Poor but happy at 55 need to be debt free to retire!!!

Purpleclutterbuck

Hiya PBH!:hello:I know the smilies are a tad juvenile but what the heck they make me smile!
I went out today and decided to shop at mr m’s –the shelves were stocked up and the shop was really empty (unheard of on a Monday round here) so I poodled around and stoopidly filled the trolley which what can only be described as utter rubbish and then it hit me "the grocery challenge!"
I used to find that I could control the spending if I felt more focused and I fancied a few treats during the forthcoming lean times(not sure what yet ! maybe a weekend away or??? )so I put back nearly £40 of stuff! and finished up feeling happier and proud of little old (young)me.
So I have decided to work my days to a sort of schedule as though still at work but include tea breaks and knitting breaks and also chicken feeding breaks (they are a recent addition and boy do they make me laugh!)However I also can have a day off whenever I want to and I have got to stop feeling guilty if I don’t achieve a mega amount of cleaning/clearing etc etc as life is meant to be enjoyed!
So, enjoy your day's off during the week and don't worry about still working (and sometimes yes- I miss work and I miss the people !!!!):o

Claw_back_money

Sounds like you got some real bargains PBH. Is the book you fancied one that you can borrow from the library?

Oooo - a personal recommendation for hotels would be great! Good luck with finding one.

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

Whoopee another NSD!!

Took breakfast & lunch to work & had store cupboard meal pasta, pesto & parmesan followed by tinned fruit & cream. When my cupboards are bare do I restock with a big shop or just buy what I need weekly? I'm not sure which will be the best way financially.

Claw_back_money

You must be aiming for some sort of NSD record!!!

Re groceries, my current philosophy is to restock with what I need, not what I'm out of. That sounds a bit daft - I'll give an example: I used to have lasagna, and pasta, and macaroni, and rice, and noodles in the cupboard all the time. Now, I tend to always have pasta and will buy when we're running low, but I meal plan and only buy the others if there is a meal planned using it that week, or if its on incredibly special offer. My thinking was that its not such a bargain if its costing me interest sitting there for several weeks unused. The same applies for frozen food, vegetables, and other store cupboard goods - its the shop's job to sell it to me whether I want it or not; its my challenge to only buy what we need!
Others on the forum seem to do their shops monthly though, and it works really well for them. What are you used to doing?

Poorbuthappy55

CBM I am definitely going for the NSD record another one today!! This is partly due to lack of funds. I was paid on the 22nd December and don't want to go overdrawn or use credit.

Before DFW I was a rather haphazard shopper no regular pattern which in a lots of ways has been my downfall up until now. I never had any budget, plan or method I just gaily bought what I wanted when I wanted - none of that now of course.

I think I tend to favour your method have some basics in but mealplan weekly. I'd never manage monthly I would have to be far too organised.

Off to pick DD up from work & will use OHs car because mine is quite low on fuel. Should get cheque for some extra work i did any day now.

Claw_back_money

:T NSD!

Mealplanning is boring - but - worked wonders for us in reducing waste (which was why we started) and then money.

Have a good day - hope your cheque turns up soon.

Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

I have had another NSD today and yesterday - amazing!!!!

I have spent today at home pottering about, cooking and a tiny bit of cleaning. I've also been reading (guiltily)! The less time I spend shopping the more time I have for other things. Time but not money!

Poorbuthappy55

I'm doing really well not spending which is due to the fact i haven't got much money until payday! yesterday I only spent 44p on a tin of dog food and today I have had another NSD.

I have baked bread and a cake for lunch boxes and listed 20 more items on Amazon. I think I have made about £45 on Amazon this month but will check and update my sig after i have received payment.

Tomorrow morning I am going to list more ebay items. My photos don't come out so well in the dark.

Claw_back_money

£45 is brilliant:beer: and you're doing so well on the NSDs. Hopefully payday is sometime this week and you'll be able to relax a little?

I sometimes get guilty about reading when I get stuck in a book and really don't want to put it down and OH is doing tea or whatever. And on cold dark days I find its so much nicer to curl up with a good book than get motivated and do something energetic - which probably accounts for the shape I am :rotfl:

Cheers
Cbm

Sun_Addict

Hi Pbh - just catching up with your diary and I think you've done brilliantly with all the NSDs and the selling! At least now you can see the change in yourself by not spending when you don't have the money instead of bunging it on a credit card.