NTBY's sensible living and debt busting adventure

TheLightFantastic

Nottoobadyet wrote: »

I know! Isn't it wonderful? the little joys of expatriate living... where are you from, Light?

Beautiful Zimbabwe. Where the sun is shining and the birds are singing....:rotfl:

I totally agree with your strategy of staying at home. I've taken up reading all those books I buy and never seem to have time to read. (Top tip, being broke improves the mind !!!!) Amazing how you don't spend money when you are tucked in your bed with a huge lovely book - or in your case, keeping your hands warm by sitting on them:D

Nottoobadyet

ohhh really! I have several friends from Zim, and I keep trying to get work to send me :-) I loooovveee your accents, I'll have to imagine your posts being read out loud from now on...

Not an NSD today - brought lunch to work but had to top up my oyster card and buy veggie broth powder for home (and tampons but really, can you begrudge me that?:rotfl:). Made cottage pie for dinner which wasnt so yummy but will at least be lunch for tomorrow, and maybe even the next day. Bumbling on and on...

Nottoobadyet

NSD today! did go food shopping but OH paid for it as I had paid for the last few runs. Anyway, its from the food budget so I guess that counts :-)

Cottage pie was actually much nicer as a lunch than it had been as a dinner, so overall was quite satisfying. I started the save money on lunch in January challenge on the main DFW page, so paying my dues as a responsible MSE-er and contributing to the community feel!

Tomorrow I have friends coming around for dinner, pending the level of snow. Its pouring down here so we'll have to play it by ear!

Nottoobadyet

Good news - learned yesterday that I got a pay raise at work! Very exciting, hopefully it will make my current saving plans more realistic.

I've been bringing in lunches to work all week, staying in on the evenings, walking to work and generally being good. Going to a play this afternoon (cheap tickets), then going to a ceremony at the tower of London (free). Tomorrow going to a friends house for dinner (free food yay!) then to the cinema for the first time in ages. Will try to keep it an MSE weekend, but we'll see...

Nottoobadyet

My god, how do people that go to the cinema regularly afford it?? I went to see Avatar last night and it was £51 for the four of us!:eek: Luckily I only go about once a year...

Seriously skint this month (arent we all). Continuing to bring in lunch to work and other dibs and dabs, trying to have NSDs where I can. I think I may have found a cheaper gym option for me - last time I went to the council gym it was as expensive as a private one unless you were on benefits or a student, but now they are running a cheaper deal that hopefully I can get on. I'll take a look tonight and if its a yes I'll cancel my current membership before the middle of the month so that they can stop the DD.

Swinstie73

Well done on the pay-rise NTBY, I didn't get one last year, but think it's back on this year, now if only could save the extra money!

Nottoobadyet

Exactly my problem, Swinstie!

I think the raise will mean an after tax increase of about £100 :T a month. Currently, I pay £600 a month into a savings account which periodicaly goes towards the debt. Untill December I was paying just £400 per month the same way, and so the additional £200 is leaving me feeling a bit skint, though I know I can get by without it by cutting things down.

Currently, that £600 is about 1/3 of my after tax income. Now the question is, do I change my DD so that its £700 a month to the debt account, leaving me feeling skint all month, or do I keep it at 1/3 which will give me a bit more breathing room? The savings account is instant access so I can get at it in an emergency.

Yes I know what the sensible choice but I need a kick up the !!!!, what can I say:rotfl:

Nottoobadyet

Its been a while since I updated, Ive been running the save money on work lunches challenge and now I seem to be spending all my time updating that! Its been good though - I haven't bought a single lunch in January yet. On the bright side -

1. Ive saved enough to pay for my new visa in cash instead of credit
2. Ive been quite frugal this month and shouldn't really struggle to finish it in the black

On the other hand, Im quite skint and my mum is coming next month and wants to get out of London so that will mean rail tickets or car rental. Bleh.

Nottoobadyet

Ah and re one of my previous posts, I've upped my monthly DD so it will be artificially created skint ness for me!

brizzledfw

Hello - just reading through your diary - its nice to see a fresh start..

just a couple of thoughts..add coriander (powder) to your pumpkin/squash soup..really makes it even yummier...also try the £2 in a pot challenge..I am finding I have quite a few now and its easier to not spend them when I get them from the bus driver etc/keep them for a special occasion/to pay off debt etc.. every little helps

I will keep on reading..! Have a great weekend

Brizzle