2022 Frugal Living Challenge

elbree

@spudsmum It's SO annoying when your pots get cleared out and you feel you're back to square one but you've done so well to save the money and now you're using it for its purpose. It would be so much worse if you hadn't been prepared and that all went on credit. Give yourself a pat on the back. 

RateTartExtraordinaire

Back to work for me last week after my isolation with COVID. I was really tired by Wednesday and I hadn't even done as much as I was before Christmas. 

I decided not to renew one work contract that meant I didn't get home til 9pm some nights. One of the reasons I went self employed was to have more control over my work life balance. I took more hours with another contract which suits me better. I'm still getting used to having irregular income and I know that there will be busy and quiet times of the year.

This morning I added my Frugal Challenge budget signature. It was interesting to put all my car costs all together. @Primrose I would say I have had a lucky run the last two years (just a new battery last year). I may have to spend more on petrol if I go on a UK break this year. 

Last year we went away for a week in Wales, beautiful. Hoping to get away but I've no idea where yet. Will be looking out for frugal holiday ideas.

nannygladys

Not been doing much at all today, took me a while to realise it was a Saturday!!
Just been doing the usual bits, tidying, putting the bin out front for collection on Monday etc.
Still sorting out the craft room, dd 3 gifted me a willow hamper with a box of tea bags inside, it was full when she received it and the hamper is lovely but she didn't want it or the tea, so now it's been filled with sewing kits that need completing so at least I know where they are now and looks pretty into the bargain!!
Ate out of the cupboards and freezer all day for my meals, so a few more bits have disappeared.
Just watching a bit of tv and then I will have to clear the kitchen!
Nannyg

spudsmum

elbree said:

@spudsmum It's SO annoying when your pots get cleared out and you feel you're back to square one but you've done so well to save the money and now you're using it for its purpose. It would be so much worse if you hadn't been prepared and that all went on credit. Give yourself a pat on the back. 

Thanks @elbree

You are right - at least I have only had to put my recent car repairs - (£340 plus whatever husband's costs) on credit - all the rest was covered by the savings.

I would have been in a much worse position without that safety net. I just, hate it when the pots get cleaned out it always feels like I have a lot of work to do to replenish them 

spudsmum

So we've had quite a nice day today. 

We went to the local aquarium, used Clubcard vouchers so it cost me £2 and the ticket is valid for a year so its a good option for rainy days (we have annual passes for the local stately home but no good in wet weather) the kids absolutely loved it so we'll definitely be back. 

We took my son's new buggy and oh my goodness what a difference. He walked a bit but when he started to get overwhelmed we just popped him in the buggy - stress free and made everything so pleasant and super easy. Worth every single penny - only gutted I didn't get one sooner. 

We did buy lunch but it was very frugal and managed to avoid the "golden arches" 

After that we had a lovely walk through the new Riverside development (I say new it's been there about 2 years but we've never got round to going) lots of trendy boutiques, bars and cafes - we resisted buying anything but it was nice to have a look.

Called into Lidl on the way home - £30.04 for the weekly shop - chuffed with that as it included a big box of wash powder and tooth paste etc.
Then £13.55 in Morrisons for my son's quorn bits and a few things lidl don't sell - bought more than I needed but some stuff was on offer so it made sense to buy and freeze for future weeks. Shopping was still £31.41 under budget so very happy with that.

Sirloin steak and veg (all from the pantry) for tea, and freezer gravel for the kids. 

Not going out tomorrow so will be a NSD. 

BelleBaluu

Been working my way through all the posts and eventually caught up today!  Lots of inspiration, well done everyone. 
After an unexpected bill this month, working even harder to keep the pennies in my bank and make the ones that do manage to stay there, go further. 
My attempts include:
- using up all the odds and sods of toiletries/cosmetics/cleaning products and not buying new. 
- meal planning around ingredients already in fridge/freezer/cupboard. 
- turning heating back two degrees and set to switch off half an hour earlier each evening. 
- revamped efforts on E-day. 

Grateful for any other money saving tips. 

Primrose

 BelleB.  Are you all wearing thermals or an extra layer indoors?  These can go a long way to helping you feel more comfortable with lower temperatures.
Laundry. Try wearing clothes a little longer and give the sheets an extra week on the bed to reduce washing machine use.
Kettle: only boil enough water for your beaker of coffee. Don't fill the whole kettle!

Sweetlittledaydreams

If I get time today I will make some bread but if not I can pick some up from the shops and thats about all I will need for the next few days. Will do a meal plan tonight but pretty sure I have enough in until next Saturday when I will do the bigger shop. I'm getting good at yellow sticker hunting. A good thing about my new job is there is no canteen so it is making me take food with me which saves money. Also lost another 5lbs but think that's stress rather than taking lunch with me!
I'm not into sewing but for those that are I saw small sewing machines in aldi for £35, they're only small but that seems really cheap, if anyone is interested. 
Had a great day/ night catching up with friends yesterday for the grand total of £5 and a bottle, definitely cheap and cheerful.
Need to buy two friends birthday presents this week, wasn't able to get much in the boots January sales this year. Also need to book the car in for a service, that seems to have come round again quick. Hoping to carry on with my low spend month, going well so far.
Getting a bit bored of doing surveys asking the same questions over and over but the spare change adds up so will keep going. 
Hope everyone is doing well with their budgets so far 😊 

Ellie79

Afternoon all! Some great posts to catch up on, enjoyed reading them. You're all doing so well and I am here taking the small wins. Mince and veg in the slow cooker for a variation of mince and dumplings. Should easily do tonight and tomorrow. Discovered some of those packets of cous cous and the pasta you pour water on (left over from OHs major surgery in the summer, he was on a very restricted diet). I'm back at physical work tomorrow, instead of from my dining room. I work in higher Ed, so I am currently under a pile of marking and planning for teaching but quite cheerful about it. Something has definitely clicked in my head, the kettle is on its way out but instead of going today when I know ill buy extra to satisfy the mindset for treats due to working extra hard, I'll go tomorrow on my way home when I'll be tired and ready  to come home for tea and an early night. I do need to buy some extra veg, fruit and eggs, despite my shopping being here on Friday. We've just gone through it all so quickly because I am trying to eat more veg and less meat (this is fine for me but OH is feeling the strain much more!). 

I've still got a bad back/hip so I'm resting today, under a blanket with a hot water bottle and a book. It's a frugal win but also very soul soothing I think! Hope everyone has a restful Sunday. 

Danebury

Well I managed to stick to budgets this month and there is still money in the bank! 

We have had a bit of a drama with our car.  It was written off last week as it was hit badly in a car park.  The insurance company paid off our loan and gave us the rest.  We now have £2.5k.   We need 2 cars and thankfully Dh is using ds’s at the moment as he is away.  Dh wanted a bright and shiny new one where As I don’t.  He had booked to see one today but he got an email yesterday from our gas and electricity company saying our fixed term was coming to an end and our bill was going up by £122 a month.  We searched comparison sites and it seems we can’t get any cheaper.  That put a stop in the new car in credit as the extra payment would of been what we used for a car.  

Our only debt apart from mortgage now is £2300 on a credit card which I am paying double for each month.