2023 Frugal Living Challenge

Frugaldom

@Secondstar

I'm a huge fan of tiny / small space living and have many friends who live in caravans, motorhomes, campervans, tinyhouses and huts in the woods. Our own hut is only 24 sq m (8m x 3m) and I could easily live in it, work from it and I most definitely socialise / entertain in it. Once you start your journey decluttering your life into a smaller space and simplifying things, you will be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Negotiate the price as much as possible - I offered half the asking price on our little cottage and paid over £20k below the asking price as nobody else wanted such a tiny house.

SecondStar

2Scratters said:

@SecondStar how big a home do you need to put stuff in? We are all different, with our stuff needs. There is always a time we need to re-declutter and this could be yours. 
 It was obviously built purposely to be good enough at the time.(less stuff) This shows us how wealthy we are/have been as we have been able to make these purchases(unless they were gifted)
You have identified its plus points you are looking for. 10k under budget is very good and still wiggle room on that. It sounds brilliant. However check that there is room for the basics for now i.e your white goods will they fit in the kitchen or in an appropriate place.
 We have a small 2 bed and the freezer currently lives in the "other bedroom" we are due to start a kitchen extension this year. We do have a large back garden.
 In this current market it would potentially be very cost effective to run. Cheaper to run/insure/maintain. How is access to the loft and the space in there? 
Its a new  road on your journey of life.

2 Scratters xx

Bless you @2Scratters , thank you.

You’re just right that it was purposely built at the time to be that size - it’s an end terrace, and there are about a dozen bungalows the same size in the area!

I took a quick look down the terrace when I was there, not being creepy but for a quick look, and it was really encouraging to see the ones with pretty, well kept gardens, and glimpses of nice decorations through the windows.

They’re like little homes for Beatrix Potter animals, or hobbit homes. They’re really very sweet.

I’m viewing it again on Saturday, but I’m also viewing 4 others between now and then, so I can have some comparison & perspective. I’ll definitely be asking the agent to step outside for a while, so I can properly experience the space in silence. 

SecondStar

Frugaldom said:

@Secondstar

I'm a huge fan of tiny / small space living and have many friends who live in caravans, motorhomes, campervans, tinyhouses and huts in the woods. Our own hut is only 24 sq m (8m x 3m) and I could easily live in it, work from it and I most definitely socialise / entertain in it. Once you start your journey decluttering your life into a smaller space and simplifying things, you will be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Negotiate the price as much as possible - I offered half the asking price on our little cottage and paid over £20k below the asking price as nobody else wanted such a tiny house.

THANK YOU @frugaldom , that’s very encouraging to hear!

Living in a tiny space, do you find that your live a lot of your life outside? What do the winter months look like for you, with poorer weather and fewer light hours? 

I’ve been fascinated with small living for a long time, but never got to explore it beyond imagining as I had to take my ex’s opinions into account, and he very much prioritised Stuff, and Stuff needed Space.

I’ve noticed that lots of blogs or vlogs from people who are tiny-living also have ‘proper’ homes in the background, or at least storage facilities, so they’re actually only showing a very curated amount of their Stuff.

I suppose I’m just not sure if I trust that there are people out there who live with a truly pared down amount of Stuff, and manage/thrive that way!

Sausageroll14

@SecondStar that space sounds perfect. Provided it's what you want. 

Sausageroll14

Heya folks. Hope you don't mind a late to the party entrant.....

Got myself into a bit of debt for a holiday.... mightily ashamed but enough of that. Need to get back onto the frugal bandwagon big style! 

Debt repayment is low this month as I had car and home insurance due but managed to compare and use TCB to get extra money. Still I'm covering all the minimum payments and 2 of the 3 cards are 0%

Frugal wins this month have been multiple NSD's and as an Olio distributor I got left with 1kg of blue cheese to use up. Any recipes ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking soups and stew..
. Also got some white crumbly cheese with apricots so going to do some scones. 

Frugaldom

@SecondStar

I  outdoors 7 days a week in all weathers. Storage isn't a problem as stackable boxes and shelves are our friends. Outside of that, you can have any sort of storage unit in your garden space and in a bungalow, there should possibly be attic space. It's definitely not for everyone - I couldn't live permanently in a van type setting but could live in a static caravan easily. They re around 35sq m with either 2 or 3 bedrooms plus shower room and in some cases, en suite. Is there any way you could try small space living before fully committing to it? If you lived nearby, I'd happily invite you here to see what it entails.

