2019 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

I'm on some prescription inflammatory medication which a number of people have reported problems in getting from chemists at the moment - though in my area they can't get my dose, and are giving me twice the quantity of half dose which is the one other areas of the country can't get!! At the moment I'm only (by choice) taking half dose, so a prescription should last me 8 weeks instead of 4 - but I opted to get a new prescription made out just beyond the 4 week point so I have a small stockpile. Not yet decided what to do at the end of the next 4 weeks....


I've taken them for so many things over the last 5 years that I'm loathe to have none in the house, and my GP isn't happy to prescribe an alternative (was suggested by the local chemist I normally use when they couldn't make up the first of the two I ended up on lower dosage ones for - was finally done through another local chemist).

sinkorswim2018

Frugaldom, I have extra of all my dry goods and I'm keeping my freezer ful of veg, though it's only small. Some extra tins also. Buying on bulk is money saving anyway and less time consuming.
My new frugal ways (actually following a budget) have allowed me to pay my car insurance for the year directly out of the months wage. Definitely heading in the right direction.
Getting low on ecover washing liquid so will look at buying it in bulk, thank you all for keeping me focused.

Frugaldom

Welcome Imatryer! It is always good to see newcomers joining in the challenge.

I have done almost no Brexit prep, hence my asking. I normally have a few months' worth of dried goods like pasta, rice and pulses plus tinned tomatoes but my sugar and salt stock hadn't been maintained so I think I should prepare for jam making and also stock up on some toiletries and cleaning products like lemon juice and soda crystals. The only thing I have done is take down my workaway and helpx profiles, as there are worries with European students who ordinarily travel without passports who will probably need them after we leave EU.

I think tax increases across the board could be costly even to those of us who don't earn enought to pay income tax. fuel, TV, council, road, insurance, vat, sugar... So many stealth taxes that could all increase while we focus our attentions elsewhere. One thing is for sure, personal debt will always be the most financially crippling burden so I think we are all wise to rid ourselves of it as quickly as possible.

Lifeisforliving19

I've not started stockpiling for Brexit, but must admit I am thinking about it as so many people seem to be doing it and it is looking more and more likely that we go out with no deal. Think the things I will buy will be Pasta, Rice, Passata, Tomato Puree, Couscous, baking products, Sugar and Coffee. Not sure about butter...or Olive spread is what we use. Maybe some Paracetamol as well. I have messaged Natures Best, which is where I buy all my supplements and they say they don't forsee any problems with their products.


Now having thought about it, I think I may go out and stock up today.

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Hello Frugaldom. In respect of rent I am with a Housing Association with which apparently you pay 85% of the market value of the property. I live in a one bedroomed flat on my own and I pay £450.00 per month. I understand Council rents are cheaper still but I don't know how much cheaper. I think your location also dictates your rent as it does on house prices so where I am is considered an affluent and expensive area. I hope that helps.


In respect of Brexit I have no plans to stockpile anything as this sort of thing (I believe) causes panic. I am lucky though in that I don't rely on any medication or the like that may be affected. I do need to go for a big shop to re-stock what I have used up but I won't be going silly. Apart from anything else I don't have anywhere to store it all.


I am pleased to say that this month is the second month that I have got to pay day where I actually have some money left. I get paid tomorrow and the money I have left to save is £19.00. Last month it was £2 so I am heading in the right direction. From tomorrow I will be starting to fill in the spreadsheet I downloaded to really see where my spends are. I know my monthly take home will have gone down a bit as I did put up my pension contributions as I really needed to increase them but I am confident I won't be short. I just need to continue with the self-discipline (with every part of my life).


Following on from some helpful tips last week I did do a batch cook meal on Saturday (ate one portion and froze 4), made a huge amount of soup (6 portions frozen) and set the slow cooker going this morning (2 portions for the freezer). I still have some veg left so I might make some more soup just to be sure I don't run out of lunches.


I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.

Treasurequeen

Igamogam wrote: »

I ordered a years worth of high dose Vit D3 too - told my GP that I would be no longer need a prescription - even though we dont pay here and she wiped the floor with me! Stuff I was getting on prescription useless low dose and full of carp so I did a bit of research and take the co factors now too - I think this is why she was annoyed as I had bothered to look into to it all rather than take GPs advice!

I checked with my gp and consultant before deciding to swap. The prescription stuff they added starch to it and a blue dye which I am allergic too. It was proving a nightmare to get the tablets without them in. Apparently they changed supplier to a cheaper one. So I decided to get them online myself and had no problems finding starch free and blue dye free ones. Gp wasn’t at all fussed she thought it was a very good idea. As long as I notified her I was still taking them to be put on records.

I’m not really stock piling for brexit, I have an emergency cupboard with items I use all the time. Being disabled and not knowing when a next flare up will occur. I need to be prepared in an emergency. In stocks I have got three bags of cat food, cat treats. I’ve got three bags of soda crystals, toilet roll is bought in bulk already, soups, pasta, stock cubes, tea, sugar and coffee in larder cupboard. I do think there is a lot of scare mongering at the moment.

I have got my prescription steroid medication stock piled though as it comes from France. I have 3 months worth. But it being a red light drug it can’t be suddenly stopped as it’s dangerous my pharmacy has it stock piled.

Dave_Saver

I'm new on here but have decided 2019 is the year I turn my finances around. I have challenged myself to save £8,000 towards a deposit on a house. I have £2200 of credit card debt to pay off first but then is gravey. I am aiming to save £1000 a month.

natnat13

Re Brexit, do we need to be stockpiling? Are things going to get that bad or will it just be that prices rise?

Like you CraftyLisa I don't really have the room and tend to shop week to week. I will bulk buy loo roll for example or a larger washing up liquid but that's about it. Uncertain times :-(

sinkorswim2018

Hi Dave Saver.... £1000 a month, wow. Have you done a full budget to make sure it's achievable?

natnat13 no one knows really. There is a thread on it. I'm getting a little extra in but more because there may be a bit of a panic just before need it like the is when we are threatened with heavy snow etc.. The other concern is that prices may rise, again unknown.

My budget is in minus amounts for home improvements and holidays at the moment, though I still look to stay within my yearly totals. I have around £25 left in grocery budget and £50 in eating out left.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
I always keep a well stocked freezer and cupboards. At the moment it’s good against the uncertainties of Brexit, but also it’s a buffer if I have a big expense come in. I can redirect the food money to that for a couple of weeks if needed.
Cuddles