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Feb 2012
9:34pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,963 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
A thread for people who either need to live on next to nothing in order to get by, or for those who need to save for something big and can only do so by cutting back. Hints, tips and much needed support to be found here!
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Feb 2012
9:37pm, 20 Feb 2012
13,154 posts
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Pestomum
Always look at what you're spending, not how much you're "saving".
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Feb 2012
9:42pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,964 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
My Living for Less blogs proved quite popular, but lately that stuff is getting buried amongst my marathon training. Until recently I was in the position of having no choice but to live on next to nothing, having been put on a 4 day week during the recession. Eventually I dug myself out of that hole.
Now I am finally back on a level pegging I want to save up for a new computer (mine is very, very old) before this one dies, and an entire new kitchen - the works - units, appliances, floor, ceiling, lights, artex removal, tiling.... But at the same time I need to enjoy a better quality of life than I was before, which means little more than keeping up my expensive gym membership. I am a much happier person with my lovely gym in my life. Not just any gym, I tried others. No, it has to be *my* gym.
When Living for Less was an absolute necessity it was actually easier. Now I find it all too easy to accidentally buy things I don't need. So I'm hoping for some butt kicking in that department!
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Feb 2012
9:49pm, 20 Feb 2012
936 posts
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auburnette
*lurks*
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Feb 2012
9:54pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,966 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
I made myself an accounts package in Excel. Quite simple, but at the time I was doing a course so was quite au fait with formulae and linking sheets and the like. Doubt I could do it now! Anyway, I basically have my income, deduct the monthly outgoings such as mortgage, bills etc etc, an allowance of £90 per month for petrol (I have to drive quite a lot but it's still cheaper than public transport) and £75 per month for food for me and the cat. The amount I'm left with after that will be saved into one of 4 pots:
1 - Annual bills such as car insurance, buildings and contents insurance, tax disc, car servicing, MOT, dentist and Vet
2 - Birthday presents, Christmas presents, race entries, stuff for me (such as running shoes)
3 - Holidays including cattery, hotel, transport and spending money for races away from home and actual holidays
4 - The Kitchen (and computer) Fund
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Feb 2012
10:01pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,967 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
Currently I'm massively overspent on 1 due to February being the month of Car Insurance, Service and tax. I'm also rather over on 2 due to getting into the GNR and also entering Munich Marathon. And a little over on 3 due to booking a hotel for Munich. I've not booked flights yet. The negative numbers were scaring me! The Fund is empty as I had to redistribute the funds I'd saved to go towards all of the above.
I have £9.10 left of my £75 food budget and payday is 2 weeks tomorrow....
A small amount of money saved this week - I had booked a half day holiday for Friday and my intention was to get the bus to work so that I could run home (it being easier to run 12 miles with 4 @ HM pace on a point to point route starting at 5pm than to get home from work, get changed and head out at 6pm to do the run on a hilly loop from home). The bus costs £4.20 one way (it's two buses actually and it takes two hours on public transport, hence the half day holiday!). However I have managed to negotiate a lift into work so have cancelled the half day and will run home as planned. At some point I'll need to repay the lift of course.
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Feb 2012
10:04pm, 20 Feb 2012
11,067 posts
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DeeGee
£9.10 on a fortnight's food is going to be a tough challenge...
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Feb 2012
10:07pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,968 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
I think it might be OK DeeGee. I've just been to the supermarket and the freezer and cupboards are really quite well stocked (in comparison to their normal state as opposed to in comparison to a normal person's cupboards). The cat's got enough food to last till past payday too. I *should* only need to buy bananas and apples. Maybe some cat litter. Maybe some bread. Maybe Oat Milk.
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Feb 2012
10:07pm, 20 Feb 2012
4,539 posts
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lammo
yeah blimey £75 a month sounds tough, all the best
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Feb 2012
10:08pm, 20 Feb 2012
2,969 posts
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CC2 Speedy Goth
Been living off that for years now, it's perfectly possible but not always fun.
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The Retirement Thread
Dec 2024