Morgage Free when you are addicted to shopping.

littlegreenpeas

Hello

This is the start of my MFW diary.

Just to explain a bit about myself. I am 36 year old married woman with no children yet and I like shopping rather too much, but not paying full price.

I am now trying to pay off the mortgage in the next 7 years. We owe just over 99k and this is only debt that we have.

I don't want to stop living, just pay the smartest price I can for stuff so that I have money to make OP and still enjoy life.

To start I have a few things that I thought would help in order to save the most money. It's not rocket science but if I put it down on screen I might actually do it.

1. Clearing out the cupboards of stuff that I have hoarded i.e. BOGOF and kiddies presents.
2. Write a shopping list each week and meal plan
3. Bach cook meal and freeze.
4. Find discount vouchers for stuff I need to buy
5. Make the best use of clubcard vouchers, nectar points and TCB for fun stuff
6. Stop buying things I don't need and use my time to write my diary.


My new Mantra Even if I can afford it, do I really need it.


Any suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks LGP

sleepygirl126

Hi LGP

I will always be a spendaholic and it will never leave me!! I try and look for bargains: for example my new knee high boots cost me £8 cash and £10 double up clubcard points....I buy from ebay etc too.

I also treat myself every week...todays is a £4 breakfast from spoons with the girls before work...lovely chance to socialise and see my mates but inexpensive

good luck xx

edinburgher

Just to explain a bit about myself. I am 36 year old married woman with no children yet and I like shopping rather too much, but not paying full price.

The thing with shopping is that manufacturers and retailers spend billions of pounds every year to convince you to buy their goods. Manufactured demand is a very real thing, and it's always worth asking yourself your new mantra.

I do very little shopping per se, but every year I end up with at least 1-2 items I really didn't need from Black Friday etc. I sometimes wonder if forums like this one and HUKD are a bad idea, as all that happens is that we egg each other on to buy more tat! :rotfl:

You have no children and seem to be in a good place, so don't beat yourself up about it. On the other hand, what's more important, your shopping or your freedom?

Watty1

Good luck with the diary. Be interesting to see if it changes your outlook. I've been working on this MFW lark for 4 months and I've been suprised to see how my spending has changed. I would describe myself as a shopaholic yes - but - since working on a goal to be MF I've really begun to question my spends, and, as a result dont buy anywhere near the stuff I was before starting out.

Crumpets

Hi LGP, glad to see you've started your diary:D I think your new mantra sounds fab, I'm a bit like you in that I want to still have a life and do fun stuff and buy nice things but it's making my money work for me, so we can do these things and have money to op at the end of the month. Having a diary really helps to focus the mind.

Lots of luck with your targets :beer:

crumpets x

littlegreenpeas

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.


Crumpets - This is all down to your fab diary that I have started so thank you very much x


Watty 1 - I am really impressed with your progress and hope that I can do the same. :cool:


Edinburgher - I know freedom is the most important thing but its good to remember when you get the urge to spend. Its very easy to buy and not think about it, the plastic never feels like spending proper cash.


Sleepygirl. Well done on your bargains and the use of the clubcards. I really like your breakfast idea, thanks.


Today has been a bit of a mixed bag.


It was the first of my Christmas works dos. We have a section one and then a company one which is next week.


I bought a Christmas jumper a couple of weeks ago but decided to wear it today as the weather was rubbish. It was from a supermarket and cost £8 but this will be used a few times over Christmas. Drink with dinner was £35. Train home from work was £4.10 instead of the normal taxi which was £30.:)

littlegreenpeas

This is the second day in the MF task and its been really good.


I went to one of the discount supermarkets starting with L with a list for the first time in about 6 months. I went up and down the isles making sure I got everything on the list. I got to the last isle near the checkout and realised that there was more in the trolley than on my list, things you pick up and don't think about it. I gave myself a stern talking to and put back over £10 of stuff. Paid £46.99 very happy.


Then to the local butchers and bought enough meat to cook for the freezer. Now I some pre cooked dinners which will do lots of evening after work £56.10 later. An its no pre packed with lots of nasty stuff.


The reason I tell you is that, I put in all the items I had bought into the website money supermarket and I had saved over £40 by not shopping for everything at my normal supermarket and the stuff I bought was better quality. I know its unnecessary to do this but it gets me motivated.


Tonight is a 40th birthday party, I am wearing a old dress where I normally would have bought a new one. The present for the luck man is a bottle of wine which has been gathering dust on the shelf. I don't like wine but in an old job I was given lots so it makes good presents for free.


Happy Saturday night


LGP

maddiemay

Just one thought from your first post, and not knowing the type of things you have in your "hoard cupboard", would it be worthwhile for you to write a list of birthdays, anniversaries etc. up to and including Christmas 2014 and see if any of the items match up as potential gifts. I think that quite a lot of us have a gift cupboard or drawer of things bought on offer/from sales, or just seeing something that would be perfect for a gift for someone, even if it means hanging on to it for a while.

edinburgher

Sorry to butt in with a random comment, but #7 looks like someone getting ready to spam after building a post count. Their other posts seem to suggest this too.

HelenDaveKids

I have a Christmas cupboard, and keep a note book of all the items. It works well as no "emergency" presents bought.

EchoDelta

Another vote for the present cupboard here too! I love the Grabbit threads for bargains on various websites to stock it with.

Good luck lgp, you've made a great start. Interesting how much cheaper your groceries were.