I Just Want To Retire Debt Free

I have been having a look at other people’s diaries and thinking about what could work for me. For example, I cannot change my Electricity supplier but the good thing is I don’t have to pay a standing charge, we literally pay for what we use (and it’s a good rate), therefore if I want to pay less, I use less, simple! I turn things off, no stand by, I think about everything before I plug in, I try to have manual rather than electric gadgets e.g. whisk (my Nan’s), coffee grinder (I use it for spices that I buy in bulk). My electrical appliances are fairly new and were the most economical and environmentally friendly in the market at the time of purchase. I work from home most of the time so don’t need to take lunches, but I do need to think about when I go off for meetings – do I need a snack if the meeting goes on longer? Do I need a flask of coffee? I must admit I have been guilty of popping in somewhere for a quick coffee and cake – not good for my pocket or waist. But I am making a list of things that I should be thinking about :

Use up my huge store of toiletries – I buy essentials each week whether I need them or not, hence the store. I have enough face cream (posh stuff too) to see me through to Christmas 2018.
Use half the amount of washing powder and dishwasher tablets and forget fabric conditioner.
Don’t waste food, think about how to use leftovers creatively or freeze.
Use Aldi and Lidl more – go once a week with a list rather than shop on a daily basis in the nearest supermarket.
Buy second hand where possible for items I need (not think I need)
Write down ALL spending
Make more use of the allotment for cheap, organic veg and exercise. I only pay £17.50 a year for the allotment and am now making all my own compost, so it is definitely cheaper to grow my own.
Forage more, wild blackberries are more nutritious than expensive, shop bought blueberries! (I do have a big bag of blackberries in the freezer)

There is obviously going to be a lot more to add to my list, this is just the start of my frugal living. Can anyone add anything else or give me some tips please? I am so enthusiastic at the moment that I am thinking about every way I can save money so always willing to learn.

I had leftover stir fry for lunch, just as good today as yesterday.
Tonight we had Roasted Squash and Sage Risotto and it was delicious. Both the Squash and the Sage came from the allotment. There is a lovely satisfaction from eating food you have grown, I feel a domestic goddess glow!

£1.06 Interest on Bank Account (put into Emergency Fund Account – every little helps)

NSD (yay!)

Running Totals :
Extra Money : £41.66
Money Saved : £273.50 (not including non eBay spending) (forgot to include money saved on internet change yesterday)

Hi Seasidegal58 Nice to meet you. I am struggling with the decluttering but getting there slowly. I feel happier if I give it to charity and then I know it's not 'wasted', I also have a big pile for a boot sale next week. Hopefully the extra cash will help me not miss it!

Didn’t spent any money yesterday which was great. Earned an extra £25.00 on a little private job.
Had a meal out of freezer for dinner. Getting quite good at this no spending lark. Although I did some browsing at the Vauxhall garage for a new car