Paying off debts by taking money saving to the extreme.

[Deleted User]

Thankyou. x

luxor4t

fairyface wrote: »

.... 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.......

Try the Grocery Challenge threads for good ideas on pulling down the food budget. It's a sticky at the top of the page, the November thread will start soon.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4191077

miffy257

Good luck fairyface, I think I need to try some of these, don't have any debt apart from small mortgage(thanks to PPI reclaiming advice on here) but my food bill is becoming ridiculous and need to start preparing for retirement. I shall be following your thread

415SanFran

If you can hold out on washing stuff till the new year, not sure why but the big stores tend to have really good sales at this time of year. I think it was all half price, but only on certain brands......(Proctor & Gamble)
I am still using all the stuff that I bought this January and will replace it again early next year.

Are you taking your own food to work/school/collage, that is another way that I save money especially when it comes to the drinks, like you, I used to use AF for most of my lunchbox stuff, but that was in the old days when you could get a case of drinks for about 2 quid! But HB always have packs of crisps and crackery/biscuit type things in. I still use AF but now it tends to be about once every three or so months rather than that many a month.

Do you also buy the polishing wipes, go old style and use polish and a duster.
Clean all glass and mirrors with nothing more than a wet chamis cloth (I started that because of my asthma, when I had huge patio doors and young children!!! Not a good combination )
Can't think of much else right now. I'm sure there are loads more.

[Deleted User]

I will not have to buy any cleaning products or toiletries,(apart from toothpaste and shampoo)which I have a boots voucher from valued opionions which I can use,I have enough washing powder and fabric condtioner so I will not buy any more until next year.

bluebag

Oh yeah, once you get a feel for it... it's addictive. You start paying off the debt. then the mortgage then thinking how you can fund the once in a lifetime never thought you'd ever get there trip, then early retirement.

I don't think I'll go for the funeral prepayment thingy though... the spenders in my house can cough up for something.

bess1234_2

I found when I started I was being more careful, but once I got into the swing of it, it's quite addictive, and would struggle to spend what I did before. I'm often found scratching my head wondering why I've got so much money left at the end of the month lol! Still convinced I've missed paying something, but can't find out what. And the biggest joy is loving the simplicity of life and instead of polite thanks at Xmas, valuing every single present I am given, because it has become what it should be, a joyful treat, rather than yet more crop to add to the endless pile.

Good luck and make it fun

marmiterulesok

I was reading this thread yesterday and am pretty sure that one of you posted a link to a blog by a 63 yo lady about frugal living.I can't see the link anymore and didn't copy it down.It was very interesting.Can anyone help?Thanks.

In answer to your question fairyface,yes it is possible.

Make do with what you have and I'm not just talking about food.Since you have lots of food stores,go through what needs to be eaten in the next few months and bring it up to the house,not sitting forgotten about in the shed.

Do a meal plan with these products in mind and only buy whatever fresh stuff is needed.

Write a shopping plan and stick to it.As others have suggested,try the grocery challenge.

Take packed lunches to work.Plus snacks/drinks.

Just a few ideas.Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Aril

None of your ideas sound extreme- just good common sense in order to pay off your debts.
I've always been very careful with money but I really had to rein it in when my OH was made redundant in 2005. Many of the things you are doing will soon become second nature. I now struggle even to notice many of the frugal things I do as they are just automatic.
With regards to cleaning I use microfibre cloths a lot [I work as a cleaner for an agency aswell]- mine come from £land. They are really good for polishing aswell as wiping surfaces etc. At home I use a spray bottle with diluted washing up liquid in for most of my cleaning including the floors. I use vinegar on the windows and microfibre cloths. My fridge I do with diluted bicarb and I soak my oven shelves in washing powder in a black bag in the bath when I do have to deep clean it. I do keep a bottle of bleach in and I do use toilet cleaner and loo block but compared to the many products I use at other houses I really use very few. Many of the products eg for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom are multipurpose as far as I can see. I keep a canvas bag of rags in both the bathroom and under sink cupboard so I can lay my hands on them easily. I haven't totally eliminated kitchen paper but only need for one specific job.

If you google Mean Queen you will find the other blog you are looking for. I am in no way connected to the blog other than a reader.

Arilx

[Deleted User]

Good Morning everyone, woke up early today, I really feel excited about this challenge, itching to get going, just thinking if I can keep this up once I have paid the debts, we could have nice family days out, holidays etc, early retirement, I am not gonna give up. Having a simple Sunday at home, roasting Pork for lunch,and am making batches of yorkshire puddings while the oven is on, then freezing them, no more aunt bessies, I am using approved foods batter mix, so far I have done 36, and will do an extra tray for lunch as my son loves them. Reduced sausage rolls and scones, jam and cream for tea,I am making the scones while the oven is on. EDF which is my electric supplier are putting their prices up so when I used the main oven and am gonna make use of extra shelves. I have a halogen which has been used twice and a slow cooker, so going to use them more. Been reading Frugal Queens blog she is amazing. Got a load of car boot items for £20. So sorting out that ready to resell with other items at an indoor carboot, Not sure what else I will do today,I know its Sunday, but Im on a mission:j