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Original poster

My new years resolution is to be more frugal. Anyone else?

90 replies

PublicEnemyNumeroUno · 22/12/2013 13:23

I need to stop frittering money away on crap. I'd like to have some savings, one day I'd like to be able to take my children to Florida but struggle to save.

So in the new year I'm going to be a superscrimper.

I used to meal plan and was very good at it. But then when I passed my driving test and started actually going to the supermarket rather than doing my shopping online my food bills doubled!

So I'm going back to meal planning and would like to get my food bill down to £40 a week. Even less if I can.

I will be buying all clothes from eBay and charity shops OR just making do with what I've already got.

Cook and bake everything from scratch

I also plan to bulk buy some stuff in January and have a bit of a stock pile, things like rice, pasta, washing powder etc

Is anyone else planning to save/be more frugal in 2014?

I've also been lurking on the money saving expert forums for tips.

And yesterday, instead of chucking some rather soft black bananas in the bin I made banana and white choc chip muffins out of them using ingredients I already had :)

OP posts:
MudCity · 22/12/2013 19:12

Good idea about writing down everything you spend money on. I worked out once that every time I went to the petrol station for fuel I spent an average of £5 on confectionery, drinks, magazines and other grocery items which were above my weekly shop. My DP does the same. He always comes home with a a bag of crap when he has been to the garage.

I have just subscribed to a favourite monthly magazine and saved 25% on the cost. And it will be delivered for free which saves me going to the local newsagent or into town to get it and spending even more money.

Iamnotanugget · 22/12/2013 19:12

As Claret said there's a great money saving support thread on here. My tips to you would be when online shopping put it in the basket and promise yourself you'll buy it tomorrow. Usually when you go back the next day you no longer want it. As for milk, buy it and freeze it or only take the correct money with you. Change takes time but these small differences will all help.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 22/12/2013 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PublicEnemyNumeroUno · 22/12/2013 19:20

But when you freeze milk how do you defrost it? Last time I froze milk when it had thawed it was like slush, do you take it out the freezer and leave bit for a bit or put it in the fridge? Will it return to normal consistency? Or will it be watery?

I've got a fridge freezer and a chest freezer so plenty of space to freeze stuff but I've always worried about freezing milk and wasting it

OP posts:
MincedMuffPies · 22/12/2013 19:24

I freeze milk in icecube trays, then if I run out I can still have a cuppa tea.

bishbashboosh · 22/12/2013 19:26

I'm another one
Spend just for the sake of it

Need to try harder

specialsubject · 22/12/2013 20:29

stop buying clothes, jewellery and makeup. Let me know when you run out of any of these - if either of us live that long.

no magazines, no books (go to the library!), no DVDs (you have plenty).

and no crisps - mostly air and salt!

jollyjester · 23/12/2013 11:47

I'm in! We want to start TTC No 2 but I really need to pay off my Credit Card bill first!

My January aim is to Ebay loads of stuff I never wear / don't use! Then I plan to keep it in my Paypal account and do one massive transfer to pay it at once.

I also need to switch to a 0% balance transfer then not use the actual card! Ive a separate card with a small limit on it I keep for emergencies.

Its doable isn't it? I need reassured!

lifesgreatquestions · 23/12/2013 13:03

So there are a few of us with internet habits, phew. It is really bad. That's a great plan to write purchases in the diary. And then it can be a great relief when I return things as I could always go back and cross things off! (I've bought stuff just since posting ere yesterday!!!)

lifesgreatquestions · 23/12/2013 13:15

Shit. I just listed everything I've bought in the sales, thankfully including most things yet to arrive and which I can return. £400. I am only saying this to out myself, to guilt myself into sending crap back. I must think I'm made of money. How depressing.

