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

Poorbuthappy55

Well it had to happen didn't it - I've been shopping!! I only spent £31.52 which is brilliant but it has taken me over my self imposed £150 for January. SA you're right though I didn't use my credit card!! :j

CBM - curling up with a good book is an underated pleasure which I indulge in whenever I can.

I finished most of the things I intended to do today except Ebay - I'm not in the mood today.

Have a good day tomorrow everyone.

Claw_back_money

Oooh PBH - shopping 'I don't believe it' (think Victor whatsit voice)....

I think you've done so well through this long tough month, what would you have spent pre-MSE? And it sounds like you've not added to the CC problem either.

Roll on pay day, lighter evenings, and warmer temperatures!

Cbm

Claw_back_money

What was the tally of your DFD in the end then, now we're nearly through January. Did you have a target in mind - and did you meet it?

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

Hi CBM

Haven't been on here fir over a week - I'm having withdrawal symtoms.

I managed an incredible 17 NSD's in January with no CC spending and my overall shopping came to £181.59 which was over my £150 budget but I'm pretty chuffed that it was under £200.

Pre MSE I would have bought stuff I didn't need in the sales, carried on spending at least £100 a week in the supermarket on my credit card!!

The only thing is I think I'm getting a bit "tight" and don't actually want to spend anything.

On my day off on Monday I did some cooking for the week because I know it is going to be a bit hectic. I roasted a free range chicken for OH for a roast, chicken breast in sauce and a chicken & mushroom pie and for myself I made a large lentil bake and leek, cauliflower cheese & potato & celery soup. DD doesn't eat at home that often but when she does there is plenty for her. I now only need to do a few veg - fantastic!! I'm definitely going to be doing this more often because it has saved me time and money.

Cheers
PBH x

I am going to allow myself £200 for groceries etc in February.

Will hopefully post more often this week because I have a few evenings at home.

Sun_Addict

Hi Pbh - good to see you back! You've done really well - I'm well impressed with the NSDs! I know what you mean about becoming tight as I've allowed myself £40 for the month for personal spending and I am so loathe to break into it. Long may this feeling continue!

Poorbuthappy55

Hi SA

I've promised myself I won't buy anything except essential food until 1st April.

I'm getting out of the shopping habit and I can't be bothered to go round the shops anymore. I have so much more time for other things which is a bonus. I'm really going for the NSDs I've had my second one for February today and am hoping for another tomorrow.

I just hope that it doesn't all go to pot when the sun starts shining!!

Pbh x

Claw_back_money

17 NSD :beer:

I agree that shopping can be like a habit, and I think that a spell of not doing it somehow breaks that habit. I've got a bit tight too, I think I look a bit of a state (clothing) but don't really want to spend money on clothes - which is wrapped up in my weight I suppose. At some point I really need to go to Primark and spend a tenner on a pair of jeans that has a zip that stays up and no holes... but I'm managing in the ones I've got and it just doesn't feel like a priority - I'd rather pay an extra £10 of the CC!!!!

Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

CBM - I know what you mean I'm starting to look a bit worn - both me and the clothes!!! I need to drop a size really but I can't get motivated right now I need a bit of sunshine I think.

Sold some more Amazon today - still going quite well will put total up when I've added them all up.

Should be another NSD today unless something goes wrong because I'm at work and going straight home.

Have refused to give DD a single penny after she blew her wages in less than a week so she will be selling stuff which is a result!!! Too much stuff in her room.

It's great going home and meal all planned and nearly ready. No more opening the fridge thinking what shall we have tonight - no more spending £100 in the supermarket and still having nothing to eat.

This is all very satisfying and cc totals are coming down nicely.

Better get back to work now too much to do before I go home tonight!!

PBH

Claw_back_money

Sounds like you're enjoying having your food sorted. At least that way you can plan to have a guilt free take away type meal on a given night, rather than the emergency 'I'm far too pooped, there's nothing here I like' type takeaway which leaves me feeling guilty and resentful.
Cbm

Sun_Addict

Hi Pbh - your DD sounds just like mine. She got paid just a week ago and I'm pretty sure it's all gone. She gets paid every 4 weeks and she always goes mad on payday. At some stage I will be lending her £30. This happens every month and it's like a revolving £30 that she gives me back on payday and then borrows again a couple of weeks later. I keep saying to her why can't you just pay out all your bills on payday and then split what's left into 4. This is evidently too much like rocket science to her!

Well done with the meal planning. I printed off a great meal planner from www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and use that now. I try to sit down on a Sunday afternoon and fill it in. It's also got a shopping list with it which is handy. However, I still don't know whether I'm doing the right thing shopping bit by bit every day or would be better off going once a week. I have a big shop delivered once a month for all the basics and heavy stuff and then get everything else on a more or less daily basis as I like to go to different shops for the best offers in my lunch break. But sometimes I feel I'd just like to get it over and done with on one fell swoop. Dilemmas dilemmas! :undecided