Frugal Definition
adjective
not wasteful; not spending freely or unnecessarily; thrifty; economical
not costly or luxurious; inexpensive or meager a frugal meal
(From http://www.yourdictionary.com/frugally, Last accessed: 05 January 10)

So with this in mind here are my top tips for living frugally:

Setting a monthly budget
Set a monthly budget carefully and realistically. Consider the following:

Now you’ve got a budget, stick to it.

An Emergency Fund
Start an emergency fund in a separate account if possible. Saving a set amount a month will mean if you have an unexpected expense it doesn’t mess up your monthly budget and lead you in to getting in to debt (or more debt).

Plan to Reduce Debts
Most people have debts these days, however you need to keep them manageable. You need a plan to reduce your debt, ideally making more than the minimum payments each month. Budget your debt payments in to your monthly budget.

Shop around for Insurance
Whether it’s car insurance, buildings insurance, home contents insurance, etc shop around. Use the price comparison websites like Go Compare, Money Supermarket, Compare the Market, etc. Don’t automatically go with your previous provider as there may cheaper alternatives giving you the cover you need.

Shop around for High Priced Purchase Items
So you need to buy something big eh? Perhaps it’s a new TV or a Bluray Player. What ever it is again shop around. Consider Amazon and Play.com. Look at Froogle to compare prices from different retailers like you can for insurances.

Negotiate a deal on your Bills
Companies are going to hate me for writing this, but did you know you can often blag a discount on your bills when your coming to an end of a contract with a provider?

For example when your mobile phone contract is coming to an end, ring up your current provider. Say that you’ve been offered a better deal else were and ask could they offer you a similar deal? You’ll be surprised the amount of times they will come back to you and offer you some sort of discount on your bills if you renew your contract with them. This is because they don’t want to loose your custom. So make it work for you. Negotiate with them (or in my terminology blag em) to get the best deal for you.

Stop & Think
If your an impulsive shopper like me stop and think. Ask yourself Do I really need this item? If you can’t justify a good reason don’t buy it. Think about what impact buying this item will have on your monthly budget, will it still make your budget workable? This is particularly important to remember in Supermarkets. They often have 3 for 2 offers on to get you to spend more and bulk buy. Again you need to stop and think.

In my case I love clothes shopping. Were it can’t be justified (i.e. clothes needed for work or a special occasion) and it isn’t budgeted for I must NOT buy.

Keeping in Touch
We all like to keep in touch with our friends and family. However long phone calls or text conversations can be pricey at the end of the month when the bill arrives. So at every opportunity keep in touch for free via email or Facebook.

Leisure activities, don’t have to cost…
…an arm and a leg. There are loads of things you can do for free or at a smaller cost. For example you can go walking which is essentially free. Or rather than going on a night out and spending a fortune in pubs and clubs consider a home party which will lower the costs. You simply need to be creative here.

I hope my advice has been useful (just little tips I’ve picked up along the way), now all I have to do is stick to my monthly budget.

Write soon,

Antony

Just wanted to remind you all that if your planning to purchase off Amazon on pay day you can use this Amazon link. Anything you buy will give me some commision and make no difference to your purchase price.

I managed to make in July 08 – July 09 about £3. Hardly a fortune, lol. My aim is to raise £35 to fund the site for a year.

You can also use the widgets on some blog posts that look like this:

Or use the Amazon Search Box on the right hand side of this blog.

Hugs,

Antony x

A few months ago I posted about Things I wan’t, but can’t afford, so here’s an update on the Wishlist.

1. iPhone – This is still a want! I am aware of it’s limitations (see phones) but it has some very nifty features too. I plan to upgrade to one shortly when my contract comes up for renewal.
Got? NO

2. Alan Carr – Look Who it Is! – I bought this as a gift to myself before Christmas. I have read it from cover to cover. A worth while read.
Got? YES

New Item:
2. Kylie Live ‘X’ 2008 – A DVD of Kylie’s tour I was lucky to see at the MEN (see Thanks to the attractive stranger & Photos – Kylie X2008)

3. Dawn French – Dear Fatty – Mum got it me for Christmas, in the process of reading at present.
Got? YES

New Item:
3. French and Saunders – Still Alive DVD The DVD of French and Saunders last tour, again which I was lucky enough to see it and have the tour from 2000, so I need this to add to my collection.

4. A Robot Hover – To escape the domesticated task I had this on my orignal list. However as I currently house-share, I couldn’t justify buying it for one room. So it is still on the list for if/when I move.
Got? NO

5. Silverwind – Magic for lovers – A book David and I looked at whilst shopping one day. I still fancy it as a easy read.
Got? NO

6. John Barrowman – Another Side (CD) – Downloaded this. He has a fantastic voice, I’m a big fan!
Got? YES

New Item:
Nintendo Wii Console – These looks like good fun and seen as this is a wish list, I’d love one of these!

7. Robbie Williams – Live At The Albert DVD – I once saw this at a friend of mines apartment, still want it. He is fantastic in it and soo camp in parts.
Got? NO

8. Bruce – How to Create a Magical Home – It is a beautiful book I am currently reading. Would highly recommend to anyone who loves their home and is a pagan.
Got? YES

New Item:
8. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor DVD – This had many bad reviews. But David and I watched it and I really enjoyed it. Defo, one I want to add to my DVD collection some day.

9. Western Digital My Book 1TB – I still need one of these for my increasly cluttered computer. Bless it.
Got? NO

10. Ice CreamMaker – Nobody bought my justification for wanting this. I quote (from my post Things I wan’t, but can’t afford):

My justification for this being on the list is that, if I bought it I could make healthy ice cream (yeah right! ha ha.).

I suppose I would be able to make ice cream using sweetner rather than sugar. Now wouldn’t I be a healthy diabetic? It would be diabetic ice cream (that doesn’t have a laxitive effect).

Got? NO

11. The Wizard of Oz DVD Still need to purchase this before I can call myself a gay man (reminds me of that Catherine Tate line: “He’s a gay man now da”).
Got? NO

12. Will and Grace: Complete Series 5 DVD Boxset – My older brother usually buys me this for Christmas. But this year he bought me an Science Museum Retro Space Hopper and Science Museum – ATM Bank which are even better.
Got? NO

Aditions:
13. John Barrowman – Anything Goes (Auto Biography) – Continuing my love for John.
Got? NO

14. John Barrowman – Music Music Music (CD) – His latest CD.
Got? NO

So there it is, your update! It’s nice to make a list of material things you want and tick them off as you get them.

What do you have on your Things you want, but can’t afford list? Leave comments below.

Write soon,

Antony