Debt free before 35

MrsSave

Having a good old read of the forums today. Haven't done that for a looong while. I've joined the grocery challenge (£150 for December - not including Christmas food.......already have vouchers for that!). Also joined the 3-6 months wages challenge. I'd love to have £5,000 put to one side as an emergency fund. Currently at £1350, but will be closer to £1450 on the 1st.

I've made an soa today, showing our worst case scenario every month. It's doable (just) and more often than not we'll have more coming in from one of several different places!

My main problem is bargain shopping, though. I see something reduced and 'must' have it. This needs to stop. My food shopping has increased quite a lot recently too. It doesn't matter what I set my budget to be, I struggle towards the end of the month!! I've recently gone back to Tesco home delivery at. £3 a month. The food may be cheaper at Aldi, but I find I end up spending more by seeing 'bargains' and the popping to Tesco to pick up what I couldn't get in Aldi and buying even more 'bargains'! I'm hoping this will restrain me slightly

crazy_cat_lady

Hi MrsSave :hello:
Nice to see you back, and well done on being so organised! I thought I was good having Christmas just about sorted - no thought to next year at all yet.
I've joined the grocery challenge this month too - I've noticed a lot of me 'popping to the shops' and buying loads of 'bargains' that we don't really need. I need to run the freezer down and get back on the planning wagon with food. Especially as there will be lots of post Christmas food bargains :rotfl:

MrsSave

Monday morning. 3 more Monday's until some time off!! Definitely need it!! Spent most of yesterday between the sofa and bed.

Plan for today:nsd (other than bills). No online shopping!! (I know I won't have time for proper shopping today!!).

MrsSave

Well I typed a long message here earlier, pressed to send it and the site crashed!! Grrrrrr!

To cut a long story short, today has been a nsd! Woop!!

MrsSave

Good morning!!

I have a day off today, but it won't be a nsd. Aim to keep spending under £1 though! I need to buy a card. That's it. Will pop to one of the cheaper card shops. I will not pop to Tesco whilst I'm in town!!!

This afternoon I may take ds to the library. If the weather's nice, we'll walk. Won't hold my breath though!! Other than that, today will be all about laundry and chilling!! I'm so tired at the minute with work being busy and every weekend spent out and about I'm looking forward to a lazy day!!

MrsSave

Today's spends: £5.29

Ok, it was over the £1, but I bought things that would've been bought at some point during the month. I bought the ingredients to make cranberry sauce and gravy to freeze. All made and now in the freezer!

I'm currently waiting for someone to collect a crafting order I have done. It will be £12, so will put that towards my staff do which is in a couple of weeks. I've paid a £10 deposit (it's £25 in total), already have £10 put to one side, so this will make it £22. Food paid for and £7 towards drinks. It means that less will be taken from our entertainment fund! I haven't decided if I'm driving or drinking yet. If driving I won't need much more, if drinking............ :beer:

I'm now sat on the sofa, watching I'm a celeb with a nice glass of red, before I have to face the fact that I have work/lots of stress to deal with tomorrow :rotfl:

MrsSave

Today has cost a little more than yesterday! I've had Tesco home delivery and also bought a couple of extra last minute Christmas presents. £9 for the gifts, £43ish for food.

On a plus, though, I decided this morning that I 'needed' new champagne flutes (because obviously the million I have in the cupboard aren't good enough :rotfl: Well, I got out of the shower, and guess what the first thing I did was?? Start searching on the web for champagne flutes. Seriously. My hair was still wrapped in a towel with a toothbrush in my mouth!! :eek: I had to buy one there and then. But then I stopped. If I didn't need them last night, then why on earth was I so desperate for them at 6:45??

I've figured I'm definitely an impulse buyer. I need it now!!

For, what was possibly the first time, I stopped myself. I haven't ordered any. I have no intention of ordering them. My plan for the future is to stop and wait 24 hours after deciding I want something to see whether it's still important! :money:

crazy_cat_lady

I am terrible for impulse buying, but at the end of the day.
I've started filling baskets up with stuff before bed and then leaving it overnight to see if I feel the same in the morning about it. Well done on resisting the temptation though

MrsSave

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

I am terrible for impulse buying, but at the end of the day.
I've started filling baskets up with stuff before bed and then leaving it overnight to see if I feel the same in the morning about it. Well done on resisting the temptation though

I'm pleased I'm not the only one :rotfl:

I'm shattered tonight! End of term looming, and instead of the work load quietening down it has increased. The dreaded 'I' word - inspection. :eek:

Was about to type that today has been a nsd, but actually we had a chippy tea £5 ish out of the entertainment fund. We had planned it yesterday, so I'm happy with that spend! Not quite a NSD though!!

MrsSave

They say you learn something new everyday. My lesson yesterday was 'don't going into a supermarket after a few glasses of wine'!!! We went out for food last night which we had money for. To 'save money' we popped into tesco on the way home to buy pudding. Almost £20 and a lobster later (!!!!!!!!!) We were on our way home. :rotfl: I don't eat shell fish. I don't like it. Thought it would be a good idea to try again!!!!! Decided to serve it this evening with the ribs that have already been planned and the chicken that was meant to be eaten last night! A surf and turf style thing.

We're having a quiet weekend here. The decorations are going up but other than that I don't intend on doing much. Work is hectic, we're all tired so we are chilling!!! I'm home alone at the moment so watching junk on the TV. It's almost lunchtime and I'm still in my PJs!!

I had a £5 voucher from ELC through email yesterday. The minimum spend was 1p, so ordered 4 little bits for D's for £5.80. So, it cost 80p with free click and collect!!