Maybe it is the small changes that will make a big difference?

TimeToDoIt

I am entering into a DMP and this is apparently set up already, first payment due 1 July.

So now I am on this crazy journey, what other small changes can I make?

Well, I am off on holiday tomorrow (not a big extravagant trip somewhere exotic - going down to a friend's place at the seaside AKA free accommodation) and I am so excited.

After everything that has happened this week (taking hold and trying to set this thing up!) I really feel I need a break.

Hubby and I will be eating out and drinking out as it is our one week of the year away.

But the small change?... I am currently downloading and printing money off vouchers from this site. 20% off here and £20 off there. It will make a difference and I really wish I had done it last year when we went away!

concerned1516

I am not sure this helps but I keep a very brutally honest record of all my expenditure - even coffee shop receipts. It helps keep me on the straight and narrow. I also try very hard to wait at least a week before I buy anything non-essential I set myself clear daily targets and weekly budget. It hasn't always been easy but its almost habit now.Your trip sounds lovely and I am sure it is well deserved. I hope you enjoy yourself and don't dwell on the things you could have done focus on all the positive things you are doing now. Walks/bimbles on the beach are totally free and always refreshing - it can be your small thing for the day

savingmummy

Good feeling though isn`t it knowing you can still have a good time for free/at a low cost?!
I hope you enjoy your break away

dancingfairy

Whilst you can't necessarily decide to find a job that pays you more, almost everybody could have better financial habits. Over time the savings will mount up and I think you will appreciate the times when you do spend money more (whereas before you probably spent money without thinking about it). Beyond the basic minimum you can earn comparatively little but still get by by making sensible choices (and possibly even save a little) and you can earn a lot but still be in masses of debt.
It's definitely about building good financial habits.
df

TimeToDoIt

Hopefully I'm starting to learn ;-)

Willowpop

If you have a smart phone, there are apps that can help the small stuff too...For example voucher cloud has a lot of codes that you can use in store or in restaurant...pizza express have one too which I always check, and even the service centres on the motorway, Moto, has an app that has daily offers for different outlets. There are loads of ways to save a little here and a little there and all them little bits add up. Have a lovelyy holiday.

tealady

Hi
Have a lovely time, and don't worry too much about your debt. As long as you stick to your budget you should be OK. And don't forget if the days are sunny you coud always get up early and beachcomb for roadkill! (BTW that's MSE speak for dropped coins)

TimeToDoIt

Willowpop thank you for the heads up. We nearly always stop at a Moto on the way to break the journey up a bit and have a coffee and thanks to you I've just got a 20% off costa voucher!!

Willowpop

TimeToDoIt wrote: »

Willowpop thank you for the heads up. We nearly always stop at a Moto on the way to break the journey up a bit and have a coffee and thanks to you I've just got a 20% off costa voucher!!

Yayyyy! Glad I could help. Moto services are great, and their app makes them much more affordable. It's a different voucher each day, so one day will be Costa, one whsmiths, one day burger king etc etc but it cycles through all the outlets so we often get a discount when we travel now.

Have a lovely break.

TimeToDoIt

Thank you I will now this stress is starting to lift