Living life in HD technicolour

MuffinTops

Well, I have decided I am now ready to start my new shiny 2013 diary.

I became debt free last year, mostly as a result of tips, hints and support on this forum which really kept me on track. I then decided that the mortgage needs to disappear, which is still very much my focus. I took some time out of writing to get a more rounded view of my life in general and to work out fresh new goals and put life in perspective. I've done enough thinking so let's start the "doing" phase! I've always lived a low budget lifestyle based on having no other choice due to no money. But now I'm very lucky to be in a position to be able to overpay my mortgage and still have a better lifestyle.

It's my birthday next week. Based on the past year being so great I'm happy to be seeing this chapter close and to start on a new, more exciting Chapter 42. I still live alone and am single.

So, since the New Year started I have reduced my hours to part time, lost 1 stone in weight and generally managed to switch my mindset a fair amount. For the first time in years (maybe ever) I don't hear that whoosh sound when my salary hits my account and then it all starts pinging out again! I keep to a daily budget and I am very aware of what's in my account each day and what's been earmarked for a bill later in the month. My reduced hours salary has very little negative effect when you take everything into consideration.

My quest now is to maximise on all of my good work so far and carry on overpaying the mortgage substantially but to also work on giving myself a great life by using my budget as wisely as possible. In the past I've been guilty of staying home a lot in order not to spend money, but I want to get out and enjoy things now. I also need much less stuff in my home, but much better quality on the things that are there.

Now, to achieve all that I really want to I need to track spends and other areas and generally keep a close eye on things and this diary will help me do that. It will also be nice to have a history of my progress.

So, let this fabulous life commence..............

skint_spice

All sounding fabulously positive - good luck on your journey:beer:

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

You sound like a kindred spirit. Good luck and stay positive. There is a lot of entertainment out there for very little money if you are creative! Depending on your location you can often get tickets for TV and radio recordings for example.

Squirrel

gallygirl

All sounds great :j:j:j

pixnmix_2

Well done Muffintops on your debt free achievement :T :beer:
I'm looking forward to following your MFW progress on here

cb4fwh

Well done on the weight loss - losing a stone in a month is pretty impressive! My secret to a mortgage-free existence is being realistic - I still need my treats (in my case, holidays, travelling & seeing new things!) but I save lots of money in other areas (less heating, more jumpers, less clothes etc.)

Emzilla

Hi MT

You sound very positive and happy .

I'm off to subscribe.

Emz xx

puregeordie

Hi,
Good luck and you sound really looking forward giving it
a good hammering down, Happy b/day for nxt tuesday.

MuffinTops

Wow, what a lovely welcome from you all. Thank you so much.

I do try to stay positive as I find that can be quite a good tool at bringing on better things.

Thank you also for the ideas on saving money and spending it wisely. I really like the idea of going to recordings and hadn't thought of that. I do like adding new and exciting things to my to do list.

MT x

MuffinTops

One of the guys I work with (A) is leaving where I work next week. We've had our ups and downs but I didn't want him to go without a proper send off from me, so I've been putting a little aside to pay for a nice little meal for us both.

I wanted something a bit unique and managed to find a great gem of a restaurant in London which is designed to look like an adult naughty shop from the outside. It's a lovely restaurant inside - nothing naughty about it at all. For dramatic effect I decided to keep my plans secret from him, I just gave him dress code and time to be ready and left the rest a mystery. His whole demeanour was brilliant. Turning up at this dark shop advertising dances and displaying all sorts of paraphenalia upstairs must have had him wondering what I was planning for him! A few people were standing by the door when we arrived too, so we couldn't even enter the place discreetly.

The relief on his face when he realised it was "just" a nice atmospheric restaurant was great. We had a lovely meal and then when the bill arrived he announced he'd been given a large sum of money for doing some market research so as it was "free money" he wanted to use that for the night. So I didn't even end up paying for any of it.

I put aside £60 so I'll use £20 to get my nails and eyebrows sorted on Sunday and then put £40 into my car jar.

It was a lovely night and I really feel that if we don't stay in touch that we've ended things on a great note and I'm more than happy with that.

Tomorrow I need to get my birthday budget exchanged for Euros as I won't have time on Monday before I leave. I was hoping the exchange rate would pick up but Euros seem a bit rubbish at the moment.

I'm also itching to give the house a bit of a blitz and to ruthlessly grab a lot of things to put on ebay and for boot sales in March when they open again so that's Saturday and Sunday plans sorted.

It's Friday!!! The weekend has hopefully already started for everyone! Have a great one! x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi MuffinTops, good luck with your new chapter and enjoy your break.

There's a lot of decluttering in the MFW forum at the moment - lovely to reclaim some space and know there's a few pennies back in the coffers.

Best wishes Tilly