New and scared but so determined

freebyfifty

At last..............
the dreaded essay has been completed and submitted.

It is the biggest load of drivel I have written so far. I really struggled with this one for some reason, probably because children should be seen and not heard - involve them in decision making?????? Not blinkin likely!!!!!!! They are mine to do with as I will - mmmwwwwhhhhhhaaahahaaaaa. (That's a joke incase anyone is thinking of calling social services )

Anyway, it's gone, now I have to start reading for the next one

Knitting_Nora

:j:j:T:T:j:jCongratulations!!:j:j:T:T:j

banwa

freebyfifty wrote: »

Sorry if I've bored everyone half to death but I needed to write all that down

I NEVER get bored of these sorts of posts, I love to read how people have saved and made money, I always feel inspired

(mem:must hunt out old mobiles)

freebyfifty wrote: »

I must be a sad person because I can't wait to get Christmas out of the way so I can get started properly.
I think this will be the first Christmas since I had my kids that I have not increased my debt (hopefully:))

I just hope I can keep up the enthusiasm

Me too, Freeby. And I KNOW you'll keep it up:)

freebyfifty

Well, what exciting DFW are there to do today?

I have checked my bank account and updated my spreadsheets. I have money to put INTO the bank later today:j and then after that pay another cc minimum payment , I have to post ebay parcels the lady at the post office and I are becoming very good friends and hopefully have a NSD.
I will be having a chinese takeaway tonight with my mum & dad which is usually their treat (although I do offer) so all in all - not a bad day. And as an extra bonus when I finish work tonight that's me for a whole lovely week off :T
The DD's are off three days next week and I have promised to take them to the late night Christmas shopping to see the lights and have their dinner out. When I asked them where they would like to go the overwhelming vote was for MaccyD's (MaccyD's is a proper treat in this house as I don't really let them have it - bad, bad mother that I am!) So Bic Mac and fries it is - nice and cheap I won't be tempted to spend on them for Christmas as they'll be there (if you know what I mean) but I might pick up some bits and pieces for others. But when I was in town the other day I kept looking at things and thinking "I wonder if I could use Quidco to get that" so I might browse then come home and shop online :eek: Decisions, decisions!!!!!!

Missus Knitty, I'm not sure I can keep this up. Sometimes I feel as if I've been on here, battling away forever and it's only been just over a month and then other times I think, I've only been here a month and look at what I've achieved!!!


I have fiddled with my snowbally thingy and I have got it to November 2016 (which is debtfreeby49 ) if I do it balance order and August 2016 (which is debtfreeby48andthreequarters ) if I do it interest order. I had my own snowbally thingy going on in my head so I will have to seriously re-think the way I want to go but I suppose it's a no-brainer really.

Anyway, must go and crowbar the childerbeasts out of bed, why do I have so much trouble getting them in there at night and then can't get them out again in the morning???????

firesidemaid

hello.

just had a catch up:j

lol i even try and money save at Maccy D's. I buy the completed coffee vouchers off ebay (plus cashback;)) for the parents who have a serious habit:rotfl:

plus, i try and work out the best value combination for buying stuff. ie. where some of the meal deals are the same price, the individual burgers may vary. so if i want a meal and OH just a couple of burgers, we work out which burger to order as the meal!

also, i often have a happy meal myself to save money:)

Enjoy x

Knitting_Nora

freebyfifty wrote: »

Missus Knitty, I'm not sure I can keep this up. Sometimes I feel as if I've been on here, battling away forever and it's only been just over a month and then other times I think, I've only been here a month and look at what I've achieved!!!

There's a theory that it take 20-odd repetitions of something in order to make it a habit. Which means that on the way to making it a habit, you have to be really conscious of what you're doing - subsequently making whatever you're doing feel awkward, and unnatural.

When I think of the MSE journey, I think about that theory. I've been repeating the same spending behaviour over and over again every month for decades, so there's no question that it's become a habit - after all, what's a habit but something which you do without even thinking about it.

So it seems to me that although it's a bit of a slog at the moment, that's just part and parcel of process needed to change my ways...

....and let's be honest, we're doing bloomin' well when you compare what we've achieved over just a month of focus, compared to what we achieved over several hundred months of ignorance previously.

Basically what I'm saying here, is chin up chick - what with your ebay work etc you're already settling into some of the MSE-habits (had the same 'Quidco' moment myself in town yesterday! ), and the rest will come in time.

I have fiddled with my snowbally thingy and I have got it to November 2016 (which is debtfreeby49 ) if I do it balance order and August 2016 (which is debtfreeby48andthreequarters ) if I do it interest order. I had my own snowbally thingy going on in my head so I will have to seriously re-think the way I want to go but I suppose it's a no-brainer really.

I had the same issue originally with the snowball calculator, but as people pointed out to me, the best way to approach the snowball system is to combine your own motivational needs with the practical interest approach.

Remember, the calculator is just a guide. So if it make you feel better to get rid of a specific debt first - then do it, and don't worry about the interest. You'll still be debt free by 50 either way, and you'll likely find that it's easier to stick to clearing the debts if you've chosen the route rather than had it 'forced' on you.

Chocolate?

miggy

freebyfifty wrote: »

It is the biggest load of drivel I have written so far.

In other words, you took our advice and included cotyledon, intermezzo, acciaccatura, recherche and fabulous?

Well, what do you expect then?

Seriously - glad you got it done and I expect it's better than you think. It's when you don't know it's drivel that you're in real trouble, IYSWIM. If you think it's drivel, it's because you actually know what you're talking about but maybe lost your way or got bogged down and it was more wading throguht reacle than sailing merrliy through. JMO

So what's the next essay? Nora will be wanting to get started.

Word for the day - lucifugous (not that you need one but you never know when it may come in handy).

Knitting_Nora

miggy wrote: »

So what's the next essay? Nora will be wanting to get started.

Word for the day - lucifugous (not that you need one but you never know when it may come in handy).

Miggy broke my dictionary again! Poor little thing - at least it has the word chocolate in...and that's what really counts *gives ancient school dictionary pitying look*

Pah! I was a shocking student - never knowingly starting an assignment less than 24hrs before it had to be in...and most definitely very lucifugous...especially the morning after the night before....:D

MuffinTops

I've just managed to read through all of your diary now and subscribed part way through. If you're off to McD's next week I believe the online metro have vouchers for that place. I'm new here so I seriously doubt I can get away with sending links, but it's the online version of the free metro paper that we get handed out at train stations. Hopefully they're valid for what your DD's want to order and for your location.

You really have been entertaining and inspirational all along the way. I'm just about to embark on my own diary soon, so have already lots of areas of expertise to draw on. I've also subscribed to almost every cashback and seller sites that have been stated. Thank you for being so open about your experiences.

Congratulations too on all of the earnings on ebay and elsewhere.

Anyway, I shall be keeping up to date and will try to convert from lurking to joining in very soon.

freebyfifty

Thank you so much MuffinTops, I appreciate your nice comments and I'm glad you managed to stick it out to the end. I'll look forward to reading your diary and I'm glad I've given you some inspiration
Ohhh and thank you for the MaccyD's tips
And don't lurk....join in, I love hearing what everyone is up to


I have had a lovely NSD today. I'm now off for a week. I have the house to myself tonight.
All is well in my freeby world.

Think I might go and make some lists for the weekend and fiddle with my spreadsheets - then I will be in freeby heaven (I'm such a saddo )