Free by Fifty - well that's the plan!

joanne109

Well done for resisting the urge - that's around a fiver "saved"

Joanne

FreebyFifty_2

A fiver and a groggy head saved

Like you I am shocked by how much I have spent on wine. Bizarrely I knew how much I was spending on other things. I just seem to have conveniently avoiding adding up the booze spends.

joanne109

Mind you, I'm off work this week so I would be having 2 bottles a day (1st one kicking off at 12 and second one kicking off around 7) so if I hadn't been AF I would have got through around 10 bottles since I finished work on Friday.
The bin men aren't going to know what's hit them when they collect the recycling, I usually have a box full of bottles for them

Joanne

FreebyFifty_2

We definitely had same drinking patterns Here's to having similar non drinking patterns. I have signed up for 25 AFDs in June :eek:

Lol! I had same thought about the re-cycling. Normally I am straining my back as I put the container out. Today there are 2 tins and 2 milk containers. Hardly seems worth it! Mind you the neighbours will be happier. I am sure the 10 minutes of bottles noisily kerchinking into the lorry of a morning must have driven them mad

Payday today so will be withdrawing my weekly cash for groceries though I am going to avoid spending anything and eek out what I have in my cupboards. The challenge is to retain as much of the money as possible.

busybumblebee

Well done FreebyFifty, it sounds like you've made an amazing start on your journey. It's brilliant that you've seen the benefits already and that should definitely motivate you. I've subscribed to your thread to keep up to date with your progress. Keep up the super good work and good luck with a tricky June.

I only started my budget this month and it's the first time in many years that I still have money left in my account half way into the month (I'm paid mid-month). June is going to be a stretch for me too as there are a few birthday's (some of them 'big' ones) and fathers day too, so I'll have to work extra hard too! Keep us posted on how you're doing and well done again for making so many changes at once!

FreebyFifty_2

Hi Busybumblebee and well done on having some money left - it must be a great feeling and you have managed it in your first month

Well I withdrew my grocery money and refrained from spending any of it. Normally the sheer joy of having money back in my account sees me spending just because I can! I am finally shifting my mentality away from the fact that just because I have £xx available I have to spend it all.. I should only spend what I NEED to spend.

Another AFD and I have stuck to my 1200 calories so all is on track

FreebyFifty_2

Morning diary!

Well the aim for today is to not spend anything although that may make for an interesting meal for dinner tonight. It will be something based around tinned tomatoes as I have plenty of those. Will probably add onions, any bits of veg left in the bottom of fridge and kidney beans to make veg chilli of sorts.

I am determined to make the cash in my purse last as long as possible

FreebyFifty_2

Well I have made it through the day without spending or drinking. I am settled at home for the evening now so no danger of heading back out again.

The sun is shining at last but it is hard sat out in the garden without a big glass of chilled white wine. I have to do some food shopping tomorrow so will pick up some fizzy water to see if a glass of that with ice and a slice makes me feel better.

I am really interested in seeing how I do this month as I have a grocery budget that is £25 per week less than what I intend it to be from July onwards as this month is so tight.

joanne109

Hi, just checking in. Well done on your 10 AF days and for keeping your money securely in your purse.

It looks like you're truly in "the zone"

Joanne

FreebyFifty_2

Thanks Joanne - I do feel very motivated - just need to sustain it. But then that's the reason for the diary and hopefully will get the support/backside kicking from people on here to help me.

Official weigh in day and I have lost 3.4lbs this week. Measurements wise I have lost 4" with 1" going from chest,waist hips and thighs :j

Off to do grocery shopping later and think I will use the calculator on my phone - am not taking any cards so don't want the embarrassment of having to put stuff back at the checkout!! I am going to give Lidl a go as I believe their fruit n veg are good prices and I am going through a lot of that stuff.

Already I am liking this weekly budget. I haven't spent anything so far and after today will only have 4 days until I can draw out my next lot. Psychologically it doesn't seem a long time to eek out the money. Maybe that's because I am used to doing it for the last week or two of every month as I have run out of money through early splurging!

Have a good day everyone. It is supposed to be hot and sunny here but there are some grey clouds out there at the mo. hope they shift!