2020 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Finstickle wrote: »

Today I put Excel on my phone and set up a daily tracking spreadsheet. Money seems to dissappear on a lot of small purchases at the moment - but they're most likely the ones I don't need to make!!!!
My plan is by looking at it all the time and adding spend as it happens rather than at the end of the month it will keep me focused and aware.

I signed up for an excel course today! Starts in April, I thought it would help with job prospects as well as budgeting. I’ve also got info on a cookery course. These are both free for me with my income so really pleased.
I picked up 3 more bits for my daughters university box. New pack of wooden spoons and a new sieve for £1:50 in a charity shop. She’s almost kitted out and I’ve only spent £11 thanks to Argos January sale and this charity shop. Just a sauce pan and cutlery/ sharp knife to get I think. Got teaspoons for 40p in Asda!
I had to buy a new microwave as mine died, but found a virtually new one for £20 on Facebook. Really pleased with that as I didn’t want to but a new one right now. I used my £2 stash to pay for some of it.

Nearly payday ☺️ Reconfiguring my budget when it’s finally in my bank!

Fizzyisbusy

Hi There!

I did this first two years ago, was a brilliant idea for me.

Last year sort of lurked around but was living in a new location and finally have realised the move may not have been a good idea! So frugal living going forward to enable some options as in possibly moving back!

Best of luck to us all!

Fizzy xx

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
I can’t believe we’re nearly at the end of the month. This month I’ve had very few no spend days but have managed on lots of small spends and by spending the points on my Sainbugs card. All bread bought for OHs lunches have been yellow stickered and because I’m paid weekly as soon as I know I’ve got money free in my account it’s gone to the credit card.
I’m still not totally happy that my job is safe ( we went into administration just before Xmas and were taken over thank goodness) because the hours are being cut back to the bone and if things don’t pick up I see redundancies in the future. So every spare penny is clearing debt.
I’ve convinced OH we need to eat less meat and that the tumble drier is only to be used when absolutely necessary. Every penny saved is a penny less to earn.
Well done everyone on a good first month.
Now to the next.
Cuddles

PipneyJane

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire wrote: »

I do have some good news though. I sent a photo of my pinafore dress to the company who provide the sewing subscription box that I receive and as a result they have put me down as make of the month and I will get my box free in March. I was not expecting that.

Well done, Lisa! Congratulations. That was well deserved.

- Pip

jammy_dodger

Siebrie wrote: »

Do you regularly inflate your car tyres? Properly inflated tyres make a huge difference to fuel consumption!

thanks Siebrie yes i keep track of tyre pressures work is 100
mile round trip so the cost mounts up just that ive never taken note of the amount I spend a month
i drive economical car and try not to make unnecessary journeys picking up groceries on way home i live 10 miles from nearest store

jammy_dodger

PipneyJane wrote: »

Hi JammyDodger

Which app, please? I tried iXPENSEit for a while but it didn't cope well with me running multiple bank accounts.

Cheers

Pip



PS: For things like the Grocery Challenge, I track that on a "Numbers" spreadsheet on my phone. Otherwise, my money is split into multiple small savings accounts for budget items, a "money to live off" account and a bills account at the bank.

Hi Pip its called Spending tracker and has a picture of a brown wallet on the logo i use the free version on android from playstore i dont find the odd advertisement annoying or it wuld of been deleted by now finding it super useful
HTH JD

Kitchenbunny

I had wanted to wait until the very end of the month but I’m feeling the urge to post an update. I haven’t managed to stick to the very drastic grocery budget I set. It was a big ask and something I’ll have to work on I think. Still, it should be around £160 for the 2 of us for January which is still better than the £200ish normal spend it was last year. Better yet, it includes stuff for lunches (I know I’m awful at preparing lunch to eat at work and then not wanting it) and so far this year I’ve not been to the work tuck shop once, haven’t touched a meal deal and have been spending a lot less on fizzy drink. Spending diaries are amazing.

I’ve been logging daily wins - points equivalent value, not spending on such and such, Cashback, a few found pennies, etc and it has totalled over £100 so far. I used to think I was pretty frugal at this but obviously not :rotfl: This challenge is teaching me the value of wants and needs alright.

There’ll be some more car expenses, though there may be a bonus at the end of the month which will help. I’ve managed to get a couple of colleagues into saving money a bit and it’s really quite gratifying to see their successes.

Thanks for having me - I won’t say I’m winning (as something always goes wrong) but I’m changing to be a more considering person. More sustainable.

Elisheba

I'm going to challenge myself to a February of buying no chocolate. As I just pointed out to myself on my DFW diary, I'm watering down the milk to last the week but I bought an 85p bar of chocolate? That's just daft. I've got a terribly sweet tooth, but buying a bar is just lazy and in no way consuming less. I make buns and can try biscuits and things, but just no chocolate for February!

BelleBaluu

Morning everyone.
Just wanted to post an update and say thank you to this thread for helping me on my way to making my pennies go further!
So far this month, I’ve achieved bringing my monthly grocery/fuel spend in at only £6 over budget (this is usually way more and I’m quite happy with that, as most of the big spends happened before I’d put my mind to this, so hopefully under budget next month).
I’ve also saved 20% of my goal, using the 1% Challenge thread.
I’ve also managed to pay for my sons birthday presents this month too without dipping into savings.
So absolutely delighted and looking forward to February now.

Nonnadiluca

Pip, I use the same spending tracker app, have done for a few years, and find it's really easy to use and is a great help in knowing exactly where the money goes.