What have I done....

sugarwalsh

And why not believe that? The alternative is pretty depressing! Mx

GreenNinja

:T

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Analysing every penny you spend is a real eye opener . As what gets frittered away tots up. So debt reduction isn't always as difficult as many imagine. More a question of mindset than the cash itself.

Very true indeed! As my sister always says "its not what you earn it what you spend"!!

(she has paid her mortgage off early and trying to follow her example!)

Just read through your entire 14 pages and have to say you've really fired me up!! been coasting a bit lately and you have given me the kick up the bum I needed! Thanks!! :T

LauraJo

sugarwalsh wrote: »

And why not believe that? The alternative is pretty depressing! Mx

Lol very true!!

Thanks GreenNinja (what a great name!!)
Your sister sounds like an inspiration - does she have any tips for the rest of us?!
I'm gobsmacked how motivating having a plan can be and you are right, its not quite as bad as everyone thinks! I think I said on an earlier post, it almost makes you happier when you can appreciate the things around you and not just spend spend spend all the time - something I was v v v guilty of!!!
Best of luck with your journey. Hope the kick was worthwhile but painless

LauraJo

Working from home today (when I say home I mean the garden, its lovely out here!!)
£7.50 saved in petrol so that can go as an OP. :money:

LauraJo

Whoop whoop its pay day!!

April overpayment made which includes flight compo

LauraJo

Oh the Monday blues
Cheap weekend, didn't do much but then didn't spend much.
Food budget for last month came in just under £120 and have enough to last us this week (so a month and a bit really!)
That's half of what we used to spend so happy with that - thanks to all those who suggested meal planning / cheap meals, it is really paying off.

Obsessed now looking for cheap receipes - altho yesterday OH took it too far and made nettle soup (tasted better than it looked but the look made me feel a bit ill!!) I suppose at least he's fully onboard now!
He is actually looking to make nettle and poached egg risotto next. We have lots of stingers and chickens so pretty much a free tea. Not sure if I can handle that tho!!!! :eek:

SmlSave

I think you're very brave eating nettles Laura! I'm not sure I could do it, although I have tried nettle beer.

Do you have any cheap recipes you could share? My food bill this month is ridiculous

LauraJo

SmlSave wrote: »

I think you're very brave eating nettles Laura! I'm not sure I could do it, although I have tried nettle beer.

Do you have any cheap recipes you could share? My food bill this month is ridiculous

Ha ha yeah it was the colour that was gross!!
This was nice and filling
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1897697/winter-vegetable-pie

Had something the other day that was brown rice, egg, chicken, peas, sweetcorn and garlic - that was good (basically fry the lot together!)

I also look on student websites / net mums as they have good ideas. I think the big difference is waste - I try not to throw anything away now (meal planning was suggested to me and it is working well!)
We also now eat veggie 2-3 days a week. My OH is a big meat eater so this was weird at first but we have both agreed its not too bad and at least he doesn';t have to sit there watching me fuss with cutting fat (and funny looking bits!) off the meat!

I also try and only buy cheap cheap brands altho some are minging (value chicken soup, value custard!) most are ok (tinned tom's, pasta, rice, frozen veg, belly pork). I think I actually now know the price of everything in my local supermarket to the penny :rotfl:
This does allow me to price up my list before I go and I'm normally within a couple of quid of my plan. I also don't go off my list unless the item is half price and can be frozen / not perishable (just a rule I have!!)

LauraJo

Gotta go for lunch at work today so not a cheap day - gotta be done occassionally though I suppose (you look a bit weird if you are the only one that doesn't go!!)
Hope everyone is having a better money saving day than me?

kirstypark

it's amazing how much you can save off groceries isn't it? that was a huge chunk of our wages before and i was never out of the supermarket. now, if i don't have one ingredient i substitute another or go without - saves trips for one thing and then spending £50 everytime.

Another thing that helps me is making slightly too much and then freezing the extra portion. Then there is always something in to eat and it's a free meal. i never used my freezer before, and didn't like the thought of prepacked frozen stuff, but like my own food.

never tried nettle soup, but fancy the free eggs...