Decreasing spending - increasing happiness

Enjoying_life_more

This week seems to be flying by for some reason. It's nice to see the nights getting lighter too!

Had a good couple of days - did a long walk last night and gym today! I really enjoyed both too.

Did my food shop tonight as busy tomorrow night and hate going at the weekend. Did really well with coupons and the 3 pound off 20 voucher I got loads of supplies for 17.03 - didn't get another 3 pound voucher though ah well. In with the shopping I also got some bargain chocs and luxury shower gel (both on offer) for a forthcoming birthday present, got them both for 3 pound so basically got them free taking into consideration the voucher I had.

I've been playing around with morg calculators tonight - looking at different calcs to paying my morg off earlier than planned - I currently have 13 years left and would love to get it paid off early and work part time. I'm also looking into getting some freelance part time work to help me achieve my aim - another option is down sizing in a few years - not that I live in a large property but it is in a nice area and I can buy much cheaper if I move areas - this would be a last resort though as I do love where I live and my neighbours are fab, nobody moves from here so it would be sad to lose the good neighbours as I know people with horror stories about neighbours and I would hate that. If I stop the horrible fag thing it would help me immensely. I just seem to keep putting it off - I must make the effort to do something about it!!

Enjoying_life_more

Pleased to report that I ended the week within budget in fact 6 pound left over for the savings pot.

Not had the best of weekends so far - I have a work issue on my mind, which i'd rather not go into on here but I am taking steps to resolve it.

Got some walking in -about 4 miles yesterday - 3 miles this morning and may go again later today weather permitting.

Very pleased that I've bagged a bargain winter coat in the sale - my last one was from a charity shop - a bargain too as it is made of cashmere wool but I've worn it the last two winters and it's looking a bit tired. The new one is better suited to rain as well as cold and I managed to get it for 15 pound on line - fingers crossed it fits when it arrives as there are some reviews about sizing not being too good? If it fits the 15 pound will be transferred from my clothing allowance/ yearly bills account.

Off to a relatives for Sunday lunch - looking forward to that!

Got to bath the dog later - NOT looking forward to that -:)

killerpeaty

Congrats on coming under budget!

Fantastic news about your coat, I need a new summer coat soon, am dreading the expense. :eek:

Enjoying_life_more

Thanks KP - just hope it fits as just looked again and there are none left so I cant get another size if it doesn't

Well done on your latest updates too - I've just caught up with your diary - you're doing really well !!

Enjoying_life_more

Dog bathed and now sat sulking at the side of me - ah well it had to be done.

Had another walk after tea, not a long one but every little helps

Have just changed my Gas / Elec suppliers as the fixed deal I was on ends in April - It's not an easy task working through the comparison sites and they don't quite tell the truth - as when they say they've found you a cheaper deal if you check the small print i.e. cost per kwh / daily charge etc - it's more expensive than what you're paying - so how you are saving I will never know? Anyway the new one I've found is roughly about the same as I'm paying now and it's fixed until April 15 - also I've got 40 cash back due so pleased with that.

Enjoying_life_more

Good couple of days - plenty of exercise - Gym last night and walked tonight. New Coat arrived and although it looks nice on and I like it - it's a little tight under the arms (and that's without jumpers on) so it will have to go back - it's not a bargain if it doesn't fit right - never mind - it's free post to send back

Work issue resolved - for now - although i'm not confident that it's gone away for good but I feel better.

Money /budget on track - I've got an afternoon and night out Saturday so i'm trying to spend very little this week. Had to call for bread and milk and a couple of other things and ended up getting another £3 off £20 shop at T*sco so it proves my thinking that spend a little and they'll entice you back ! it's in date until next week so i'll do a big shop then as [EMAIL="i@ve"]i've[/EMAIL] got plenty in at the moment. Smiling to myself about my new money saving thinking that £20 is a big shop - there was a time when this meant 50 or even 60 pound - I've come a long way since and it feels bloody great, not only that i'm probably eating healthier than ever and eating delicious home made/ prepared food - no nasty processed meals !!

Enjoying_life_more

Thursday already - how did that happen !

Still in budget - I have got my food supplies in and enough left over for my afternoon and night out on Saturday if I don't go over board - hopefully not as I really don't want to go over my budget.

Have done gym and a walk after work today - really enjoyed both - there was a real feel of spring in the air this afternoon - my favourite season i'm so looking forward to the light nights.

Had a look around my garden today and I don't really need to spend much this year - it's just a tidy up and maybe just a few pounds on bedding plants ( I have lots of shrubs with colour so don't need much) and lick of paint (which I already have from last year) here and there and it will come to life again.

Enjoying_life_more

Busy weekend - had a great time on Saturday but not very well on Sunday, so no exercise over the weekend but I've been walking after work today and feel better for it.

Came in 3 pound under budget last week !

Good news on the new coat hunting front - I've found another one in the sale - free delivery to my local store on Weds - fingers crossed this one fits, if so it will be a better bargain than the one I sent back.

Worked my budget out for this week and will use my Tesco voucher 3 pound off 20 this week. Got a night out Friday to a music thing - my friend bought the tickets for xmas - still need food/ drink /taxi ,money so will go careful this week to make sure I have enough to enjoy the night.

Checked my morg to see how much interest I had paid last month and it was less than I thought - although I realise it was a short month but still more came off the balance than I expected - which is good.

Still enjoying the challenge of spending less and thinking about what I spend in advance instead of impulse buying.

Enjoying_life_more

Quick update - weekly budget on track spent 17.08 on weekly shop (after using 3 pound off 20 voucher) lots of reduced items (inc 10p veg now blanched / frozen and lovely bread also frozen) lots of things on offer too - came out with 5 full bags for my money!

Bargain winter coat out of the sales arrived today - fits like a dream - doubt i'll wear it much this winter but it'll be nice to pull out a new coat next winter.

Water rates bill arrived today - a small increase but I had budgeted for this in my yearly bill pot.

No exercise today but didn't sit down till gone 8 pm as caught up with some jobs in the house - so a productive time.

My friend has been in touch today to make arrangements for our night out on Friday and she has some vouchers to go towards the cost of our food so that's a nice surprise!

Had a look on the morg free thread tonight - really inspiring diaries on there too.

Enjoying_life_more

Lovely night out last night - the meal was really nice and due to my friends vouchers only cost 5 pound each which was great. Didn't spend as much as I thought on drinks either as after the meal I wasn't bothered about drinking much - so I have finished this week 17 pound under budget- straight to my emergency savings fund :j

Didn't have a thick head today - so managed quite a long walk about 1 and half hours I really enjoyed it too. Called to see family this afternoon and tonight I've cooked myself a nice meal.

Hoping to do a bit of garden chores tomorrow, a visit to the gym and a walk oh and put a few items on ebay - not sure i'll do them all - ill update tomorrow!