2020 Frugal Living Challenge

mama67

Hi everyone
Nice to see some familiar names.
I have been away from the forums for a couple of years as time to read was in short supply.
Both myself and DH have new jobs, his SE business has been put on a back burner, and he only does odd jobs now and again, it wasn't bringing in enough money and we were getting into debt.
My arthritis in my knee was playing up and the carrying heavy hams etc up and down 2 flights of stairs was taking its toll, so much so it gave up on me one day.
Anyhow I now have a new job job, less hours, less pay, but quality of life has returned.

The lads (men) are both doing very well, DS1 will be a qualified teacher in April having studied part time whilst working as a TA. DS2 didn't get on at University so left at end of yr1 and at present is working as a labourer for a painting & decorating firm. He is considering going into the Navy.

I will be looking to cut back where possible and accrue some savings.

I'm going to head back to the 2019 challenge to have a read there and catch up.

MisterPym

cuddlymarm wrote: »

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

Just don't forget where you hide them :rotfl:

Missywissy

Please count me in.

I'm also not sure exactly how this works?

I am quite good with money but my down call is buying things I don't need in the sale and buying things when good shopping I don't need.

Thank you

Barbeduk

Hi all

Well I am acting like it's 2020 already as I am now on my January budget. I've just finalised the spreadsheet and have already taken out cash for all my savings pots. I need to get back to basics and this will help me see exactly how much I have for each annual bill.

We have an odd few days coming up as we're going to visit family with the ex. Thankfully he is staying at his mum's whilst the kids and I are in a nearby hotel, which he is kindly paying for. I have just done a shop for breakfast bits - porridge pots, brioche - to save the cost of buying breakfast while we're away. Plus lots of snacks for the evening to stop us going out and wasting money. Makes me sound mean but my budget is tiny and I am never, ever getting into debt again!

Had to take everything out of my tiny freezer to repack it, trying to fit in all the Christmas leftovers. This did require ds to eat the last of the ice cream but he coped well with the job! There is a ridiculous amount in there which should mean I come in under budget for the January food spends - any funds left over from that will go straight into the Christmas savings pot.

From last year's thread I remember someone commenting that it's all very well living frugally, but to ensure you have a sanity fund. I think that is such a good idea. I love sewing so have money allocated that I can spend on fabrics etc. Sewing really takes my mind off all the stressy stuff life throws at me sometimes!!

Have a lovely weekend all.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
I’ve started as I mean to go on. Corned beef hash and cauliflower for tea and chocolate log and ice cream for pud from stores. Yummy.
I needed a bag of salad and milk but that should last me for a few days now.
I’ve quite a bit of food in and plan to manage as long as possible.
I really need to get back to healthy eating this week. I had got to target with SW but then went on holiday and was not back to target before Xmas. I really don’t want to pay out longer than I need to.
Anyway time to go for now
Cuddles

Tanya12345

Back in again please.... Major income drop in March will mean a hard look at budgets !! Need an emergency fund and having read through these pages, a sanity fund sounds like a great idea!
Sorting menus today, freezer inventories, and lists are being made. Love the setting up of it all but sometimes lose heart and energy by about March !! May try overall budget figures then weekly/ monthly goals to try and stay on track.
Good luck everyone, sending positive thoughts xx

sams247

OK Please may I join?

I start the year unemployed

I am also going to try a no-supermarket stint for as long as I can, partially as I want to eat food closer to its grown source, less plastic etc etc., and partially (mainly) as I am a useless shopper in supermarkets - I am always the person standing next to a £30 pile of food saying 'I only came in for eggs'.

I always (always) overspend on food, so thats my biggest challenge - cook more from scratch, less easy and expensive ready meal style things.

Excited to be commiting to this

[Deleted User]

Hi folks, sorry I've not posted much recently. I have been squirrelling away in the background working out my budgets for personal spending for next year. The main household spending is already set and runs well each year. I am currently doing an inventory of what I have currently and looking to set budgets depending on the gaps.

Toiletries and skincare - I already have lots of stuff. There are a few things I will need but not until later on in the year. Budget set here at £200 for the year.


Books - I have recently started using the local library a lot more in a bid to get out of my Amazon habit. It's worked pretty well and I am enjoying the catch up with the ladies who work there when I go in. I have also set up apps to access free emagazines, free audiobooks and free ebooks all from the local library. Books budget for 2020 = £zero
.

