Living free for 2008

Fishcake_Random

Hello hello,

Last year I tried my first year at living free as possible and managed a whole year for just over £8000. This year i`m planning to beat that and thought i`d once more try and keep you all posted on how i`m doing. I`m planning on doing a daily diary on my exploits and using any money saved during this year towards buying my first proper house (two floors and everything lol).
I saw someone had bumped my posts from last year a few days ago and i`m inspired to have another bash.

I think between what I learnt last year and changes in my circumstances this comming year I do even better and cut more costs.
What do you all think?

kind regards

fishcake

taplady

Well done on what you achieved!:T have you read the Tightwad Gazette? lots of great tips there! I read your thread when you started it and wondered how you got on, will be interested to see how you do this time around!

PasturesNew

Good luck. I will be living on the equivalent of benefits in 2008.
So: my rent + council tax + £59/week. Which equates to earning £8750, or £150/week after tax, it's annoying that I lose £19/week in tax/NI when earning that little (or nearly £1000/year in tax/NI)

I'll be doing that without having a job. I don't sign on when I don't have a job, I just declare myself "self employed" and find ways to make money.

Doing a tax return once a year is a lot less hassle than filling in all those signing on forms!

You must have low rent/mortgage/council tax if you can do it on £8k

Fishcake_Random

Thank you, I promise to try and keep a better record this time lol.
The majority of last years money was my rent but after I move it`ll be £100 a month cheaper so thats 1200 of last years money allready lol. I`ve been asking for gift vouchers this year for xmas again as they really helped me last year little things like a £5 boots voucher for some bubble bath and little luxurys.

rach

wow, good luck to you! our rent alone will be £10 800 (near London) never mind council tax and bills. hope you still get to enjoy life!

Hardup_Hester

Good luck Fishcake & let us know how you get on.

larmy16

I scrape by on about 10,500 but am living in one of the most expensive areas in the country, so council tax etc. very high. Would love to hear how you manage to do it all?

studentsaver166

Wow, that's impressive, well done you! I know it's not quite the same because there are certain necessities that students don't have to pay for (the main one being council tax), but I calculated recently that I live off just under £8000 per year in London, and I do so quite happily and comfortably (I even manage to buy organic mostly!). I think it teaches you to use money much more effectively and to appreciate it so much more when you have that little bit more than what is absolutely necessary.

zenobia

Hello Fishcake, I think it was me that bumped your thread . It's nice to know that you did so well look forward to reading about your new challenge . Would it be possible to hear about how you managed this year? Best of luck

do_it_today!

Good Luck with your Challenge! I would be interested in your progress we live on alot more and I would gladly give up my job if we could live on alot less!!!

Good luck!

Crazychik

Yes, another good luck here, Im interested to know how & where these savings can be made, Ive made a lot of cut backs since finding this site just over a year ago, but I know there is room for improvement.
We started doing car boots last year, and that extra money helped towards either fuel for the car, shopping, or toward bills. We aim to do the same in 2008, and hope to be at least 80% debt free by next Christmas.
Good luck wth your challenge!