2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Barbeduk

Hi all

Getting everything ready to make the most of every penny in 2020! I've reorganised the apps on my phone so that the shopping apps I use and the cashback site apps are all together, so I never forget to get cashback! I've also signed up to swagbucks - discovered I hate doing surveys but I really do need to maximise every income stream so needs must.

My 2020 budget starts on 28 December so I need to sit down and work out a spreadsheet for the first few months. I live off student maintenance loans and the money the ex pays in child maintenance. Complicated situation with one child means I can't currently work outside the home.

My best Christmas present was being offered an allotment plot about 10 mins walk from home. I get the keys on 6th and can't wait! I've wanted one for years but the waiting lists here are crazy.

Going into the new year my cupboards and freezer are full so hopefully my January grocery spends will be low. Need to give up drinking as have got into very bad habits and it's something that I can't afford AND it isn't good for me.

Happily I am dent free thanks to MSE. I have a small mortgage which is due to be repaid in 8 years so paying off some more capital is my major priority, even it it's only small amounts.

So for 2020

Stick firmly to budget
Try to achieve some mortgage repayments
Try and sell some of the things I make
Get cashback whenever I can
Find small ways to earn £
Declutter and sell/donate unused belongings

Enjoy the rest of the festivities!

Pinkwhisk

Hi 👋,

I'm joining in please! Very excited to do this!

patentgirl

Morning everyone
I would like to join in again have joined for last few years but didn't post much last year had trouble with internet and never seemed to have time to catch up or post as always running around after someone!My first new years resolution will be to make time for myself more not be a doormat.
Although didn't post did save a fair bit last year although have dipped in last month with Christmas/new settees ordered and some decorating done. We are mortgage free but want to retire soon which has been out main aim last few years Dh is very stressed with work so hoping it will be this year. We need to work out to put back recent expenditures and try and save every spare penny so back to tightening belts cooking more growing more in our veg garden both need to lose weight cut back on drinks had gone we very rarely go out now for drinks or food now but I am a feeder so need to refrain on portion size and try more veg meals look for better quality meat when do use it have full store cupboards so will start here with meal p!and for Jan x

natnat13

I had a lovely christmas, nice and relaxing.

Today I got my car insurance renewal, £310! I went online and did some comparisons, found it for £243. Phoned my current provider and cancelled my renewal as they couldn't match it, pleased with saving nearly £70.

I have also put some clothes on depop, a clothes selling site, not sure how good it is, but it's free to post adverts, they take 10% commission if your itens sells so the same as ebay.

Leftover turkey curry today and I have beef leftover, will do something with that too, probably a chunky chilli. Its meant to be shopping day tomorrow but we don't need much so won't be going.

lcc86

I'd like to join for 2020, I didn't realise this thread ran in 2019 but did my own version where I tried not to buy anything new unless I really needed it. It started well but I think because I wasn't being held accountable I fell off the wagon about 6 months in and began justifying spends when really I shouldn't have! I want to continue with that in 2020 as I've become more and more environmentally conscious, I just need to be a bit stricter with myself.

In terms of living frugally, I try my best never to waste food and would say I'm pretty good in this respect. OH is a waster and try as I might I just can't get him on board, it makes me really angry. I'll work on him though! I'm veggie and am on a mission to increase my protein as I've lost weight and now want to build muscle, so for me 2020 is about eating the right things. I'm not really one for regular takeaways and I don't drink much.

My big expenditures tend to be around hobbies (I horse ride) and health (I pay for private physio and have braces on finance atm). I'm going to continue riding, but I've already worked out I should only need to buy new boots this year (mine are getting holes but I'm hoping to make them last until summer) and potentially a new body protector as they need replacing every few years. I shouldn't need anything else so I've no excuse to start buying stuff just because I want it. In terms of health, I pay for the gym and some private physio when I need it I have a health cash plan so I get half the cost back and so far it's been worth it financially. I will review it at a later date if I'm not using it. I finish paying for my braces in July or August, the finance is 0% so no point paying it off early.

In terms of work, I earn good money and am going for promotion in the new year which will mean more money. But I'll also be spending approx £50 of that each month on repaying my student loan from April so I need to bear that in mind. I also want to do a course in September time which will cost about £3,000. I'll have to see what I can save...

I currently have about £800 on my credit card, £550 is for a holiday I booked a few months ago. I send regular payments so should be able to clear that in the next few months. After spending years in debt I'm now much better with my credit card and am generally happy as long as it's under £1,000 because it feels manageable, but that doesn't mean I can be lax with spending. I also have another short break planned with a friend but we'll be using money off websites to make it cheaper. I'd like to go away with OH somewhere, he has no passport at the moment so maybe just a weekend in the UK at some point. He's also self-employed so doesn't like taking time off.

I'm also going to buy a new to me car in about May or June. I know what my budget is and what I can get for my current car. I should have saved the majority of the required funds and will borrow about £1,000 on my 0% card which I'll then pay off ASAP.

