2023 Frugal Living Challenge

spudsmum

Well I made it to payday! Well strictly speaking husbands payday - His cost of living bonus came to £560 after tax etc which covered the car bill with a few pound leftover that’s gone into the emergency fund to start building that back up. 

Gas and electricity bill came in - £547 for the quarter which I don’t think was too bad considering it was for Oct/Nov/Dec. After the cost of living payments came off I had to pay £347 - I had plenty in the electricity pot to cover it with some left over so I’ll be ahead on the next bill (and hopefully milder weather should make it cheaper) 

That said I am doing whatever I can to save energy and nagging at the boys to turn of lights etc and not have loads of devices on that aren’t being used. Hopefully every little helps.

Other than an hour in the morning and sometimes an hour in the evening IF it’s cold we don’t have the heating on - when I’m working from home it’s never on. I have several layers on, a big cardigan etc. On the chilliest days I have rug over my legs and fingerless gloves - it sounds daft but a colleague recommended them and they make a huge difference.

Frugal things this week: 

Good haul from the eco pantry - a 2kg chicken, sausages, 4 steak pies, fruit, veg, cereal, butter etc. Enough for several meals and only cost £2. 

Shopping came to £45.46 - Happy with that - the first shop after payday is usually pricy as I replenish cleaning supplies, loo roll, wash powder etc for the whole month. Still well under my budget too. I usually Budget £75 due to there being 5 of us and youngest having dietary restrictions but usually come in under. Any left over at the end of the month goes to the debt.  

Got a pair of waterproof walking shoes from charity shop - £1.50 and they’re unworn. RRP £69.99 online. Also got my daughter 2 Disney t shirts, Disney pjs and 2 pairs of leggings £2 for the lot and they look brand new. 

£52.56 left in my budget to last until Friday which I’m super happy with - I need a few household bits but Sunday, Monday and Thursday should be NSD. 

Madbat60

Morning

@spudsmum I've never heard of an eco pantry. I don't know if we have one locally, I'll have to Google it. Well DP birthday weekend went really well, his adult children all surprised him with a visit.  We had a big family meal in a Turkish restaurant which worked out as £40 a head with alcohol.  January has been an expensive month but as it's his 60th I've splashed out a bit.  We're off to the Chelsea Flower show in May, he's always wanted to go.  I really do have to reign in the spending next month.  Off to make soup in a minute as we have a glut of veg to use up.  Happy Sunday all 😊

spudsmum

Madbat60 said:

Morning

@spudsmum I've never heard of an eco pantry. I don't know if we have one locally, I'll have to Google it. Well DP birthday weekend went really well, his adult children all surprised him with a visit.  We had a big family meal in a Turkish restaurant which worked out as £40 a head with alcohol.  January has been an expensive month but as it's his 60th I've splashed out a bit.  We're off to the Chelsea Flower show in May, he's always wanted to go.  I really do have to reign in the spending next month.  Off to make soup in a minute as we have a glut of veg to use up.  Happy Sunday all 😊

Hi @Madbat60 our eco pantry is a complete godsend - it’s run by the local nursery school and it’s primarily for combatting food waste - but also for anyone in need. You can go twice a week - it’s £2 and you can choose 7 items. It can be hit and miss but they often have meat or cheese so it can really help save on food bills. Best thing is all fruit and veg counts as a single item so I usually get a massive bag full to bulk out my meals. Definitely worth a look to see if you have similar locally. 

The birthday sounds lovely - I know we’re supposed to be all about saving money but I always think that if you forget to live along the way it becomes a much more difficult experience. I certainly still plan treats through the year - especially for special milestones etc I find it helps keep me going and focused on the money saving the rest of the time. I just do what I can to save money where I can. 

mama67

Had to take DS2 to work Thursday morning his car was in the garage, he isn’t insured to drive mine yet too young. 

Anyways called in at The Company Shop as have a card. 

Whole chickens, half price so £1.50 each, 6oz horseshoe gammon steaks 2 for £2.75, high welfare chicken fillets 2pack 1.70. 

Plus some fresh veggies. 

Spent £30 but all in the freezer and reduced my lust for yesterday. 

Beshki

Hummus made with ingredients I had in, and top up shop £11 with a £5 Morrisons voucher. Spent nothing at all this weekend and it’s been lovely. Just a few days to go to payday. 

Madbat60

@spudsmum we don't have one near us. It's a good idea.  I think we have a social kitchen but I don't have access to that.

Sweetlittledaydreams

Pay day is here at last 🙌  going to 'pay myself first' into my savings and make a budget for the week. Will need to get a food shop in today and do have plans to go out this coming weekend so will have to take that into account, but hopefully will be able to have 3 no spend days.
Applied for an insulation grant and if I don't get that then me and my friends are going to have a go at doing it ourselves. I can see my breath in the lounge at the minute. My mood is going really low again and I'm not sure that being cold all the time is helping. 

Sausageroll14

@Sweetlittledaydreams so sorry to hear about your cold situation. It's no joke when it gets that cold. 

Chilly day here. Loaded up with cardi's and a giant scarf. Hitting the hot tea hard 🤣

Managing a NSD so super chuffed with that. 

SecondStar

I have made an offer on a property!

I’ve also been told there is ‘another party’ who has never made a formal offer, but who asked to be ‘kept informed’ of any offers.

It seems such a sneaky, underhanded thing to me. If they’re actually interested, serious buyers, then they should’ve made their own offer. If not, it shouldn’t be any of their business.

It’s been 4 hours, and my nerves are shot!

YoungBlueEyes

Ooh fingers and toes crossed for you @SecondStar! 

I’m against all the games people play in house buying + selling. Hopefully the sellers are unimpressed with the ‘other party’ too and go with you 😁🤞🏻

Edit - Poss too late now but can you ask the EA not to tell the other party about your offer..? It’s none of their damn business anyway!