2008 - Live on £4000 for a full year.

whitewing

Hester, I feel so ill now and it's all your fault! I have just read your entire blog. It is painful - no, downright dangerous - to laugh so much when you are bunged up with cold, have sore eyes, sore throat and a throbbing headache.

I read a book called something like 'Call me Elizabeth' that is about a mum-of-six who spent a few years being an escort to fund her children through private school. It was an interesting read, and surprisingly well-written. (I bought it cheap in Tesco).

You definitely have two books there in your blog. One would be based around the swinging and parties; I just especially loved the fact that you're a member of the WI-it's hilarious (not meaning to offend anyone).

The other book could be a mainly factual/tiny bit fictional mix of life with Katy and the rest of the crew at school (may have to wait until you're retired to publish it!) I read a book called 'Head of the Class' or similar (I forget the author) but it was about a lady who'd been brought out of retirement I think to turn around a failing school. I'm thinking of something along those lines.

Both of those books are well-written (by my standards) and your books would benefit by being of a similar standard, rather than the chattier style one uses in a blog.

I don't actually know how to get a book published but I think you should find out and contact someone this week. I am sure there are enough details on your blog to get some interest. I think you would need an editor to help guide you (rather than writing a draft and sending it off, I think you should should get someone involved from the start). I am certain that the swinger's book would be an excellent Christmas bestseller. I cannot emphasise enough that you should go for it. I really, really want to read your carefully-crafted story but will keep reading the blog in the interim.

I suppose I should say at this point that I am not qualified etc etc to know the opinion of publishers etc. I just like reading biographies and would dearly love to see yours in a book. (I may have to meet up with you and ghost write it if you don't want to, lol, but I'd still have to get an editor involved at the early stages). I feel quite excited on your behalf.

bails

Ooh, now I'm seriously intrigued by the sound of Hester's blog, especially as it could involve getting a book published; I'll shall try and find it.

Well, I bit the bullet and added up all my spends. The budget is going to take a hit this week... We bought several books of stamps with (5% off offer), should I include these in my presents budget do you think? They could be used on Ebay sales too though... hmm...?

OMG, I had no idea you could click on people's names and get so much info about them!! Doh! I really must read the how to guide on here...

Penny2myName

Think I forgot to add last weeks in, so going to add that too, and double check my figures.
27th Jan -2nd Feb
TOTAL FOR ANIMALS £1.70
TOTAL FOR BILLS £10.95
TOTAL FOR BIRTHDAY GIFT £4.50
TOTAL FOR CLOTHING £3.25
TOTAL FOR FOOD £19.84
TOTAL FOR SOCIALIZING £8.23
TOTAL FOR TOILETRIES £0.38
TOTAL FOR TRAVEL £6.40
TOTAL FOR TREAT £1.50
TOTAL £56.75


3rd Feb - 9th Feb
TOTAL FOR ANIMALS £6.98
TOTAL FOR BILLS £45.18
TOTAL FOR CLEANING £1.22
TOTAL FOR COLLEGE DRINKS £2.40
TOTAL FOR COLLEGE FOOD £2.50
TOTAL FOR EASTER £5.00
TOTAL FOR FOOD £23.12
TOTAL FOR GROCIECES £1.00
TOTAL FOR SCHOOL £1.50
TOTAL FOR TOILETRIES £1.00
TOTAL FOR TRAVEL £8.40
TOTAL FOR TREAT £1.87
TOTAL £100.17



Initial amount to spend = £4000 over 366 days, average £76.50 per week
New balance = £3433.42 over 326 days, average £73.72 per week .

funkyfunkymonkey

Just a thought, this is not a programme I would usually recommend as I find it annoying/frustrating/manipulative. However, this week a millionaire's wife swaps place with a Jesus Christian (don't know what that is) who is also a 'freegan' - lives in a campervan and scavenges in supermarket dustbins for food.

May be a bit removed from what we are aiming for but you never know - perhaps we will pick up a few tips.

Please accept my apologies now if it is complete tosh and you end up wasting an hour of your life hoping for a snippet of info.

Channel 4 Sunday 8pm to 9pm.

FFM

System

funkyfunkymonkey wrote: »

this week a millionaire's wife swaps place with a Jesus Christian (don't know what that is) who is also a 'freegan' - lives in a campervan and scavenges in supermarket dustbins for food.

