Frugal Living Challenge 2011

A question about : Frugal Living Challenge 2011

The following has been lifted from the first thread of the 2010 challenge - I felt that what Frugaldom (the originator of this challenge) had said covered everything I needed to cover as the current caretaker of the challenge

The following links will take you to all the previous challenge threads

Part 1 - January to March 2011

Introduction to 2010 Frugal Living Challenge
Part 1 - January to March 2010
Part 2 - April to June 2010

Part 1 - January to March 2009
Part 2 - April to June 2009
Part 3 - July to September 2009
Part 4 - October to December 2009

Part 1 - January to March 2008
Part 2 - April to June 2008
Part 3 - July to September 2008
Part 4 - October to December 2008

IMPORTANT
Please respect others' lifestyles and beliefs. We are not here to judge, we are here to support. Thank you

The challenge is about living a frugal lifestyle - establishing your true cost of living, sticking to your budget, clearing any debts and making savings wherever and however you can to enable you to live the life you really want.

Frugal living isn't for everyone, but everyone is welcome to join us. Methods employed by our merry band of frugalers include batch cooking, stockpiling, preserving, foraging, mending, shopping in charity shops, reducing, reusing, recycling, Local Exchange Trading Schemes (LETS), Vegetable & fruit growing, allotments, keeping hens, using cashback sites and earning whatever it takes to become self sufficient in managing the cost of living without incurring debt. For some it is initially about clearing debt, for others it's about increasing savings, buying property, becoming stay at home mums or paying off the mortgage early. Some choose the lifestyle on ethical grounds. Above all, this is a fun and supportive way to manage your budget so you have control of your own cost of living. It's about NEEDS and not WANTS.

Living on a budget = living within our means.
Frugal = thrifty, living without waste

Ideas to help you achieve and/or maintain debt free living
Spend within your means
Set a proper budget
Houseshare
Get a lodger
Shop via cashback sites but always price compare
Buy reduced items in stores only if you need them
Stockpile & bulk buy
Batch cooking
Make the most of charity shops
Join Freecycle or other similar waste awareness and recycling associations
LETS trading - become active members of trading & exchange groups
bartering
Grow your own herbs, fruit & veg
Preserving & winemaking
Card & gift making
Order splitting for better discounts & shared postal costs
Landsharing, allotments & frugal garden systems
Free scratchcards
Matched betting
Free online bingo
eBid and eBay trading
etc, etc, etc...

Monitoring and revising the budget is part of frugal living plan. Gifts & cards could all to be homemade, livestock needs to pay its own keep, anything else needs to be cash neutral.

Quote:

The bits we need to include to make this work
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Please read the MSE forum rules and help us to keep this challenge on track, thank you.
If you have any questions about this challenge, feel free to PM me.
The following is taken from the official MSE forum rules section:

KEEPING THREADS ON-TOPIC

Please try not to take threads off-topic. This can be confusing for new users and makes it especially difficult for people ... Where requests from Board Guides for threads to be brought back on track have not been followed off-topic posts may be removed. We encourage community, but not thread derailment.

Please bear in mind the main purpose of the site is to save money. The forum team has therefore been instructed to prioritise its time on the MoneySaving forums.

KEEPING TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE BOARD

There are two boards provided for off-topic chat and discussion. The MoneySavers Arms has been set up for fun, more lighter-hearted chat (although do still remember this is a family forum - keep it clean please). Discussion Time is for discussion of current issues (read Martin's description).

If you post a topic that does not relate to the board it's posted on it will be moved to a more relevant MoneySaving board or to Discussion Time/The MoneySavers Arms.
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This challenge is about paying for needs so we can afford to live debt free and save for wants. It runs from 1st January to 31st December 2011. The links will give you an idea of how previous challenges have gone.

Best answers:

• list of those taking part - I'll add names when people post on here, but if you're still missing after a couple of days please let me know
  Lurkers are also more than welcome to say hello and be added - it's always nice to know who's following us
  23rdspiral
  2wildthing2
  alec eiffel
  angelaf
  Annie56
  apple_mint
  Aril
  artichoke
  Barros
  Blairweech
  BlinkyTheHorse
  cake21
  ceridwen
  cha97michelle
  Cheapskate
  chika
  Chipps
  cloud_cuckoo_land
  CRANKY40
  cw18
  Dawning
  Decluttering
  diddly74
  dizzy lizzie
  Doom_and_Gloom
  Ellidee
  elly68
  enjoyfinancialchallenges
  Erme
  gelmc
  Georgiegirl2012
  gien
  gillst
  glendam
  grandma247
  Green_Queen
  fingersxed
  Fishcake_Random
  fizz
  Floxxie
  flying_fresian
  franby64
  franticflyerSue56
  freedom2011
  frizz2
  frugalbrunette
  Frugaldom
  frugaliciousness
  Fruittea
  goldrush1984
  heather2409
  HelenPie
  inspirespirit
  itsallinthemind
  jade86123
  jammydodgersandrhl
  jayII
  JayneC
  jess444
  jo70mo
  JustKeepSwimming
  kayharcombe
  kazire
  keenan1
  Kerfuffle
  Kerry Woman
  kezlou
  kittiej
  Kiwisaver
  knithappens
  l.m.hart
  Lady Lesley
  landregistrylass
  LauraM65
  Laushappy
  liloandstitch
  lily288
  Lily_The_Legend
  lingojingo
  LittleMissHappy
  LJC79
  loislane999
  LolaLemon
  LollopyBear
  lowspend2011
  lynzpower
  maccanut
  Marru
  midwinter
  minnie2
  miss empty piggy
  mogan6
  mommyof4
  mongmoney
  Mooloo
  mummroysof3
  Nancy888
  nannyboo1
  natnat13
  Nichelette
  NualaBuala
  OCD
  oldestgnome
  Optimisticpair
  pagangirl
  paidinchickens
  patentgirl
  Paulgonnabedebtfree
  pink_numbers
  pipersky
  Puddleglum
  rainbowcattail
  redglass
  rising from the ashes
  roger ramjet
  romylou
  rozeepozee
  rubytuesday
  salski
  SandraScarlett
  saorsie
  sarah0404
  savingforarainyday
  seriouslyfrugal
  shebrett
  silvasava
  skint_chick
  slowlyfading
  slscarborough
  Sorting it out
  sparkle76
  steerpiker
  summertea
  the_cat
  thrifty
  thriftylass
  tumptyteapot
  twiglet98
  viv0147
  xnatalie81x
  youngmummy
  weesmiler
  Winchelsea
  Winnie in Pooh
  WonderfulLife
  wornoutmumoftwo
  (currently up to 145 names )
• and for my budget spreadsheet - which I really must get posted soon
• Just wanted to wish everyone well for Quarter 2 - and to say how well I think everyone's been doing in Quarter 1
  Even if you've only shaved a few quid off here and there and/or stopped having the odd coffee when in town, then it's still an improvement to your income versus outgoing balancing act
• Morning all
  *bookmarks*
• ohh, the March figures on the SOW have faded out now it is April, very classy and very clever! And I notice that I am under my budget on petrol which means I can have a nice weekend without feeling terrible!
• Good morning everyone A nice shiny new thread to bookmark and a sign of the first quarter of the year completed.
  I've been updating my spreadsheets and looking at how I've been doing.
  I went over on my food budget by Ј2.99. I would have been under but I went into the C**p and picked up a reduced stickered chicken and a couple of boxes of Tracker bars on offer at Ј1 a box. (for OH's lunch box). However, a big chunk of the food budget has been on stocking up on offers last month (e.g. 4 large jars coffee, large bag of pasta, 2 large bags of rice plus a few other bits and bobs).
  Fuel budget is well under. I've not been in work this week and that has created a saving here. I'll be moving the underspend into my savings account. My pay day is mid-month (although I track calendar monthly for this challenge) and I move savings then.
  We've spent Ј244 on 'bits 'n' bobs' - restocking or spaving. I'm trying not to be too about this though as they are things we needed in case of power cuts (a regular occurrence), restocking the first aid kit (DH has used up the TCP, finger bandages, tape etc. this week - ) and tools, sandpaper etc. for DH. This came from the 'council tax free' element of the budget in February / March. We have also had some DVD purchases as we have given up going to the cinema (and ultimately plan to give up the TV licence). I'm thinking of creating a small set budget for DVDs then we won't feel guilty about these purchases (even though they tend to come out of my pocket money allowance).
  Yesterday I went through one of my kitchen cupboards and sorted out all the part opened packets of food in there with the aim to use them up (and to see how many more glass storage jars I need to find ). It's amazing how many bags I had sealed with klip-it clips. I'm now in use up mode I worry the DH when I do this. Last night he was presented with a rhubarb crumble topped with left over muesli, brown sugar and some bits of bobs of dried fruit. He never said a word - which means it wasn't stunning as he always lets me know if something is particularly tasty. I haven't told him yet that I've got another lock 'n' lock box of this 'mixture' to use up
  I have some pasta, macaroni, lentils and some spit peas to work my way through which should be quite easy - I'm planning on some lunchtime packed lunches based on these. I'll hunt out some glass jars (charity shops) and all the new packet starts will go into containers with labels on so that it's easier to see just what I have and the use by dates.
  I'm loving this challenge and its starting to give us a feel for where the 'expense spikes' are. We are taking the electricity metre readings and keeping a spreadsheet. I also go round the house every morning before I leave for work to make sure nothing has been left on standby etc. So we are gradually seeing the number of units used going down.
  So bring on April
• Thanks for the new thread Cheryl.
  Did my March adding up last night and seem to have done quite well, coming in under budget. I don't use the SoW as such, but have my own system. The only thing I've not done yet is to stick a couple of cards in a cashpoint to see exactly what their balances are. I do a 'snapshot' of all balances on 1st of month - have done the two online accounts already.
