2008 - Live on £4000 for a full year.

bails

FunBrum wrote: »

Bails....thanks for the advice about cashback. I havent really gone down that road yet...maybe I should. The trouble is, I don't really buy anything apart from food and bills, of which all my megre wages seem to be spent on.:o
I feel that I'm being insulted if I'm asked to pay for anything...what a cheek!!:eek:

Hi FunBrum, I haven't bought anything except my bills through cashback either, so it's definitely possible for you. Have a look and see if you can find any better suppliers. Mr T also offer cashback on your first online order I think; there may well be other things on there that you buy anyway without realising you can get cashback (insurance etc).

I LOVE that line about being insulted :rotfl::rotfl:

When I went to the Coop a couple of nights ago, they had loads of blueberries reduced - I picked up 4 then decided to ask if they would be reducing them more at the end of the night. Yes, so I put them back and went back later - he had said that I could have them for 35p each :T but then changed it to 50p; oh well, it was still a really good deal so I got all fourteen packs of them :rotfl:and 2 packs of raspberries for 50p! They're all in the freezer, so we'll be having lots of smoothies :j
Got my Aussie treatment too, they're 99p normally so I'm looking forward to using that once the office is decorated (my hair is matted with dust). And Mum brought up the £15 HB vouchers today :j We went to Mr S to get some things for lunch and I did buy a loaf for £1.09 :eek: but they're my parents and I love em and don't begrudge them their fave bread, especially when they're helping us so much. Somehow spent £12 though...

If you're feeling fed up, want a free pressie for someone or are celebrating being in budget for January, go here for a fab freebie!

System

FUNBRUM "I feel that I'm being insulted if I'm asked to pay for anything...what a cheek!!:eek:"

:rotfl: me too! I bought butter and milk at aldi yesterday and felt strangely disapointed with myself for having to spend money!!! I think I may have trained my brain to be overly strict....

saturday frugalism - got my free polar bear in the post (had to pretend to be expecting to get it!!! I have no shame...), went to some nearly new sales and got (amongst other random stuff) a lovely whittards teapot and a really old little wooden box that the man on the stall said was probably very valuable! had a wee look on ebay but im none the wiser

Frugaldom

looby-loo wrote: »

Food: £253.33 - how many people is this feeding?
Petrol: £147.16 - if this is a work-related expense then it doesn't come out your 4k budget
Electric/Gas: £58.00
TV Licence: £11.75
Insurances: £65 - is this monthly?
Household: £87.67 - what does this include?
Internet: £24.99
Odd bits: £18.10
Charity: £21.00
Phone: £38.50 - is this monthly?

Total: £725.50

Leaves: £3274.50/11 = £297.68 per month from now on!

I haven't got a hope of doing this!


Total:

Looby-loo: You have got a hope of doing this because work associated expenses come out of your wages before your living expenses, so don't count as essentials in the cost of living. I've also added a couple of queries in red, hope you don't mind my asking

Bails: Thanks for the pointer towards the freebie! Have now tried that and will let you know if mine arrives.

Jumble-Bee: Free polar bear??? Where? Why? What have I missed?

funkyfunkymonkey

Hi Bails

thanks for the link to the freebie, it will be nice to have a free pampering treat.

FFM

bails

Free polar bear here Nyk - sadly not a real one I have one too, quite cute but does have brand name stitched into it - do you think I could unpick this?
Glad to have helped with the other freebie, let's hope it arrives!

LollopyBear

Hi Frugalites

Sorry I've not yet posted my January totals! I went out straight from school last night and had a bit of a blow-out session with friends . 4hrs sleep and then up and at a conference, followed by a polo lesson (plus cycling to the stables 30mins each way). Just got home and I'm shattered! But I love playing with numbers so my totals are as follows:

Direct Debits: £29.43 (Tv Licence, Healthy Pets, Pet Insurance and Web-hosting)
Food/household: £132.64
Mobile (PAYG): £15
Gifts: £6.77
Travel: £93.80
Treats: £35.33 (Wine, beer and books etc.)
Grand total: £312.97 (£17.03 under budget for my monthly target!)

