2008 - Live on £4000 for a full year.

LollopyBear

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

Lollopy I was trying to be a bit frugal on the Mum's Day presents. My wife is getting a card and chocolates "from" my 2 year old which I bought in a 99p shop on Tuesday. My mum is getting something my wife bought for her, which cost a bit more than 99p but not too much. It was a bit embarrassing to come home today (Mum & Dad are staying for the w/e) to a huge bunch of Interflora flowers which one of my mad brothers had delivered to my house for her. I'm sure she'll be happy tomorrow anyway - at least I am the son who (eventually) provided her with a grand-child.

That sounds great Mark, and very frugal of you too. I'm prepared to be outshone by my brother yet again this year too. My sister spends about £20-£30 but my brother last year bought my mother a Tiffany pendant! I just refuse to rise to the competition Normally I get her a DVD or a basket of flowers or something, but I've been getting very concerned about the amount of waste recently, so thought I'd get her something that does not have packaging and will provide her with some fruit!

I bought Dad herbs for his birthday so I think they are getting a bit confused. LoL.

MarkyMarkD

The subject of presents is one which always troubles me as a natural frugalite, particularly because I am part of a largeish family. There seems to be present value inflation every year - way beyond "normal" inflation - and it can seem tight to be giving the same sort of amounts of value year on year. I also don't want to rise to the competition, but it can be difficult.

mumzyof2

I have spent £2.30 today on 10 cigs I have also paid £18 somthing off a debt BUT iam not counting that untill it shows on my mini statement online. I use card for everything now

LollopyBear

Mumzy - Have you thought about swapping to roll-ups while you are cutting down/preparing for quitting? I smoked until last August and always smoked roll-ups - they are better for you than normal cigs (especially if you use a filter) and much, much cheaper. I actually think they taste nicer too.

mumzyof2

I cant roll them lol and a rolling machine turns out wrong for me

skintwellie

I've had a really good (frugal) day today. My very unfrugal friend gave me a stack of home mags as I am hoping to redecorate my home this year. My dog managed to completely trash it when she was a puppy (doors, floors, walls, carpets, cupboards and various items of furniture became her teething toys!) In Your Home magazine (March issue) there is a voucher for a free 2.5litre tin of paint from Do It All. I quickly bought the last 3 copies of the mag from my local newsagent (total £5.97) and I now have enough paint to decorate a whole room:D

I have also changed my electricity supplier (through Quidco) and have managed to save over £200.00 for the year plus £28.00 cashback:D I am going to put the money saved into my savings account monthly so that this time next year I can actually see the savings!

Same unfrugal friend has also given me lots of beautiful fabric remnants (all top notch names) so I have got plenty of ideas for finishing off the rooms when I've painted them.

Now I'm about to dampen my mood by adding up my spends for February. Also I didn't manage to win any prizes this month (I was hoping to win at least one a month this year) - still I did win two during January.

Love to you all XXX

Frugaldom

Marru wrote: »

Where can I get soapnuts and how do I use them?

I got mine here and £4 worth should last me all year

I don't think Goverment makes money from the VAT on the food stuff that is thrown away. Supermarkets deduct the VAT they pay to their suppliers from the VAT that they charge from their customers that is us so that the end user always ends up paying the VAT. No end user - no VAT. I hope this makes sense.

Marru

Hi Marru, I meant the Government will make the money from the landfill tax if the goods don't get sold. You would think this, alone, would encourage them to reduce their waste.

grandma247

NYKMEDIA My daughter has to bring her stuff to mine as she has no garden, no drying area and no tumble dryer

I used to live in a place where I could not dry washing outside. Plenty of space but a snobby rule that said no washing to be put outside.

We have a small backyard but I have 2 lines the length of the yard and I hang the clothing on them the normal way then I use a tip from my Australian friend and hang sheets and large towels etc between the lines so they go across the yard. I use two long props to raise the lines out of the yard so it drys quicker.

CharliesAngel

Hello All

Fab posts... taken me hours to catch up lol

i've given up my pub and club jobs and now just the day job..

spent all weekend at the hospital with a very poorly mum.. spent £16 on flowers and get well card, and a sneaky coke.

also went to meadowhall with my sister lol i bought lunch £24.50 and a pressie for my cousin £24 and some choc from thorntons £2.35..

then... went to asda and went mad! it's been a day for it... spent 40.18 on stuff... i didn't really need that much but hey... (sh..it)

I'll consider myself thoroughly spanked and will be business as usual from next week...

CA x

Jay1_2

LollopyBear wrote: »

Today I bypassed all the normal big planted baskets for Mothers Day that seem so expensive and all the tat that just clutters up a house to buy my Mum a blueberry bush! It was £6.99 so I'm rather chuffed, I'm just hoping that I'm not going to look a bit ridiculous carrying a bush over there.

Lolly that sounds great - and it should last her ages too.

I've got my mum a gun. _pale_
Well OK its a glue gun that was on special offer and as she has recently started doing lots of crafts (including a decorated bar of soap through her craft group - I don't think she got why any more than me, but she enjoys the group) I hope she liked it.

Marky I use my mobile as an alarm clock! :rotfl:
Its true! I wake up to the radio but don't always stay awake so need a beepbeepbeep. Its pay as you go and its months since I topped up, I send about 2 texts a month and its just reassuring (when driving, for Brownies, bedside phone, etc). I also spend (maybe too much) on landline and internet but I think they are worth it for me.

I don't smoke so I've got loads of money!!! Thats why I've spent more than 3 months budget in 2 months ...
My vice is chocolate :EasterBun . 'Bout time the NHS provided patches for phenylanylene (or whatever I'm thinking of, however its spelt).

Sorry in a bit or an irreverent mood this evening.
Happy Mothers Day for tomorrow to all you mums and especially Nyk coz she's OUR mum! :T