Aspirations of Frugality and Fun on the Road to Mortgage Freedom

DedicatedDFW

slowlyfading wrote: »

:hello: DFW, why don't you join my 'Save 12k in 2014' thread on the savings board? You can set your target amount for the year and it's a bit motivator, seeing everyone else saving as well!

Just a thought

Hey SF - i'll have a look - my earnings are embarrassingly low since being made redundant and then starting this job - my earnings are almost 12k :(:eek: a year so i don't think i'd be able to hit that target but if i can set my own amount i will join Do you have a linky ?

slowlyfading

Here you go:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4844519

You can set whatever amount you like - some people have targets of £1,000 whilst others have a target of £20k plus!

Just an idea

teabody

Hi, I am currently trying to do the same. I am also studying and an at home mom so very low income but I reckon with a bit of determination I can reduce the mortgage too. I have'nt set an amount just yet but am happy to reduce slowly but consistently every year....will be checking in on you from time to time for some inspiration as you appear to be highly organised!

DedicatedDFW

hi All, Eurgh! feel dreadful today - ache all over, headachey, cold etc. so home from work now and heating is on. I got in washed and moved pots, finished the dish i started yesterday and portioned up ready for the freezer as we changed our minds on having a bigger meal and just opted for something small instead. Made and had tea for today, slow cooker tidied away.

Moved shopping - i am a bit annoyed with myself there really - i spent about £7 today on food :eek: out of this got 4 meals (2 meals for the 2 of us) as well as all ingredients ready to do a new recipe or 8 !! with - annoyed as i wasn't sure on the quantities needed so got loads of the vastly reduced price veg rather than pay alot more on the top up I also needed a herb which was £2 of the £7. In some ways not too bad but i am trying to keep the food shop down.

I paid the gas and electric bill as well. I actually don't include these in my monthly budget so now have my payment to that to find as well. Reasons they aren't in my budget - before i could never afford for them to be as i needed all my income and more just to pay the mortgage etc. Since re-doing my budget i am still not earning enough so will just have to make it work somehow.

Bad MS news - posted an item on bay of e over a month ago - receipt thrown away in pre-xmas clear up, buyer now contacted to say not received :mad: Grr! I know i should save receipts longer and of course will now - so i am annoyed with myself as well

Good MS - packed lunch again, walked 3 miles instead of using car, used credit on phone to call family - nice and already paid for Considering making my own wine - it feels like all the budgets have been squeezed as tight as can be but we both work hard and enjoy a glass [STRIKE]or several[/STRIKE] of vino after a hard week :beer: If i can make my own to a good standard this will save us a very tidy sum - any recommendations anyone ? Conversely coupled with this i'm also intending to cut down on alcohol - i only have a drink at the weekend and this will continue but i aim to either have a drink later on / at a slower pace so cutting down to a couple of small glasses in the evening friday & satday Benefits all round with my plans for weight loss too Ooh! and if i make my own wine and its nice enough i can gift some too :T So if anyone has any recommendations that'd be great ta - plus advice on whats needed - red will be the main one i make i think

DedicatedDFW

slowlyfading wrote: »

Here you go:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4844519

You can set whatever amount you like - some people have targets of £1,000 whilst others have a target of £20k plus!

Just an idea

Aw brilliant SF! What a great motivator - i'll head on over now and sign up ready - i'm going to aim for the £4000 i mentioned which is £3200 to find extra this year *gulp*

DedicatedDFW

teabody wrote: »

Hi, I am currently trying to do the same. I am also studying and an at home mom so very low income but I reckon with a bit of determination I can reduce the mortgage too. I have'nt set an amount just yet but am happy to reduce slowly but consistently every year....will be checking in on you from time to time for some inspiration as you appear to be highly organised!

Hi teabody :wave:

ooh what are you studying? let me know if you have a thread and i will pop in I am probably more like organised chaos :rotfl: You are right with a bit of focus i am sure we can get there I do try to be organised and focused but life does get in the way i'm going to get up early tomorrow to study as i felt so ill when i got in i just could not focus - i feel better though after eating tea and relaxing a bit and also after chatting to family

DedicatedDFW

I have decided to take the plunge and attempt to meal plan again as a way to save money and time by being better organised and only having what's needed in

Meals will be planned only for evening meals as lunches / breakfast we just sort out ourselves - i just need to remember cereal and bacon

I have planned meals before for about 4 weeks and that worked well - but we often weren't home for tea so it was much easier too :rotfl:

I'll make a start now - of course things can be moved around etc. - any suggestions please holler i would love any hints on meals that can be batch cooked and freeze well too

Weds:- [STRIKE]Tagine Lamb - need cinnamon
sticks, dried apricots, tin toms, coriander, flaked almonds[/STRIKE]

Thurs free night check?

Fri free night check ?