I've made a list of things I'll likely need to buy each month in 2020 so I can plan my spends better. One thing I'll be doing is repainting my kitchen cabinets. I calculated the cost of new cabinets at about £600 so I thought I'd try and see if I can do it myself as there's nothing wrong with them other than looking dated. Fingers crossed I don't ruin them! Even if I do if rather pay someone to fix it than get new ones and make unnecessary waste.

Onwards and upwards for 2020!

sausageelza

Well I went through the cupboards today and I'm shocked about the amount of food we have. This month, I am aiming to cook as much as I can using what we already have.

I found some wrinkly mushrooms at the back of the fridge which are now drying in the oven. I have also frozen some brussels and aubergines that were starting to go over.

Last night I decided that I needed a planner to help with the business. By habit, I went on Amazon and then thought, what the heck am I doing?! I'm an artist, I can make a sodding planner! I then went onto Skillshare (OH bought me a years worth of classes for Xmas) and found a class on how to make a planner on Procreate, which I have on the iPad. So, now I'm half way through making a digital planner and learning how to use Procreate in the process and I have all sorts of ideas on how to apply this knowledge to make some money...yay!

I have also decided not to buy any clothes in 2020 (apart from undies and socks) or anymore books. The big test will be tomorrow when I look after my grandson. My daughter lives in the 'big smoke' (Carlisle ) and I usually take the boy round the shops for coffee and cake; it's the law! Can I resist the sales at White Stuff and Joules?!!!

Eeeek

miss_empty_piggy

I'd really like to join, I like to think I'm good at cutting back and saving, but often 'give in' to splurges (usually for the kids but sometimes for me and DOH). Subsequently we've racked up some debt over the past year that I'd like to get sorted.

Went 'sale' shopping with DD and my sis (who are both seriously into clothes shopping). Got some half price candles for gifts for HM hamper gifts next Christmas which I'll pay for out of next month's Christmas budget. I fell in love with a gorgeous blue coat and then a lovely tan one. Both were £40.31 and DOH said to get one. After trying both on repeatedly for about 15 minutes As I couldn't decide which one I liked the most, I left the shop with neither. In the past I'd have bought both, but I decided I can't like either of them enough to make a choice so didn't really want it. It felt good not to spend the money as I know I would have regretted it today.

nannygladys

Hi everyone
I have been working on my 2020 expenditure forecast and its OK, but I want to get it much much better, so still working on it. Making notes on renewal times for things and finding out from the garage how much a regular small service will be as this years was the big one etc. so Im getting there. The grocery and household one is going to be variable for a few months as I don't need much in the way of cleaning stuff (I have loads) and the freezer is full to bursting (its only a small one) so as I have a £6 off £40 voucher from Tosco and some money points I haven't spent in there yet I think I will fill up on tinned toms and veggie beans etc. so I will have a pantry full as well.
The annual bills have been calculated and I now know how much has to be saved for those as well as the direct debits, but I would like to save, increase my EF and have a holiday as well (or just some days out) so I need to get creative whilst still being able to live on my state pension. Im not in debt and own my house so at least I don't have those to worry about, but I want to live comfortably frugal and reasonably rubbish free.
Nannyg

cuddlymarm

Hi
Can I join in too please ?
This year I need to make every penny squeeeeeeeze as far as possible. OH took early retirement a few years back and we can just about manage on his private pension. We’re lucky in that we own our flat, but we have just had renovations done which cost more than we expected. But we are now future proofed but need to get that debt gone.
Living frugally has made sure we managed during bad times in the past but we both now work part time to fund treats and holidays and I see frugalness as a way to make sure we can afford them.
I’ve already made a start by hiding a lot of the sweets, biscuits and food with long dates on. I’ll use them up later in the year. Out of sight out of mind.
Anyway I’d better get on
Cuddles

parsniphead

I'm going to try this again if that's ok. I started off well last year but things fell apart after going back to work after my period of sickness. Anyway it turns out a fenced diagnosis is very expensive and my debts have shot up over the past 16 months. I REALLY, REALLY need to get my finances in order and this is the thread for Inspiration. I also need to start sorting out my home, repairs and redecorating, etc but this needs to be done with as little expenditure as possible. I used to be quite handy but with no feeling in my hands and feet I can struggle at times.

Anyway now is not a time for whining, it's a time for doing. I have loads of fabric for clothes so if I can manage to learn to see with rubbish hands no clothes will be needed. I have a house full of stuff which needs decluttering but some can be repurposed. I have a big garden with a veg plot which needs planting this year to save money. Oh and a cellar full of paints, etc which I can use to decorate.

Apart from the usual expenditures I do pay to see a nutritionist who is wonderful and keeps me positive and a couple of alternative therapies. This are definate essentials for me so I will need to find other areas to cut so I can get those debts attacked and some emergency savings in place.

Free parking at the hospital would help too but...........anyway.

I'm looking forward to the next year and many positive steps.:T