MudCity · 23/12/2013 14:37

jollyjester it is definitely do-able. Switch to a 0% deal on your credit card and cut it up. And delete it from your saved accounts on websites like Amazon too.

lifesgreatquestions you could be me. I think I am made of money too. Adding stuff up like that makes me want to cry. Especially when I realise that half of it, I don't need (because I have one very similar...or in a slightly different shade) or even really like...

I need to keep away from the sales. It get fleeting satisfaction from buying stuff but it is too depressing two years on when I realise I haven't worn it and have several similar things that I also haven't worn.

Mum2Fergus · 23/12/2013 15:08

Just declined opportunity to register for Next sale...it's a start lol. Also unsubscribing from any retailers that email me,6 already today!

Iamnotanugget · 23/12/2013 15:40

I put milk in the freezer on day I buy it and then just leave it out for 6-24 hours depending on volume/room temperature. Give it a good shake and it's exactly the same as fresh.

Allofaflumble · 23/12/2013 16:51

Hi

Looking forward to reading the whole thread, but I joined a credit union beginning of last year and did a direct debit. It is lovely to see it adding up and your really don't want to touch it if you can but knowing it is there for emergencies is liberating. If I have anything left over in my current account, I whip it out and into the CU it goes.

I also set one up for some of the money my son gives in keep for him, and he was over the moon when he was able to go out and buy a new (second hand) car when his gave up the ghost.

That would be my number one tip anyway.

CremeEggThief · 23/12/2013 17:36

I can't cut back any more than I have already, as I'm on a very tight budget as it (£75 per week for everything, after rent and all bills), but my resolution is to stick to that budget and no more borrowing a fiver or a tenner off next week's budget!

Original poster
PublicEnemyNumeroUno · 23/12/2013 18:06

I have a standing order already on my current account so that every Wednesday £5 goes into my savings account, I'm going to change that so that £10 goes in

OP posts:
Littleredant · 23/12/2013 18:34

Public, if possible try to get your MoT done through a Council MoT centre. Our ancient car had a long list of advisories last year (adding up to est £800 of work which we didn't have done). Same car this year had one minor advisory (relating to tyres). Difference? This year we used the Council centre. Great service and you can always get a recommended mechanic to do any work that might need doing if it fails.

herladyship · 23/12/2013 18:39

I'm in!

Want to go to NYC next December & DH & I have agreed not to touch existing savings, so only option is to save hard which I'm crap at & not fritter money away

My target is £5k which will be very tight but not impossible

herladyship · 23/12/2013 18:41

Have already reduced food budget to £300 p/month & finished gym subscription (which we never used anyway) So a good start Smile

MyMILisfromHELL · 23/12/2013 19:42

Have a huge debt to pay off over two years, so I'm definitely in. Also going back to work next year & will be paying for childcare, so need to watch EVERY penny!

WaitingForPeterWimsey · 23/12/2013 19:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kiwikaterpillar · 23/12/2013 22:53

Count me in. I am returning to work in February after 9 months of maternity leave with my beautiful DD as finances dictate we need my wage ( don't want to go back and feeling anxious about it atm but financially it's the only way forward). We are very lucky though to be able to afford DH to become a SAHP (and do some studying) but it means we will need to tighten our belts. Have just implemented meal planning and hope this will help cut our considerable food costs down.

Allofaflumble · 24/12/2013 18:38

Mincedmuffpies That has to be one of the best tips I have ever read! Simply marvellous dahling. Freezing milk in an ice cube tray. Fab. I hate waking up to tea with no milk. Thank you. :)

MincedMuffPies · 24/12/2013 22:44

allofaflumble it was justine or olivia MNHQ who said about it a year or so ago, it really is a fab tip.

Mum2Fergus · 26/12/2013 20:15

Back to work tomorrow (well I say 'work'...I'll turn up and log on PC lol) so plan on doing a full meal plan,3-4 weeks worth that I can rotate. Tidy up Bank acs,couple of old ones I can close...diarise when utilities are due for renewal so I can shop around early. Have also set up DD to start overpaying credit card when I get paid and not with what I have left at end of month...