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Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Frugal January, everyone welcome.

999 replies

Fluffycloudland77 · 31/12/2014 16:55

Useful links.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/1324074-For-those-who-cant-afford-to-use-central-heating-this-year-How-are-you-going-to-cope

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1543785-your-top-tips-for-money-saving-and-a-more-frugal-life

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1600030-Small-money-saving-habits-petty-even

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1628874-Gas-Elec-Bills-monthly-and-SKY-so-angry

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1911061-NO-MORE-COLD-MUMSNETTERS

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2209167-Slow-Cookers-are-shit

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2224969-saving-money

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2258202-Debt-mutual-support-thread-number-6-start-the-new-year-with-a-clear-purpose-and-keep-moving-forwards-even-by-tiny-steps?

orchard.tesco.com/ Sign up to this.

www.topcashback.co.uk/home And this.

www.quidco.com/home/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub ditto.

www.checkoutsmart.com/ Plus this.

www.hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new?page=3 Check this daily.

Happy New Year Everyone!

OP posts:
HearMyRoar · 31/12/2014 22:02

Hello. I sort of fell off December due to stress with my mum going into hospice but I really want to get back on to the sensible spending this year.

I am trying out the free month of ynab to decide if it's worth investing in. It's taken a bit of getting my head round but I think I've sussed it now. I've even set up dh with a really basic budget to try and pursued him to start recording his spends as he is terrible at it and always ends up over drawn. Not sure how well that's gone down to be honest, but I have threatened to glare at him in a severe fashion if he doesn't keep to his spending budget this month, so I am sure that will scare him into compliance Grin

mortil2 · 31/12/2014 22:17

passthecake and spotty thank you for getting back on the weekly spend. I tend to spend 100 per week but still top up. I really want to cut that down and I am sure I can if I plan better. People talk about coin sweeping?? What is that? And an app...
Sorry, I'm new

Iamnotanugget · 31/12/2014 22:29

I've sat down with dh and forecast our finance for the next 12 months. On paper we're fine but there's a lot of things we want to do so to achieve them I need to stop any 'sod it, it's Friday' take aways and stick to our new, realistic, budget.

Hello lots of new people and Happy New Year everyone!

FantaSea · 31/12/2014 22:54

mortil coin sweeping is where you put the odd amount of money into another savings account. So, for example, if you had £15.38 in your current account you sweep the 38p into a savings account so leaving the £15.00 in your current account. I hadn't heard of it either until a couple of days ago!

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 31/12/2014 22:58

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 31/12/2014 23:01

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Bluecarrot · 31/12/2014 23:27

I'm really rubbish at keeping up with long threads but will join in anyway if you don't mind Grin

In 2015 I want to teach DP some basic finances. It's always been my responsibility (and I enjoy it) but its time he got more involved and it became a team effort. He has a gambling addiction that's only under control as he doesn't have easy access to our main account ( though he could access if he wanted to- he knows where card is kept and what pin is) but its enough of a psychological barrier to stop him. I'm hoping when we plan together he will see the benefits more and maybe even get the kick out of it like I do.

Only area we need to really cut back is food. I fell out of the way of good planning when pregnant with dd2 and she turns 1 in Jan so no more excuses!

Wishing everyone health, wealth and happiness in 2015!

mortil2 · 31/12/2014 23:29

Thank you Fanta and ohhel great advice. I will definitely go through my cupboards when I get back home on Sunday. I have used my nearest Lidl recently but will now make it more regular. I am keen to start the coinsweeping too. Happy new year to everyone Flowers

lilacclery · 01/01/2015 01:03

I would heartily recommend the lidl 7 meals for €50 as it gives you the shopping list, you might already have some of the ingredients in stock. The chicken & sweet potato traybake has made it into our regular dinners.

Dh wants to get on board too, he often suffers from 'f it we work hard enough' but we need to clear debt & have agreed to make that a focus for 2015 & another resolution is to see local bands play live.

DinksMum · 01/01/2015 02:52

Hello, I'd love to join you all here. We currently live abroad, but are moving back to the UK this year. I want to save as much as we can for a mortgage and also use up the copious amounts of larder food I've been hoarding!
Im a bit disapointed in myself for not saving more, but what's done is done and we just need to buckle down and get ourselves organised.

antimatter · 01/01/2015 03:32

Joining in. Need to face the music this year ! Time to divorce ex and sort out all our joint finances.
I have all the necessary tools for saving and need to use them...

SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2015 05:58

Welcome all newbies.

Mortil having one cheap meal a week can make a different too. Jacket potatoes or beans/cheese on toast or pasta and sauce.

