2021 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Thank you for the suggestions! 

I’ve looked at @OLaney suggestion and it’s massively cheaper! Literally half the price! I could go less if I put the extra away for a couple of months to cover a replacement battery if she won’t start at home. I know my darling neighbour would get one and fit it for me. Brilliant! Thanks! 

-taff

I was with the RAC for fiftenn years as an add on to my parents account along with my sister. Come renewal time last year they wanted to charge us 180 for the same deal, so I let my membership lapse. Cue last week and I suddenly remember I don't have cover so price comparisoned everything, then went through topcashback, so my 155 membership with home start, onward travel etc had 75 cashback.I've made the initial outlay knowing that I will have to wait for that, but it's down to 80 now as far as I'm concerned so it's a massive saving.

Frugaldom

Hello, sorry I'm always late to post. 
@OLaney, there isn't much I can add to what has already been said. I set up my frugal living challenge years ago and didn't have the nerve to post about it during the previous years of massive debts, threats, loss of business, homelessness, depressing times, wrecked marriage etc. but it does get better. I, and many others here, are testament to that. At times I counted the days in pennies just to see some progress and if I had 10p left at the end of a week, at that point, I could get a loaf of bread! I've always been involved with swapping and sharing so having even one other person who can understand is a massive help, even if it's to half the shopping bill. We used to go to the supermarket with £10 each and only buy the BOGOFs (and reduced items). I wish you every success with your journey, as that's what it is, and no matter how long it takes, things will work out if you can remain focussed, calm and positive. Come screaming at me on the phone if needs be - it wouldn't be the first time it's happened and I'm in this for the lifestyle I now love despite the fact I no longer have any debts. You can do this, as can anyone else on here, it just takes a little bit of practice to stay on the tiny narrow, twisty track.

I'm really pleased to see another Olio food waste hero (FWH) in our midst! Yeah!

StrawberrySuze

@OLaney Thanks for your post, it was very brave and I think it resonated with most of the people on here at one time or another! I am clawing my way out of debt after thinking buying a 'project' house was a good idea and then having to reduce my work hours and I still have lots of renovating to do!

Years ago I was buying my household shopping on a credit card, I just could never seem to pay my cards off. I consolidated several times, did lots of balance transfers, then borrowed more on the mortgage, including to buy at least 2 of my previous cars, luckily I managed to keep a good credit rating.

Since then I've discovered lots of tips on here including several side hustles; I was doing loads of surveys but now do a few surveys and matched betting. I'm not suggesting matched betting, it took me over a year to actually do it from reading about it and it takes a lot of concentration and thinking about, not great in current times, I think everyone's head is nearly full to the brim with Covid, never mind anything else 😐

But what I do find useful is some of the surveys that pay out in small amounts, straight into PayPal as well as the surveys that pay large amounts for surveys! If I run out of something like say milk but have no money,  I go on a site, do 2 or 3 surveys and cash out straightaway and use that to buy whatever I need which focuses me to only buy that thing that I need, apart from anything else it makes me realise what an effort it is to earn it!

I recently joined Streetbees, they are ok, it is a bit different than actual surveys, it is more of a typed chat. They pay out to PayPal usually the next day and pay out for each story you write, they are small amounts 30p etc, and wouldn't make much of a dent in the actual debt but it does help.

I used to do Qmee, they can be cashed out straightaway but I did get rejected quite a lot.

Prolific is the best, you can cash out at £5 and some of the surveys pay that if you are lucky, you do have to keep a close eye on the site though as they go quick.

Good luck with your debt free journey, it gets easier as you start to realise all the corners you can cut.

Suze  😊 xx

Couldsavemore

@OLaney
I do feel for you. Like many others I've been there. Embarassingly... more than once.
You said you tend to over spend the food budget. This was / is one of my problems too. 
I know take out in cash, my months worth of food budget and carry that with me. It keeps me focused and I try to underspend across the month. I've managed to underspend for the last 3 montgs I've done it.

I was also wondering that if you became a food hero for olio if you could keep some of the food yourself.  Then you could save some more money.

Time to get up.... another day at work is calling... 

MazzieD

Just waiting for yet another Zoom meeting to start.  My cat is now a popular feature, he likes to sit on my lap and join in by purring very loudly and gets an invite to all Company meetings 

I think the MSE forum is really unique, it's a 'safe' place to post about issues that we probably wouldn't want to discuss in real life.. I have a different 'user name' just for the forum.  We have so much to thank Martin Lewis for.

fionaandphil

@willow_loulou I can also vouch for what @OLaney recommends, I have been with Autoaid for a number of years now and its really good value at £60 and my DH is also on the policy.  The policy covers homestart, onward travel etc so really is a big difference from some of the larger companies.  Have a look on MSE first though, the first year we bought it they were doing 15 months for the price of 12 via the site so that also helped.  We have called them out a few times when we were having a problem with a car battery and they have been great, always turned up in under an hour and called to check we were okay and keep us up to date.

2Scratters

How well do my work colleagues know me?? Not sure which way to take it? Made me laugh though. I work PT and over xmas staff collected donated food this year for non uniform/dress down shifts. Someone had fetched an item in that was 6 years OOD, not quite the done thing really. This had a personally written message attached to it as it is something I would (and will) consume.
I had many years ago found a jelly stored in a tin in a cupboard that was actually older than my son at the time. Perhaps should hang my head in shame that it was even there. This was probably the start for me!!
2Scratters  x

-taff

@OLaney Have youlooked at meal planning and batch cooking or the grocery challenges that are stickies every month. It can take a while to get your head round them, and I must confess, I'm more of an impulse cook than a pre-emptive cook but depending on what your grocery budget goes on, it can reduce what you spend.Also, have a look at Jack Monroes site, it had loads of budget meal ideas and how to use up what you have in your cupboards. Her meal ideas can also just be used a base to go with your own ideas. Bulking out meals with lentils or smashed up chickpeas can stretch a pack of mince, make your own stock from the vegetable peelings [ freeze them and when you have enough , boil them up] etc. There are lots of ways to make food go further. There's also a thread somewhere about how to feed uni students without spending a fortune, it was a question asked by someone who's grocery budget was getting a hammering. Do you know which bit of your grocery shop is the most expensive?

Edited - found it!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6182172/uni-students-eating-me-out-of-house-and-home

pregnancy_parking

Evening everyone 
I’m really enjoying all of your updates and brilliant ideas. Love to those of you who are struggling. I’m sure many of us have been there, at its worst my debt was £25k and I could see no end in sight, it’s much better now but I wouldn’t live any other way.
How are you doing @OLaney? Have you had any luck with olio or selling stuff?
I have just over £20 from prolific now, if I can manage that every month Christmas will be free!
on the bird front I’ve bought some sugar free muesli and Aldi’s peanut and fruit mix (55p) and mixing with scraps, they seem happy!
Today I used up a sad bit of cabbage to make coleslaw and a third of tin of chickpeas mixed with salad things and herbs/dressing to go with some YS salmon. Also some 100% cocoa chocolate I was given, sweetened and made into tiffin, I couldn’t eat it as it was! Some goose stock with the carcass scraps is defrosting to make a Thai soup for lunch tomorrow, I’ve some coriander to use up.
take care everyone x