Thursday 6 November - what small DFW things will you do today?

DawnW

When we start out on the DFW trail we do loads of "big stuff" that makes quite a difference to our situation. These include having our lightbulb moment, cutting up the credit cards and cancelling Sky and the gym .

But once we have done the bigger stuff, we often feel that we are not making the same amount of progress, when in fact the small steps are helping us form good financial habits and helping us get closer everyday to staying in control and becoming debt free, or staying debt free.

Examples could be hanging washing out instead of using the tumble dryer or leaving your purse/wallet at home to avoid the risk of spending.

So be proud of those small steps, they really are important :money:

DawnW

Hello

For me today:

So far:
Put stewed beef with onions and mushrooms in the SC - it smells gorgeous We will have it tonight with vegetables and convert what is left over (I made double quantities so there had BETTER be some left over} into a pie for tomorrow or Saturday. It was very nice, and I made sure there is enough left for a pie tomorrow :A

Used up a part jar of rather dried up bought mincemeat that was languishing in the fridge - someone else must have put it there, DD possibly, as I never buy mincemeat. I rejuvenated it a bit with some booze and mixed with a little bit of the HM stuff I did the other day. It made 17 mince pies, which got rid of a jar from the fridge and will provide treats for the next few days.

Also made a quiche shell with the leftover bit of pastry, and used up the scraps by rolling out, coating with scraps of butter, a sprinkling of brown sugar and a few raisins, folding over and baking. Just enjoyed a piece of this with my coffee

OH and I pulled out the remaining carrots, beetroot and new potatoes from the garden as we have had a couple of frosts now and I don't want them to spoil. Just a few leeks, some parsley and some spring cabbage that may or may not come to anything left now, plus a tub with some rocket leaves, and some pots of herbs. I hate to see an empty veg patch but we don't have much room for winter stuff that needs to be in the ground for ages

Not convinced about the autumn potatoes - they are very small, and we didn't get many, although they are very nice, at least as good as the very best new potatoes in Waitrose or somewhere like that. The seed will have more than paid for itself and they weren't much bother though.

Still to do:
Tidy up a bit, indoors and in the garden :eek: Done a bit

Pull out the few spring onions that seem to have been overlooked this morning. Done, there were only 3 lol

Pop along to the bank in a bit to pay in a cheque Done, walked for free exercise and avoided using fuel

Also found paperwork for a small, old, long forgotten pension when I was tidying a drawer. I phoned and asked if I could take it out now, as it will only be a couple of hundred pounds at the most. The company are going to send me the forms to claim it, and yes, I can take it all out as it is what they call a 'trivial' amount... well, it may be to them :rotfl:

Have a good day everybody!

solvencyseeker

Hello - where is everyone today?
I am at work (on lunch break). Got my usual lift and have done packed lunches for all.
Later I am hoping to pin down son2, he starts his new job a week on Monday and needs to sort out transport. So far he has withdrawn his savings and spent a fair chunk of them on....? I will resist the temptation to throttle him (Homer Simpson style) and work out a plan of action.
That's if from me.
Hope you are all having a good DFW day x

ziggy2407

Good Morning All

Dawn - Thanks for starting us off, enjoy your day, love the sound of all that baking

Hi to all of the regulars and a BIG welcome to all the newbies, this is a really FAB thread with so many lovely, caring, considerate and supportive people. Dont forget we also have a small things on Facebook, if anyone wishes to join

Rubbish day yesterday but back to normailty and routines, so here goes:

Investigate problems with central heating (plumber who fitted boiler last year is ignoring my calls/texts )
Clean Fridge (& inventory)
Re-list couple of things on FB for son
Craft
Checked Banks
Checked swapits
Packed lunch for DH & DS
Entered a few comps
All meals from cupboards/fridge/freezer
Checked https://www.freepostcodelottery.com - Remember there are now 4 chances to win
Checked Birthday Bingo

Have a great day,love to you all

C x

Bobarella

Hello
Thanks for starting the thread Dawn. Loving the sound of your using up baked goods. I think having your own veg is a great money saving idea too.
Hi SS. Sounds like son needs some 'gentle guidance'

So far today I've walked about 4 miles to various appointments and have to whizz off again in 20 mins. Saved my normal amount on bus fare.
I have found 11p on my travels. 2 shiny 5ps & a penny.
Am at home eating up the spicy tomato & green chilli soup from last night's tea, & have a vegetable Dahl on the stove for tonight
I used a £1.50 tesco voucher to buy a can of coconut milk, & chopped tomatoes to make the Dahl. I had a voucher for 65p off on Oreo icecream cones so I bought those for my son's pudding. Total spend after I'd taken coupons & floor money off was under a quid.
Have a bidding war raging on ebay over a pair of kids trousers (£1 up to £1.20) �� but as we are all so fond of saying, every little helps.
OH stomping his foot about heating going on this morning. I said no. I pointed out as I'm the only one here for most of the day if I can stick it out a bit longer then it's my choice.
Despite this being the most challenging month we've had in ages financially I still paid £50 into my emergency fund. I figure if it was a bill it would still have to be paid so why not something to help us in future tight times.
Haven't had to put my hand in my pocket for sweet treats for little man all week thanks to halloween. He collected so much.
I found out today from my landlord that the loss adjustor hasn't paid him either. Despite lying to my face and saying he would. Had appointment with the surveyor today who confirmed it will not be possible to resume building works until the shop is less damp. Hoping that is enough to finally get the payments owed out to me & landlord as it's neither of our fault.
Oh and have raised a non payment case with ebay regarding my car. 3 days is long enough.
Bye for now
Bob

maria3104

Hi All

Am in work and having my first break. I am going away for the weekend with my sisters, very excited. B&B is booked with an independent place. Booked over phone by Scottish sister. One of our party has broken an arm and can no longer join us and B&b people say we need to pay for that room, now empty. There are 9 in our party in total. Is it unreasonable to object to paying. We booked late, so have not prevented her getting another booking. I am unsure how to proceed. It feels mean to request extra money of the 9 just because 1 has an accident. We are all on tight budgets and this is for most of us our annual holiday (2 nights!).

Many thanks for any advice

Bobarella

Humm that's a tricky one. How did you book? Have you all paid a separate reservation fee or did one person call and pay on a card? At any point did they make you aware of a charge for cancellation? How much is it if you do have to split it between the remaining 8 of you?

maria3104

Hi

No idea, but I will find out by tomorrow. many thanks for all the things to think about.

Have a good night and thank you once again. Another NSD

Ratison

Evening all,

It's been a busy day for me, so just catching up with the forum whilst eating some chocolate I had in the cupboard.

Not a no spend day for me today sadly, as I needed new deodorant (I've used up the last of an old can my boyfriend left behind - he now works away) and a hair dye for my roots. So I went to Boots, and just went straight to the aisles I needed. Often I'd go somewhere like that, browse, get seduced by the offers and spend about £30. Only £6 spent today.

I continue to use my expenses app and check my bank every morning and evening. I feel like its a really healthy habit for me to get into, as previously I'd check my balance mid month to see how much I had left, then get a shock because it wasn't much.

Off to see my OH this weekend - I've already told him we won't be eating out for every meal, so he has to get some proper stuff in for proper meals!

ott09

Such a spanner...just realised I posted this onto yesterday instead of today. So now I can edit to see what I've achieved!


Hi all,


Not been on here for a while....hope all ok. Kind of loving the colder weather at the moment although it does mean heating has been on a bit more than usual.


So, for today:


Husband out this evening so I can have a cheap as chips dinner, probably risotto with leftover bacon (he eats anything but can be a real bloke when it comes to dinner- generally has to have meat or fish etc etc) Actually ended up having crumpets and a cup of tea


Going to cook chicken casserole in the slow cooker ready for tomorrow. Haven't done this yet but will do it tomorrow morning now ready for the evening.


Phone British Gas and Scottish Power- we were meant to be swapping over to SP but not heard a peep from them so need to find out what is going on. Phoned BG- SP to do tomorrow.


Phone man who STILL hasn't paid OH his £700 owed since April. Again, forgot to do this...gives him another day to pay I guess...yeah right!


Lunch at home- possibly HM soup Forgot I had jacket potato ready I bakes last night.


Received a free teething toy for survey- will give that a go Seems a winner and once I have trialled it and completed survey I'll receive £2.75, can't complain.


Surveys. Completed a few


Planning on a nice wintry walk later listening to audiobook I downloaded ages ago but forgot about. Gorgeous walk in the park and enjoyed book- A tiny bit marvellous by Dawn French


NSD Yes!!!


Happy Thursday all

Ratison

Ooh just had an email through to join Nectar e-rewards - hopefully this will bring points!