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LiT - starting from the beginning and rebuilding my life

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Comments

  • life_in_termoil
    life_in_termoil Posts: 1,036 Forumite
    youareallhelpingme wrote: »
    If you are managing to save all that now how much could you save if you didn't smoke? Can you get on one of the dr's free schemes?

    I dont think I would go on the free schemes and I dont understand why the patches are free if you go to the doctors to be honest. I smoke, I pay money for cigs so the way I see it is IF im really serious about quitting then I will buy the patches. The cost of the patches for a week are far less than what I spend on cigs so I think the money the NHS saves by me buying patches could go towards cancer drugs or something.
    Sealed Pot Challenge member #982
    In 2012 I pledge to:- Save £1 a day, meal plan, be more organised, have NSDs, set myself a budget AND STICK TO IT, throw all loose change into Sealed Pot and not open it till 29th November.:money:
  • life_in_termoil
    life_in_termoil Posts: 1,036 Forumite
    cigarettes = £40.60 AT LEAST PER WEEK!!! OMG
    Sealed Pot Challenge member #982
    In 2012 I pledge to:- Save £1 a day, meal plan, be more organised, have NSDs, set myself a budget AND STICK TO IT, throw all loose change into Sealed Pot and not open it till 29th November.:money:
  • life_in_termoil
    life_in_termoil Posts: 1,036 Forumite
    chicken pie made, chicken soup made, bread in the bread machine, dishwasher on, washing machine on, kitchen cleaned! Wow how organised am I today. Just got living room to clean before I go to work.
    Sealed Pot Challenge member #982
    In 2012 I pledge to:- Save £1 a day, meal plan, be more organised, have NSDs, set myself a budget AND STICK TO IT, throw all loose change into Sealed Pot and not open it till 29th November.:money:
  • youareallhelpingme
    youareallhelpingme Posts: 1,056 Forumite
    life_in_termoil wrote: »
    I dont think I would go on the free schemes and I dont understand why the patches are free if you go to the doctors to be honest. I smoke, I pay money for cigs so the way I see it is IF im really serious about quitting then I will buy the patches. The cost of the patches for a week are far less than what I spend on cigs so I think the money the NHS saves by me buying patches could go towards cancer drugs or something.

    What a lovely approach, I've never even tried a cigarette so I have no idea about stopping.
    One small step for ME, one giant leap for my family!


    2015 - my Amazon Gift Certificate mini challenge - saving to buy small household electrical items.
    Total £9.12
  • MrsMoo2U
    MrsMoo2U Posts: 4,005 Forumite
    Just popped out of lurkdom to say how inspired I am by your diary. Great attitude with regards to the smoking. My ex OH tried to give up smoking several times. The thing that helped in the end was that he wanted a new car. He priced up repayments and realised that he couldnt afford it UNLESS he gave up smoking. The repayments were actually less than what he was spending on ciggies. Is the £40.60 per week included in your £100 per week shopping budget or seperate? If it is included think how much more food and drink that you could buy.
    Some days there aren't any trumpets, just lots of dragons. Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow -- Mary Anne Radmacher
  • Footiemad_2
    Footiemad_2 Posts: 1,419 Forumite
    Hi LiT

    I love your approach to it all too. I am sure you will do it when your ready. You have tackled everything else head on and look where you are now. Support here when you need it.

    PS...room for a little one..well no so little :) chicken pie sounds scrummy. Where do you get all your energy from.

    Have a good day tomorrow. Whoops it is tomorrow...today then :D
    Footiemad:footie: 2013 - SPC no.1147...Keeep potting!!
    2013-VSP #21 £14.59
    SPC 2012 - £207.44
    SPC 2011 £647
    VSP 2011 £70.37
    23lb/54lb :o
  • chevalier
    chevalier Posts: 7,937 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    i gave up by not smoking in the house, when it got to winter it was bl00dy cold, and I smoked less and less, then did a few weeks of patches and that was it. Was weird for a while though. Didn't know what to do with my hands, so started knitting!

    Another tip is when you want a cigarette, try and wait 5 minutes, that way you will cut down without noticing because you are spacing them out more.

    I also made it a plan to not have my first one until 8am then 8.05 then 8.10am etc. Then I decided I wouldn't smoke at work, etc. In the end there wasn't really any part of the day where I could smoke LOL
    I want a job that is less than an hour driving away from my house! Are you listening universe?
  • life_in_termoil
    life_in_termoil Posts: 1,036 Forumite
    edited 5 July 2011 at 4:57PM
    Ive set my quit date as Friday!!! I dont smoke in the house I smoke outside and I cant smoke at work as its a petrol station!!! So if I can go 7 hours at work without a cigarette then I CAN quit the ciggys.

    Ive got loads to do to keep me busy. Ive got my parents coming to stay for a week to look after my dog whilst im on holiday so I need to blitz the house. (and by blitz I mean get rid of ALL the crap and clean every single room in the house thoroughly!)

    Ive already made a start to day but Ive stolen a flylady list to work my way through then once its done its just a case of keeping on top of it.
    Monday - Sitting Room and Hallway
    Level One
    [STRIKE]Open the windows and turn on some music![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Vacuum floors and sofas![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Declutter the chairs, floor and top of any cupboards![/STRIKE]
    Level Two
    [STRIKE]Vacuum under any furniture you can.. please don't injure yourselves![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Sort out coats, shoes and bags[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Clean any ornaments, glass, mirrors, pictures etc[/STRIKE]
    Level Three
    [STRIKE]Check those smoke alarms![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Wipe sofas, paintwork and dusty places[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]HHC in the hallway..[/STRIKE][STRIKE]vacuum floors/stairs,[/STRIKE][STRIKE]wipe paintwork,[/STRIKE][STRIKE]fling that junk mail!.. if there is a charity shop bag.. FILL IT! [/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Empty and wash out vacuum cleaner.. don't forget filters![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]wash cushions[/STRIKE]


    Extras

    [STRIKE]Clean switches and sockets[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Wipe the windows in these areas [/STRIKE]

    Tuesday ~ Kitchen and Dining Mess
    Level One
    Sweep, vacuum and mop floors
    Declutter and wipe worksurfaces
    Oven and hob cleaning week... and it is level one so none of you can get out of it.. :p
    Level Two
    Wipe table replacing cloth if necessary..
    Clear out a cupboard.. the larder unit or pantry if you have one or just the general messiness of cupboard.. the one where you stuff all things useless.
    Wipe and replace small appliances.. Clean one thoroughly!
    Level Three
    Wipe units and large appliances.. don't forget kickboards!
    Wipe the tops of the wall units.. lining them with old wallpaper or newspaper keeps them clean!
    Dejunk window sills, dust blinds and wash windows!


    Extras
    1. Wash light shades and clean bulbs
    2. Clean out the smelly fridge
    3. Sort out and restock baking cupboards
    4. Scrub sink and shine the taps!
    Wednesday - Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
    Level One
    [STRIKE]Clean floors in these rooms[/STRIKE]
    Clean [STRIKE]baths[/STRIKE], [STRIKE]toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush[/STRIKE]
    Level Two
    Clear any clutter from desk
    Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!!
    Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
    Level Three
    [STRIKE]Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Scrub down tiles in bathroom[/STRIKE].. defragment your pc while doing this.
    [STRIKE]Empty and clean out all the upstairs bins![/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Clean shower screen/curtain if you have one/if required[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Collect all the dirty laundry [/STRIKE]