Sat Burgers and Wedges - need barm cakes, wedges

Sun [STRIKE]Broth - need thyme lemon
preferably - got rest of ingredients - enough to freeze at least another meal
for 2[/STRIKE]

Mon haddock and mashed potatoes need potatoes and peas

Tues Turkey meal in freezer - from batch cooking with homemade bread

Weds [STRIKE]Jacket potatoes with cheese (me) small curry (mr)[/STRIKE]

Thurs [STRIKE]potatoes me, Mr toasties[/STRIKE]


Fri [STRIKE]Chilli in freezer from batch cooking[/STRIKE]

Sat [STRIKE]Spatchcock chicken (in freezer) need
potatoes[/STRIKE]

Sun [STRIKE]leftover chicken for homemade pizza need
pizza base mix to make, 2 x cheese, tomato puree, mushrooms, oregano, tin
toms[/STRIKE]

Mon Filled chicken thighs in freezer Need potatoes, veg

Tues Salmon in freezer Need wedges / dauphinoise potatoes

Weds meatballs made with sausage meat need spring onions, x 1 in freezer & 3 more meat packets



Thurs free night ?

Fri Curry in freezer from batch cooking Need garlic bread

Sat Burgers in freezer Need wedges

Sun Cheese pie with cheese and pastry in freezer

Mon moroccan chicken Need potatoes

Tues Fajita chicken Need wraps , wedges

Weds Beef casserole Need carrots

Thurs [STRIKE]potatoes me, Mr toasties[/STRIKE]

Fri [STRIKE]meatballs made with sausage meat need
spring onions,[/STRIKE]

Sat Toad in the hole, have all ingredients

Sun [STRIKE]Broth in freezer from batch cooking[/STRIKE]

Mon [STRIKE]Jacket potatoes[/STRIKE]
Tues [STRIKE]Beef casserole Need
carrots[/STRIKE]

Actual:

01/01 leftovers - just cooked potatoes to go with
02/01 spatchcock chicken
03/01 chilli - used mince in freezer as gave away cooked portion
04/01 chicken broth
05/01 jacket potatoes with leftover chilli x1 and cheese x1
06/01 chicken broth leftover & egg on toast
07/01 chicken broth leftover x1 & potatoes for 1
08/01 homemade meatballs & pasta
09/01 chicken & potatoes
10/01 chicken & wedges
11/01 tagine lamb with baked potatoes
12/01 chickpea curry -only needed to buy 3 tomatoes
13/01 - free
14/01 - free
15/01 - free
16/01 - free
17/01 - free
free = super easy tea eg leftovers, cheese on toast, egg on toast etc. due to shifts no 'proper' meals can be consumed at a reasonable hour
18/01 - slow cooked brisket of beef with baked potatoes
19/01 chick pea fritters
20/01 free
21/01 free
22/01 free
23/01 free
24/01 free
25/01 chicken
26/01 lamb in red wine
27/01
28/01
29/01
30/01
31/01

DedicatedDFW

Oof - its hard to think of what to eat without having all the freezer / cupboard contents in front of me :rotfl:

A lot of heavy meals in there - i am happy to cook from scratch if i have time so any suggestions please holler i also love veggie food and it'd be good to get more in but i need to clear the freezer down.

I have: sausage meat, brisket of beef, at least 600g mince beef, a number of twin pack chicken breasts, and loads more i can't remember - any suggestions welcome

pavlovs_dog

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

I also wanted to say that i am still getting used to have a little spending budget just for me. I have £20 a week. I keep thinking oh i'll pay anything i don't spend into savings / mortgage but i'm not doing that the spending money is there for me to spend and keep to a budget and if its not spent to save it towards the more expensive months when its needed - i am still trying to get used to this.

Our wages are paid into joint account, and we pay ourselves 'pocket money' into our individual accounts. The idea is that this is our own money to do with as we please, guilt free. I've had a manic few months meaning no time to shop. Where the balance in my account has built up, I've decided to treat us to a mini break in Amsterdam over half term. We just need to find spending money.

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

Considering making my own wine - it feels like all the budgets have been squeezed as tight as can be but we both work hard and enjoy a glass [STRIKE]or several[/STRIKE] of vino after a hard week :beer: If i can make my own to a good standard this will save us a very tidy sum - any recommendations anyone ? Conversely coupled with this i'm also intending to cut down on alcohol - i only have a drink at the weekend and this will continue but i aim to either have a drink later on / at a slower pace so cutting down to a couple of small glasses in the evening friday & satday Benefits all round with my plans for weight loss too Ooh! and if i make my own wine and its nice enough i can gift some too :T So if anyone has any recommendations that'd be great ta - plus advice on whats needed - red will be the main one i make i think

Check out Alchemillia's MF diary, she makes her own vino

DedicatedDFW

Thanks pavlovs_dog I am just not used to having spending money and know the logical thing to do is save it for months where we have a couple of nights out planned etc. + £20 week is a very small budget really. I am still getting used to not throwing all of the money at bills

I really enjoyed Amsterdam - have you been before ?

Will definitely look into alchemilla's diary thank you for the tip