SecondStar

Frugaldom said:

@SecondStar

I  outdoors 7 days a week in all weathers. Storage isn't a problem as stackable boxes and shelves are our friends. Outside of that, you can have any sort of storage unit in your garden space and in a bungalow, there should possibly be attic space. It's definitely not for everyone - I couldn't live permanently in a van type setting but could live in a static caravan easily. They re around 35sq m with either 2 or 3 bedrooms plus shower room and in some cases, en suite. Is there any way you could try small space living before fully committing to it? If you lived nearby, I'd happily invite you here to see what it entails.

That’s interesting, thank you.

The bungalow has a part floored attic, according to the vendor. Not sure if the current shed is included, but there’s plenty of space for another one.

No way to test drive, unfortunately, unless you count my currently living in my friend’s spare room! I’ve been here for 5 weeks, and I suppose it’s almost been like small living.

I brought enough clothes for 3 pairs of pyjamas, 2 comfy wfh outfits, 3 casual office outfits, and 1 smart casual office outfit. I also brought my essential toiletries, half a dozen bits of makeup, my work laptop, and my iPad. So far, everything else hasn’t been required.

Madbat60

Afternoon all

Gosh it's nippy. Night shifts are all finished for the week. I am fascinated by small house living. It worked for me when I was younger.  I live in a 1950's ex council house, which we're trying to age proof as much as possible, so we can stay here as we age.   Someone's got to look after the hedgehogs.  I think small living is for the young, it's hard if you need a hoist or wheelchair.  My DP used to live in a caravan, we've got friends who've moved into a small boat to have some savings.  Anyhow, all is going well frugal wise.  I bought DS some new bedding, £61 for King size duvet, 2 x covers and 4 pillows from Asda: bargain.  His old bedding is rank.  Oooh DP has just lit the fire, must be cuppa time 😊

Sweetlittledaydreams

5 days to go until payday, not that I'm counting or anything! Got some yellow sticker bargains today and that has done tonight's tea and will do for lunch tomorrow. The heating has been on for hours again today, its been so cold here. Went swimming to warm up in the end! Think I will be doing the same tomorrow after work, kinda money saving as i get to benefit from the warmth there plus i can shower there which saves on my bills. My house doesn't seem to retain any heat at all so it will get up to around 14c when the heating is on but it's back down to 11c within an hour of the heat going off, I really need to look into insulation this year. It's especially bad overnight, my bedroom was just under 8c this morning, then again it is the coldest room in the house. I am starting a course this month for work, think I will go to the library to do the work, it's normally nice and warm there. 
Good luck with the house searching @SecondStar, I hope you find somewhere you are comfortable and if it's coming in under budget then even better! 

spudsmum

I’m really fascinated by the idea of small living - I don’t think I could do it (well definitely not at the moment with a husband and 3 kids around) I must admit we have way too much stuff. I love organising things though so the level of organisation that I imagine is needed for small living is something that I really aspire to. Currently I have the exact opposite of small living - a big old ramshackle 4 bedroom draughty Victorian house. I love it but Unfortunately the amount of “stuff” seems to expand to meet the available space so it’s chaos! 

In other news husbands car is now fixed so we are £500 lighter! 

On the positive though - we’ve just found out he’s getting a one-off cost of living payment in his wages this month if £700 so after tax etc it should just cover the car bill and leave us no worse off - yay!

As it stands he gets paid on Friday and I have £12.76 left in the bank. Not as much as I was hoping for BUT considering it’s been the longest and most expensive month I’m happy! More importantly NO use of overdraft or credit cards for the first time in months. Tomorrow will be NSD. Hoping to do better next month and excited about the possibility. 

Good haul from eco pantry today including a large chicken and some sausages and loads of veg so enough for 3-4 meals at least. 

Cashed out 8.05 on surveys and also sold something on Vinted so payment made to CC.

Finally, went in charity shop while on the school run. Found a pair of lovely walking boots - look like they’ve never been worn. Only £1.50 so a bargain. Just seen the exact same ones online for £69.99. Also picked up some new pe kit for my yougest for £1. Was going to go in town at weekend to get him a new one after him scuffing all the knees out of his. That’s £9 saved.

Really looking forward to payday Friday and refilling all my pots and seeing how much I can chuck ar the debt - onwards and downwards!