We're going out for lunch with friends today but have a £20 voucher which I'm sure our friends won't mind us using. Dd wants a snow glow elsa Hmm so I've allowed her some of her Christmas money to buy it with (usually all their money goes straight into their account).

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 01/01/2015 07:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2015 07:17

I don't think I have anything of that value to swap! (Or that anyone would want Grin, unfortunately).

babsmam · 01/01/2015 07:24

Should be a NSD today. No shops open round here except sainsburys and I'm not going there.
Happy new frugal year.

fuzzpig · 01/01/2015 08:01

Happy new year everyone! And welcome to all newbies :)

Fluffycloudland77 · 01/01/2015 08:33

fuzzpig I would love a heat pump tumble drier, I remember them being £1000 in currys so £500 is a bargain. If you had a second hand spin dryer it would cost you even less to dry towels and jeans etc.

Yesterday I bought a divan base wrap & a satin throw for the bed to keep the cat fur/mud off from Very, £64 but I had a £30 off code. Forgot to use cashback so I'm cross with myself.

Welcome newbies.

Thermal curtains, yes they are worth it, or curtains lined with cheap fleece blankets from the supermarket. I used safety pins to fix them on at the last house.

OP posts:
colliewobbles83 · 01/01/2015 08:58

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

northender · 01/01/2015 09:16

Happy new year! Marking spot for later

SpottyTeacakes · 01/01/2015 09:21

I've just applied for two jobs. Wish me luck. I'm sure dd will survive on her own at home without any childcare Hmm

avocadotoast · 01/01/2015 09:35

Hello Smile I haven't read through everything yet but marking my place as I'd like to join in. Spending today sorting out our finances, using YNAB to get everything sorted, and giving DH a kick up the arse to sort the bits I have no control over!

Sixforgold · 01/01/2015 09:56

Happy new year everyone! Welcome to anybody new or returning. January is a great time to start being frugal as everyone seems to be tightening their belts!

We spent £30 on an early dinner out with friends. We were home by 7pm although DH did go out later in the evening. I saw in the new year in bed, watching Friends and eating haribo - it was ace :)

Luckily we still have some money left in our Christmas savings pot so I'm not starting my full on frugalness until next week. We still have a couple of outings planned before term starts next week.

My goals for 2015 are very similar to next year - £100pm to savings, regular money into pots for car and christmas, decluttering/selling as much as possible.

Ememem84 · 01/01/2015 09:59

Signing in for January. I am officially in between jobs at present. Last pay check from old job came and went on 23 dec. next one will be coming on 20 feb from new job. So we are a one income household from now.

I have about £1.5k on credit card from our month away (booked a year ago -before job change). And we need to start serious saving for deposit for new house.

Dh earns good money. So we'll be fine temporarily but I need to learn to manage. And do without.

I'm in charge on food shopping so will be veggie for a while (mostly eaten meat this holiday - need green!!!), no booze (nz is home of wine. I indulged and drank more than my fair share), minimal treats.

So far in January - no spend day.

Tomorrow will be a spend day. Were going riding (£80). And treats at airport before boarding plane to use up leftover NZ$.

Have a car service and new radiators for house to pay for once we get back. Eek.

girliefriend · 01/01/2015 10:11

Signing in Smile

needastrongone · 01/01/2015 10:16

Good luck spotty Smile

Welcome to all new folk and Happy New Year.

mortil - if it helps, I have teen DC, so can understand how you food shop goes less far than when said DC were younger! I would say that my food budget hovers around £120pw, included in that figure would be beer/wine, toiletries and cleaning items. We eat packed lunches too, although DH will have lunch on expenses if travelling for his job.

Things that have helped me are getting my shop delivered each week, rather than being tempted at the supermarket. One 'cheap' meal a week such as egg and chips, omelette, jacket spuds, risotto. I often do a cheap pudding such as crumble or banana cake to supplement that night.

One veggie meal a week. I would have many more but DH doesn't think it's meal without meat! Meal planning helps. I freeze a lot more now, even small bits of stock and leftovers. Slow cookers work well.

Also invested in a soup maker so bits of leftover veg get used up and DD takes to school for lunch in a flask. The soup maker was £50 admittedly, but it also blends and juices.

Also have fruit and veg delivered from the local market, which saves loads on supermarket prices. Cleaning products are from pound type shops. Meat from local farm shop, which is far cheaper and much nicer.

NSD today. Went to a friends house last night and partied but feel reasonable ok today. DH and I are doing 'dry January', we drink too much, our main vice, and both need to cut back.

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