


I have also been trying to reduce plastic/waste generally and to aid with this I have made handkerchiefs (no need to buy tissues any more), knitted myself some dishcloths (so I don't need to buy those throw away ones), I have cut up an old towel into squares to use instead of paper towels and I have also started to crochet some make up remover pads so I don't need to buy any more cotton wool. When I really started looking at what I was throwing away in the bin it really helped me see what needed some thought put into it.


I'm also doing the Fashion on a Ration Challenge which has also been an eye opener. I have never really be one for buying lots of clothes anyway but it is making me think about what I need more. I needed some long sleeve tops for winter (rather than jumpers) so instead of hitting the sales I went into the charity shops and bought myself 3 tops which I love for only £18.00.


I think that by the time I get paid tomorrow I will be on the plus side - not by much but its a start. I'm really finding being part of this forum is helping me feel I can do this. Thanks everyone.

little_green

so far today has been a NSD (yay) but i've added almost £100 worth of stuff to my bag online in the regatta sale!! (help!) ... what is regatta sizing like? (depending on how you answer they might not have my size :P )

Whippet1

Well, it's been a few days since my last post. My daily spending has gone back to my old ways really, on a few scratchcards, buying sandwich lunches etc. These are my biggest difficulties, other bills are well under control and go on DDs and SOs.

I have kept all my receipts however, which is a good move, and I now announce the latest spending from Whippet1:

Fri 18 Jan - Charity raffle ticket £1, groceries £2.60.
Sat 19 Jan - Snack lunch £6.06, household item £2.99.
Sun 20 Jan - Snack lunch scratchcard and paper £7.06, groceries £4.88.
Mon 21 Jan - Groceries and scratchcard £10.65, snack lunch and paper £6.53.
Tues 22 Jan - Zero.
Weds 23 Jan - Snack lunch £3.30, groceries £2.74.
Thurs 24 Jan - Dog food £5, snack lunch £3.15.

Hopefully I am back on the wagon now and will post more virtuous spending from now.

Marinebee

Hi everyone!

I have been following this thread with interest and have decided that this forum is going to be good to help me keep my spending in check!
I have some CC debt which I would love to clear which could take me a while I think :eek
But.... I have started watching what I spend my money on and so far this month I have not used my main CC! So I am well pleased with that.
My worst area seems to be food shopping, like a few people I think, and all the websites that I had signed up to! I have now unsubscribed from a good many of these and I am determined it will stay that way .
I have started a few sealed boxes for things like car mot and servicing, haircuts (how expensive are these these days!!??) and Christmas.
You all sound like a very helpful bunch and I am sure I will find some really good advice on here...I have already tbh

Chow for now!


I really want to do this as I am fed up with never having any money left at the end of the month
So here goes frugality ...bring it on I say

chocolatelover93

Hello everyone,

Went through freezers today and wrote down inventory and did a meal plan for the next week or so. Defrosted one of the freezers as well so that should hopefully save a bit of energy because it was covered in ice, so much so that I couldn't even put some of the drawers in properly.

C xx