2022 Frugal Living Challenge

balabooberlies

Hugs Poppy

bala

pearl123

natnat13 said:

Hugs to those who've lost loved ones, I'd lost both my parents by the age of 34, it is hard. I read this the other day:

Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn how to swim.

It struck a cord with me. 

I've also lost a love one in the last two years. The pain is ongoing, but I've just got to keep going. Hard times in so many ways. 

balabooberlies

Warm hug Pearl

x

pearl123

balabooberlies said:

Warm hug Pearl

x

Thank you.

Frugaldom

Poppy_Golightly said:

Thanks Frugaldom, having read through most of last year's posts and all of this year's I was hoping you'd put up one for 2022.

I currently live in a run down council apartment block where you have to share showers with your neighbours - not very nice in the current climate.

My dream is to own a camper van/tiny house/second hand mobile home and to buy land to put it on. One acre would be fine. There I would create a huge wildlife pond, and veg patch and orchard. Rescue animals would live there too.

I was looking at land in France and Ireland which seems affordable, having dual nationality should enable me to get round Monsieur Macron's hatred of Brits

I'm newly retired so time is not on my side! However I am not in debt and the rent here is cheap so I reckon I can stand it for 2 years max, especially if I concentrate on extreme frugal living. I need to bank £8k each year in savings. So scratch cooking, no luxuries, cancel magazine subscription, keep out of charity shops! and stop impulsive online shopping and learning to distinguish needs from wants!

Hope that makes sense, it does in my head at least

Your dream sounds a bit like mine - we've just finished building a hut (Scottish definition, as per the Thousand Huts campaign) and the bit land opposite it has now been designated as campervan / motorhome overnight parking.   I have become friends with several van lifers and their lifestyle is quite awesome, although I, personally, prefer a little more space and now have 24m2 (8' x 3m) to kit out.  No matter what happens, don't take your eye off the ball, use all the single-minded determination you can muster to achieve your dreams and don't ever let anyone anywhere say you can't or won't do it. I've had all of the 'get your head out the clouds' and 'dream on' and 'are you nuts?' type comments along the way and learned just to focus on what made the most sense to me, You'll get there! Frugal living can lead you anywhere.

Frugaldom

Sending out condolences to everyone who has felt the loss of someone close - I hope that in some small way, pursuing a challenge in 2022 can ease the pain of loss. Even just being in control of your own finances can help, as can writing... forums count as writing, right?  

2022 for me is going to be about pursuing life and helping others make good memories and realise their own dreams. If I can't do that then I can at least entertain a few people along the way as I attempt to live the good life, keep my self-employment ticking over and drive down the overheads however and whenever possible. The pandemic has certainly not made things easy, least of all for those with loved ones in need of special care but there is always someone about in the forums to lend an ear, share some tips or offer mutual support.

Mini challenges were always popular within the main challenge so I'll be reintroducing some of the golden oldies. Welcome back to familiar names and welcome to our newcomers. I'm still posting in the 2021 challenge but will do my best to keep an eye in here until 2022 begins.

January, for me, is about small space living, all things off grid and trying to use up as much as I possibly can from cupboards, fridge and freezer before spending on any more groceries. Olio is currently my best friend, alongside the frugal "aire", where I prefer trading 'escape to the country' time and space for help with or at the project.

Poppy_Golightly

Great big wrap around hug from me too Pearl

amber03

Joining in again for 2022, would like to build up my emergency fund and no stupid spends. I think I said this this time last year when the 2021 post was put on., better luck for this coming year. I also want a more quiet and relaxing year. Retired last year just as Covid hit and have been spending a lot of my time helping mind my GKids. It’s hectic but rewarding. Done all Xmas food shopping hopefully that’s it till the new year, just a chippy tea tomorrow which DH can pay for and hopefully my money will stay in my account.xx

willow_loulou

Hello 👋 I’m in again for 2022 - well honestly forever now. 

My aim is £5000 plus council tax and the car service/tax/mot as they are set costs. This will leave me debt free if achieved. 

I know I will need new shoes and probably trainers next year, but other than breakdowns or something I don’t think I will need anything else so I’m really going to drive down on spending. 

I’ve set no overall food budget this year but I’m keeping a weekly spend record which I’m hoping will keep me from spending too much. I’m going to do regular mini challenges like a £10 weeks food budget. 

Christmas is saved for monthly. 

Birthdays will be person specific for budget but I’m going to aim for £5 

My only regular treat is a coffee with friends once every 2/3weeks. This is my sanity so I class it as a need. 

I’m saving for the garden revamp still - I want to be able to grow veg but in a storm proof way as I lost everything the last 3 years. I think I need a jigsaw type thing to work with my pallet plans so that’s on my list of things to keep an eye out for. 

Good luck everyone, see you in here in a few days x 

Kerry_Woman

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022.