Diary of a "Frugal Saver"

Frugal_Saver

Hi all, sorry for the lack of diary entries, been a bit hectic the last few days, been busy with family as my sister had a baby on friday. Have resisted temptation to slip into old habits, haven't been able to stick to the original plans I had but still feel like I'm getting somewhere.

The advantages of the last few days are that I had 2 unplanned NSDs. Hopefully things will settle down in the next few days and I'll be back on here and keeping my diary up to do date.

Frugal_Saver

Really struggling to keep this diary going! I work such long hours that I don't really get time during the week.

Still managing to keep spending to absolute minimum, although I've got less than £5.00 change in my purse and £20 combined in two accounts available. Keeping the money in my accounts for emergencies only. OH gets paid on Friday. If I can avoid spending the £20 it will go towards my debts.

Phoned Next and Littlewoods today to reduce my credit limits, it was only afterwards I realised that my combined limit had been nearly £4,000. Doing everything I can to secure myself a 0% balance tranfer CC next month. Think I'll really struggle if I can't get one.

Stickles

Good luck! I hope this helps but if you have Internet banking you can probably reduce your overdraft that way- save you going in again.

Will be following, in the middle of doing an SOA after being a lon time lurker, oh finally on board but hoping that sigs and community can give the extra push when I relapse!

Frugal_Saver

Thanks Stickles, I have online banking with my Lloyds account, I can easily apply to increase my overdraft online but can't seem to find a way to reduce it!

Good luck to you, I was exactly the same, as you can see i joined the forum back in 2010 but only started tackling my debt last month. I don't think I wanted to admit how much debt I was in, but like I said in my opening posts I want to start planning for the future and I can't do that if I don't address the past. I only wish I'd started doing this sooner, I find it really motivating.

Frugal_Saver

Still not heard anything sbout my PPI claims, coming up to nearly a month and all I've had is a letter confirming receipt of the claims.

OH is starting to get the jist of MSE way of living, I think he's doing it without even realising though. Gave him money for the bus yesterday as I normally give him a lift but he's done a couple of days doing different hours and he ended up walking to work, must be about at least 5 miles but it doesn't bother him. Made me start thinking about when he works nights I might walk into work myself, I've walked a similar distance before just not sure about it after a long day at work and walking home in the dark.

Had a couple of LSD and today was a NSD. That makes 6 this month, not going to hit target but I'm pleased at how well I've done.

There's a part of me that is really enjoying the MSE way of living. For the first time in ages my cupboards, fridge and freezer are actually running on empty (I used to say there was nothing to eat in the cupboards but I just wasn't using my imagination). I have learned to make do with what we have and only buy what I really need.

Frugal_Saver

Things I am doing/will do to help reduce my debt

• Meal planning
• Using vouchers for money off/freebies
• Generally planning ahead
• Online surveys etc
• Sell items on ebay
• stop impulse buying
• Stick to budget
• Walk instead of drive where possible
• PPI claim
• Stop lending OH money so frequently and without question
• Reduded credit limit on catalogues
• Apply for 0% balance transfer CC
• Put all extra money earned /acquired towards debt rather than treating myself

Hiddenidenity

Hope all is well x

Frugal_Saver

Not a very MSE weekend. Went away with OH to Manchester, something we do about once a year.

I was very good though, went window shopping on Saturday and the only thing I bought was some wittards instant tea because I love it and we don't have one near us. If I could find a cheaper alternative I would give it a try but I've never found anywhere else where I can get fruit flavoured instant tea.



Got loads of freebies on Saturday. While wondering around the city I managed to get the following freebies:

• 2 tubes of trial toothpaste
• 3 packs of maom sweets
• a trial of drench (a drink)
• a trial of a cinaman swirl (don't really like cinaman but this was quite tasty)
• a trial of mulled wine in Wittards

Also had a bit of a result when checking out of the hotel. We struggled all morning to get hot water to have a shower and when checking out I mentioned this in passing. The majority of the bill was paid for by Tesco vouchers but there was £50 on top of that which needed paying. They took the vouchers and said not to worry about the £50, they'd had a problem all morning with the water and were very apologetic.

I didn't make a complaint to get money off, but the level of customer service at this hotel is the best I've ever seen. We stayed there last year and I had left my ipod in the hotel room and didn't realise until late in the afternoon after checking out. Went back to the hotel to find that it had been handed in by the cleaner.

Couldn't afford this hotel if it wasn't for the Tesco vouchers but will probably end up going back again next year when we've earnt enough vouchers to go again.

Belle208

Hi, you're doing so well so far, will subscribe..

Hiddenidenity

Hope all is okay xx

Have a nice weekend x