Category Archives: Budget

£500 A Month Budget – 1 Week In

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Frugal Trenches

Photo credit Honestly, I feel like it gets easier each day. After paying my bills, I’m living on £25 a week ($38 US) for food, gifts, clothing, make-up, cards and well anything! The first few days I had so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, £500 A Month | 10 Comments

£20 A Week Menu Plan

Posted on April 17, 2010 by Frugal Trenches

Photo credit (sadly mine came out blurry!) Depending on the season of life you’re in, you need to approach most things with a serving of flexibility! Today brought another migraine (in truth it never really left) and so I decided I needed to add … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Food, Groceries, Menu Plan, £500 A Month | 16 Comments

Financially Savvy Fridays – The £500 Budget & Food Edition

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Frugal Trenches

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve committed to living on £500 ($730) a month including rent, insurance, car costs, food, recreation, medications, make-up, clothing, toiletries, phone costs and anything else which arises! This plan involves a lot of “sacrifice” but five days … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Financially Savvy Fridays, Frugal Food, £500 A Month | 13 Comments

‘S Wonderful ‘S Marvelous

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Frugal Trenches

Ten months ago I sat down with one of my closest friends and organized her finances, it was no easy feat! With an income of £12,000 a year and a mortgage, she was struggling and never seemed to have any money left. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Living, Frugal Travel, Personal Responsibility, Single's Money | 18 Comments

How To Establish A Budget Part I

Posted on November 21, 2009 by Frugal Trenches

A reader Claudia emailed me asking if I had ever posted how to have a jar system for budgeting, I suddenly realized I hadn’t exactly explained it in much detail, so I thought I’d begin a series! I honestly think … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Living | 6 Comments

Frugal Fun

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Frugal Trenches

A comment on my last post implied that it was depressing to live on a £20 a week food budget and a £8 a week entertainment/fun budget. It made me giggle because I used to spend 3x that on food … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Living, Lessons Learned, Personal Responsibility | 26 Comments

Getting Those Financial Ducks in a Row

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Frugal Trenches

Yes, I know this picture isn’t of ducks, but I figure the swans are a good substitute! For the last six weeks I’ve been working with my wonderful flatmate, helping her to learn a new thrifty cash system for spending. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Living, Repairing Damage | 22 Comments

Simple Living and Reducing Stress – Part I

Posted on November 16, 2008 by Frugal Trenches

Today, I am going to start a series on living simply and downshifting by reducing stress. The reality is that we all have stress in our lives, it is a normal, somewhat natural part of living, particularly in a modern … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Downshifting, Dreams, Emergency Fund, Family Life, Frugal Living, Personal Responsibility, Simplicity, reducing stress | 29 Comments

Frugal Food Tip

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Frugal Trenches

I’ve always wanted to stick by the principle of making sure I make an extra meal when I make dinner, often I would start with good intentions, but then when I’d bring the dishes back into the kitchen and pick … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Eco Living, Frugal Food, Frugal Living | 2 Comments

May Grocery Challenge

Posted on May 31, 2008 by Frugal Trenches

So this month I participated in the May Grocery Challenge. I was listed on the site but for some reason can’t see myself there now. My budget was £80 = $160 for all my groceries in May and I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Frugal Food, Frugal Living | 4 Comments