Decreasing spending - increasing happiness

Enjoying_life_more

Calling14 wrote: »

Welcome shiny new diary. Probably in a similar position to you, single, kids fled nest, dog. Get paid lot less but mortgage half size of yrs.

Good luck in your journey. I have cut back on Xmas overspending this yr, clothes,hairdressers, holidays and going out.

Can still have fun without the price tag

Hi Calling - thanks for posting - I've just subscribed to your journey so will read it tonight.

My wage is quite good at the moment but it hasn't always been - it jumped up about 4 years ago and is going to go back down in Nov next year Great that your morg is low !!

Most of my friends are morg free or making their last payments in the next year or so -but most of them are married with two wages coming in so it's been easier for them. It's been a struggle on one wage and i have been in some very sticky situations robbing peter to paul at times but i know lots of people are in a much worse position than me and I am grateful that i have the opportunity to get there eventually - just being debt and morg free for pension age would do me. Although a dream of mine is to try and pay things off early and perhaps work part time - ah well we can all dream ha:)

Mrs_Cheshire

Enjoying_life_more wrote: »

Do you have a diary I can read/ follow? Great to hear about your fund - I've never had an emergency fund and it will be good to have one in place for life's emergencies instead of resorting to borrowing to sort them out !

Haven't started a diary as I'm not sure if I'd keep it up! Might be worth writing it all down as it may be helpful to someone!

Enjoying_life_more

On the enjoying life without spending front -I've enjoyed catching up with friends on the phone (free mins) visiting family, dog walking and receiving encouraging posts on my diary (this makes my day - is that sad? ha) . I'm now about to tuck into some Christmas chocolates and read some more lovely diaries.

Mrs_Cheshire

Glad you've had fun over the last couple of days.
We had a free morning out yesterday at the cinema, after I was given free passes due to a delay when we went a few months back. Took our own food and drink!

Enjoying_life_more

Mrs_Cheshire wrote: »

Glad you've had fun over the last couple of days.
We had a free morning out yesterday at the cinema, after I was given free passes due to a delay when we went a few months back. Took our own food and drink!

Ah brilliant Mrs Cheshire - I like it :T - well my free entertainment today is a good clean up at home and some washing oh and i'm going to use the "whats the cost" website to work out roughly how much my o/s morg and debt will reduce by each month. I do have nice things planned too - I've been invited out to one of the family members for Christmas food

Mrs_Cheshire

Another free morning out, got the John Lewis membership car which gives you a free hot drink and cake once a month, took the boys to the park and then to john lewis for a hot chocolate, they shared one and had a cake bar from home, whilst I ate the cake! Would definitely recommend it!

Enjoying_life_more

Mrs_Cheshire wrote: »

Another free morning out, got the John Lewis membership car which gives you a free hot drink and cake once a month, took the boys to the park and then to john lewis for a hot chocolate, they shared one and had a cake bar from home, whilst I ate the cake! Would definitely recommend it!

Way hay - well done you and thanks for the tip I will have to join up !! although I need cake like a hole in the head at the minute - just trying clothes on for a night out with my friends tomorrow and it's not looking good

Enjoying_life_more

No spends today !! hurray !!

Have worked out roughly how much will come off my morg/ debts each month if I just make the required payments and it comes out at 565 pound each month after interest so quite a good chunk.

Had a nice day - went to family for food/drinks and it was lovely, extra long dog walk this afternoon and tonight I've been pampering myself with all my new xmas smellies, which is something I do rarely as I never usually have the time.

I'll be spending money tomorrow as i'm having a night out with friends but it's something I have budgeted for - just need to make sure I don't do what I usually do and buy everyone and their grandmothers drinks. It's in my nature to be generous and I often get told off for being too generous so it's going to be a testing time stopping myself but as I keep reminding myself I cant afford to do it.

Calling14

Your diary is so much upbeat with positive thoughts than mine. Being ill last few weeks hasn't helped.

Enjoy your night out within budget mind.

Debts will come down and not worth stressing out about. Think so much clearer as well. Little Things all help.

Like John Lewis freebie, but living in country no good to me unfortunately.

shaz1963

Hi enjoying life........just read your diary and Im loving your positive attitude :-) good luck for 2014. I myself are doing that 'end of year/new year' routine where I have bought a lovely new book and wrote down all the debts and my plans to start to tackle them.
My kids have all now flown the nest and only six years till the mortg finishes however with an underperforming endowment and a lot off cc debts Im going to keep coming on here and getting hints from you guys.
Shaz x