A Frugal Life for Me!

nowpanicking

Hi... a bit about me, I've been struggling with debt for a few years, I always seem to have a lightbulb moment when I'm on holiday, possibly because I have time to take stock of my situation. I'm 40 years old now and can't believe that I have so much debt... over £26k just on credit cards :eek:

I am married with a son... I work full time with a good salary but my husband doesn't work.

Last Christmas I was in the same boat, determined that 2014 was going to be the year I made a dent in the debt, 12 months later and it's increased by about £5k.

So I'm going to keep a diary to try and stay focused. I've already made some changes from around October: drastically cut down drinking (was drinking to relieve work stress so no good) so I've had no alcohol since October with the exception of Christmas day where I had a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, cut up my credit cards and cancelled Sky tv. This was to save money but also to change our lifestyle. We watch far too much tv. We do still have Netfl1x though.

What I need to do in 2015 is stick to the budget which has been cut as I am expecting a wage cut at the end of January, help dh to get a job and basically be as frugal as I can... batch cooking, meal planning etc.

So fingers crossed I can do it this time!

nowpanicking

Today I'm going to get the house in order, tidy house, tidy mind

I created a meal planner yesterday for the rest of the pay period... I get paid 4 weekly so that is how I manage my budget. Went to a1di's yesterday so just need to update ss with actual cost.

Also going to make some soup, hm bread (which I haven't done in months!) and a big batch of sausage and bean casserole, half of which I'll freeze. I've got into some bad habits and batch cooking has just gone right out of the window.:o

Get paid on 15th so check bank and budget app to make sure I can stay within budget.

MrsR68

Hi nowpanacking,

You have made a good start,well done. Best of luck.x

vasseur

nowpanicking wrote: »

Today I'm going to get the house in order, tidy house, tidy mind

I created a meal planner yesterday for the rest of the pay period... I get paid 4 weekly so that is how I manage my budget. Went to a1di's yesterday so just need to update ss with actual cost.

Also going to make some soup, hm bread (which I haven't done in months!) and a big batch of sausage and bean casserole, half of which I'll freeze. I've got into some bad habits and batch cooking has just gone right out of the window.:o

Get paid on 15th so check bank and budget app to make sure I can stay within budget.

Don't you feel better already just for having started all this?

I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to keep an eye on your bank account. I'm not in debt (any more) but when I was it was an obsession for me to check the state of my cards and account every day. As long as you know how much you have (or haven't) got it can act as a deterrent to spend.

Check in here every day too. I have recently taken my eye off the ball a bit and my spending got a bit out of control but I've just recently got back into MSE and I feel so much happier and empowered

I love A1di too - shopping there has saved me thousands over the last few years

nowpanicking

Thanks MRS R ! I'm hoping the good folks on here will help motivate me to keep going. Problem is once I'm back to work I just seem to get completely immersed in work problems plus because I'm earning a good salary I don't want to admit to my work colleagues the situation I have got myself into... which is daft really.

nowpanicking

Hi Vasseur... You're right I do feel better!:)

I've also had an honest chat with dh about the debt and how we need to cut costs. In the past I've given in and bought treats/alcohol when we just can't afford it... onto the credit card which I clearly can't keep doing.

I always start off well, checking the bank, updating my spreadsheet but it never lasts. I'm hoping keeping a diary on here will help to keep me going.

Emmala

Morning nowpanicking, I just wanted to say I can sympathise totally with your situation! How long has your DH been out of work? Mine has been out of work for 17 months now and we are getting desperate. He was a high earner and is struggling to find anything in his field but is too overqualified for many 'normal' jobs. I've gone back to work although I could earn more if I can get back into teaching.

I think it's great that you've been able to be honest with your DH, it's soul destroying if you're worrying about every penny and he's carrying on spending on credit as if nothing's changed. I wish you both well, good luck x

MrsR68

nowpanicking wrote: »

Hi Vasseur... You're right I do feel better!:)

I've also had an honest chat with dh about the debt and how we need to cut costs. In the past I've given in and bought treats/alcohol when we just can't afford it... onto the credit card which I clearly can't keep doing.

I always start off well, checking the bank, updating my spreadsheet but it never lasts. I'm hoping keeping a diary on here will help to keep me going.

My debt is down to me however I can relate to the what you have said.

nowpanicking

MollyMischief wrote: »

Morning nowpanicking, I just wanted to say I can sympathise totally with your situation! How long has your DH been out of work? Mine has been out of work for 17 months now and we are getting desperate. He was a high earner and is struggling to find anything in his field but is too overqualified for many 'normal' jobs. I've gone back to work although I could earn more if I can get back into teaching.

I think it's great that you've been able to be honest with your DH, it's soul destroying if you're worrying about every penny and he's carrying on spending on credit as if nothing's changed. I wish you both well, good luck x

Hey MollyM ! DH was a stay at home dad originally. .. but my DS is now 8 so DH is trying to find something. .. not easy though as he's been out of work for so long.... also he's not got a trade or qualifications so kind of struggling! Even a part time job would help though. .. just need to hope something comes up

nowpanicking

Just had a long soak in the bath and feeling very chilled

So today has been quite productive...

- 2 hour walk with pup, DH and DS, it was a really cold crisp morning here... lovely!

- hm bread made
- batch of sausage and bean casserole made, half cooling for freezer
- big batch of hm soup made
- house tidied
- couple of loads of washing done

What I still need to do.... update meal planner ss with yesterday's spend. Will do that shortly

killerpeaty

Hi there! Can your other half drive? Temping might be a great way for him to get some work and can sometimes lead to other roles.

Good luck with your debt free journey!