I definitely need to work on the food/household bill! It is quite excessive (especially as the total spend is about double that because DH and I go half and half on food shop and I'm not counting his finances).

The last spends of the past two days not very frugal - particularly Friday night!

Yesterday:
Train ticket - £3.30 (I only needed a single as I was spending the night at a friend's house).
Books - £4.50 From a second hand book shop. Much Ado About Nothing (which I am teaching after half term and haven't read yet!) for £3.00 and because I couldn't resist - The Twins at St Clares by Enid Blyton I have all the Malory Towers books but not St Clares and I felt like a nostalgia kick. It was only £1.50!
Beer total - £15.90
Club entry - £3 Plus cloakroom £1.50
My share of taxi - £3
TV Licence - £11.61

Today:
Train ticket - £2.30
Mr Ts - £2.22
Lottery ticket - £2

So it is only the 2nd Feb and I have spent £49.33. Not good at all!!!!!

skintwellie

Hi Guys,
Have been reading through the posts and good luck to all of you undertaking the losing inches challenge. I am managing to walk home from work at least once a week now (just over 3 and a half miles) and due to frugalitis I haven't bought any treats, cakes or chocolate (ooh, how I would love some choccie, but I know that one small bar would lead to one sincere bingeing!!) I have now lost 24lbs since 1st Jan so am on target to lose three and a half stone by Christmas.

:j Welcome back mumzy, good luck with the challenge this month.

Thank you bails for the freebie link.

After my huge overspend in January, I am hoping to really keep my spending in check during February. My man is going to buy me a breadmaker from L***l on Monday as they have them on offer next week for £25.00, so will be able to try out all of the lovely bread recipes posted on here.
Have had TWO :T NSD so far, although kmids are moaning about lack of food (what they mean is lack of instant cr*p food they can shove in their mouths as they rush out the door!)

flowerofthewest

So, went out today and bought a new tape measure from JL for £2. Guess what I found when I got home - yeah - my oriinal tape measure :eek: Ah well, at lest I'll be able to find the new one if I lose the old one again - going to put it in the kitchen drawer.

Nyk - my total figure is :shhh: 450 :eek:
Will have to go some to get 12 off that one! I'll be happy with 1 or 2

looby-loo_2

nykmedia wrote: »

Looby-loo: You have got a hope of doing this because work associated expenses come out of your wages before your living expenses, so don't count as essentials in the cost of living. I've also added a couple of queries in red, hope you don't mind my asking

Originally Posted by looby-loo
Food: £253.33 - how many people is this feeding? 5 till 14th Jan including meal out, then 3,
Petrol: £147.16 - if this is a work-related expense then it doesn't come out your 4k budget. OK, that will be only £45 then
Electric/Gas: £58.00
TV Licence: £11.75
Insurances: £65 - is this monthly?Yes, 2 cars, buildings, contents, dental, medical (DH had medical ins through work and has an ongoing claim so it's worth every penny)
Household: £87.67 - what does this include? Energy saving lightbulbs, scales to help diet, paint, .....
Internet: £24.99
Odd bits: £18.10
Charity: £21.00
Phone: £38.50 - is this monthly? yes - DH's hobby:o

Total: £725.50 new total now £627.50

Leaves: £4376.50/11 = £397.86 per month from now on!

I might have a hope of doing this after all! I remembered to ad child benifit and survey money!

Thanks nykmedia

Frugalmum_2

I'm late, I'm late sorry, I've finally worked out my figures for January

Food inc pets, petrol £138.68
TV Licence quarterly £35.00
Car Tax £66.00
Electric £10.00
Total - £249.68

This was a short month for me as I only started on 7th of Jan. I don't think it's too bad especially with car tax included. My car insurance was already paid for January before I joined so I've not included it but it will be in figures for the rest of the year.

I was lucky that my Gas & Electric meters had credit on so I only had to spend £10 this month on electricity.

Nyk - my wobbly total is 374.5 , I'll be happy to loose anything really but will aim for 7.5 inches for the first measure in

I'm going to be walking much more and will do 20 mins 3 - 4 times a week on my newly dusted off exercise bike.

Thank you Bails for the link - I hope mine arrives, totally free using the codes.

Here's to lots of NSD in February