2022 Frugal Living Challenge

Danebury

We have completed a no spend week (apart from the food budgeted).  I know it’s new but I’m very excited at the balance in my bank account. It’s spurring me on. 

MazzieD

OFGEM ENERGY PRICE CAP ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE ON MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2022.

HTH.  Saw this online yesterday -  you might want to make a note of the date in your calendars/diary!  It'll be all over the media anyway on the day!.

spudsmum

Well yesterday was a complete waste of time. 

We travelled to the mobility shop to look at this disability buggy for my son - 50 mile round trip and £5 parking. Plus food for the 3 kids.

By the time we'd got all the kids sorted we got there at 1pm to find it had closed at 12.30 instead of 5 as advertised    so complete time wasting money wasting exercise. 

I'm so frustrated - partially my fault for not getting there earlier but with my son even something as simple as leaving the house is a major operation. 

Also had to hang round in town as husband and eldest had a football match to attend (Xmas gift) so that meant more cash to entertain the younger two - sigh! 

This now still means I'll have to find another opportunity to go into town to look at the buggy which is yet more hassle and expense - grrr! 

On the frugal front - 

Made husband turn the heating off last night and put a jumper on as he was only wearing a thin shirt. 

I've now put it on a timer for an hour in morning ready for the kids getting up and an hour on a night for their bath time - though the thermostat is set quite low so it won't come on unless it's actually cold. Husband is banned from touching it as he's terrible for just clicking it on and forgetting about it. 

Received £35 from top cash back for using a comparison site for my car insurance - put that straight on my credit card. 

Going to go through all of my cupboards and nooks today as I've got loads of stuff stashed away I've probably forgotten about and rebought more than once. 

If you don't hear from me again I've probably been buried under a mountain of junk - haha

spudsmum

Just checked the bank and I spent a disgusting amount of money yesterday - it HAS to stop. I'm completely disgusted with myself. 

Just caught sight of my old signature "aiming for debt free by 40" I'm nearly 42 now and nowhere near - how depressing 

balabooberlies

spudsmum please don't beat yourself up.  Please.

You have alot on your plate and if your signature is correct your debts are moving in the right direction.  We all have setbacks.

You haven't given up it's just that your timeline has been adjusted.  You have this.

hugs

bala

x

Focus27

Hey Spudsmum, balabooberlies is right.  Don’t beat yourself up about it.  You’re onto this.  Lots of small steps make big steps.  Just keep doing what you can, when you can.  Some days are easier than others.
Take care

Focus27

So i had a major spend day yesterday.  It was my first spend day of January (7 NSDs up to now).  I met up with family and friends to celebrate birthdays and Christmas which had to be postponed due to Covid.  On the plus side, seeing all my spending on one day is making it easier to track.  I’m quite amazed how much the day cost when i added in petrol etc.  Also there won’t be many of these big get togethers so I’m not anticipating spending like this again any time soon 

willow_loulou

I discovered a new huge Home Bargains shop not too far from me and was really pleased to find a different flavour of the maggi noodles I have for work lunches. At £1 for 4 they’re great value.
im still cooking from stores as I want to reorganise the kitchen again and list whats in where as I lost some things in there 😂 honestly! 

balabooberlies

Willow

I love a certain digestive biscuit and it was oodles cheaper in there.  Sadly this was when I was staying at my parents so am not aware of one near me.

i amazed myself last year with retaining the cost of my favourite/most used things, over more than one shop.

something is working.....

bala

x

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

spudsmum don't be so harsh on yourself. I have 2 children with special needs and I know how even the best thought out plans can go pear shaped in the blink of an eye. I would be annoyed with the shop at changing their opening hours without advertising it. Just this morning we went along the beach and had a lovely time out, then when we wanted to leave my eldest kept dropping to the floor, screaming and hitting himself. I then popped to lidl to grab a couple of items. It was supposed to be a cheap day out but opposite the lidl is a mcdonalds that we have been to a few times with the boys. My son thought we were going there and then a meltdown followed so we relented and got some lunch. I'm annoyed that it was avoidable but we know for next time now!