2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Jazee

So I casually mentioned to DH that I'd worked out our budget for 2020 and managed to trim most of the overspend off but there was still a shortfall. I said we should be ok if you get a bonus but he said that's unlikely so is taking a cut in his personal spends. Result!

sausageelza

Did an essentials shop at 'every little helps', with a list! Spent £12. Then off to 'big on quality' where I found yellow sticker mince £7. It is now simmering in homemade tomato sauce before being frozen for later. Spends duly logged on spreadsheet (I do love a good spreadsheet).

I had to spend money today on wrist splits. I have arthritis and my wrists are getting worse. My existing splints are falling apart and don't support anymore. I'm in absolute agony so had to order some more. Hopefully they will arrive tomorrow and I will be able to type, and paint, again.

Katie_j

Hi, please could I join again. I wasn't as frugal as I could have been previously but really need to be as I'm often overdrawn and shouldn't be. I also need to save for new wardrobes and carpets.

thrifty-hayley

sausageelza wrote: »

I had to spend money today on wrist splits. I have arthritis and my wrists are getting worse. My existing splints are falling apart and don't support anymore. I'm in absolute agony so had to order some more. Hopefully they will arrive tomorrow and I will be able to type, and paint, again.

Sorry to hear that, hope your wrists feel better soon. I've had RSI before from typing on a keyboard all day every day at college and had to wear wrist splints for a few weeks, so annoying to wear but they helped a lot. Not the same as arthritis I know but I kind of understand what its like. Hope you are back to painting soon

natnat13

Another year nearly gone! Today is also DS's 12th birthday, we're having chinese as his birthday treat which he chose. I've also bought a cake, I stood on the supermarket and weighed up the cost, it was £10, it is a luxurious choc cake with lots of bits on top, I worked out by the time I bought butter, sugar, cocoa, choc and all the bits and electric it was worth it. Yes I coud have made him something simpler but I also considered my time.

I have been paid today and am determined to spend only on essentials from now on. I really want to clear my credit card debt and start saving. We have to go to the shops to exchange a couple of tops the DS's got for christmas that are too small, I will not be buying any clothes!

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Yesterday I went to Tosco and spent my £6 off £40 voucher and got just a bit of veg and milk and the rest ws spoent on pantry stuff, looks as if Im preparing for a siege but it will all get eaten over the next few months (tins of toms and beans etc) I couldn't get any dried butterbeans though not sure why not there wasn't even a butterbean ticket amongst the dried beans!! will have to try elsewhere.
Started getting stuff ready for the CS and its surprising how much can be let go of when you start looking.
Frugally, I made a bean stew in the slow cooker yesterday that will last a couple of days with extra green veggies and Im using ys bread from the freezer. Off out in a minute walking into town to have a look for some cleaning stuff and toothpaste in Hbargs that I can carry back in my rucksack, and might call in the library to see if my ticket is upto date (haven't used it in years, but I must stop buying books!).
Nannyg
Have a good New Year tonight folks

lessonlearned

Just popping on to wish everyone a happy new year. And good luck with the 2020 frugal living challenge.

Week 1 and I spent £53 on food and household bits and bobs the other day. I really want to slash the food budget this month, so essentials only, aiming for £10 a week on the basics throughout January.

However this morning I did spot a luxury Christmas pudding for £1 with a date stamp of April 2021 so I scooped that up together with some posh biscuits for 50p. A longish date stamp, June 2020. I won't eat them myself because I want to lose another 1 stone by Easter but they might come in handy for unexpected visitors. No reason for them to do without because I'm being all noble. :rotfl:

Lovely day, nice and warm so heating off, so saving a bit there. Off out now to plant some spring flowering bulbs....a bit late I know but they have got two choices.

Have a great evening whatever you decide to do. And then let the challenge begin in earnest.

[Deleted User]

lessonlearned, lovely post:T

We love Christmas pud at any time of the year and I asked DH to buy some if he saw any reduced ones when he was in a town we don't normally visit yesterday. I was hoping for bargains but he bought 3 super deluxe ones even when vastly reduced costing more than I'd pay at full price for my usual ones. He saw my jaw drop and quickly said, ''it's Ok, they're my treat, I didn't intend you to pay for them''. I pay for all the food shopping and if he buys things on my behalf I always give him the money he spent. So now I have 3 lovely deluxe puds and they didn't cost me a penny:rotfl:. They have a 'best by date' well after next Christmas but I doubt we'll still have them on the shelf by then;). All round win-win:j


Wishing you and all fellow would-be frugallers a very happy New Year's Eve and all that you hope for in 2020:beer:.

Tanya12345

Have a lovely evening Frugallers !
Going back a bit but £1.45 for a packet of crisps - ouch !!
Did a last visit to supermarket today, spent the last of my bits in my purse so tomorrow will start the new regime ! Lists and ( manual) spreadsheets ready......
Saddle up everyone, only a few hours until we have lift off !! Xx

miss_empty_piggy

Siebrie wrote: »

I, too, need to colour my eyebrows, otherwise I look like an egg and have no authority over my dds! I bought a kit and do it myself every other month. A kit costs about £12 and lasts 3-4 years.

3-4 years? That's awesome. I currently pay £23 every 6 weeks (she does my top lip and fuzzy side fluff too - waxes lol not dyes!!!! Now that is quite a horrifying thought. I'd look like Groucho Marks :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: But that would be a huge saving! Is there a particular brand you'd recommend? Is it difficult to do? TIA:)