2007 - the year to clear...?

pollypig

Morning all!
Sorry I didn't respond last night - left work at 4 and didn't get chance to go on at night...

Mizmir - thanks for the info re: lenses, I've just had a sight test so do have a valid prescription, plus I've just collected 90 pairs of lenses so that will see me through til March then I'll order my next lot via Quidco...

OberonSH - OH went for the saving money for football tickets idea so that's fab! we're going to sit down at the weekend and do a proper meal plan and only buy what we need for the week, cut down on "treats" (which will help with the losing weight thing anyway!)...

I also made a list last night of all the things I have that are eBayable - it's not a lot at the moment but every £1 helps right?!

oh, and the OH is also going to ring up our gas/electricity providers and get all the info we need to switch to cheaper... unfortunately free Sky broadband isn't in our area yet, but as soon as it comes we'll be switching to that too!

ooh, and I found myself a little book at home that can be used as my spending diary so we'll soon see where all that extra money goes... starting to get quite excited now!

Thanks to you all for replying - it's a big help - OberonSH and Lynzpower you are two of the posters I look out for most and always read your diaries... is it sad to say I felt quite proud when I saw you'd replied to my post?!

angelavdavis

Hi there!

Does the £120 per month food include your lunches at work? The reason I ask is that I saved a lot by making my lunches and taking them into work. I am not a big fan of sandwiches, but make up rolls and freeze or zap some HM soup in the microwave in the morning while I am eating my breakfast and put into a flask, grabbing a roll from the freezer which will be defrosted by lunchtime.

zag2me

How often do you go the the gym a month? Divide that by the cost per month and then see if its worth it. 35pm seems very expensive to me for membership, Mine was 30 a month and I told them I was leaving and they reduced it to £22 a month

Contract phones are not really needed if you have the phone already, ask to turn it into a pay as you go plan.

Oxfam donation £5, as much as I like charity, you are in debt and shouldn't be giving your money away until you are debt free. What about doing some volentary work instead of making the payments?

pollypig

thanks for replying angela and zag

I go to the gym about 3-4 times a week so it works out at £2 a go... which I don't think is too bad... it's the cheapest gym around me that has a pool and classes which I need because of my hip... unfortunately, there's a waiting list so I don't think they'd care if I cancelled my subscription!

We both already take packed lunches sadly! Or if I'm working away (which is about 3-4 days a week!) I get my lunches reimbursed :T

I've just renewed my contract but will look into PAYG when it next comes round...

Yep, I think it's time for the donation to go, at least for now...

postingalwaysposting

lynzpower wrote:

Ok then !! :rotfl:

£50 - Christmas (do you really need 600 quid for Xmas)

they are just my thoughts to start off with. But you havent mentioned petrol or repair costs?

i agree with lyn... £600 for xmas :eek: i save £18 a month and i start in january to get 12 months in this gives me £216... and thats more than enough... xmas is comersilised... why buy someone that £200 watch when they will be happier (and you too) with a £10 argos one... think dfw and get df ...

pollypig

postingalwaysposting wrote:

i agree with lyn... £600 for xmas :eek: i save £18 a month and i start in january to get 12 months in this gives me £216... and thats more than enough... xmas is comersilised... why buy someone that £200 watch when they will be happier (and you too) with a £10 argos one... think dfw and get df ...

Thanks posting! I know this is my biggest area - Christmas and birthdays are where I tend to go OTT, particularly for OH and family - I want to spoil them! :rolleyes: but I need to be harsher with myself and get bargain hunting! tbh, I don't think I spent anywhere near £600 this year - that was just a figure I plucked out of the air so can definitely be reduced!