Journey to happy skinflintedness

saraih

Been having a hard look at how I can increase income this morning, and how to deal with any bits that I manage to accumulate.

• Ebay/Paypal money will be ringfenced for the bed fund.
  
  
• Any beer money sites will be cashed out to Amazon if possible and left as gift vouchers until the son & heir wants something specific.
  
  
• Leftover bank money at the end of the month within reason will be shuffled off to the credit union emergency fund. I was thinking anything up to £100 a month (this won't happen for a while anyway)
  
  
• If there is more than £100 (haha!) it will be spent on family stuff like going out together or even lunch in town. This is necessary and what I want to spend spare cash on. This could be up to say, £50.
  
  
• Anything over that will go on monthly goals, which will be set in priority of how long we've been needing it/how desperate it is.

For example, I have needed a side table for this old laptop for oh, seven years? :rotfl: With paying off serious amounts of anything we can fling at the end of every month on debts and just last month catching up, I've literally never had any money that wasn't better spent on something else.

£15 second hand would do! Even £4.50 bus fare to pick one up from freegle would do, I'm not fussed. I'm handy with a paint brush if it needs it.

The trouble is, I have a list a mile long of small things like this that we've ignored or put off for as long as possible. Some were very risky, like this month being the first time we've had contents insurance in seven years. Some not so risky but cost money, like no thick curtains in the drafty hall in winter. Some that I'm just sick of, like bending over to use the laptop. So these will have to be put in some order so that they at least look manageable for the future.

I am satisfied that regular bills are now bare minimum, and that we aren't living it large and being unreasonable. There is the shopping, which I will improve on this month whether in cost coming down or quality going up. We do spend more than necessary on gas & electric, but it is with the cheapest prepayment company. Going off prepayment would be great, but I'd need to feel at least a bit stable for 3-6 months and I'm not willing to give up the security yet.

Of course, this all depends on what might be left over every month. Ultimately I'd like to be able to know this in advance and be able to plan that way. This is the first month though, so that is asking a bit much

Good - got a letter this morning that one of the statute barred debts will be closed and no further action taken. They might sell it on but it can't be resurrected now and I don't panic at letters any more.

Confusing - Halifax keep sending PPI claim forms on another statute barred debt. Don't if I should help them out in offsetting the debt or ignore and not disturb the beast.

Good - managed to scrape an amount together to order all the cat things at the same time from Pets at Home - MAJOR score on the prices, cat food a whole £10 cheaper than the vet for the exact same product. They've only just started selling it so very happy about that. The size of the sack will last months if I decant it into tupperware.

Good - A whole two weeks and I'm still not in any debt. Hurrah

The length of these entries is getting ever longer, my apologies to whoever made it to the end :eek:

Twoblackcats

Hi Saraih
Another interesting post - thanks for sharing your good and not so good bits on your frugal journey. I've just done a Pets at home order too for my cats - really good prices and free delivery, saved loads of money compared to supermarket prices.
Well done on your 2 week debt free anniversary!

saraih

Thanks! I ramble on something rotten but it helps get me organised

Pets at Home has been an eye opener for sure. I couldn't believe the prices on the food and then free shipping and no lugging it all home. Brilliant!

ruby_eskimo

Another Pets at Home lover here, love that they sell things in bulk so that it works out a lot cheaper. Congratulations on being debt free too!

saraih

The cat stuff was a sight cheaper than I'd thought, I'm a convert!

Thanks, I wouldn't be debt free if a chunk of it wasn't statute barred but we've paid off thousands and thousands in six years and the barred ones will just have to wait until I win the lottery, or at least get us more stable. If I can be enough of a skinflint it'll be okay *crossed fingers*

saraih

OH's MS nurse mentioned the possibility of a wheelchair again this morning and OH has gone to work throwing a sulk :mad:

Every time it gets to the point it could be possible for me to get everyone into a stable routine and get myself a proper job something happens to throw the idea under a bus. We'd be better off if he gave up work but five years off sick really depressed him and he simply won't go back to it. I'm left picking up whatever bob-a-jobs I can in the hours I'm available.

I really need at least a part time job to keep me sane. Volunteering is a possibility, I have a useful degree and lots of experience. That wouldn't help with money but it might help on a CV. My latest job is receding further into the distance and this is becoming an issue for future employment.

Good - Bank swap bonus went in this morning, that was a relief because I'd already spent it :rotfl:

Good - Trying to be positive I am going to actively seek my bob-a-jobs instead of waiting for people to ring. Spent some time fiddling around and printing postcards for shops and supermarkets. No transport limits this but anything would be better than nothing and I'm available evenings and weekends - and it kept me busy this morning

Good - Still no need for any money that wasn't expected in the normal bills. I've even made a few bob although I feel like a failure compared to the £10 a day people, at least it's all in the right direction. I expect once it's part of my daily routine I'll make more.

Blah - I'm really missing smoking today. That's par for the course when OH is sulking but I've got no money for cigs even if the thought of burning tenners didn't horrify me. I've already bought the ecig oils for the month and I'll use them if it kills me (or him!)

Onwards and... onwards

saraih

Had a really nice walk this morning, going round all the shops in a 1 mile radius and the only two supermarkets with my postcards. It didn't make me any money but I love a nice long walk in the early mornings. Keeping the shops limited to a feasible walking distance in case anyone calls with some work.

Then down to the market for my attempt at improving the groceries. Success! £20.60 on one stall, £27 on another and a tenner on a huge bag of fruit and veg. Even including a taxi back I saved nearly a tenner and got enough for at least ten days. If I can cook from the cupboards for the other four days, that's half my normal shop.

All the food is gorgeous as well. Got my son a load of M&S Indian food and veg quiches and spring rolls that he loves. Loads of fish, all different kinds in big enough bags for two full meals each.

You do have to get what is there though and none of it is guaranteed to be stocked. No coffee or cereal today but I can walk to Morrisons later and pick them up with the change. Sometimes you go and there's nothing meat free at all, but the supermarkets are nearby so it's no big deal.

Nothing to report on the finances front today. Virgin keep sending offers but I can't wait for the contracts to run out and go sim only. Handsets aren't changing that quickly in the lower mid range?

Better go and check ebay in case a miracle happened and someone desperately needed some tat :rotfl:

Olivia-Louise_2

*Subscribed*
Look forward to following you sound so positive

saraih

Thanks very much Olivia-Louise! :beer:

jodles16

I will be subscribing to your diary, it sounds like you have overcome huge hurdles already with hubby being unwell and debts, so really well done! Thats impressive, also impressive that basically your saving £100 a month for your son, so thats really good!

Keep up the great work, your thread is interesting and I like the fact its a stay out of debt one! Good luck!

Jodles