STOPPING robbing Peter to pay Paul...my journey...

blubella

So here are my rambling thoughts from 3:30 this morning..beware long post alert!

DAY 1.
Goal setting questions:
1. Why are you participating in the challenge?
I have decided to participate in the challenge because i am in debt and have been for many years. Recently my circumstances have changed - my lodger has given notice, my son is returning home and my income will be stretched further.

I will not be able to pay off my debt as quickly as anticipated, so I want to establish my essential living costs and see if there are any ways to make my income go further than I am.

2. What do you hope to achieve?
I'd like to establish the minimum that I am able to live on to enable me to pay off my debt quicker but without giving up all of my pleasures in life. I'd like to find inspired ways of using my skills to increase my income and find some motivation.

I'd love to have savings in the bank for emergencies and start working towards my future goals.

3. What are your long-term life goals?
To be debt free and mortgage free within 10 years.
I'd like to build my own home and live in some woodland, be self sufficient in an eco friendly environment.

I would like to be in a position where I 'choose' to work but don't have to. Where I can pursure a meanigful role in my life and be more creative. I would like to explore self employment opportunities.

To be financially secure and able to travel and explore the world more. To be able to spend more time with those who are important to me.

I want to be as fit and healthy as I can be, and in a loving relationship with a person who inspires me to be a better me.

4. Where do you want to be in 10 years?
Debt and mortgage free, living a simple and sustainable life. In a position that I do not have to work but choose to, to enhance my life. To live and work in a streess free environment.

To be more creative, relaxed and content with myself.

5. What about your current lifestyle might prevent those goals from coming to fruition and what can you do about it?
I'm currently just about living within my means, but need to reduce my spending in order to make my dreams happen and realise my full potential; and to basically make additional payments to my debt!

My procrastination is not helpful, I have skills that I can utilise and possessions that I can sell to try and make some extra pennies.

I have been going out more socially and friends may attempt to sabotage my goals. I can be a pushover and easily persuaded to do things that I should say no to.

in_need_of_direction

That all seems well thought out.

blubella

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

That all seems well thought out.

Well, it's all there tucked away in my little brain..now it's the putting it in to action that will be difficult.. but I have always been pretty determined when I set my mind to something and like to prove to myself how able I am..

Day 2 of the Uber Frugal Month: I have to write my long-term goal on a piece of paper and put it in my purse; this is reportedly symbolic and everytime I go to purchase something I will be confronted with a physical representation of my long-term goal(s) and have to ask myself:

[FONT=&quot]Do I want to buy this pair of shoes or do I want to... insert goal here... (become debt and mortgage free, have the choice to work, stop living a life ruled by debt… ) Reminds me of a certain Mr Lewis Mantra :money:

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So, I have skipped on to Day 3 as I already have a weeks worth of emails in my inbox and tbh it didn't take much effort on my part to complete Day 2' exercise.

Day 3: Over the next month every time I feel the urge to buy something, I have to write it down or save it in my online shopping basket and then allow 72 hours to elapse (this doesn't include essential groceries or medication). During the waiting period I must consider:

• Whether or not I actually need the item?
• Calculate what else I could do with the money?
• Explore if I already own something that could suffice?
• See if it is something that I could find 2nd hand for a much cheaper price?

After 72 hours, I have to re-evaluate how I feel about the item? Do I still want it or has the desire faded?

In my defense i'm not usually an impulsive shopper...most of my household items are online auction purchases, freecycled or charity finds.

I did covet a dress in Sparks recently and at £55 i could not justify the purchase. Having returned to meet a friend for supper the sales were on and it was reduced to £32, I tried it on and it was perfect..and I purchased it . I was looking on the bay this week...same dress £19.95!! I am off to return my purchase..obviously need to complete my homework better next time..

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blubella

So the coveted dress was returned and re-purchased on the bay for £19.95..a saving of £12.05!! Probably shouldn't have purchased it but it was so lovely..

Collected DS from Heathrow last week.. tried to take my time driving, to try to reduce the petrol consumption..It is so lovely to have him home. He said how much he had missed my cooking and I told him that I am trying to cut back on spending a lot more at the moment so would be being a lot more frugal.

We had a lovely conversation about our dreams yesterday and what we need to do to make them a reality...

Have been continuing with the Uber Frugal Month..devoid of a pressie for Mum's birthday..but am keeping it at the forefront of my mind..

Day 4: So this is a tricky one. It is encouraging me to debate eliminating something that I pay for on a regular basis...for example cable TV. I then have to work out what I would save in a year, and then calculate what the return would be if I were to invest it in a low fee index fund over 30 years for example?

So, I'm not sure what an index fund is but get the impression that it is something like stocks and shares? Will have a chat with Dad later as he is more on the ball when it comes to investment than I! But as you know, I have given up my gym membership at £25 per month, so that's £300 a year which could be a potential investment?

Day 5: I'm already putting this into action this month...the spend less on groceries and eat up left overs, trawl through the freezer/ fridge/ cupboards. I have bread baking in the oven as we speak...:D..have made carrot, lentil, cocunut and coriander soup, mushroom pasta sauce, cauliflower cheese with soon to be OOD cream cheese, sausage and bean stew.. going to make a lentil dhal today and maybe a rice dish. Off for lunch with parents today..DS has been craving a good old British roast

Have a great day lovelies x
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in_need_of_direction

How do you make your mushroom sauce?

blubella

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

How do you make your mushroom sauce?

Ooops, that was an error it was a tomato based sauce with olives and mushrroms x

blubella

We have decided that we are going to have a big de-clutter in the coming month. Lodger is away until next week so don't really want to start bring everything down for the attic yet _pale_.... DS has made a really good start with all of his clothes that I stored in shrink wrapped bags under the bed. 11 t-shirts/sweaters down and I pinched around 6 to recycle the cotton fabric

Also, cleared out the shed in preparation for winter..time to get the wood in and get all the bits that i've accumulated chopped up..now there is a nice job for DS.

DAY 6 UFM: I have to calculate my net worth.. the process looks quite complicated and a little covoluted..so I am going to have to sit down and re-read the process again or find a simpler version!

DAY 7 UFM: Do I eat all the groceries i buy?
Well, i'd be lying if i said I did. But in reality I do try to eat up all my leftovers, even if it means taking it to work the following day. I am pretty good at making things up out of my basic store cupboard essentials; and I buy all my rice and dried beans/lentils etc in large quantities which last me the year!

This thread is all about planning and preparation so you don't get caught out in the supermarket.. i'm pretty good at making lists and and trying to stick to them...which may be more of a challenge with DS at home!

Well it is my non-working day today ...so Iam going to try not to waste it. Going to have a bit of a spring clean and try to list some things on the bay!

Happy Monday all x

blubella

Poor nights sleep last night, tossing and turning since 1am...some very strange dreams..

Have just been working out my grocery spend to date and it is averaging at £5.45 per day at the moment. Bearing in mind that DS has been home for 6 days I am pretty impressed by that. Only thing to do now is to keep up the momentum as supplies run low :mad: ...going to have to get my creative hat on! 16 days until pay day...yikes!

I'm not sure what the average cost of 3 x nutritious meals per day that one person can live on...curius to know? May have to look in to that. I have heard of people living on £1 per day but that sounds very extreme to me!

I have been tending to pick up the odd item from the supermarket that I need when I'm on my lunch break at work, i'm a bit concerned that if i do a big shop that I will splurge and be tempted by loads of items that I don't really need! The odd item shop appears to be working well; I am making do with storecupboard staples and topping up with a couple of ingredients here and there to be able to create a meal, and I am also getting some extra steps thrown in to the bargain. :j

I made a prawn stir fry last night, and a brocolli and blue cheese soup for lunch today. I finished up the carrot and lentil soup for lunch yesterday, DS made up some egg mayo sandwiches for himself and for his own reason appears to be in frugal mode too.

We have decluttered 39 items so far and a bag of rags for the charity shop, I have been told that they weigh in rags! I have also listed 4 items on the Bay. I was planning on trying to do three a day but failed miserably yesterday...1 was better than none though!

I will try and touch base later for the next UFM challenge

Have a happy day x

Ever_the_Optimist

I've really enjoyed reading your diary. I love your innovative foodie ways. I'm planning on working though the freezer and store-cupboard this next week anyway but you've inspired me to try much harder to be creative with the bits and bobs I have! Thanks

kindofagilr

Hey bluebella how are you doing??? xx