Aspirations of Frugality and Fun on the Road to Mortgage Freedom

Cheery_Daff

Aw DDFW, you sound tired ((((()))))))

Those are indeed looooong days :eek: I know I struggle with sorting enough food for 12 hours out of the house, and when I'm only doing it 2 days in a row, let alone even longer, so don't beat yourself up!

If you've got a kettle at work - do you object to dried/packet stuff, eg instant noodles? You can always bung a few salady bits with them and it feels more like a proper meal than just a salad sometimes - I often do this when I'm feeling harrassed (that and dried pasta and sauce mixes in the microwave :rotfl: but not sure if you've got one of those).

I wondered about some batch cooking at the weekend, or even just once every couple of weeks? I know that might feel like it's taking over your whole weekend though! Anyone else in the house that could make you a lunch or two while you're out in the evening for a few weeks?

Other than that, I second Chocforever's suggestion of admitting you might have to eat out occasionally. For the greater good, and all that.

Have another hug (((()))))

Oh! And you asked about my diploma - thank you :kisses3: It's going well! But it's not a taught course, and there's no time limit, so I'm not exactly doing that much of it right now, just as and when I feel like it Which makes a nice change from the PhD! :rotfl: Thanks for asking

Cheery_Daff

Gah, I've tried to reply to your thread TWICE now today, once this morning on my phone and again on my laptop just now, and both have been eaten by gremlins! :eek:

So I'll just say have a hug (((())))) don't beat yourself up if you have to buy lunch out occasionally, maybe batch cook once a month, and is there someone else in your house that might be willing to knock something for you to take?

xxxxx

DedicatedDFW

Hi all

shs - thank you

Chocs - i'm sorry i should have clarified - those long days are on my college days so 2-3 times a week and not everyday - although throw in a night out after work with friends or my Mr and it is pretty much every day. I am sure you work much longer hours so you take care I have always maintained that i need regular hours and a proper meal in the day - its just how my body is, when i was younger i was the same There are no cafes near by that i'm aware of only fastfood places and there is a very tight commute from work-to train-to college but i will ponder my options some more.

Cheery no kettle or fridge at work i do enjoy cooking but haven't had / made the time for it lately so will need to get back on with that.

Hi :wave: mortgage girl thank you for stopping by Yep i will get on with the batch cooking - it seems to be the only option i'll just need to sacrifice some sleep time as the reason none has been done is because i am so time poor. I think i'll see what meat i have in and see if there is anything i can plan to prepare

DedicatedDFW

I've updated my sig with overpayments to mortgage and target card and my decluttering as well. All payments to target card are from sales so i really need to find a different income stream.

i need to up the pace on the decluttering as i want less stuff in the house rather than wanting stuff although a few bigger bits have left i am still feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything.

i really need to do some time management as well. With doing this course it means for 2-3 days a week i am out for work and study and that is it. I then seem to spend all weekend cleaning before starting the working week again. The study is in a way enjoyable as in i like to learn new things and am exercising my brain a bit. But it is also a means to an end to get a job so after a long, hard tiring day at work i go to college which is also hard - in a good way as its challenging but its tiring to and as it is focused on work in this sector the tests are very much like working. I am enjoying it and a few practice tests i've done myself online shows i'm picking stuff up but at the same it is not enjoyable in the same way as going for a run, picking up a good book, learning a new piece of music etc. so i need to make sure i factor in time for these things as well as studying.

i hope all are well xx

tattycath

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

1000 item declutter list

1, dress - carboot
2, skirt - ebay
3, large bundle of plastic bags (not carrier bags) - carboot
4-6, 3 air fresheners - carboot
7-10, various cleaning products no longer used - carboot
11, cardigan - carboot
12, pack of cards - carboot
13, lock - carboot
14, plug - carboot
15, bra - family (is new but can't return as was a set with undies but was only £2)
16, pj bottoms - weigh in bag
17, storage box - tip (too damaged for anything else)
18, mirror - tip (as above)
19, metal stand (as above)
20, garden ornament (to family: was still in box in house. unsuitable for us)
21, large jar of food (given to a friend - we were given it & won't use it but they will so counting as decluttered as would have sat unused in cupboard forever)

Wow! To your declutter target. Well done on the great start you've made. :j
I should really set myself a declutter target...we have loads of stuff that should go, one way or another...might have to pinch your idea DDFW. Might modify it though and only aim for 100 to start with as there's a lot going on right now.

Chocforever

Hi again


Actually, I wasn't expecting you to be at college five nights a week - two or three sounds like more than enough. I suppose if you can eat well on your two nights off, though I know you still get home pretty late, it can offset the compromises you have to make on college nights. I don't think I have ever described junk food as compromises before but don't want to assume you would stoop to a diet as bad as mine!


I would take it easy on the decluttering and maybe go with the 100 item target, which still sounds like a lot. If there is stuff to sell at a good price, it is worth prioritising. Otherwise, you have so much on I think you should work on the theory that you haven't time to buy more stuff so there should be a net decrease in items in the house over time!


Look after yourself x

peaceandfreedom

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

The food spends have been because i am so time poor and tired and not too well at the minute I haven't been forward thinking so have needed to make last minute purchases for meals at home. I have also bought food eg sandwiches to eat after finishing work and before college as i am hungry There is no fridge at work and the office is really quite hot - i'm thinking of investing in *a very small* cool bag so i can take food for my evening meal with me in the day - has anyone any experience of these or any suggestions? I have a food flask but my food isn't hot when i have that at lunch so can't think it would be any good for eating almost 12 hours after preparation... But coming up to winter will salads be satisfying? Any suggestions gratefully received

Your long days sound exhausting - I feel like taking a nap just thinking about them!

I think a workplace without a fridge, kettle and microwave is appalling, frankly :eek:. Makes it so hard for you to provide a decent lunch for yourself. What do you do for hot drinks during the day?

If there is no way of heating food, you will probably have to go for salad-style foods and things that will not spoil easily without refrigeration. I bring a coolbag into work every day but the food is eaten at lunchtime. I don't bother using ice packs but if you need to keep food cool all day you could try these small flexible ones: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FGOZRSK?psc=1

If it were me trying to put together a cold evening meal, it would be something like:

• Cold meats, cheese, whole tomatoes, a chunk of cucumber and something like a balsamic dressing which doesn't go off. (I always just bring in the constituents of a salad and piece together the salad just before eating it, otherwise it all goes a big gungy. )
• A healthy HM muffin, with yogurt, fruit and some scattered seeds/flaked almonds.
• Cheese and crackers with a nice relish.
• Peanut butter on rice cakes / oatcakes.
• Bananas and other fruits.
• Salad veggies and then a tin of tuna which you can open when you need it. Ditto sardines / anchovy etc.
• I always have a little stash of dark chocolate and whole nuts as well in case of mid-afternoon munchies.

peaceandfreedom

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

i really need to do some time management as well. With doing this course it means for 2-3 days a week i am out for work and study and that is it. I then seem to spend all weekend cleaning before starting the working week again. The study is in a way enjoyable as in i like to learn new things and am exercising my brain a bit. But it is also a means to an end to get a job so after a long, hard tiring day at work i go to college which is also hard - in a good way as its challenging but its tiring to and as it is focused on work in this sector the tests are very much like working. I am enjoying it and a few practice tests i've done myself online shows i'm picking stuff up but at the same it is not enjoyable in the same way as going for a run, picking up a good book, learning a new piece of music etc. so i need to make sure i factor in time for these things as well as studying.

You do indeed need to factor in some relaxation time otherwise you will collapse in a heap at some point. I have highlighted the bit in red - why do you spend all weekend cleaning - how dirty can a house get in a week? I know that we all have different standards (and when it comes to housework, mine are low ) but you need to allow yourself some time off at the weekends because your week-day schedule is so hectic .

cookie9

Hi DDFW you are doing great. Well done.


Re time management, Could you use a slow cooker at the weekends so you have time to do other things? Easy store cupboard lunch is tuna, butter beans or similar, red onion with parsley and lemon juice. Filling and should survive the day in your office.

DedicatedDFW

Hi all

TC - thank you and i hope all is ok with you?

Chocs - i do have fast food on occasion - maybe once a year if that? i've never got the budget for treats really and my favourite fast food place isn't near either - otherwise i could be tempted to find the budget and sorry i misunderstood your reply earlier - i could see how my post could be read as me being at college every night

p&f - i don't have a hot drink all day, there are drinks machines but i just have 1 hot drink at home in the morning whether i'm in work or not thank you for the link too looks like just what i need

regarding the cleaning - it seems like its all weekend - basically it starts saturday morning - with 3 full loads of washing to be done, dried and moved even if everything else as done i can guarantee as soon as i sit down the buzzer sounds on this. the endless pot washing since the dishwasher broke - so washing drying & moving, dusting, hoovering, sweeping, mopping, the 'extra' things - windows and then of course there's the cooking, meal planning for the week, lifting food out of the freezer. The reason things like dusting & hoovering take so long is because of how untidy everything is hence the reason for the 1000 item declutter which should make cleaning up faster - i've targeted 1 area and made a good big difference there was actually only 1 item for decluttering here but dealing with what had become acceptable when it wasn't was good and there is now a clear space :T

Hi cookie9 thank you for the suggestion