Paying off debts by taking money saving to the extreme.

[Deleted User]

I have started debt free diaries before and never stuck to them, I now have a job, which is great but still need an extra £500 a month so I can pay these debts off quickly (within the next 3 years), so I am going to do carboots, ebay more, surveys etc, but that can be hit an miss, so I thought I would really get into old style moneysaving big time,has any one really reduced there debt by saving money, by being old style, rather than earning more, I am sure it could be possible.

Here are a few things I have done this week to make a start at saving money.

Washed out the reusable freezer bags.
Put the water heater on for only an hour a day.
Bought up all the 20p candles from the charity shop, and using them instead of lights until it gets really dark.
Only putting a few logs on the wood burner, instead of keeping it going flat out,.
Been freezing leftovers, even if it is one portion.
Not wasting kitchen roll.
Instead of taking old clothes to charity shop, I cut up into pieces, and got some of the basics household multi purpose cleaner,and used a tiny amount with bowl of water and washing all floors by hand, no more expensive floor wipes.
Only going to buy yellow sticker, half price or special offers.

Am I being unrealistic , has anyone really paid off debts by extreme moneysaving, love to hear your thoughts or ideas.:)

valerie57

And try Frugal Queen who has got rid of her debt and is now paying off her mortgage through money saving measures. Her posts are fantastic. Good luck.

frosty

Hi,this is how I cleared the debt we had,by doing everything you are doing.£35,000 worth.we went into what I call starvation mode.Every penny was accounted for,if we needed to buy something I hunted for the cheapest price.I managed to grocery shop on a pittance.shopped late at night to get the bargains .all lights off unless needed.a lamp with a low energy bulb doesn't cost much to run.good luck.

camNolliesMUMMY

I don't think it's impossible, but it will have to be a total lifestyle change.
I found making money saving as my hobby and its constantly on my mind.
Think about daily tasks such as the dw or wm only using half a tablet in the dw and a smaller scoop for the wash powder. I use dh weight gain / protein shake scoop for measuring washing powder when he's done with it as well as keeping the tub it comes in, to store my wash powder so it doesn't get clumps at the bottom.
Saving more tubs for keeping a decent stock of rice and pasta in.
Make a meal plan and shop just for the items needed.
Put money aside for spending money or in another account and leave the normal card t home so you don't go over.
There are so many things you can do, I'm sure one one will be along with great links for you to read through?

Good luck

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your replies, I feel really inspired, I have found mean queen and frugal queen blogs and will read from start to finish, I a m really looking forward to this, a major challenge but the debt has to go, I will update regularly let you know how it goes, I have lost about 3 stone , since April, so have hardly a thing to wear, I have been buying clothes from my charity shop clothing is only £2.00 per item, which is brill, no more new clothes, and the best thing is most are good quality marks and spencers etc, I am so excited about this challenge, and I will do it, the debt will go!

Uniscots97

Let us know how you get on. I don't think its unfeasible at all although there's going to be times where it isn't possible. I try my best with my debt busting but there's times where events mean you just can't avoid spending money.

415SanFran

Why are you buying kitchen roll in the first place? A re-usable cloth will do the same job.
Have you thought of buying the 10p-30p handwash and refilling all the expensive bottles with that instead?
Freezing left-overs is a good idea, as you say even if it is only enough for one person. perfect for lunch the next day.
Would it be easier to buy a mop rather than getting on your hands and knees? But yes a milti- cleaner with water is good, have a look at *stardrops* lasts ages and works just fine.
Yes I think you would be able to have extra money to throw at anything you choose. A few changes do make a difference.
I have gone shopping at 8.00pm and bought 10-15 pounds worth of good for 2 or 3 pounds, and it have fed me for the week at least.
Certainly worth a try.

lemontart

not extreme at all, my mother who is 75 always used to use old vests for floor clothes - I do similar though the vests I have now are thermal and love them for winter to save on heating - I use vegetable bags from supermarket that I get loose veg in as freezer bags , not good to wash or reuse but perfectly functional bags to take out to clear up after dogs ,

Full price bread is a treat rather that a regular purchase rarely spend more than 20 p on a loaf and put in freezer if more on offer same goes for fresh veg and any tins etc

Got to do what you can these days with every thing going up and wages static or going down for some - i have not had a raise in over 4 years and know some that in order to keep a job have taken wage cut - so regardless of paying off debts which thank goodness I am winning at - just to stand still it is becoming a necessity for a lot of us

valk_scot

None of your tips are that extreme tbh, they're just sensible ways of being frugal and not wasting money unnecessarily. I find it's not the big one-off things you do that save the most money, it's the lots of little things that add up to an awful lot over a month or year.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your replies, I have had a good look around what food , cleaning items and toiletries I have and it is silly, I have been spending around £400-£500 a month, in our house there are two adults, 1 teenager and a dog, do you think it is wise to half big stocks or to buy what you need, this starting from today which was the ,monthly pay day I am going to try to spend no more than £150 in supermarkets, and go through the cupboards and freezers, and pull something out and use it, I have got boxes of bits from approved foods down the shed, I made some silly buys just cos it was cheap, but wont be using them any more, as they have changed couriers, I will take a good look at the basic, and value products in the supermarkets, keep the replies coming its really helping, made 2 cups of tea with 1 bag, saving the pennies:T

camNolliesMUMMY

If this helps I buy in bulk or larger size.....
Rice 2 months supply basmati rice value tesco brand £4 for 5kg
Pasta tesco value around 20p a packet x6
Tinned toms x7
Beans x7
A sack of spuds
Toilet roll got 18 from Iceland for £3
Meat mainly chicken farmfoods do two bags of chicken breast or £8
Washing powder/gel, I have enough to last a year due to tescos recent offer
Fabric conditioner enough to last a year, due to tescos recent offer.
Everything else is weekly based round the menu plan.
I try and make sauces cheaper if poss like....
We love home pride cheese n Tom pasta bake, I now sort of make my own cheaper as its well over £ when not on offer.
All you need instant cheese sauce and a tin of tomato soup some garlic onion granules and mixed herbs and it tastes the same!!!
Check hb or b&m for cheaper things like toiletries, sauces, etc first before hitting the supermarket.
Save/freeze everything you can, I often pick up veg slice/chop and freeze for later so I can grab the right amount.
I have...
Spring onions
Carrot
Onions
Tomatoes
Peppers
Mushrooms
Spinach
Cabbage
Broccoli
But I mainly use these things to o in meals or they could be soggy if in a salad lol