2022 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

I used to pay it monthly but I much prefer to have it paid sooner. I usually have it over the ten months but pay over the odds online. With the current increases rate I’m not sure I’ll even manage the 12 months option. Im re doing my entire year budget as I’m going to need rethink it properly. 

Even my sanitary ware has gone up 50p a pack (before anyone bothers mentioning it reusable are not up to the job for me ) crazy times. 

spudsmum

@EskarinaWeatherwax I agree with the others definitely throw any spare money at your mortgage if you can - being mortgage free is the best feeling, such a sense of security knowing no matter what happens you will have a roof over your head.

spudsmum

Just plodding along here. 

Managed to get my husband's car into the garage for Wednesday so we'll see what they say and how much it costs. Unfortunately I am now carless again as he's having to drive mine to work. It's OK at the moment as the only places I am going are school and the pantry which I can walk to but having a car is just so much more convenient especially with my youngest having such difficulty with walking.

Frugality is still going OK. Sunday and Today were both NSD and tomorrow will be too. Wednesday won't be as its, pantry day (£2) and my nephew's birthday so I'll need to put £10 in his card bit I'll try to keep any other spending to a minimum and aiming to come in under budget this week - paying everything in cash makes such a huge difference. 

My pay day on Wednesday so ill top up my savings pots again and throw some more money at my credit card debt.

Made £10 on surveys but payout was @mazon vouchers so I've put it aside for Christmas. 

Need to start going through all my piles of junk and sorting stuff out to sell - I've got so much clutter everywhere and it's getting me down it will make me feel better to put it to work and make some cash from it. 

Ellie79

Pay day here. Slightly depressing as paying off a couple of things. But it's motivated me to be much more careful. Reactivated plum and chip, looked through cupboards and adjusted meal plan (to suit work/life/budget). Done some work for work. The perils of being awake in pain at 4am. Porridge on now and get ready for work. The good thing is now we are much better at working from home I am only going on campus to teach then coming home to my lunch ready in the fridge. I'd be tempted to buy a coffee and see pals at lunch but I don't need to be there past 12 and my car is parked near where I teach. That is a good thing for my poor sore leg! All that walking and teaching yesterday has caused extra pain this morning. 

Unfortunately I will need to go spend more money today- the kettle is just not playing ball and when you live on tea this is not a good experience. We are also desperately short of milk (where has it all gone, 8 pints nearly done since the weekend, and none of us drink it unless it is in something like tea!). Might aim to hit A*da when there is a chance of yellow stickers, see if I can't stretch the budget a little with some reductions. On we go!

balabooberlies

Managed, quite by accident, to buy some food shopping at half price.  So 16 pounds for a 32 pound full price.  All reduced but it's rare that the reduced items yield so much of what I need and want.  I just happened to go to supermarket at the right time.

I have stopped buying things that are reduced just because they are reduced.  That was wasteful as I wouldn't buy it normally so it would come home, sit in the fridge, and then in the bin !

So glad I have recognised and given that up.

Willow, I recognise your struggle.  I really feel for you.  You have been an inspiration to me and am sorry you sound tired.  Sending you huge warm hugs.

Ellie, I got a wonderful Breville Toaster on Freecycle when I needed one.  Often see really decent kettles on there and Facebook Marketplace.

Have a great day

bala

x

Ellie79

balabooberlies said:

I have stopped buying things that are reduced just because they are reduced.  That was wasteful as I wouldn't buy it normally so it would come home, sit in the fridge, and then in the bin !

So glad I have recognised and given that up.

Ellie, I got a wonderful Breville Toaster on Freecycle when I needed one.  Often see really decent kettles on there and Facebook Marketplace.

Have a great day

bala

x

I will definitely have a look! I've resigned myself to buying one, I never have much luck with freecycle. 

I'm also in the not buying just because it yellow sticker camp- I would often buy bakery items and know they were never going to all be used. Forcing myself to be better! Would be nice to find something useful, though!

cybertortoise

Back after a couple of weeks where i fell off the MSE wagon. Exams, assessments and a new job!

I bought some lovely fabric to make my daughter some clothes. It was from the bargain bin at the fabric stall on the market so only £1 a metre and I got 6 metres in 3 different colours/patterns (3m/2m/1m). My DD is almost 7 so I'm hoping to get at least 2 tops, 2 dresses and 2 sweatshirts out of the fabric. I might even manage some joggers if i can fins a free pattern or botch one. I just need the free time to actually sew now.

Hope everyone is well. CT xx

shala_moo

@cw18 that's a brilliant outcome for your car.

@EskarinaWeatherwax that's a lovely gesture from your relative.

I'm another who wanted the mortgage paid off asap for security. We managed to get the money together last year, through redundancy pay-out and inheritance, but paying extra off for the last 10 years gave me the choice of whether to take redundancy or not. Without over-paying I'd have been stuck at a really toxic workplace and stressed to bits as i didn't have the confidence to find a different job.

Managed to get a £10 @mazon voucher from shop and scan today, and a payout from Prolific, that will be put towards a new lamp shade we need for the living room.  Unfortunately it also looking like we need a new dishwasher, the last one is 10+ years old so it's done us well.

[Deleted User]

Hey, I'm going to join in this thread as we need to cut back, particularly on our food shopping.  I live in the Channel Islands so over here, we have all the usual prices but also shipping costs on top which makes it really expensive.  We also don't have Aldi or Lidl (or Asda, Sains, Tescos) and the only co-ops/morrisons we have are small so there is little choice to try to save at bargain supermarkets (we have WR, M&S).  We have 2 very young DC and our food bill is regularly 120ish a week.  We are looking to cut back.  We are about to start growing pretty much all our fruit and veg (though will obvs be a while before it's in season) and get chickens for eggs.  But we also need to be better at batch cooking and bulking things out.

willow_loulou

@balabooberlies thank you for your lovely comment, that really made my day!
 I’ve spent the day looking at budgets and possible increases etc, it’s looking a tiny bit better so I’m going to try and stay positive. The saddest thing is me not being able to but the few bits I’ve been donating to the community larder anymore, and knowing I can’t book my long weekend (mid week) away. But things may not be as bad as we expect, you never know! 

Welcome Rebecca, I hope the thread can help you some. 

So my February food budget is £54. The chickens are covered as a friends last old lady passed away so she gave me unopened food and grit. The dogs have enough food to last next week so their food is included in the budget. Good job they’re small lol. I do have chicken in the freezer to cook up for them though.