WelshWoofer's Staying Debt Free Mission

Lula-Hula

Hello again,

good work with the grocery spends. I'm forever trying ( & not succeeding) to reduce my spends.

I've just started being more energy efficient ( again). I realised that the tv in my bedroom has been on standby for about 6 months because I'm so lazy .

If the gorgeous little creature in your avi is your dog ... I want one. I really really want one. Not sure how my resident fluffy black cat would feel about it but I'm in love already.

I feel as though I'd need a lovely bicycle with a basket on the front to put him/her in too .

WelshWoofer

Hi Lula,
That's what my dog looked like as a puppy - he's now a 10kg chubby 7 year old middle aged grumpy man!
He's a bichon frise and has a cheeky personality and is a house full! I'd recommend one though:)

WelshWoofer

I've been thinking about things that will keep me focussed for the next few months and have decided to set myself a few little challenges...

1. a target of £100 through ebay/surveys/amazon etc towards Xmas pressies by November - have £37 so far
2. saving £500 towards living room redecoration fund - saw wallpaper and matching curtains in Next yesterday that I really like that will come to about £200, I think the carpet will be around £300 and then there's the decoration costs to add - so £500 will be a good start
3. take lunch to work every day from now until Xmas
4. get the carpet fitter to fit the left over new carpet from the guest room in the bathroom and paint the walls and skirting myself - that'll be another room completely redone in the last few weeks - I think fitting will be £20 or £30 (guest room was £30) and I have a lot of left over emulsion and gloss so won't need to buy those
5. remember to enter shopping receipts into the pricecheck thingy to save on groceries (have had some vouchers in the past, only a few pounds but it all counts)
6. try to have a minimum of 2 NSDs a week

I do like a list and find they help me to get things clear in my mind - very anal I know!:o

pixiechick99

Hello again:D
Just found your new diary so have had a catch up and have subscribed;)
You sound like you're on fire right now - very organised indeed. I've taken my eye off the ball so to speak recently, so must get back to it, before we go back to school...the end of the hols will come way too quick:(
Your house sounds like it's looking fab - must be very satisfying getting it all done.

I'm very impressed with your grocery spends...again, I need to focus on this...I'm spending about £250 at least each month on just the 3 of us:o

Anyway, must go and feed the hungry daughters;)
Happy new diary:beer:

WelshWoofer

Thanks pixie!

Had a productive day today - have managed to do about 4.5 hours of school work before a big headache struck (I think its from staring at the computer for too long) and have a good idea of what I'll do tomorrow - that's half the battle, having a plan of what to do and how to do it rather than faffing about and wasting an hour.

The dog is shattered - he's had 2 long walks and a quick round the block today, at least he;s quiet and sleeping on my lap now. Aww bless!:p

I've also only eaten food from stores - meatfree kiev and salad with new potatoes for tea and only bought 1 can of diet coke - a big improvement for me - I can go through 3 or 4 cans a day easily:o. Luckily the off license sells 8 packs for £2 so its not too bad financially but still not very good for me!

I've also worked out a minibudget from now until payday (3 weeks) taking into account the extra dosh I've given exOH - its tight but I may just manage it. There's money in the savings account if I get close to going overdrawn but I'd rather not use it if I don't have to.

Just off to order some books from the library website and then settle down to watch something off the Skyplus planner. What a fascinating life I lead!:rotfl:

WelshWoofer

Had a very intellectual day writing year 10 physics lessons - not my idea of a good time! At least they're all finished now - there's nothing worse than having write stuff that you find boring and try to make it interesting for the kiddiewinks:(

I've also managed to do a few year 9 chemistry lessons so I'm quite pleased with my efforts for the day.

I got a message from a teaching friend wanting to meet up for coffee - I will return her call later - I must make more of an effort to see friends now exOH is gone, I can't turn into a recluse! Its quite hard to drag myself out although I do enjoy myself once I'm there - must give myself a kick up the bum!:o

I've also spoken to the solicitors and the bank about the mortgage today - all chugging along ok with the mortgage. The monthly payments have even gone down by £20 from the original quote as the interest rate has changed and as its not signed off yet they'll fix it at the new rate:T

Anyway, not doing much tonight, just walking the dog again, making tea and watching the soaps - its quorn sausages, runner beans and new potatoes tonight to use use fresh stuff in the fridge - I'm trying to drum into my head that I will not throw food away through laziness! Easier said than done sometimes!

kramark46

What a positive mindset you have! It's good to know how it feels to be debt free and you certainly do well with your cost cutting. You've inspired me to do a weekly budget as I'm not very good at that (hence the problems I have I guess!).

My 18 year old daughter has just asked for money to go to the chippy. In the spirit of economy I said I would cook wholesome food from things I've grown. You should have seen her face- don't think she's that impressed......

Mike

WelshWoofer

Hi Mike - hope your healthy home grown tea went down well! I can just imagine the teenage strop!

On the subject of teas, here's my meal plan for the rest of the week using up stuff in the fridge first...

Tuesday - mexican potato bake
Wednesday - morrocan butterbeans and couscous
Thursday - pasta and pesto with whatever veggies look a bit pathetic (probably mushrooms, onions and peppers)
Friday - fish from the freezer, peas and wedges

I usually go shopping on a Saturday and this week will hopefully only need fruit and veg, milk and dog food so I may just go to the village greengrocer and Spar to avoid temptation in the supermarket;)

Corrie's on - I'm off!:rotfl:

WelshWoofer

Well, as the trial for the hot water being on is going well and I haven't noticed a difference I've cut the time back again - its now on for an hour in the morning (5.30-6.30am) so its warm when I get up (usually shower about 6.30 when I'm working) and an hour in teh evening for dishes and a bath if I fancy one. This could probably be cut back even further by only putting it on in the evening if I want it but we'll see how it goes with the new regime first!

I'm just back from a brisk 30 min walk around the local streets with the dog instead of driving to the park with him to save the little bit of petrol it uses - the dog seems more tired now than usual, he does tend to potter in the park and this walk was a constant trot for him. Bless his little legs!

Not much planned for today apart from school work and dog walking - I have had an email from the library saying that some books I've ordered are in so I may pop there this afternoon to get out of the house for a while.

Tea today is mexican bake using up old spuds and veg in the fridge and I'll cook the dog some meat offcuts from the butcher that are in the freezer whilst the oven is on. The butcher sells a tray of liver, kidney and other unidentifiable bits (bleurgghh:(, but the dog loves it) for £1 and it does him for two days with his kibble stuff.

Starting to look forward to going back to work now (one more week off after this one) - 6 weeks is a long time.....

pixiechick99

WelshWoofer wrote: »

Starting to look forward to going back to work now (one more week off after this one) - 6 weeks is a long time.....

Ooooh are you??! I'm not;) I'd be happy with another week or so:rotfl: