2022 Frugal Living Challenge

missmoneywatch

Everyone has been very busy lately every time I log on there's lots of new posts! 
Had a spendy morning this morning but planning ahead, had seen lots of toys reduced in a certain big store at weekend so popped back today and spent £35 on seven things which will be used for my kids to give at parties they have been invited to (already got four parties booked in) so hoping that'll save me money longer term.

Floss

Despite my car MOT & service this month (pre-budgeted) and unexpected extra fuel & driving following a bereavement I have put an extra £151 into savings this month from my 'housekeeping' account, on top of the £97 leftover in my bills account. This will be stashed into my premium bonds account, until a balance transfer is due later in the year. 

I'm currently on a dual fuel fix until the end of May, so am hoping things might have settled a bit by then. There's only me, so my earned income has to stretch to cover everything (and will be reduced from April by the increase in NI).

2Scratters

Hi Peeps, 
I know this is about Frugal living yet DH and myself have decided that we are having a Frugal death i.e no formal funeral. Just simple cremation. We have already saved the money in preparedness yet are looking at a lot less than half the cost. We could either afford a new kitchen or spend on items on the bucket list which I think is far more appropriate. There is change for celebration of life get togethers for the pair of us We are both not thinking of going anywhere soon but there is no debt landing on our DS doorstep. 
We are still managing to eat from the freezer and doing well at it. It does need a stock take to do some meal planning as I need to debulk a bit in the process.
I have applied for DH bank account to get moved to a bank he already has and to simplify his money. He's having to learn new skills managing his money each week. I'm pushing back as he needs to learn, the lad has been spoilt

Stay safe and warm
2Scratters x

Rianam

Hello,
have been reading a lot of pages on this challenge and would love to contribute.
We are a family of 5 but eldest is gone to uni so 4 mouths to fill every night. 

All good eaters and not picky. 

We eat 6 proper meals a week and one is an easy one. Either fried eggs with potato wedges or pizza.
We grow vegetables in the summer and have enough soft fruit growing in order to snack on and make jams for all year around. 

We try to be frugal and have been paying extra on our mortgage since we took it out. It was a struggle but looking back so thankful that we did it. We are coming to an end of it this year!! 

Really hope to share a few frugal ideas we have followed thru over the years as a well as reading some more of your ideas!

DawnW

£1406.25 spent in total during January, including all bills. This includes the purchase of a carpet cleaner, bought in the sale. I had been considering one for ages, and saw one at the right price, so went for it. All the carpets in the house need cleaning, and it will save money in the longer term. Also the breakdown insurance for the car came out of January's spends.

Hoping to spend considerably less in February!

Hoosrice

Hi, I’m new to the MSE Forum, but have spent the last month reading lots of different posts in many categories.
i would like to join for this year if it’s not too late.
i kept a spreadsheet for January, and was only £10 off my budget, just by reading your comments. My monthly grocery budget is £60 cash, the rest I pay for using coupons, survey cash or vouchers etc

MazzieD

EskarinaWeatherwax said:

Wrapping up my January challenges - It’s been such a useful exercise to be here and to be thinking about this in such great detail

I’m still not quite clear about how I’m going to set my budget. I know where every single penny goes but can’t quite work out how to list it out here in the way I’ve seen other people do. 

As far as i know there is no set way of setting out your budget on here.  It's entirely up to you and whether you are comfortable with breaking down your figures on a public forum.  The main thing is that you are tracking your spends on a spreadsheet, cash book or whatever method you use.  I prefer not to declare what my monthly/yearly budget is and just say under or over each month.  The Frugal living challenge is a very personal challenge, you are challenging yourself and there is no competition involved!!!.

Making good progress with recovery and doing a bit more each day.

Just waiting for my final bills on fixed rate, the gas bill will be interesting after the Combi boiler adjustment.  Also still waiting to hear about the settlement on the car, I really would like to use the money towards another car without dipping into my savings first but that might be the best way forward if this drags on, not so worried about the other settlement.  Really feel like I'm in limbo at the moment, think I might have to start nagging my Insurance Company.  Essentially I'm still paying for Road Tax, breakdown cover etc on a car that I still technically own.  I know I can get refunds when ownership changes but it is really frustrating.

MazzieD

 

Apologies for the rant, just had the insurance call and happy with the car settlement so money will be in my account tomorrow.  Now  I just need to start a serious look on-line at local used car dealers.  Several within a mile radius or might rope a friend if I need to go further afield.  Think I need to get back to driving before my confidence evaporates so a test drive or two will do me good even if I don't buy straight away. Definitely need to try a seat belt on in the meantime!.

Floss

MazzieD did your insurers not offer to replace your car rather than pay cash? 

Rianam

Have been really careful with gas and Electra use over the last months and was shocked to find out that I was nearly £900 in debt with gas. Only because the meter reader man gave the wrong reading! Panic over when I submitted a picture of actual correct reading. 

Just a note to self; make sure to submit readings correctly every other month….