10k in 18 months

holbol1

wow I love your thread and really well done!! I am saving for my honeymoon so being a little tighter than normal. Once the wedding is done in august I am looking to save a house deposit, we have a house and it is lovely but it is a little small so will need a booster amount of money to move to a bigger one before we have kids!!

Was going to say to you, nowhere in your messages have you mentioned freebies?! If you use the freebie no spend forum, you can often get little novelties, presents for birthdays and treats at no cost. its on the forums and is well worth a look. My favourite things recently have been yoyo bears, if you go the their website you can spin the beetle for a chance to win a free snack! I also like loreal paris, using moneysupermarket you can get makeup wipes for free and i got my shampoo this month for 33p!! have to pick and choose the right shops but it is great for money saving!!! I use the freebies for gifts as well and it just makes everyone happy for no cost!!! Hope this helps! and really congratulations I look forward to following your feed for the rest of your journey!

Really well done! You are doing an awesome job!!!!

holbol1

Also quidco, if you have a smart phone you can check into shops...free money! I try to cover parking with the amount of check ins I do when I am in town. You can also use the no brainer section of the website and get pounds for being given sim cards and doing free trials. They take the first £5 each year but the rest is yours. Last year I made £72 which is better than nothing hey?!

holbol1

also just thought (sorry bombarding your thread! am incredibly excited that this is a feasible challenge and am now thinking hmmm maybe i should try)

Free milk friday, on cravendale fb page every friday now into feb you get the chance for one of 2000 free milks! good if you are freezing!!!! and can collect voucher whenever you want

coolcats

Its been easier than I thought, just because I'm knowing what I'm spending and where I'm spending it. So checking prices much more than ever before. Also a big thing has been looking at where I bank. Since looking at the I have made some big changes and will be gaining interest, something that I hadn't got so much of in recent years.
I had a lump sum in April, which made me look at everything. Although I didn't look as much as I should of done. Was all a big shock and totally unexpected. But as the shock has gone I've had time to look at what I got and get the best I can from the money. One sensible thing I did was put some into a bond, was scared it would get wasted too easy. That bond matures in april so now its think clearly where to put it.
The last few months have made me look at what money was wasted. Mainly eatting out at cafe's or having takeaways. Three times a week at times was normal! Now we hardly ever eat out or have takeaways. And then I study the menu to get good value.
I have looked into quidsco, usually do 1 online shop at Asda, so not really bothered. Although I do tend to get kids clothes from M and S online. We live quite far out from the big shops, so tends to be every few months bus ride to the big shops. Not cheap, but make a day out of it. But they tend not to have all we want so online is easier. Local high street is ok for general, but not so for kids clothes.
I do get freebies when I see them, and when time go looking, but not much. Have in the past got samples to try, soap powder and shampoos mainly. I have got loads of toilitrees to use, mainly xmas presents again! And stocked up on offers in the past.
Well done on your savings journey.

coolcats

I have worked out the savings for January, I'm sure nothing else will come in now or change. For January it is £803.12 saved. that is money saved to the regular savers and the monthly interest that has been paid to the accounts. So I'm really pleased with this. If I can keep this up my target will happen much sooner than first planned.

I'm thinking a cinema trip this weekend and of course money saving at the same time. So its the choice of bargin shows for us, that include popcorn and a drink. Good value at £2.99 each. Its been a long time since we have been and we all need a treat.

I stocked up with shopping today, I had got a few supplies from the local coop on sunday, hardly anything for the money so much better today on value as from Lidi. I'm hoping thats it now till the weekend.

I've done well this month with spending, best month ever. The lack of shopping days has made a huge difference I have to say. Only been shopping 6 days so far, and no big monthly shop. The cupboard looks a little empty as does the freezer, but not a bad thing. Hoping for 2 more shop days for the rest of the month and no big shop just yet. Although I still have £40 club money to find, hoping to do £20 this month and £20 next month.

cydney65

Wow coolcats that savings total is impressive...well done.

Enjoy your trip to the cinema this weekend. What are you going to see by the way? Loads of good films out at the moment.

coolcats

The film choice is Rise of the guardians or Nativity 2. Not seen either so will decide nearer the time. Although I can see one will want one film and the other will want the other film choice. Will probably be Nativity 2. The bargin shows are never the latest, but for that price I don't mind waiting. Full price is adults £5 and kids £4. And of course would have snacks on top (that is if not from home). May watch the other film next time if its still on as the bargain film. I always get the email to say the film choice and plan round that if there is a film we want to see. I do try to do the odd cinema treat when we can.

cydney65

Ooh not seen either of those but had a quick look on IMDb and they both seem good, loving Hugh Jackman though in Rise of the Guardians!

I always used to sneak food from home into the cinema to cut down on the cost but the cinema here has started searching your bags for food the cheeky wotsits! Can't see that policy lasting very long.

Have a great time X

calvind12

I registered in this forums just to say that you're an inspiration to many! my parents are deeply in debt and I will share your story to them.

coolcats

I guess having nothing as a child helped and having lost a lot of things as an adult, realising material things are exactly that. I don't have high taste in things. Although if I want something I want the best I can afford, but as good value. Not just for the sake of getting is as the Jones have it. Most of what I will buy will be value, although if its a special occasion or a treat it will be better. I'll buy body shop shower gel, but go for a own brand shampoo. I'll stick to the basics for myself, but kids get a bit more. I'll look for the offers.
I have had debt and can see how easy it it to get it. So anything I do I have to know I can afford, even if I was to lose my job.
I get food I know the kids will eat even though its the same every day. I cook one meal but adapt it so they are all happy with what they have. I have one that loves jacket potato and one that hates them, so there is jacket potato and also pasta available. One loves pizza one doesn't but does like ham. There is still waste but a lot less this way. I eat most things so that helps. We use a lot of pasta and that is brought from the basic range unless a good offer.
I still always look at ways to cut back and save money. I take any tips I can and see what will work for us.
My biggest advise is know what you are spending and what you are using. I record the weekly electric and gas use. If its a bit high I think why has it been this week. This week has been the highest its been but its been extremly cold so thats the reason. I keep lights off when not needed. Everything I buy I write down, I go to Lidi more than coop as they are cheaper. There is a tesco but its a long way to walk. I just look at the cheapest option, if not happy with that look at the next cheapest till I am happy.
I could get a car, but I know for how much it would be used its not worth it. And most of where I need to go I can walk, the odd time it maybe too far but public transport is an option.
I know I won't be able to keep up the saving level for long but while I can I will.