2019 Frugal Living Challenge

Dave_Saver

Today I felt like money burning a hole in my pocket ( in current account) so over paid on the credit card. Going to pay the card off before the end of the year easily now. Will feel amazing to achieve debt freedom. This month also canceled my gym membership and an old son which was costing me £17 a month. Final payments on both in April the I will see a saving of over £40 a month.

Kerry_Woman

spudsmum - Hoping things will get better for you. Not a great time for you. Take care.

Igamogam

Wow Spudsmum that is a run of misfortune. Hopefully you have now had your fare share and things will be on the up turn for you......step away from the credit cards...... or better still freeze them in tub of water so by the time you have defrosted them the urge/crave will have gone

Shopaholic_no_more

spudsmum

Thankyou.


You really have had a true bashing lately and I am truly hoping things turn a corner for you very soon. Sending hugs. And I love the way you write too. You should do a newspaper column or something
But this run of bad luck will not last forever I am sure. Spring is coming and the lighter nights will make you feel better I hope. I know they will me


And well done for resisting using the credit card! It is a tough one in times like this but you will be glad you did. Be brutal :0


And I truly hope you haven't broken anything

Hopefuljoy

Hello there. Wonder if I can join you? I've made several attempts to start threads but I'm just not cut out for it! I'm living a more and more frugal life with the intention of settling into a long term job which doesn't over tax my depression.

At the moment I'm doing lots of calculations to see what is possible. Any wisdom is gratefully received!

tighteningthebelt

hopefuljoy
Hey there, a big welcome here! You'll get loads of wisdom from this gang, and they'll get you feeling good about your money. I find it really helps me keep on track if I read and post regularly.
I think my biggest money managing tip is... Planning... If you're not in a rush you can get the best price on anything, or often for free if you can wait, meal planning, replacement planning (from specs to washers), journey planning / combining. I try to think of "the week, the month, the year" everytime I fill my money book in, which puts stuff on my radar early... (for examples I'm gathering camping stuff for the summer, I've had some from gumtree and some from freecycle, and a couple of borrows from friends... And I'm scouting freecycle for garden pots and trellis, which I don't actually need til May). And for a second tip... Get obsessive... Look after the pennies and the pounds really do look after themselves!
Nice to have you here!

babs_103

Hi all, I'm a lurker and I hope you don't mind me butting in but I need somebody to tell me if they think I'm doing the right thing or not.


I've done a subscribe and save from the long river place, if I were to buy it weekly or as needed it will cost approx 17.00 more, I have very little storage space but can just about manage to squeeze these things in ( Loo roll, white vinegar, tissues, shampoo and washing powder.)


Is this being frugal or not? It's a big outlay but I'll be saving money in the long run and I won't have to carry it all home either.



I am in a total quandary trying to decide what to do for the best, any ideas please?

Lifeisforliving19

Been off line for a few days, but just wanted to say Spudsmum hope you are getting over all your little challenges. The moon must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time for you. I'm sure things will improve soon.

cw18

babs 103
A few things I'd say to consider


1. Are there other things you could store in the same space that would save you more?


2. Do they still allow you to 'skip a shipment'? My son used to get some bits for his razor that way, but I think we skipped at least every other shipment without them taking us off the scheme or raising the price on us. If they do it might help you if you end up with a surplus and no storage space as a delivery is coming due....


3. It's not clear from your post whether that £17 saving is for the whole year or per shipment of all the items (and you don't mention how many shipments). I'd want to think about whether the saving is enough to use up all my storage space - and that would probably be 'not' for £17 a year if I'm going to be falling over it all the time.

jintyb

tighteningthebelt wrote: »

jintyb
Hi there! Sounds like you've made a fabulous start, and these forums really help you stick to it. Love your signature. Welcome!!!

Thanks so much. It’s just getting going isn’t it?
I managed to get through the weekend without any unplanned spending, and the food I bought I shopped around for best deal before I went. I used to do this, I don’t know why I slipped out of the habit tbh.
Today my lunch was a nice cheesy bean bake made from leftovers.
I also made banana and blueberry muffins at the weekend from fruit destined for the bin. They were nice but sadly didnt keep very well and weren’t nice after defrosting. Best intentions though!
Tonight its hm scotch broth which is a complete meal really and a choc cake salvaged from the Whoopsie counter. :rotfl: