Queen Bess' Not Spending, Money Saving, Weight Losing, Debt Reducing Diary!

Queen.Bess

Hi Everyone,

Having previously been a regular contributor on MSE Forums some years ago, having received so much help, support and advice, I took a back seat and got on with dealing with my debts and also expanding my family from myself and my husband to now being a 4 person family, with the addition of twin girls!

The lightbulb moment happened in October 2009, not my bulb but my husband's, and we've been working ever since to reduce the debt, which has gone from nearly £29,000 to being just about £18,000.

My debt free date is currently set at June 2021, but I'm hopeful of it being sooner than that. I'm so pleased that I have a date set as some of our family members will never have that - they will always be in debt - and I don't want to have that knowledge,

Also, since having my girls, I got into bad eating habits and my weight ballooned and now I stand 4 stone heavier than before I became pregnant.

Which is why it's time to get back on the wagon, both money wise and weight wise!!

In terms of not spending: I intend to have NSDs as much as possible each month; my husband (who is stay at home with our girls) will reign in supermarket spending; and takeaways will be knocked on the head!

And money saving wise: We hope to move house (we rent) this year and so we need to save for the rent deposit, van hire and possible new furniture. So I will record whenever I'm able to put some money aside into savings.

For Weight Losing: I hope you don't mind by I will probably also use this diary to record my eating - not necessarily a food diary, but maybe a confessional, so I know that if I indulge I have to declare it (even if it's only to myself!)

And Debt Reducing; I will periodically calculate my outstanding debts and declare them, so I can see by how much they're reducing!

Even if no one ever reads it, I have my own little place where I can be honest with myself and get things off my chest if required!

Thank you for reading this far, I appreciate it QBx

pinkgiraffe2014

Subscribing to you as I am also trying to reduce debt and loose weight. Think I've got more chance of shifting the debt to be honest! I've tried reasonably hard recently and haven't lost a single lb. I have however, spent a hell of a lot more on shopping... Why is all the health stuff more expensive?! any way I'll stop rambling on your diary and I look forward to reading your story x

Queen.Bess

Thanks PinkGiraffe! Don't forget to report in on how you are getting on, it'll be great to have someone else on board!

Well the last couple of days have been OK not spending wise. I've only spent money on public transport, some of which I'll get back through work. Not spending obviously will help with the money saving , but its early days yet!

As for weight wise and trying to eat healthier, well not brilliant as I had a donut amongst other things today, but I'll get there and my diet will get better soon!

I'm also getting planning for Christmas and DH is on board with ideas for homemade gifts for friends. So we'll get writing a list soon!

That's all for today. QBx

Queen.Bess

Well the date is set! Monday 18th August is when DH and I embark on true money saving and healthy eating!
I've spoken to him about being frugal, using up what we have in the cupboard and freezer and he's in total agreement.
He's also been instructed to be on the look out for Christmas gifts and to come up with ideas for people so we can plan ahead and get sorted in good time!
It's his birthday next month and I have found what I'd like to get him, but it's whether I go for a cheaper version which I'm not 100% happy with or something £20 more that looks better and has good reviews!
Such a dilemma!
So over the next 2.5 days it'll be a case of eating up all our sweet treats and then from Monday, being as good as possible!!
Wish us luck! QBx

elly68

Hi queen bess can i join you on the debt loss and weight loss . I use my fitnessal. Com free calorie counting diary but could do with someone to check in with . I started weighingin on a monday but happy with any day .debt wise things seem to go bad to worse 2000 vet bill just as we jigged figures however oh and i have finally joined together on this .hope things go great i have subscribed

Housework*Fairy

Hi - subscribing - I need to stop frittering money, and also to lose weight. I've been doing slimming World and paying £5 a week, did really well, and lost almost 2.5 stones but then I've gone off the boil, put nearly half a stone back on, and am still paying a fiver a week. I want to lose another 2 stones and then not have to pay to go to class.

I'm happy to join in on Monday with you and your DH.

TallulahTaboo_2

Hi,

Definitely subscribing. Like you, I am desperately trying to curb my spending, pay off some debt, shift some weight and pay for a wedding, all to which is stressing me out!

I am starting a healthy diet plan tomorrow! Was so good a healthy eating and the gym a few months back but went on holiday and well, carbs found me!

Xx

Queen.Bess

Well thanks Elly68, Housework*Fairy and TallulahTaboo - great to hear from you!

Yes, let's do something together, no matter how small, how infrequent or even if it's just to say 'hello'!

Have downloaded the My Fitness Pal app and will have a look as to what needs to be done. But if there is an aspect where we have to check in with others - and be honest - then I think that will really help!

Wow! Thanks everyone, that's really made the start to my week, seeing your replies and hopefully together we'll get some enthusiasm for weight loss and debt loss!

Well what a clever app My Fitness Pal is! And why hadn't I heard of it before?! Today's logging of food intake is not going to be good, but with having to log it somewhere, it'll make me think twice!!

Keep in touch everyone!! QBx

abba1772

Hi just popping in to introduce my self I'm abba :hello: and I'll subscribe to your diary if that's ok xx I'm also tackling debt reduction and weight reduction I currently attend weight watchers was £21 per month but money well spent but I've lost 50 pounds on the lead up to my wedding which was 4 weeks ago and I've put 5 lb on.......any more and ill need to start paying the weekly fees again which I defo don't want to be doing xx

karens100dayys

:T Yay I found you and a whole houseful of other slimming saving friends lol, I am so happy to subscribe here and also on Myfitnesspal its an amazing lil thing and is saving me a fortune in not prepping different meals I just have smaller portions of what hubbys having as we eat relatively healthy anyway...

Anyway good luck all xxxx

Queen.Bess

Hi everyone, hope you're all well?

Well, what a fab app My Fitness Pal is?! I am obsessed with putting in all my food intake and seeing exactly where I'm going wrong - what a great tool to have!

Well, DH and I have postponed our 'official' starting to lose weight date. I know this is poor form to put things off, but we know that come September we really have no excuses and so will set to it then! We'd better, otherwise we're going to have procrastinated the whole year and both weight and finances wise, we're going to be no better off that at the beginning of 2014. What a waste of a year if we don't do something about it soon!

Dare I say, but there are 127 days to Christmas and I am getting really rather into it all and the planning involved! I shall be setting to on starting some patchwork to put onto cushions for friends and family. I've dug out a recipe for cookie dough that can be frozen and cooked nearer the time and I've been looking at the sales and buying items if I see them: Early Learning had a good sale, so bought a few items there.

Much as I am enjoying August, I just want it out the way now, so September can get here and the title of my diary can really kick in!

Take care. QBx