A Reformed Spender - My debt diary

studentphil

I would say you could free up 100 a month min on that food bill.

Is it just for one person, what do you eat?

Imelda

Hi Reformed,

I'm sorry I haven't seen your diary before, I was sorry to hear about you being mugged! At least you'll get your things back and hopefully some sort of justice in the courts. Does your house contents insurance cover you for anything?

One suggestion: if you use the tube before 7am or after 7pm it is only £1.50 (zone1-2). Could you work this in with your overtime? I must admit I am with you, I prefer the bus (I live in Bow) and in the summer I walk home (I start work at 7am so there is no way I would walk there!)

Sounds like you have everything else sorted, I look forward to the next installment!

SSB

Hi Reformed
Sounds like you are really feeling much more positive, I had a NSD today and am feeling rather happy about it. Weather here is horrendous, I am thinking about taking the dog for a walk but since she is very small ( 5 month old puppy), I have real concerns about her being blown away.

Never mind, I just have to stay in and have a nice :coffee:

Reformed

Thanks SSB I am really feeling alot more positive, I'm sat in the kitchen with a lovely cup of tea surfing the internet and wondering what to make first on my new sewing machine. That I have not as yet figured out how to work it and the fact I haven't got any thread isn't bothering me in the slightest!!

I envy you and the puppy, I want one!! I don't think it would fit in our one bed flat once it grew up though!
As for the food situation and tescos, I know I know, we spend too much - I challenge anyone to go shopping with my OH and not, We mainly eat loads of fresh fruit and veg and are both partial to a big old steak. We also have people round for dinner all the time but we're getting better at cheap eats and bulk cooking.

As for the specifics of what we eat, well tonight I'm having aubergine and chickpea tagine with red peppers and onions but that's from a batch I made last week that I froze, its absolutely delicious. (thanks Gillian McKeith, you may be a bit of a witch but your food is tasty!) I am going to be keeping a real eye on the shopping and try not to go over 60 quid for the both of us a week. I think that's realistic. Problem is that OH CRAVES meat, practically salivates on a daily basis if he doesn't get it. I'm not bothered but it is expensive cuts that bump the bill up.

As for the tip about the tubes, I hadn't realised that, thanks. Unfortunately work are a bit cagey about the overtime thing so it's not something I can work into my day. I PA for a director so its something I can only put in as and when he says.

And the walking? It's not so bad really is it? I think its just about the only way I can incorporate keeping some degree of fitness into my life! I am thinking about running home from work when it starts getting a bit lighter and I'll be getting a bike soon... once I start making money from my make believe sewing business... ahem.

SSB

Puppy will not grow very much, after our old dog died my husband rescued this one from very grim circumstances. I do remember having conversations like ; medium sized, alsatian cross, rescued, 18 months-2 years old... this one is white, Bichon Frisee, classed as a toy dog... usually my beloved listens to me carefully, I do not know what happened

How about making some fab cushions? Food sounds delicious, I am just making a big pot of stew in order to use up all the organic vegetables we have left. I do not own a slowcooker yet, is this unforgivable for DFW?

Reformed

Oh God! I haven't got a slow cooker either! And I was offered one the other day! for free! I had to refuse as I have no cupboard space or worktop space - Do you think I can still claim to be a DFW? I am moving house in six months and then I will go mad and get one. What are the chances of me surviving until then? ? ? ?

SSB

Hmmm, you have an excuse but I do not... Must obtain one soon, so many people seem to rave about slow cookers and the idea of throwing things into one pot seems appealing. I must go now and start sorting out my gift cupboard, bought loads of suitable gift items from Boots today ( reduced 75% :j ). I feel prepared and virtuous!

Reformed

Oh God - I slipped off the DFW wagon yesterday. I went into Oxford Street to help a friend find the perfect shoes for a ball she was going to. We were operating on a tight budget and got a clutch bag for £5 which was gorgeous and a pair of beautiful shoes reduced from £45 to £17.50 - she was made up! However wandering around the shop with no intention to buy anything I saw a beautiful pair of boots which I admired but still the DFW head was on. However when I saw they were only £23.75 reduced from £95 I couldn't resist. I got a real bargain but I feel naughty (it's habitual)
Other spends yesterday included about £25 on sewing materials - I've been messing about this morning, it's all very exciting.

So basically I am out of my comfort zone and am tightening the reins for real in the next few weeks. (but I do have beautiful boots!! yay!!)

Good news is the shopping bill was only £55.78 today for food and household stuff for this week (I tell you OH thinks my theory that having him come shopping makes it more expensive is unfounded... ) Hope everyones had a good week and paid off some of those debts.

P.S Last week I got mugged, this week OH's car got broken into and the ****s nicked his disabled badge (he has one after a nasty car accident damaged his leg) - can you believe it? we still love London... we think but I am getting a bit tired of the crime.

Reformed

I sold a book on amazon! - I made money from something lying around my house!!!
woo hoo!! - Minimalise!!!

Reformed

A good MS day. I got the bus to work (no more tubes=less money spent) for £1, brought my lunch in and walked home it was a low spend day.
Moving around my money to my debt fund today so I will be able to reduce the numbers. Have done my quidco clickthroughs and pigsback. (about 28p-not much but look after the pennies eh?)

Spending the evening cleaning, tidying and I am finally going to make a stab at writing. I have loads of ideas for stories and I want to start getting them on paper. Going to hopefully look at some alternative jobs as well. Better get started.