Aspirations of Frugality and Fun on the Road to Mortgage Freedom

peaceandfreedom

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

I have also not been posting as i have been feeling pretty down for a while now I need to give myself a good talking to and put a smile on my face really but as many of us I have real life stuff bothering me.

I missed this post earlier, sorry to hear you've been having a bad time, DDFW. Sometimes we are in our little MSE bubble here and we forget that real life can be tough at times. :grouphug:

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

But to open my purse and have a little money in there that i can spend on me if i want to - well thats all good It stops it feel like such a slog all the time if that makes sense? And at £20 week i think that is not too unreasonable

I think £20 per week is perfectly reasonable and it's what I allow myself. I take out £80 in cash soon after payday and that's it for frittering. In truth, I end up spending some of it on food or other unexpected stuff but I can fritter some of it. Enjoy your spends, DDFW, you deserve them.

About the OU assignments - I've been there, done that. I know it can feel like it's never-ending. It *is* stressful. Just tell yourself that 'this too shall pass' - you shall have your degree, you will be able to tell people in interviews (for that great new job you're going to get) how hard it was but you were determined to do it. And you are going to do it. :T

DedicatedDFW

Good Morning all

First of all thank you for all stopping by and you lovely words of support

If i could please ask for *positive vibes* for my assignment. I haven't got the marks back yet.

PB and jwil - thank you for the offers of a grumble but i think we all have enough going on and i really don't want to burden anyone but thank you - it is appreciated

KC - thank you for the support

Anyone else feel this is a bit like an oscars speech :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

PB, Elidee, GG, jwil - thank you for the encouragement also. I am not sure if it was a blip regarding the question i was doing or the fact that it feels like i have no time to myself with the constant studying - although I *do* enjoy the study? As i say i am not sure what the answer is but i have been working hard to catch up with the study (always fall behind at assignment time) and will be working through more study today too

DedicatedDFW

p&f - thank you for typing all that out for me - you are genius :j:kisses3: Supermarket bulk buys - a bit of a downfall/balancing act but does save money over the weeks/months/year and i would never have thought about giving it its own budget This week i 'overspent' on the food shop. But i didn't really as i purchased items at 4 different places - yesterday i went to Mr L's and stocked up on their offers Now i would never buy that much in the same week but i figured if i was getting up early, using the petrol it would be sensible to maximise the savings whilst there - i also got a few bits of different branded tins and tubs to try as they were cheaper - hopefully they will be good and a nice weekly saving

Hope you are ok p&f? have you been ill? feel free to pm me if you want to

Holidays - i am *very* lucky in that my Mr pays for just about all of our holidays - last year he even gave me spends :eek: This year he has booked us on an absolutely amazing once in a lifetime trip but i think i will need to find my own spending money for this :eek: - of course the spends will be cheaper than the holiday but as we all know the money has to be found from somewhere.

Just last year i set up a regular saving of £30 a month for holidays - not a vast amount but should contribute to weekends away and i feel all grown up and responsible for having a little budget for that

Hopefully you will get your holiday soon xx

Alchemilla

I havent had a holiday for years and dont miss it...but I do live in a holiday place.

Karmacat

Lots of positive vibes for you, Dedicated, and lovely to think you're going on such a great holiday this year

DedicatedDFW

Hi Alchemilla - i *love* travelling but also would like maybe a staycation holiday where we can achieve things here too. I am not in a holiday location sadly- though i had planned to buy a second home by the sea (when my income was vastly more than it is now) and it is still something i'd like to achieve - i wonder if we'd want to go away as much then?

KC - thank you - i was at yours whilst you were here :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Karmacat

So you were

I'm also with you on wanting both a great holiday and a staycation

Why not

DedicatedDFW

I got up far to early this morning - i would generously guess i had 3 hours sleep :eek: - this was due to me having a late night / early morning (studying) and going to bed with an active mind, then my Mr had an even later night and he didn't sleep well so i didn't either. When i got up i thought it was really late - it was 7.10am :eek: The upshot is that i have achieved a fair bit this morning - hit my bay of e challenge target and sorted through 2 bags of books for the carboot / listings

Mostly there on the house stuff now - except my Mr's stuff but i have guided him through a few bits :cool:

I have 1 folder to declutter and that is it until my Mr accesses the loft for me - all to be tipped or carbooted

Today i need to:-
study
work bag ready
message a about parcel
message b about parcel
list final 2 items on the bay - will have surpassed target then :T
Complete form for claim for missing parcel
charge 3 x phones and check for selling
final folder declutter
make delicious tea
use lotions

Hope everyone is good i'll try and pop round diaries and update later

peaceandfreedom

Alchemilla wrote: »

I havent had a holiday for years and dont miss it...but I do live in a holiday place.

I am lucky too in that I live in a beautiful part of the country - people come here for their holidays so a stay-cation is fine by me. It's better than going on holiday knowing you are running up debts for it.

Sometimes I used to find holidays so much hassle - simply because I was planning and packing for all the family. Then when we get there, everyone still had to be washed, clothed, fed etc. But the kids always absolutely loved going on holidays.

Anytime I go on 'holidays' now it is to see family. But when I have a bit more cash, I plan to see more of the world - on a budget of course.

Alchemilla

I confess DH and I have a list of places to visit when we are next footloose, in about fifteen years.