2021 Frugal Living Challenge

marionmgcars

Great to catch up on everyone's plans for being frugal.  I always find it harder this time of year as its such a busy time.  I'm trying to be more mindful of what I'm doing and what I spend.  Hopefully when I stop to take a breath I'll manage better this year.  reading everyone's posts helps me so much to know there are like minded people.  

willow_loulou

So I thought I’d give the chickens a bit if the french bread from olio and the totally turned their noses up at it! My previous chickens would have devoured that treat! Mind you this pair turn their noses up at layers pellets too! Not sure what to do about that! Funny things. It worries me then not being able to scratch around much now they’re indoors for the AF outbreak.  I had them in the covered dog area for a few hours today which they seemed to like so will do that every day now. 

Getting tired of the cold already. I bought a new 10.5 tog duvet and slept under that and 2 4.5 ones last night 😂 normally until the depths of winter the 4.5 and my blanket are sufficient. But at least I don’t need more heat upstairs with the duvet mountain!

Does anyone use the slow cooker for bread and butter pudding? I’m looking for a recipe suggestion.  

-taff

No suggestions for a recipe, apart from there's a slow cooker group on FB that does weird and wonderful things, but if you put a thin duvet under your bottom sheet, it acts like a sleeping bag, it's a lot warmer...

WinterWarrior

@willow_loulou there’s a recipe on allrecipes.com for slow cooker bread and butter pudding. I’ve not tried it though! 

YORKSHIRELASS

Morning all

I have been doing some work on next year's budget.  We have managed to pay off just over £7000 off the debts this year, not including December.  This is good and a little more than the previous year, but I had hoped for a bit more.  We have spent £1115 on car repairs, and paid £1097 towards DSs rent.  We have also spent £1635 on holidays and £730 on clothes.  I dont regret the holidays as both of the most expensive trips meant spending time with DS1 and who knows what the future holds there, but we will not be spending that much next year.  I definitely will not be buying clothes next year, I have more than enough.

I know my spending will look excessive for some people, but I think this is the first year that I can look back over the year and say that we have done well, and compared to previous years it is a massive improvement.  There is definitely more work to do though.

A little more spreadsheet work this morning.  I made the nut roast for Christmas day yesterday, so that is to slice and freeze.  I also have Christmas presents to wrap.  We are hoping to get out for a walk if DH is feeling OK, if not I might go out for a run or cycle.

balabooberlies

YORKSHIRELASS said:

Morning all

I have been doing some work on next year's budget.  We have managed to pay off just over £7000 off the debts this year, not including December.  This is good and a little more than the previous year, but I had hoped for a bit more.  We have spent £1115 on car repairs, and paid £1097 towards DSs rent.  We have also spent £1635 on holidays and £730 on clothes.  I dont regret the holidays as both of the most expensive trips meant spending time with DS1 and who knows what the future holds there, but we will not be spending that much next year.  I definitely will not be buying clothes next year, I have more than enough.

I know my spending will look excessive for some people, but I think this is the first year that I can look back over the year and say that we have done well, and compared to previous years it is a massive improvement.  There is definitely more work to do though.

A little more spreadsheet work this morning.  I made the nut roast for Christmas day yesterday, so that is to slice and freeze.  I also have Christmas presents to wrap.  We are hoping to get out for a walk if DH is feeling OK, if not I might go out for a run or cycle.

Yorkshire Lass

I think you're incredible.  I wouldn't even begin to know how much I have spent and on what.  This year has been expensive for me and I am further in debt.  I wasn't prepared to think about anything other than, were the bills getting paid.

I was forgiving myself, berating myself, despairing....and then I saw a sign, the words of which I hope to carry through life.

It went something like this...

'It's not about how good you are, it's about how good you want to be'.

I think I can apply that to almost everything.

Have a good day all.....

bala

x

Jazee

Still trying to be frugal here but I have to admit to having put the heating up a notch mainly as we have had very elderly and very young relatives staying this week.  I aim to be better with spreadsheets next year to really get a handle on things as we don't know how much longer DHs job will last.  I have swapped vets for the dogs and will be making savings of approximately £60 per year on their health plans.

Tanya12345

Morning All,
YORKSHIRELASS - in awe of your record keeping ! I am going to work on that - I struggle stay with my plans !
balabooberlies - that's a wonderful quote, it's all too easy to beat yourself up in this world
Jazee - that's a good saving on health plans ! With you on the resolve to be better with spreadsheets/records
I love to hear about other peoples budgets and journeys. I'm trying to work out a reasonable budget - always try to be super frugal in Jan but by April the plan is always scuppered, or I run out of energy, then I throw both hands up have a tantrum and then don't bother...... A recipe for disaster !! Struggle with the balance of supporting the local economy and the temptations offered by Supermarkets /on line. Still striving for self reliance.........So the challenge is weaving all these together and enjoying everyday at the same time.  
Have a lovely Sunday everyone x

Frugaldom

Jazee said:

Still trying to be frugal here but I have to admit to having put the heating up a notch mainly as we have had very elderly and very young relatives staying this week.  I aim to be better with spreadsheets next year to really get a handle on things as we don't know how much longer DHs job will last.  I have swapped vets for the dogs and will be making savings of approximately £60 per year on their health plans.

Good luck and we'll done this far. We are almost into a new year and a new challenge. I like to find ways of keeping as much of the warmth inside as possible so I tend to scrimp elsewhere to afford heating. Fleece-covered everything has been brilliant! Cheap fleece thermal blinds, chair throws, beds, sofa... This year, I have bought fleece pillows covers and bed sheet. It makes a huge difference and I love sitting wrapped in my fleece while reading at night.

nannygladys

I'm blown away by those who keep such accurate spread sheets!! I keep a small budget book but it only has totals in - no breakdowns of categories, so next year I will try harder!!  I need to save for house repairs so every penny has got to do its work and not have me throwing them to the fripperies counter!!

I will have to try and work our how much I need fir the jobs and take that out each month and live off the rest, I know it's going to be hard and frustrating at times but the work needs to be done so hard saving is in order. I do have some savings but don't real want to touch them as they aren't an emergency. I think I need to get some quotes after Xmas and get one thing done at a time. The first is a new canopy over the front window and door. Frugalling will carry on but I have try harder.
Nannyg