How to become debt-free?

pelirocco

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

And buy from Pound shops.

You will probably find them cheaper or the same price in the supermarket

FireWyrm

pelirocco wrote: »

You will probably find them cheaper or the same price in the supermarket

Indeed. I always suspected Poundland might not be all it appeared...

See : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/99p-stores

[Deleted User]

pelirocco wrote: »

You will probably find them cheaper or the same price in the supermarket

I can get enough laundry gel for 28 washes, for £1.

1.3 Litres of washing up liquid for £1.

750 ml of Mr Muscle Multi-Task Kitchen or Bathroom for £1.

18 Duzzit wood floor wipes for £1.

I've never found them cheaper in a supermarket.

pelirocco

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I can get enough laundry gel for 28 washes, for £1.

1.3 Litres of washing up liquid for £1.

750 ml of Mr Muscle Multi-Task Kitchen or Bathroom for £1.

18 Duzzit wood floor wipes for £1.

I've never found them cheaper in a supermarket.

I tend to find cheap washing up liquid doesnt last long as you have to use more

There is often offers on for kitchen or bath cleaner, and i am sure someone will be along soon to praise stardrops soon lol
even at £1 floor wipes are an expensive way to clean floors?

You would also have to factor in the costs of visiting more then one store to do all your shopping

Sammywr

What are stardrops and where can I get them?

I have a couple of spray bottles saved so I can create my own cleaning stuff in those. Also we already use diluted vinegar for the inside of our windows. Bicarb works for a lot. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil are also extremely handy to have and have anti-bacterial qualities.

I am feeling a bit happier now and have taken control of my finances - spread sheet done and checking bank account everyday. In all honesty, on paper, and provided I earn more than £300 a month, we should have at least £500 left over each month to pay for extra things, but tbh when I looked at our bank account there were just so many transactions for small things that all just added up - lunch here, coffee there, soft play for kids including food they didnt need etc. We are now going to be much more tight with our money, starting with keeping the weekly shopping down.

I am off to look at the other forums to see how I can budget for it - does anyone know the best place to do a menu plan. I though mysuperm@rket had that option but I can't find it.

niftythrifty33

just wanted to say hi, and good luck, I think looking at your outgoings once you've made a few changes/phone calls you will see quite a difference within even a few months.

we are a family of 5 (adult size people!) and I spend about 60-70 per week on food and we eat very well. Always look at the reduced items, buy meat and fish and freeze it, infact most things can be frozen. When making a meal plan start by using whats in the freezer. Def use a slow cooker as you can buy cheap cuts of meat and make lovely stew. Always make more and freeze it, and always keep any left overs and freeze in pots even if its just one portion. Make packed lunches if you can and dont be fooled into buying all the packaged stuff for packed lunches such as stringy cheese & posh yoghurts etc.

No one has mentioned your buildings ins. Mine was the same amount as yours for years then I made the effort to change it and got it down to around 20.00 p/m.

Decide a weekly amount you need (we have 150.00) for everything, food, petrol, gifts, clubs, pocket money etc and take that out in cash and write in a notebook where every penny has gone. Then work out how much you need to save each month for everything else christmas, birthdays, car ins, tax, clothes etc. Add this up and transfer that amount each month into a savings acct (joined to current acct is easier). Each time you need to buy something thats not in your weekly budget use your debit card then straight away transfer the amount from savings acct to current acct. This takes a while to get used to and I use a spreadsheet and adjust accordingly. Some pots will go up and down like clothes whereas Christmas and ins should keep building up. If done for a year you will know exactly how much you spend on each thing. This is a real eye opener. I am now a bit OCD about my spreadsheet!!

I find this method helps me feel in control even if I'm still in my OD and have debts and also means when something big comes up like car ins. yearly I have the money already sitting there so it doesnt come out of our current acct.

Good luck, have you thought about doing a diary on here?

YORKSHIRELASS

Sammywr wrote: »

What are stardrops and where can I get them?

I have a couple of spray bottles saved so I can create my own cleaning stuff in those. Also we already use diluted vinegar for the inside of our windows. Bicarb works for a lot. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil are also extremely handy to have and have anti-bacterial qualities.

I am feeling a bit happier now and have taken control of my finances - spread sheet done and checking bank account everyday. In all honesty, on paper, and provided I earn more than £300 a month, we should have at least £500 left over each month to pay for extra things, but tbh when I looked at our bank account there were just so many transactions for small things that all just added up - lunch here, coffee there, soft play for kids including food they didnt need etc. We are now going to be much more tight with our money, starting with keeping the weekly shopping down.

I am off to look at the other forums to see how I can budget for it - does anyone know the best place to do a menu plan. I though mysuperm@rket had that option but I can't find it.

Sounds like you are making great progress and yeah its those little spends that can add up and catch you out. You just need to keep going now. If you are in this for the long haul there will be times when you get really fed up and there will be times when you fall off the debt free wagon and make mistakes. We are always here for you though so keep coming back here and posting, I find it really helps.

As for meal plans. When I first started I sat down and made a list of as many meals as I could think of that I could make and that everyone likes. This list is handy for future reference. Then I sit down with my diary once a fortnight and work out what we are doing and slot in meals for each day that I can make.

For example on a Friday night the kids have football club so they need a quick tea. On a Monday hubby is home from work early and usually no-one goes out so I can do a roast dinner or something a bit more complicated.

Once I have got my 14 meals I make a list of the ingredients I need, checking the cupboards.

I have to say this is time consuming and I dont particularly enjoy doing it but it makes life so much easier and saves money so its worth it. It does get easier with practice too.

If you go to the old style moneysaving boards there is loads of helpful info on there about this kind of thing.