House renovations have landed us in debt

Katy83

Foundational,

Just wanted to say hi and wish you luck with what you are doing. I'm fairly new to this (2 months past my LBM) and it is hard at the beginning. Don't try and do it all at once because you will drive yourself mad, but look for easy targets as to where you can cut back.

The grocery bill is definitely one. Get yourself to the local asian supermarket for dirt cheap sacks of lentils, it will save you a fortune compared to tesco etc.

Your car insurance seems quite expensive every month - have you shopped around to check you are getting the best deal?

For the thing about getting a bargain on something you don't really need. Decide what you NEED before you go to the shops. Take the cash out and leave your cards at home or at least in the car. If you find something you think you need, you will have to go and get your card, should give you enough time to think about it. Don't be afraid to change your mind and take things back to the shop either. Also, have you tried the demotivator tool on here - it's quite thought provoking!

xx

Foundational

Katy, you're doing great in the short time since your LBM! It is early days but we feel a kind of resolve now and a relief that we are taking action, and seeing results. We had a long build up to our LBM.

We're looking at cheaper car insurance and, along with phone, mobile etc. spending the time it takes to do the research and run the maths.

Thanks, Katy, for the tip about lentils. Where we live there are plenty of Asian shops that we should use more for beans and other stuff but we fall for the convenience of the supermarket. Duh!

The Demotivator tool is great, and kind of fun at the same time as it gives you a shock...

Catzpaws

Totally agree about the lentils - esp if you're veggie (as I am! :cool:). Since my LBM, I have also been shopping at Indian and Chinese supermarkets and have bought lots of red lentils, batch cooked them and they have been brilliant for 'store cupboard' type but very delicious curries. Also, I have found these shops excellent for bulk buying rice, noodles, spices and fresh herbs (which I chuck in the freezer).

The above, coupled with shopping at ALDI/LIDL have saved me a fair bit already so far.

It would be great if my OH was also veggie as we'd save even more! Having said that, he's had veggie meals the last two nights so I can't complain too much....

CP x

Foundational

Catzpaws,

Wow, from your sig you are making some fine progress... Thanks for the advice, as well as getting stocks of lentils and other beans, I think I need to go to the market for veg rather than the supermarket, and try out Aldi - never been in there.

Best wishes

Foundational

Catzpaws

Hi Foundational

Thank you! Updated my new totals this morning and so you can see my new figures. Managed to pay off a huge chunk in October due to using maternity leave and holiday savings (£2.1k), but been trying to debt-bust left, right and centre . Figured I didn't need the maternity leave savings if we manage to get debt-free before LO comes along.

My LBM coincided with a brand new ALDI opening down the road from my home... Good timing! I tend to go twice a week to make use of whatever Super 6 offers are on.

CP x