2024 Frugal Living Challenge

mandy47

I've just totalled up this year's extra money makers.
Includes surveys, cashback, supermarket rewards and lottery wins (very small%)
£755.29. So I aim to improve on this for 2025.
I've been keeping track of these for years and this is my worst year to date.
I don't get much on cashback because I don't spend a lot! 
I've noticed as I get older I'm screened out of more surveys.  Obviously not the demographic they're looking for.
I'm not a regular at the lottery. Just when the mood takes me. 
Here's to doing better in 2025

Kerry_Woman

Have been catching up with a few household chores since been off on annual leave over Christmas. Go back to work tomorrow. Also managed to rest and did a few life admin bits. Only planned spend until the end of year is a small top up on my oyster card as am in 4 days this week. I know I have fallen off the band wagon a few times this year. Still in the same job, which at times is very stressful., but very grateful that I have a job. Work five a week full time and go into the office. Very local. Got another 3 and a half years before I am 60. I can get one of a company that I worked for pension. Am staying in on new year eve, got refreshments in and will be watching the fireworks display from London on tv. Have been making the most of the free electricity each Sunday. Don't know as yet if they are doing the scheme for January as yet.

nannygladys

I have been looking at my accounts and I have spent a lot out of my savings pots to cover the ever rising cost of living increases. I have done this knowingly but quite a lot of times it has been necessary  My savings have dropped and I feel really quite anxious about it all when I think about it, so 2025 has to be a more watchful year for me, one where I can build up some savings again although it won't be as much as I have spent. 

Prudent

I suspect that has been true for a lot of people @nannygladys. People’s margins are just getting thinner, pushing them into spending savings. 

I will be having a watchful 2025. I need to get some work done in the house and will have travel and some accommodation costs as I want to spend time with family who are in poor health. This wee group helps a lot though as we can share tips.

fionaandphil

I'm hoping to total up the annual spends in the next few days.

I can't believe how expensive logs are now but I do know coal has gone up massively. We are lucky that our logs are free, some of our trees have needed taken down or have had dieback so we have plenty to keep us going for another few years. Friends also call if they have wood so it's just the cost of chopping it up and our time. We've managed to not order any more coal this year too, my BIL cleared out his bunker and donated it to us in return for some meals.

We've also benefitted from slightly lower oil prices this year and have managed to buy when the price is lower. I'm hoping that we won't now have to fill until late spring.

Sausageroll14

It really is quite shocking the prices of things. I noticed a particularly insidious practice at the local li*l where they popped the price of the bog standard butter up to £2 up for the Christmas period...... I appreciate that they dropped the price of veg but come on. That's sneaky. Pleased to report it's back down now. 😁

Prudent

Very sneaky! I was in Lidl this morning and managed to get a veg box. It wasn't as full as usual but still good value. I got a six-pack of Pink Lady apples, a single loose apple, a swede, a packet of sweet potatoes, two packs of organic vine tomatoes, a net of tangerines, a pack of new potatoes, fancy lettuce and a three-pack of peppers. I also got three packs of half-price salmon fillets and two packs of half-price cod fillets. The only full-price item was milk. This evening we will have salmon, new potatoes, grilled vine tomatoes and the broccoli in cheese sauce left over from last night. 

kayannie

Prudent said:

Very sneaky! I was in Lidl this morning and managed to get a veg box. It wasn't as full as usual but still good value. I got a six-pack of Pink Lady apples, a single loose apple, a swede, a packet of sweet potatoes, two packs of organic vine tomatoes, a net of tangerines, a pack of new potatoes, fancy lettuce and a three-pack of peppers. I also got three packs of half-price salmon fillets and two packs of half-price cod fillets. The only full-price item was milk. This evening we will have salmon, new potatoes, grilled vine tomatoes and the broccoli in cheese sauce left over from last night. 

Well done on the veg box! I go shopping once a week & although I get there early, I've not had one for at least a month. 
KA

Kerry_Woman

I have added up all of categories for the year. I came under what I set myself, but the food total is separate and it has gone over budget. Rising cost and not always careful planning. Plan to do better next year.

Wishing everyone a happy and frugal new year.

Frugaldom

My final grocery order of the year turned out over £10 less because M0rris0ns had no beef left so no steak pie for new year. At this rate, it'll be mince & tatties with Yorkie puddings. 🤣

My new year resolution has been set and all it comprises of is a single word:  NO. I plan on using it as often as possible in all areas of life. 

Happy Hogmanay!