    Extra
    1. [STRIKE]Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms[/STRIKE]
    2. [STRIKE]Fling all those empty bottles and tubes[/STRIKE]
    3. [STRIKE]replace any sponges, flannels, toiletries that need it[/STRIKE]
    4. [STRIKE]Make a long list of those things you need to get for going back to school in September!![/STRIKE]
    Thursday ~ Master bedroom & landing
    Level 1
    [STRIKE]Check fire alarms are working[/STRIKE]
    Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers.
    [STRIKE]Fling open the window and let in the air[/STRIKE]
    Level 2
    Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
    Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
    Clean lightshade. And remove dead insects
    15 minutes floordrobe clearance
    Level 3
    Vacuum floors in bedroom and on     [STRIKE]landing
    binbag dance    [/STRIKE]
    Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
    Extras
    • tidy a cupboard
    • [STRIKE]Clean windows in these rooms [/STRIKE]
    • [STRIKE]Clear a box of clutter from the landing [/STRIKE]
    Friday ~ Childrens/Spare rooms
    Level One
    Clear the floor KIDS CAN DO THIS

    Level Two
    strip the beds and wash those sheets.. and any duvets that need doing KIDS CAN DO THIS
    Drag the stuff from under the beds and place it in it's proper homes! KIDS CAN DO THIS
    Level Three
    Vacuum the floor
    deweb and fluff the room
    clean the windows
    Extras
    • Wash any curtains/throws/cushions etc that need it
    • Wipe sticky marks from walls and doors
    • Clean any tv's, pc's playstations in the room
    • 15 minutes filing!
    Sealed Pot Challenge member #982
    In 2012 I pledge to:- Save £1 a day, meal plan, be more organised, have NSDs, set myself a budget AND STICK TO IT, throw all loose change into Sealed Pot and not open it till 29th November.:money:
  • life_in_termoil
    life_in_termoil Posts: 1,036 Forumite
    edited 7 July 2011 at 12:30PM
    [STRIKE]5TH FISH FINGERS MASH AND BAKED BEANS[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]6TH LASAGNE AND SALAD[/STRIKE]
    7TH CHILLI AND RICE
    8TH CHICKEN WRAPS
    9TH BEEF IN GRAVY (F) ROASTIES AND VEG
    10TH HM PIZZA
    11TH SPAG BOL AND GARLIC BREAD
    12TH SHEPHERDS PIE
    13TH CHICKEN CURRY AND RICE
    14TH TOAD IN THE HOLE, VEGGIES AND GRAVY
    15TH EGG, CHIPS AND BEANS OR PEAS
    16TH CHICKEN PIE, ROAST SPUDS, VEG
    17TH SWEET N SOUR PORK AND RICE
    18TH FISH, CHIPS AND MUSHY PEAS
    19TH PASTA CARBONARA
    20TH CHICKEN WRAPS AND SALAD
    21ST LASAGNE
    22ND BREADED CHICKEN, POTATO WEDGES, PEAS AND SWEETCORN
    23RD ON HOLIDAY WOOP WOOP

    Everything will be out of the freezer so I need to remember to actually take the meat out the day before!!

    snacks will be fruit, rice pudding, jelly, carrot cake, raisin scones, chocolate brownies, boodle biscuits
    Sealed Pot Challenge member #982
    In 2012 I pledge to:- Save £1 a day, meal plan, be more organised, have NSDs, set myself a budget AND STICK TO IT, throw all loose change into Sealed Pot and not open it till 29th November.:money:
  • debtfreewannabe321
    debtfreewannabe321 Posts: 9,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    wow those cleaning lists are good! I may have to steal that idea if you don't mind :D

    we're also meal planning around freezer contents lol, hoping to get in a few weeks cheap shopping then once it's empty bulk cook and fill freezer again :)

    Good luck with quitting the cigs, i've never smoked so can't say how hard it is or not....i only know that DH has done it (so far) and is doing well a month in :) -and he has no will power lol so i/m sure you will walk it!
    Mortgage Overpayments 2024/25 - September-December, £152.46. J- £103.27, F- £115, M- £91.50, A- £100, M- £200, J- £200. J- £200. A-£200, S- £221.34. O-£200
    Total- £1783.67
    Goal pay off 1% of current mortgage in 1 year. £1650
    EF- £642.41/500
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6496485/buying-a-little-piece-of-middle-england#latest
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