May be a bit removed from what we are aiming for but you never know - perhaps we will pick up a few tips.

Thanks! I love the idea of us all watching for tips on how to rake through bins!!:rotfl: (ps i am not being sarcastic, just in case it sounds like it!!)

I 'freeganed' myself a hair bobble off the street today...

Went to yet another jumble sale today, got some good goodies. Then I was browsing through a fancy shop, and I saw a candle and a cake ornament that I got at past jumbles - candle was £7.95 and cake was £6.50!!!!!

Need to go to whittards and price the teapot, dip set, cup n saucer and tea infuser I have jumbled recently. I think this may become my new hobby, jumbling and then pricing (and then putting smug notes in 'smuggins' the can of smugness?)

will update my totals next time, as I don't have my beloved spending diary on me

Keep frugalling everyone!

Frugaldom

Jumble-Bee wrote: »

Need to go to whittards and price the teapot, dip set, cup n saucer and tea infuser I have jumbled recently. I think this may become my new hobby, jumbling and then pricing (and then putting smug notes in 'smuggins' the can of smugness?)

You called a can, 'smuggins' and you're a jumbler frugan??? Well! I am shocked!! I think 'Smuggins' is much more suited to a rescued mug! :rotfl:

As for bin-raking and freebie-searching, isn't that what wombling is all about? I caught a brief reference to that last week on Martin's show, but it appeared to be hurriedly glossed over when they began mentioning what I suspect was the Tesco receipts for Clubcard points thingy. :rotfl:

I love freebies! I just got a huge tray of fresh mushrooms from DD, (who got them from someone else but she doesn't like mushrooms), so have already prepared them all - one lot used tonight in the Spag Bol sauce, one lot kept for mushroom omelettes and 4 lots sliced and frozen. I've rinsed the plastic tray and it's big enough to turn into a mini propogator lid for my pepper seeds. Plastic cartons can come in really handy some time!

Janey51

I have been a very very bad frugalite today and I am going to hide away with my calculator and my receipts and work out the damage.:o
In atonement, I have had left over cabbage and potato for tea.

Do you think Nyk will miss this post?
Billy is ashamed and has turned his back on me.:o

Frugaldom

Janey51 wrote: »

I have been a very very bad frugalite today and I am going to hide away with my calculator and my receipts and work out the damage.:o
In atonement, I have had left over cabbage and potato for tea.

Do you think Nyk will miss this post?
Billy is ashamed and has turned his back on me.:o

:cool: NYK may be getting older, greyer, more short-sighted and forgetful ...
BUT ... I try not to miss the posts :rotfl: Come on, own up, what's the damage?

Bearing in mind that my average spend by day 40 SHOULD be £437.15 but has actually reached the dizzy heights of £871.14, I have a long way to go to get back on track, hence the billy can, grocey challenge and freebie grabbing wherever I can. So how bad can yours possibly be compared to that?

Janey51

Well
Intended to go quietly into town with DH and let him hold the purse strings...
Bought a pair of trousers in Debenhams (£18) then a top in Debenhams (£25) then some perfume (£21) then 2 tops in charity shop , 2 books(total £5), then a Family History magazine (£4.25).
I didn't really need the clothes but, having been overweight for my entire life, just been able to buy a size 10 is magic.:j

The DH bought me a little box of Lindt chocs.
Then I bought some onion sets,(£1) seed potatoes(£5.99)
We went for coffee and I said "I'll pay":eek: DH had a bacon baguette as well (£5.50)

Went for lunch. I paid (£11.50)

Oh heck. I am usually very very disciplined but I think the stars were not in the right position for me today.

On the way home, called into a garden centre. Bought nothing until we were going out of the door and saw some "Peat Briquettes" £3.95 for big bag so bought those as well to see if they are as good as logs and if we can reduce the heating costs.

Now I need to lie down. :rolleyes:

Will update sig tomorrow.

System

nykmedia wrote: »

You called a can, 'smuggins' and you're a jumbler frugan??? Well! I am shocked!! I think 'Smuggins' is much more suited to a rescued mug! :rotfl:

Well, luckily I didn't get as far as actually calling a can smuggins....

When i get home, i will dig out an old mug and name her smuggins. Smuggins the mug can be billy cans giiiiiiirlfriend:kisses2: , use billy for will-powerness and smuggins for smug-bargainess
PERFECT!:T