Unexpected benefits of a dfw lifestyle

cdg1111

DH and I have been in this situation many times but a series of misfortunes sent us, well me really for a tumble and I was not able to face the mess we had gotten into. I have loads to repay, but the difference between today and this time last year is that I KNOW I can do it as I have see lots of you do it before.

I have only truly started this today and have yet to do my soa but over the past few years I know my family have become closer and the kids amazing. once there were weekly and sometimes more often trips the the burger bars and cinema etc when things became tough no one minded a bit. In 2003 we spent a fortune on a Florida holiday blow out. The following year we borrowed a tent and went camping in a field in Northumberland. very basic, shower block, playground and a stream running throughthe middle. Guess which one the kids reminisce about most? Yep, Northumberland!

A bottle of wine becomes an event to be truly savoured....

After a spell away I now work back in the City of London where it never ceases to amaze me how much money is spent on everyday life.... Buying a round of coffees from Starbucks is not unheard of. if you did that once a day at a tenner a round, well - it all adds up...

So glad to have worked through my fear of opening the envelopes and can now put the ringer back on the phone!

southernscouser

elantan wrote: »

best thing is though i can wear my pjs' (i need to get out of that habit)

Might be a bit painful if you drop something hot down you though!

tealady

Having the pleasure of the likes of SS for company for a start. Although I'm not strictly a DFW I use this site to remind me I once was and how easily I could be again.

Sea78

Great thread!

I like the way that I look at things with different eyes - I seemed to be determined to get more stuff, and fill the house with stuff. Now I have more time to look at things and work out if they actually bring anything to the house. I am more able to get rid of things now I've stopped buying more and more!

feeling more in control and knowing that one day I'll be df and hopefully the habit I've learned will be with me for much longer.

taplady

We appreciate things so much more now we have to wait to save up for things we really want, currently I am saving for a new sofa and even though its taking a long time I will be so happy when I finally get it!:D
We go carbooting a lot and can get lots of useful things for little money plus we enjoy spending the time together:D
we grow our own veggies now - very satisfying to tuck into them:D
We cook from scratch and everything tastes so much better:D

Theres loads of benefits that we've gained from this thread and also the old style thread:T

Thanks for the inspiration!

SarahNeedle1872

I love playing with the snowball calc, and I love my daily spend spreadsheet. I love only having to figure out whats for tea once a week (before shopping) rather than every day. I love the feeling of walking into a shop, looking at all the lovely clothes, then walking back out again without buying anything! I love putting my loose change in my tin, and mostly I love watching the debt figure in my sig coming down bit by bit - even if it is a bit slow sometimes!

Sarah x

irishmist_2

Great topic - thank you for starting it!

I really enjoy the feeling of being more in control.

I have also really enjoyed getting much more into community life as we're here more and not heading off every weekend. Have become involved in local things and in doing charity challenges and fundraising, and have got such a buzz from that, and met loads of great people.

Also realising that friends have been completely supportive and understanding when we haven't been able to go out for meals out and big nights out, but when we have offered alternatives like going out for picnics, having film nights in and stuff, they've been really up for it.

Can't wait to be debt free and to lose that sense of stress about money and repayments and stuff, but also have gained a huge amount from the experience that i hope we'll be able to keep going with.

Mozette

Oooh yes, LOVE the spreadsheets!!!

chardonnay_2

Storm wrote: »

Definitely agree with you about stuff that was 'normal' being special again.

I can remember as a kid how going to the cinema was a real treat, normally reserved for birthdays & once in the summer holidays - it then became the 'norm' and I'd go just for something to do & ended up seeing loads of films I really wasn't fussed about. Now... I only go to see something I REALLY want to see (and can't wait for DVD release) and only on Orange Wednesdays - and it's a real treat again.QUOTE]

storm, i love orange wednesdays - but even then we are really frugal and only go to films we really want to see. it's also great as it works during the school holidays - too many places put their prices up during the school holidays.

chardonnay_2

angelavdavis wrote: »

2) The taking advantage of the fact I live in a great part of the world - with the sea on my doorstep and nothing can beat a walk along the seafront on a sunny Friday evening, with the prospect of the whole weekend ahead of you, and then having a bbq picnic with a nice bottle of wine on the beach. There's nothing better. Fantastic!

QUOTE]

that sounds fab - bet you can do it really cheaply too - we have some lovely beaches not to far away but it would probably be too chilly