2023 Frugal Living Challenge

Sausageroll14

Hello everyone. It's been a long time since I last joined in. Hope it's ok to rejoin. I desperately need the inspiration! 

So just started a 6 year herbal medicine course so that's exciting and daunting in equal measures. Needless to say every penny counts at the moment. The course is heavily discounted but still expensive. And the books.....oh the books. I want them all. 😀

Hope it's ok to share with you lovely folks. 

Frugaldom

My apologies once more for long absence but I really don't know where all the time goes. It seems I do nothing other than work at Frugaldom for more hours than any full-time job would permit. Our schools were closed through strike action so I've had 2 of my grandchildren here the past 2 days. Now there's a storm brewing and it's battering down with rain. I've everything crossed that the storm passes us by.

My spreadsheets have all gone to the dogs since I've been using mobile phone for everything. It's mainly because there's only minimal solar power at Frugaldom.

Everything is costing an arm and a leg these days. As usual, not entitled to any form of insulation, heating or boiler deals as we don't seem to qualify for anything so well done to those who have managed to access funding. It's a real dilemma when contemplating retirement, especially with no work-related pensions. I've invested in property rather than pension so it's going to be like living in the laps of luxury for me if I reach the stage of receiving state pension. It'll likely be the most income I've ever had. 🤣 I am looking forward to claiming my bus pass next year! 

cw18

Frugaldom said:

I've invested in property rather than pension so it's going to be like living in the laps of luxury for me if I reach the stage of receiving state pension. It'll likely be the most income I've ever had. 🤣 I am looking forward to claiming my bus pass next year! 

I don't get my bus pass until I get my State Pension

9 and a bit years to go.......

mandy47

Just received an email informing me that my energy DD is going up £18 a month. I'm almost £300 in credit. We can't possibly cut back any more. I read all the hints, tips and ideas on this forum and we try many of them. 
Talking to friends I have discovered that we spend less on grocery,  clothes, transport and going out than all of them. We even grow loads of our own fruit and veg.
We barely used the heating last year relieing on our wood burners.
Haven't used the tumble dryer in over a year. 
The shower is one of our main energy problems. I've cut back from 7 days a week to 4. DH 7 down to 5. DD still on 7 but she's reduced the time she's in there. 
Looks like trying to pick up a bit more overtime at work. 

mama67

If you are in credit by more than a months payment contact them and state you don’t want it increasing. Or do it yourself on the app etc. 

cw18

If you  have figures for your actual usage (in kWh) over the last year, then work out what that will cost at current prices (or your prices from 1st Oct to be most accurate) - and add on your standing charge(s).

That figure is what you should epect the bills to total over the next 12 months. Deduct your credit balance from that amount, and then divide the result by 12 for the monthly payments you need to be making.

I do this calculation each month (I have a spreadsheet to help), and also monitor accounts for my Mother and my daughter doing the same.

Debsnewbudget

I have just tidied up one of the garden patches and taken all the remaining rhubarb off the plant.  Seems like its OK to cook and freeze, but now I am worried I should have left some stalks on ?  

Should I have ? 

willow_loulou

Hello all, I’ve not read back but will once I’ve posted my update. I hope you’re all doing great 

Im back from the states, I had a fantastic trip and really enjoyed myself. 

Travelling disabled is a challenge but getting assistance at the airport made it a much better experience. I’ve decided I’ll need to fly business next time as the seats I’d booked they tried to move me from on the way out and did on the way back as there had been cancellations due to weather and the staff needed seats as it was a red eye. It’s more expensive but as it will be 2 years rather than 5 months notice I have time to save.  

I’ve opened a separate savings account purely for travel (Tesco 4.75 %) 

Can anyone tell me what needs to happen to get my garden paved please. I don’t want to be ripped off so want to understand what they need to do. As in do they need to dig down - put membrane under it? Any suggestions or recommendations greatly received 

willow_loulou

mandy47 said:

Just received an email informing me that my energy DD is going up £18 a month. I'm almost £300 in credit. We can't possibly cut back any more. I read all the hints, tips and ideas on this forum and we try many of them. 
Talking to friends I have discovered that we spend less on grocery,  clothes, transport and going out than all of them. We even grow loads of our own fruit and veg.
We barely used the heating last year relieing on our wood burners.
Haven't used the tumble dryer in over a year. 
The shower is one of our main energy problems. I've cut back from 7 days a week to 4. DH 7 down to 5. DD still on 7 but she's reduced the time she's in there. 
Looks like trying to pick up a bit more overtime at work. 

It’s a little odd it’s gone up when the rates have gone down, might be worth contacting them to check it’s right and ask for a projection to see where they’re going with the increase. 

A tip I keep banging on about at work is unplug it and switching things off at the wall. It never ceases to amaze me that people leave the kettle, microwave etc on at the switch still, I’m forever turning things off at work. We’re a charity so every penny counts. I’m sure you do turn everything off but thought I’d mention it.
i fee your pain, I’ve done everything I can to cut out spend but I’m still paying £500 more than last year and it makes me so cross. Do you do prolific surveys? They’re the most palatable surveys - no brand and home insurance nonsense. I’ve earned £120 this year on it. 

Bluegreen143

Debsnewbudget said:

I have just tidied up one of the garden patches and taken all the remaining rhubarb off the plant.  Seems like its OK to cook and freeze, but now I am worried I should have left some stalks on ?  

Should I have ? 

You can’t do anything about it now, but my understanding is that ideally you don’t pick any after July or so. The plant needs left after that to store up energy for the winter and make sure it’s strong next year. It might still survive ok but I’ve never taken stalks off at this time of year myself so can’t say for sure - fingers crossed!