  Will update my sig in a minute.
  I'm a bit like enjoyfinancialchallenges - prone to spending too much time on here - but you're all so interesting! Resolution for the month is to set my kitchen timer when I come on - can't decide how much time to allow myself though.
  Have a good frugal month everyone.
  (Off topic - but am listening to R4, all about early British rock'n'roll - my youth! - brilliant!)
• Aaaaaah lovely new thread
  Can't believe the first 3 months have passed already ~ whooooosh there they go
  The fantastic SoW is looking fairly healthy, apart from motoring costs and house costs however these are both explained by car and buildings and contents insurance both being due in February I had the money saved so paid them both as one offs however it has upset the spreadsheet a bit, though it will recover as the months go on.
  Health costs are also looking a bit depleted due to a new pair of glasses in March (frugally sourced frames from e*bay and lenses from gl*sses d*rect but still an expense) but again barring any emergencies, this will also recover.
  Have made a decision to cancel my gym memebership which after a 3 month termination period will save me Ј62.50 a month ~ I'm not using it enough to justify that monthly cost and am incorporating walking and cycling into my daily routine rather than using the car so healthy and frugal.
  Every thing else is on track so pleased with the progress that's been made ~ here's to quarter 2 my fellow frugalistas
  -s-
• Hi everyone,
  Thanks for starting the new thread. I know everyone says this, but I can't believe it's April already. Had the budget meeting last night and we had Ј4 of our spends budget left, Ј10 from the grocery and Ј170 to save from general "stuff". Nearly fell off the chair. Here's to a good quarter for everyone.
• Morning everyone!
  I've been directed to this thread by the lovely Flying Fresian (thanks FF ) because we're about to take a massive hit on our income (down Ј500 ) due to me being unable to continue my job in a chippy because I'm pregnant and I've got a hernia!
  I suspect I will be mostly lurking and stealing ideas to make our money go further, but is there a recommended starting point?
  TIA
• Please may I join from april onwards - tend to keep my accounts to tie in with tax year anyway. Many thanks
• welcome both
  names added to list
• Welcome Winnie in Pooh and Heather 2409 :-)
  Winnie in Pooh Cheryl's top two posts are a great place to start. I have my own spreadsheets but Cheryl has produced the Spreadsheet of Wonder which a lot of the frugalista's use. It's a good idea to track your spends so as to see how much is going out of the household and get a handle on where it is possible to cut back. I don't have a set target for the year, for me it's a case of learning how much the household costs to run and to see where I can scrape some pennies into our savings.
  I've just spent a happy 45 minutes on mysupermarket.com looking at Mr T's offers to see where I can stock up on offers for April. I now have a set list of items I'm going in for (and will try not to wander off track!). We have 3 supermarkets quite close by to each other and I'm not loyal to any one of them. Who ever gives me the best price gets my pennies.
• Hi all, I hope you're all doing well. I lost my way at about page 51 of the last thread and the thought of trying to catchup and read the latest was all too much, so I'll try again and hopefully Q2 will slow down a bit.
  I'm still doing my frugal utmost and everything is all on track having spent 'only' $3,340.07 of the $3,750.00 available quarter to date budget. So I am well pleased with being $658.93 favourable as this puts me in good stead for the higher winter heating expenses etc. The garden has been pretty productive over the past couple of months, especially with potatoes, apples and cucumbers, but we're on the very last legs now, with just a couple of butternut squashes to come and perhaps a few last apples this weekend.
  I see the biggest risk of blowing the budget at the moment will be the price of petrol if it stays where it is.
• Hi all! Thanks for the new thread and all the fab links CW18.
  Here's to a positive start to April! The sun is shining here and it's warmer than it's been for days.
  I'm hoping to do better this month, I lost focus a bit last month. I'm starting today with a storecupboard check and a new frugal menu plan. I need to go through my fridge too, and find a way to use the space more efficiently. DS is veggie and I like to stock up on frozen convenience foods in for him when they're on offer, it makes my life much easier on the evenings we do have meat. I know it's lazy, but I'm sometimes so tired after work.
  I hope everyone is well, (((hugs))) to anyone who needs them.
• OOOOOOOHHHHH shiny!!!!
  I am officially in bed today with a really horrible cold I felt completely fine untill about 7-8pm and its just hit me hard and fast which is so strange.
  It is doubly annoying as I really thought this month Aunt Flo would finally visit, she's been missing almost a year now, but being sick normally throws me off. Oh well!!!
  My last spend of the month yesterday was the pricey sum of Ј2.25 lol. I picked up a wonderfull cookbook to try for Ј1.25.
  Link here; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ingredients-...1665307&sr=8-1
  I also picked up 2 knitting patterns and 2 stitchcraft magazines (one from the 70's one the 60's). One of the patterns is a crochetted wedding dress, which it just sooo beautifull!!! I've already started on it and intend to use it as my wedding dress if it looks okay. Fingers crossed. I will see if I can find a photo of it online to share with you guys.
  As I am having a day in bed recovering today is going to be a NSD.
  Good luck to us all for part 2. Whoop whoop
  x x x
• Fishcake_Random - Hope you feel better soon.