Decreasing spending - increasing happiness

Enjoying_life_more

peaceandfreedom wrote: »

Hey congrats on your first overpayment - well done. :j

Your shopping sounds excellent as well, I'm afraid I haven't reached that level of discipline / planning yet. I can agree with your comments about wishing you'd done stuff like this years ago - so do I.

But still, there's plenty of time left to get more organised and smarter with money and lots of life to be enjoyed. :beer:

thanks for that and yes you are right - and I am grateful that If I carry on as I am I will be sorted out eventually:)

Enjoying_life_more

ah well ebay sales all finished - big drum role ...... I estimate that after fees and postage I will have made about 14 pound - I wont be jetting off anywhere warm with the proceeds but it's better than nothing and it has motivated me to list a few more things next weekend - I think i'll split the profit between my savings and morg overpayment.

Been very very busy last couple of days - in between helping family on a DIY project I've had plenty of exercise and very little time to sit down, I could just do with another weekend now :)

Enjoying_life_more

These are not my words, I read them on a blog the other day -

I read something the other day ...
"when I was deeply unhappy an expensive watch would soothe the very part of my soul that was most miserable and by feeding it, helped it grow. It just became bigger, more demanding, more deeply unhappy, more expensive to soothe. Until the part that was capable of joy had shrivelled"

I couldn't agree more

peaceandfreedom

Enjoying_life_more wrote: »

These are not my words, I read them on a blog the other day -

I read something the other day ...
"when I was deeply unhappy an expensive watch would soothe the very part of my soul that was most miserable and by feeding it, helped it grow. It just became bigger, more demanding, more deeply unhappy, more expensive to soothe. Until the part that was capable of joy had shrivelled"

I couldn't agree more

I agree as well, that's quite a quote. I know what it takes to soothe my soul and it's not anything material - it is usually a 3-hour stomp on the hills or a day spent working in the garden.

Enjoying_life_more

had a busy few days, not as much exercise as I'd have liked but i've been pretty active in the house so hopefully burnt some calories.
Have done my big shop today - I did the same as last week and went to 3 s/markets -total spend about 23 pounds and included in that was 3 reduced fresh large chickens (now in the freezer) 2 pounds each so couldn't miss them - that's a few family Sunday lunches sorted for a while.

Made some bargain choc cornflake buns tonight - using dark chocolate 35p a bar, value cornflakes - also added a few mixed crushed nuts and some raisins I already had in - they are very nice and so cheap to make.

Bought some winter boots from an on line sale today -hope they fit if so they're going away for next winter - they worked out at 14.85 (taken from my clothing allowance in the yearly bills account) reduced from 68 pound.

I'm on track with my weekly budget - got a night out planned on Friday, it's probably going to be expensive as it's at a venue where the prices are high so I will have to go careful. I'd really like to come in under budget again this week so that I can make another overpayment on my morg -

Enjoying_life_more

Hectic but lovely weekend - enjoyed my Friday night it was just what I needed had a great time.

Only just managed to come in on my weekly budget - didn't have any extra to put away but never mind at least I didn't go over.

Got loads of exercise in this weekend. Also done a bit of gardening, my neighbour gave me a few plants she's dug up so I need to get them potted this week. Most of my plants I've adopted and they all do really well in pots in my garden.

Cooked a lovely Roast dinner for family today and a delicious home made apple crumble - just about to have a second portion.

Got a busy week ahead including a training course down South - must take food/ snacks with me to stop me from spending on the train as it's always tempting and costs a fortune.

I'm aiming to come under budget the next two weeks as I really want to put some extra in my savings as I've seen something I want to buy for the house and i'm determined it's coming out of money I already have and not from credit.

My Gas/Elec supply has changed over to the new supplier - I've sent the request for the 40 pound cash back so that will be a nice bonus - plus my old supplier owes me 53 pound as a the final readings I was in credit which is good.

peaceandfreedom

Enjoying_life_more wrote: »

I'm aiming to come under budget the next two weeks as I really want to put some extra in my savings as I've seen something I want to buy for the house and i'm determined it's coming out of money I already have and not from credit.

My Gas/Elec supply has changed over to the new supplier - I've sent the request for the 40 pound cash back so that will be a nice bonus - plus my old supplier owes me 53 pound as a the final readings I was in credit which is good.

It all sounds, very positive, you've been busy and are managing everything very well.

Really wish I had some of your apple crumble right now - I'm feeling very peckish.

Enjoying_life_more

thanks P&F

Good couple of days - enjoying the nicer weather.

I've attempted to update my signature with my outstanding balance - I will update this monthly so I can see the figure going down.

Catching up with diaries on here tonight and also reading up taking some of my pension early (at 55) and paying it off the mortgage ? not sure if this is a good idea or not ?

peaceandfreedom

Enjoying_life_more wrote: »

Catching up with diaries on here tonight and also reading up taking some of my pension early (at 55) and paying it off the mortgage ? not sure if this is a good idea or not ?

I would get your figures together and ask a specific question on the pensions board - there are a lot of clever people on there who will be able to advise you on whether it's a good idea. I don't know a whole lot about pensions myself.

Enjoying_life_more

thanks P&F yes I've just been looking on a few pension related forums - it's a couple of years off yet so I will see what the free advice is like that has been promised by the govt. I wont have a large pension pot but it would make a big dent and then free me up to save more