What are your favourite debt-busting items??!

hummingbird

Here are the new suggestions since last summary:

Woodburning stove
Bike
Free Sunday carparking
Own brand crackers to replace bread/crisps etc
Internet banking

fab ideas everyone!:beer:

Growurown

Oh I forgot to mention my garden!!

I grow a lot of my own fruit and veg - that saves money too and tastes delicious. Win, win all round:D

cocoloco

What a great thread!

My best tools is my Spending Diary!

Started it last March and religiosly fill it out everyday- its really answers the age old question- where did my money go?!?

Its very beneficial to see it all written down and can analyse it how much get spent on food / petrol/ misc and where can we save some money?

I also list all the larger expenses at the back of the book, like car tax, repairs etc.

natlie

My bike, I love my bike and its free exercise so no gym costs
My ability to cook
Internet - using free wifi where possible
my second job
my A++ rated tumble drier its magic
combi boiler - instant hot water when required
Easi-yo yourt maker

cocoloco

Let's not foget the 'Debt free wanabe' forum.

Nagme

My debt management app on my phone that I downloaded at the weekend during an insomniac moment (3am)

I've plugged everything in and it put all my debts in order (I chose highest APR first), showed me the shocking amount of interest I'd potentially pay (I think I'll be debt free by 2063) and it lets me input "snowflakes" overpayments.

I'm obsessed with it and I think I've had a megawatt lightbulb moment (about time too!)

hummingbird

Hi all,
Thanks for keeping these great suggestions coming! Here are the new items since last summary:

Garden for growing own fruit/veg
Spending diary
Ability to cook
Second job
A++ rated tumble drier
Combi boiler
Yoghurt maker
Debt-Free-Wannabe Forum (Hear hear!!!!!)
Debt management app for phone

I will add my piggy bank (have 2 of these, large one and small one)

its_maths_not_magic

OH I got heaps!

My husbands dressing gown, much warmer than mine ; ).

My laptop/internet - almost everything is cheaper with a bit of online surfing

My phone - cheap rates, all you can eat internet, thousands of texts and minutes per month, plus there are great money management apps out there. Not to mention meditation apps, recipe apps, entertaining apps...

Walking the dog - a good walk clears away the cobwebs, gets me out in nature, plus the dog is also pretty good for cuddles and good mental health.

This forum! found so much info here that really helps.

Good sleep - I only ever do financial stuff when I am well rested so I dont feel tempted to just do the easiest thing cause Im tired.

Minimum use of chemicals, such as vinegar and bicarb as a cleaner

Notepad and pen, I write lists every day to make sure I get what I need to get done, its not perfect yet, but getting there.

Calculator - im bad at maths me

Cooking skills - by far one of the best items for money saving. Luckily I've been cooking since I was single digits and Im now 38 so I know my way around a kitchen and that has saved me alot of money.

Free TV - Im very much a couch potato, and love staying in rather than heading out, especially during winter.

Optimistic, loving life attitude. While I can be prone to anxiety, mostly I just love life. Im lucky in that I can find the good in most situations, so I never really see budgeting as a chore or boring, instead I make it into a game and have fun trying to get the bills down as low as they can go.

Growurown

Mug shots - 3 for a pound in Farm Foods. Great for a quick snack.

hummingbird

Suggestions since last summary:

Phone apps
Dog
Sleep
Vinegar
Bicarb
Calculator
Free TV
Optimistic attitude
Mug snacks

:money::money::money: