2022 Frugal Living Challenge

Primrose

MazzieD.  I feel for you with the bad neighbour problem   Just because people own their house  that doesn,t give them the right to behave in such a manner.  If local councils and the police weren,t so timid and backward in punishing anti social behaviour life would be  more pleasant for everybody.
Why are we as a nation becoming so reluctant to enforce authority and good behaviour to our fellow citizens?

zafiro1984

I do sympathise with those with neighbour problems.
It makes me realise how lucky I am. Very small hamlet on a very narrow lane, less than 12 houses. When it snows dh clears the lane up to the wider road with a tractor, when there is a celebration - significant birthday, jubilee, Christmas etc we all meet up. Eggs jam, honey, veg, novels (I've just finished R Osman's 'The man who died twice') are left on a bench under the postbox for anyone to help themselves. We don't live in each others lives but help is there if needed.

Last time I went shopping, I really noticed prices have risen and there was large empty spaces on the shelves. I'm not sure what to do for the best. I've well stocked freezers and cupboards. Do I use what I have, therefore reducing what I have or do I try to buy more while I can thinking that prices will rise even further - not sure?

Primrose

zafiro1984 said:

Went grocery shopping, I'm really noticing prices have risen and there was large empty spaces on the shelves. I'm not sure what to do for the best. I've well stocked freezers and cupboards. Do I use what I have, therefore reducing what I have or do I try to buy more while I can thinking that prices will rise even further - not sure?

I think many of us are starting to have this same dilemma zafiro.    Perhaps one continues to stock up on the things we already know there is going to be a shortage of like flour, olive oil because of the Ukraine war and essentials we can't manage our basic cooking without, like tinned tomatoes, and other products.  The luxury foods we can all do without if we have to but perhaps its a matter of looking at our own household cooking and cleaning/laundry practices and asking ourselves, "Could I manage without this if I really had to?".   If that would be difficult, perhaps stock up a little but keep a wary eye on any "Use by" dates.    What nobody wants is to spend money on items which become unuseable because they've been stored too long at the back of a cupboard somewhere.

newlywed

I’m going for the use one buy a replacement… so my stocks remain as they are whilst I can afford it.

if I have some space for an extra then I will get that too, and so build up a little in areas where I can easily store it.

but no idea if that’s the best choice or not!

zafiro1984

Primrose said:

 "Could I manage without this if I really had to?".   If that would be difficult, perhaps stock up a little but keep a wary eye on any "Use by" dates.    

That's a very good phrase, It's given me some direction as to what to buy extra when I can. I'm concentrating at the moment on non food items eg cleaning stuff/dishwasher/laundry. I can't overuse them, it's not like buying food and I have the space to store them.

otb666

Yep the payments have always covered the usage But could not understand why they wanted more, Your latest balance is

£16.86

Period 22 Jan 2022 To 6 Jul 2022

22nd Jan 2022

31st Mar 2022

78

94

16 m³

1st Apr 2022

6th Jul 2022

94

115

21 m³

Your last bill amount issued on 21st January 2022

Payments received since your last bill

£32.15

8th February 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

8th March 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

8th April 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

8th May 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

8th June 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

8th July 2022 Direct debit £31.00 cr

Total amount paid £186.00 cr

Remaining balance on your last bill £153.85 cr

Charges since your last bill £170.71

Total bill amount £16.86

So 31 to 43 So 34 to cover debit over next 6 months and 38 to cover 10% increase So 43 means i could potentially be in credit by 30 in Jan 2024.  It wont let me reduce it but i am happy with 43pm for now.

I have always lived in attached houses and would miss noise from other people I find it very reassuring and different sounds at different times of day its like having a clock. I might just have been lucky with my neighbours though

cw18

otb666 said:

.... and 38 to cover 10% increase

Is that increase due to increase in use or increase in price?   Mine has actually gone done - not by much, but every penny helps

nannygladys

I also have very well stocked pantry, freezer, cleaning and laundry goods, so I decided to have a 'one out one in' policy.
I did work out some basic meals that I eat and made sure I have enough in to make then, ie herbs, tins of Tom's etc. At the moment I have enough In for a few months, this includes loo rolls, toothpaste and brushes, laundry powder etc. I wanted to make sure that if needs be I can share them out with dds and others if I need to. You also need the room to store it all as well, my youngest dd has a new build and although it seems big it doesn't seem to have the same amount of storage space as mine even though mine is a smaller house.
Nannyg

Elisheba

JinJinBlue said:

I've just watched Frugal Queen in France. The video was, "What are you prepared to give up to win financially?"
It was interesting but the last suggestion had me shaking my head in horror. It was to give up privacy as in sharing accommodation, living in a place where people could see your comings and goings, living in a terrace and hearing your neighbours through the walls etc. I nearly had a breakdown when we lived in a semi with nightmare neighbours next door. When I downsized, I went a lot smaller but detached and I wouldn't swap it for all the tea in China. I'm prepared to give up a lot but not my privacy. How about you? I know many people don't have the luxury of choice and I know how lucky I am but one more Jimmy Hendrix impersination at 2.00am in the morning would have pushed me over the edge. 

I saw that one.  Generally I thought her suggestions were sensible.  Even the privacy one - back in the day my ex and I took in lodgers.  It wasn't the best fun but we needed the money.  I know people who rent out room on Air BnB, and say they quite enjoy it.  I'm in a terrace and occasionally hear my neighbours and can see then over a low fence on one side.  Its not perfect, but my rent is very reasonable, and I'll stay here until I can afford to buy in a few years.

Elisheba

I decided the choice of mid over end terrace was a no-brainer when it came to keeping my home warm and I only have 2 external walls & no gable end to maintain.

That's a very good point, isn't it.  I'll have to bear that in mind when I'm thinking about what house to buy. My 1900's terrace is already cold, and I'll be wanting to buy a period property.  I don't need any extra walls to cool things down in winter!