2023 Frugal Living Challenge

earthgirl2

I'd like to be in the challenge for next year, but my budget for a family of 4 will be so much higher than everyone else's even though we do try to live frugally. My sons are very sporty - one plays at an international level and stuff /travel for this eats up so much of my budget. I hope it's still ok to join. 

joedenise

@earthgirl2  of course it's ok to join.  Welcome.

Everyone's budget is different.  It is a challenge against your own budget.  I'm amazed at how low some people manage to go.

Kerry_Woman

I will be joining again for next year's challenge.

Last month I managed to resist some purchases - impulse.  Hopefully I have managed to deal with this issue for now.  I downloaded an app for a food store and added the blue card I brought  onto to it.  My cashpot is slowly adding up, can turn them into vouchers, so that will help with my food bill. Still trying to save money where I can when I shop. Have put somethings down on a list for next year to get, no need to get them for this year. Have booked some events, thankfully a couple of them are free. Saw a play last month and got the cheap ticket - brought my own refreshments.  Booked another play in December, got the cheap ticket. Will bring my own refreshments.  I got a ticket for another event next Saturday in Covent Garden.  Reasonable price. Got a free ticket for a Christmas event thanks to a certain website. Will not be going to the works Christmas do, as it is expensive. Managed to be given a voucher for my favourite shop, so that will help with a couple of food items for Christmas, eg cake and mince pies.  Will put rest of money to things I need to get, eg tights.  

nannygladys

I really think I’ll need to buy a new fridge/ freezer sooner rather than later as it’s started to make a funny noise every so often, so I’ve started to eat mainly out of the freezer to empty it down. So my plan is to buy it out of the EF and then replenish that as soon as I can.
Next year I have a few projects in the house and garden I’d like to get my teeth into, so a simple frugal life is the way to go, I am quite frugal because of money restraints but I’m sure if I try harder and watch every penny I’ll be able to shave the odd pound off here and there.

[Deleted User]

Hi All
Frugal goings on today:
1. Packed lunch for work.  I have been lazy earlier in the week and use the canteen at work but it is just so expensive so back to packed lunches for me.
2. Check finances including cash envelopes to see where we are with them.
3. Going to spend some time tonight going back over the info on the first couple of posts on this thread.  It's been a while since I thought about my budget for the following year in advance and even as an annual overview so I'd like to make a start looking at that before the end of the year.

I have started restocking my gift cupboard fot next years birthdays.  I've bought a few of the Boots Star gifts to set aside already.  I several big birthdays to buy for next year - My sister turns 50 in November, my niece turns 16 also November, friend turns 50 in January and another friend 50 in June.  I have an idea already for the January birthday, she is a huge Outlander fan and there are some beautiful prints on Esty I am going to get her.  The shop does 15% off for black Friday so I am waiting until then to purchase.  I am sticking to strict budgets for all of these.

I hope everyone is having a good week

Gingerarthur

I am definitely in for next year, it has been hard going over the past year what with energy prices, food prices etc. Also had to bail out my daughter regarding credit overload but I thought we had got through. However, Covid in August (despite having had 6 jabs) and now having been referred to Long Covid clinic, life is even more of a struggle. Have booked a UK holiday for next year but for now it is all a case of comparing living prices and juggling the finances.

The tips this year have been a great help, so thank you.

amber03

Don’t post much but have been following along and will definitely be in for 2024. Kept wondering why I seem to be struggling with my money and realised that I help to look after my 3 GK’s, 4  days a week, one who has a few food allergies. They come to mine for breakfast before being dropped off at school(I mind the youngest one who is due to start pre school,in the next few months). Then they have tea at mine, before going home. I love having them and am glad to help the family out as it’s been a rough few years for them. The next year hope to not spend as much and the savings will go into my emergency fund.

Nathalia

I hardly ever post but I read everything on this thread and will continue to do so as it's so useful and friendly.

TracyS66

I love reading all the posts on here, don't really post myself on here but i am already frugal with my finances, i was made redundant in August after 15b years, not had much luck with a job yet and to be honest i am in no rush, taking some time for myself. Thanks for a fab thread keep it going.

2Scratters

We have lived frugally for several years but we have had more money to manage and deal with. I am in the process of retiring early and money will drop considerably. We have been putting things into place to help future proof our situation. Its all about practice practice practice. 
I just need to pull up my socks some more and do an even better job of it. 

2 Scratters xx