Crafts and hobbies - I enjoy Crochet and already have large enough stash of wool so none needed. Hobbies mostly involves reading and walking so no major expenses there. I already have good walking boots if I need them. Crafts and hobbies budget for 2020 = £zero



Clothing - this is an area where I really do need to spend. I hate shopping for clothes and it shows. I have very few clothes and need to upgrade some of them. My first buy this year is a new jacket which should be arriving soon. I am the same with shoes as I find it awkward to find ones that fit well and don't give me blisters. I also want to have clothes that are set aside for work to separate what I wear between work and home. Budget for clothes and shoes for 2020 = £50 per month.


Days out - Not sure here yet. I am planning to make more use of my Historic Scotland card this year and have several days out each month, OHs shifts allowing. Some of the time we will take a picnic, especially in the nicer weather but sometimes we will go out for lunch. We also like walking further from home and then pop into a farm shop or cafe for lunch and I still want to have money for us to do this. Not sure yet what will set aside for this. Probably around £40 per month.

Hair cuts/beauty - I have recently moved hairdressers to reduce costs here. The new one has so far has done a cut and colour on my hair and I was really happy with it. Beauty wise I do most things myself but I do get my eyebrows waxed and tinted every few months. Budget £20 per month.


Misc - meeting friend for coffee/lunch other bits I have probably forgot I need money for etc. Again not sure what to set aside here. Will set aside £25 per month initially and see how it goes. A lot of my friends will pop to the house for a catch up but it's nice every so often to meet out somewhere.

Frugaldom

frostie101 wrote: »

Hi
Looking to join in for 2020.
Have a budget for the year and spreadsheet ready.
First aim is to stick to the monthly amounts then by September I need to have reduced my outgoings by a third due to loss of income.
Hopefully following this challenge and watching where the pennies go will help me reduce expenses.
Good Luck everyone

Welcome on board. I'd suggest using January and February to assess your actual spending then begin cutting back on anything you can from March onwards, bit by bit, until you are living within the newly reduced amount before September arrives. That way there's no sudden changes and you can either put the extra cash towards any debts you may have or, if none, save it as part of your contingency fund. I call that filling the EEK (Everything Else Kitty). Good luck and don't forget to make frugaling fun for all.

sausageelza wrote: »

Hello, I'm new to MSE. Can I join in with you all? ... Spreadsheets at the ready!

:T We love spreadsheets! Welcome to frugaldom and I wsh you every success with your art business. We're all for self-sustainable small enterprise here and our fellow frugal entrepreneurs are known as frugaleurs.

Only 2 more days to go before we launch headlong into a brand new year, new decade and new challenge - how great can it be? How exciting are your 'use-it-up' meals? I managed to get carrots for 6p per pack and chicken for £1.15, thanks to friends who spotted the yellow sticker bargains and bought me some when they had the opportunity. No shame in asking friends to help out by grabbing you some bargains or handing over their surplus to requirement goods and chattels. :T

Frugaldom

cuddlymarm wrote: »

Hi guys
I’ve started as I mean to go on...
Cuddles

This is always a good start but take each day one small step at a time so as not to become too jaded about the whole process. It eventually becomes second nature and you learn to love the lifestule that frugal living can offer.

Tanya12345 wrote: »

Back in again please.... Major income drop in March will mean a hard look at budgets !!

I'd suggest starting right away on the new, lower level and that way you can save the difference for emergencies or overpayments if you are tackling any debts. Good luck!

sams247 wrote: »

OK Please may I join?

I start the year unemployed

I am also going to try a no-supermarket stint for as long as I can, partially as I want to eat food closer to its grown source, less plastic etc etc., and partially (mainly) as I am a useless shopper in supermarkets - I am always the person standing next to a £30 pile of food saying 'I only came in for eggs'....
Excited to be commiting to this

Food shopping is one of the greatest and easiest ways to cut costs while frugal living. The first rule is to aim for zero waste and the second is to get creative so there is zero waste. Do a £10 shop of absolute essentials and then work back from that at making enough meals to last a full week. I always find that pasta, rice, cous couse, soup, homemade puddings and cheap veg are the best buys while maintaining a stock of things like herbs, spices, tinned tomatoes and dry goods with long shelflife are great.

I successfully completed the Ration Challenge in 2019 (sponsored for charity) and the cost for a full week's meals amounted to less than £4 per person. I don't recommend this diet, mind you, but I used to aim for as close to £1 per person per day for all our meals. It is hard work juggling cooking and being out all day but for anyone with a bit of time to spare, it is still easily achievable if you don't buy into luxuries. Nowadays, I'm happy if I can keep to about £10 per person per week balanced out over the full year.

Being frugal while on a strict budget dictated by debts does not allow for being fussy so I do recommend to anyone interested that they learn to love porridge, homemade soup, food sharing and foraging. Help support and promote zero food waste.