2023 Frugal Living Challenge

London_1

Good morning all, well almost the end of this year and a nice new one ahead of us next week. As someone who has been pretty frugal for most of my life I love to see and hear how people are coping with the challenges ahead.

I have increased my monthly budget for food only from £60.00 to £75.00 per month to accomodate the rising prices. But as usual I shall be tucking away in my seperate account any left over cash for a 'big' stock up shop.

I have just checked and I have around £119 in the 'big shop' account which will be spent after Christmas to restock things like washing detergents,bleach cleaning stuff and washing up liquid,toothpastes etc and dried goods.

All of this came from left over cash at the end of each month from June to December of this year.
I also have a stock of tesco vouchers, and nectar points that I can use as well during January. trimming a little here and there and utilising every penny does make a difference.

Next week when I eventually return from the Christmas celebrations I shall do a major stocktake of stuff I have, and see what's actually needed to restock my supplies.
I try to do as little shopping as I can in Jan/Feb as often the weather isn't condusive for an older lady with a stick wobbling around on icy pavements  

I have already gone through my D/D's to see what can be haggled or trimmed, and only waiting to see what I can get reduced from my sim only phone card.

Hopefully we will all get through without too much of a problem

Wishing each and everyone a very Happy Christmas, and a healthy,frugal and worry free New Year

Take care everyone

JackieO xxx

nannygladys

Joining again in 2023, I don't think my budgets will change an awful lot but I need to go through everything yet again!!, I have rejigged it all a couple of times and then think of a new project that needs to be saved for, so I'll get my act together before the new year!!
Nannyg 

fuzz

Hello frugal people, am new and want to save, be more sustainable and recycle,mend,reuse more. Am chairing our new environmental matters group at work and looking for ideas to encourage colleagues and friends to be more planet friendly,save money,protect the environment and their purses at the same time.
Is there a list of "hint n tips" or good advice anywhere please? I've searched and can only find chat threads and longer posts about this.

Thanks in advance 
Fuzz 

BookWormNotEvenSorry

Hey everyone, I will be joining on 1st January. I'm currently in rented accommodation and want to buy somewhere to call my own. My rental is for 2 years and in that time I'd like to build on my current savings to be able to put down a sizeable deposit. 

ancientmum

I spent a few hours yesterday planning my budget for next year, up to the end of April when the government's energy subsidy comes to an end.  I was shocked by the bill this month, I only have two storage heaters but have had family staying so have been cooking more and the shower has been used more often.  I've turned off the radiator in my bedroom and will only use the one in the sitting room on days when I am drying laundry, so probably two to three days a week.
I have the old state pension and an NHS pension.  I live alone in a flat, mortgage free but the leasehold costs come to about £200 a month and we have to contribute extra to maintenance costs as they arise. Thankfully it is brick built and we have not had the problem of the scandalous cladding.  I also have a parking space which would be expensive around here if I had to buy a permit.

I've worked out living costs over the year, divided by twelve and will put this into a savings account each month.  I've allowed some regular savings which give higher interest rates, and more accessible savings for emergencies and the occasional day out.  I've started a category for travel costs including petrol/bus/train fares, previously I paid for these on an ad hoc basis and ended up taking money out of savings so this seems more organised.  I have a credit card which gives me points and pay it off each month, then use the points where I can get x3 the value.

I think I will be ok, in fact I am better off in terms of disposable income than I have ever been. There have been some pretty tough times that had me learning hard lessons when I was a young mum and we were threatened with losing our home. BUT this comes at the expense of being frugal every day, balancing wants and needs and only having myself to blame if things go wrong. 

Oops, I've gone on a bit, I'll slope off now to get my green soup for lunch.  Good luck to everyone and a Happy New Year.

jackieblack

Hi Frugaldom - can I join for 2023 please?

I'm still working out what my annual budget will be for 2023, I plan to work through it over the next few days. The budget will solely be for me as I live alone, I work part time, provide some childcare for my gorgeous baby granddaughter and also have elderly parents who need my support. 

I have always had a budget for all areas of spending, with everything organised into separate ‘pots’, but have realised that I have accumulated a stash of various household items, cleaning products, stationery, knitting yarn, dressmaking fabric, more clothes than I need and also have two bulging freezers full of food, so I plan to reduce spending by using up what I have already accumulated first before buying more, this should also free up some space and help with the decluttering! 

I will update with my budget when I have some numbers firmed up
Thanks

OnABudget2023

I’ve been reading through old threads to catch up and it’s great motivation!

I am debt and mortgage free. Living off the equivalent of early retirement (I’m not 40 yet) so need to be a bit more frugal. I have a small income plus a pot to last us till we snuff it. I want to cut back on the consumerism and enjoy a more frugal life. 

I think this may be the pace for me ❤️

Jazee

Budget for January just completed and it's looking ok, phew! I'm also joining the 'buy nothing new in January' challenge.

the_cross_rabbit

Need to refocus and budget better/earn more in order to maintain op on mortgage. Col is having a big impact on our budget and op may have to stop, which will effect future plans.
CRx

Madbat60

Wow I've just done what I think is a realistic budget for January. According to what I've done I should have £1000 left a month. I have no idea where it goes so I shall start writing everything in a book. I'm lucky I have no rent or mortgage but I'm disgusted with myself if I fritter away so much money. I think by the end of January I will have more of an idea. Food shopping is going to have to be done by cash again until I get a grip of everything