2022 Frugal Living Challenge

EskarinaWeatherwax

@spudsmum so sorry to hear about your car. Don’t be (too) disheartened though - everything else is still going forward the right way and your food savings are amazing. 

NSD here. I’m loving the sunshine we are having in the south. Am planning to sort my cold frame out this weekend and insulate if properly, and plan my seeds and growing for the spring. 

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Took dgd to her cs voluntary job and later nipped to food hub just after it opened and managed to get fruit and veggies for the weekend - yay!! Also got gf bread and gf crumpets for sil and a few veggies for other dd, so really pleased. 

Other frugal stuff - lunch LO soup and tea lo spag bol so a nsd all round. I just have to do a meal plan for the next couple of days using some of the veggies I got today.
Just noticed I have a hole in my sock so after washing that will get mended as well
Nannyg

oystercatcher

A few years back a colleague at work was having exact same problems with the family second car dying and she needed it to get to work. I asked if they really needed two cars and how much would it cost to get a taxi to work over the year ........ she came back a few days later thanking me profusely for saving them several thousands of pounds ....so just putting the thought into the mix!

Maybe I should add, I love reading this thread and all the ideas but don't feel that we are frugal enough to contribute! I chose to live simply when it suits us but we are lucky enough to have plenty of reserve savings, however not enough for us to buy our dream home bungalow which we really need as we are both disabled. 
I have finally turned 60 and am delighted to receive my small NHS pension at last after 12 years of me not working and only receiving a small amount of DLA because husband was working, even though I was previously the higher earner. It can really make you feel worthless when the powers that be say you are fit to work and you know you aren't but haven't the mental energy to fight it. 

Love and hugs to all

spudsmum

YORKSHIRELASS said:

Spudsmum you have my sympathy, we threw over £1000 at our car this year before we had to eventually call it a day and borrow money to get a new one.  We only borrowed what we knew we could afford though and bought one that is 8 years old.

Thanks @YORKSHIRELASS. I'm very reluctant to borrow any money at all but I only replaced DH's car a few months ago and mine needed a £900 clutch a few weeks later which cleaned me out so needs must - I'm pretty gutted about it but I don't mind an older car so hopefully I can pick up something relatively cheap 

willow_loulou

For the first time since October I made a small extra payment on my loan. It felt good 😊 I really need to make some more money but can’t face more surveys. So I’m going to be very ruthless and to a tabletop sale in March. Will book my spot tomorrow. I have a box of stuff so hopefully can pull together a table full. I do have some things I’ve made to sell too. 

Does anyone know how you get into home work, the packing or assembly type stuff? I don’t need it to be a huge money maker just add some to the coffers. 

spudsmum

oystercatcher said:

A few years back a colleague at work was having exact same problems with the family second car dying and she needed it to get to work. I asked if they really needed two cars and how much would it cost to get a taxi to work over the year ........ she came back a few days later thanking me profusely for saving them several thousands of pounds ....so just putting the thought into the mix!

Thanks @oystercatcher I wish we could do without 2 cars but sadly it just wouldn't work. 

We live quite rurally and DH works 20 miles away, and doesn't finish until 10pm when there's no buses. It would cost us £150 a week in taxis and another £25 a week for the 2 buses to get him there in the afternoon (which takes 2 hours)

In normal times I have to visit clients all over the county for work and its written in my contract that I have to have access to a car. I also have an autistic DS who won't walk at all so sadly the car will need replacing whether I want to or not. 

balabooberlies

Spuds

I think you are amazing.

My Mum was recently in your position with bills of over a thousand (perhaps more/double) for repairs on the car.  Steering, clutch etc.  My sister-in-law immediately started looking at second hand cars around the 5k mark.  Why ?

Mum's car low mileage and looked after.  Suggested that she repair the car.  Tha way she would know she was driving with the car in top condition.  She elected to follow my advice.  And is most happy with the result.

You have recently spent 900 on a clutch, might it be worth considering carrying on with repairs ?

Just an idea................

bala

weenancyinAmerica

I have a 2003 Lancer and my roommate a 1992 Toyota Corolla. We have been keeping them going with repairs just for that reason bala. Hoping the car will last until I feel the need to stop driving completely as public transportation here is awful. If you are staying in a hotel and want to get to Disneyland or other tourist site, it is great. But for the locals, there are hour long waits between buses. Many times, I find it is faster to walk it even if I need to use my walker so I can rest on the way.

Floss

@spudsmum I'm in the "keep & repair" camp - I bought my 2010 car new and it has just done 88k miles & passed its MOT last weekend with no issues. Yes it's had the gearbox rebuilt & new clutch, power steering reconditioned, new front suspension & new alternator, plus the maintenance stuff like new brake disks & tyres, but I know exactly what's been done, it's low mileage,  and I have a good garage who look after it for me. And I can't afford to take on a loan as I have too little spare income & live alone. I have every intention of keeping it going for a good few years.

Also, just to throw this in, how would your son react to a new-to-you car, would he be able to cope with it?

balabooberlies

Wee Nancy and Floss

ditto !

the car we have now cost £400.00.   Within 6 months it needed new power steering pump.  I had immediately had it serviced and new battery.  Many would have got rid of it but I had it repaired.  Approx 5 years later my little work horse is still going strong and no problems as yet.  And no more cost.  I know it's foibles and am very fond of her.  She's a girl 

bala