NST: October: Letting go of the love of stuff. 28 September 2015 at 10:22AM edited 28 September 2015 at 10:37AM in Debt-free wannabe challenges 512 replies 32.8K views

nannygladys

Hi all, been aol for the last couple of weeks, so much has been happening and not always very pleasant but I've decided that these challenges keep me focused on my own life so I would like to join please.

I'm debt free and mortgage free, but live on the state pension, (no private pension) so have to be really careful as its about half I used to get when working and although I am debt free etc I haven't got any savings, only an emergency fund. Having said that I haven't always been free of debt and my LBM was when I knew I couldn't afford to pay a gas bill that was coming up (cc maxed out and at limit of OD), so I came on here after seeing Martin in tv and after reading loads of good advice got a few plans going and very gradually got out of debt, the mortgage was paid off after 25years!!!! So I count myself very lucky as I'm at the end of my debt and learning to live on a reduced income, but I certainly know what's it's like.

I'm veggie so I'm going to give up coffee one day a week, this is going to be a biggie for me, and I will try for as many as I can sfd as I have permanent guests for the next few weeks and a grocery budget not exceeding £160, which is twice the normal amount.

The techie side will also be difficult, but at least it will get me making a few bits for C.............

Nannyg

Bobarella

Good morning

Pinch punch first of the month no touch backs!

And other super mature first day greetings

Have a good day Turtles!

Bob

misstara

Happy October turtles

I had a flickering LBM about 5 years ago, started lurking on MSE and told myself that I would start paying it all back. I did start making more than minimum payments but because I wasn't budgeting properly, I would leave myself short and end up using the credit card again. At the start of last year, I realised that in the whole of 2013 my debt reduced by £350 and at that rate I would be in debt forever so I decided to start budgeting properly as well as using lots of other advice from this site. I also turned 30 last year - I'd been in debt for the whole of my 20s and didn't want my 30s to be the same. I started a diary which was possibly the best thing I ever did as posting on it daily/every few days keeps me focussed.

I discussed tech free evening with OH and he seemed quite keen to give it a go. He said he would look out some board games that we can play.

I get paid tomorrow from 2nd job so will take out money to put into envelopes - I've never tried the envelope budgeting system before so looking forward to trying it.

academiablues

Right, let's do this!
Christmas-wise, I've bitten the bullet and sent an e-mail to some friends, asking if we can state our intentions for present buying. I have a small family and small-ish friendship group, so if I buy for everyone it will be my mum, dad, OH, and three good friends. Might get roped into secret santa at work, but the price limit is usually £2 so I don't mind that much.
LBM for me is a bit different - I've never had any debt, but started reading this thread for ideas to cut down my spending and save more. Bob mentioned Mr Money Moustache, and I must confess I've become a bit addicted to the threads there as well! My goal is FIRE (financial independence, retire early), and I'm tentatively making steps towards putting a plan in place for this, including overpaying the mortgage.
Meat-free days shouldn't be a problem, I'm also going to try to give up crisps as I have a bit of an addiction at present! Tech-free will be harder, will try to find a way for that to work for me. I really want to start supporting more local businesses, but there aren't that many near me (honestly, I live near a retail park and the nearest butcher/grocer is about 6miles away) but that's not really an excuse when I have a car. Need to remember to take plastic bags to the supermarkets when I do go, as there's a charge introduced in England from this month!
Looking forward to October - hope it goes well for everyone else too

thriftylass

Ok here we go.

Today will be SFD number 1.

I will be doing stoptober as I still have the odd rollie or two a day. I also emptied my desk drawer of all chocolate just now. I might have a few drinks when we see friends this weekend but try to cut that out after too. Then next week the two girls in my office start their gym sessions again and I will kick start my training again too.

thriftylass

academiablues wrote: »

Need to remember to take plastic bags to the supermarkets when I do go, as there's a charge introduced in England from this month!

We've had them here for a while. I point plank refuse to pay for them and learnt really quickly to have bags in the car or make do. Now we always have at least on of those reusable bags in the boot. Taking a jute bag reminds me of being little and going to the grocers with mum's wicker basket and a psychedelically coloured nylon bag

dolly84

Well we are off and running for a new month, sorry I'm a bit late checking in this morning, I went for a run first thing.

I think I have everyone numbered on the first page so far but if not please let me know.

stewby - your dad sounds like a good role model. Not long to go for you now to be debt free and lots of things to look forward to too.

thrifty - giving up chocolate and cigarettes - wow, I wish you good luck.

I will share my LBM with you. At the end of 2013 I had been reading the challenges and diaries on here and being interested in the little communities going on. We had £13k of debt by then and I was adding to it quite nicely with a shopping addiction. Our house was (and still is a bit) bursting at the seams and some days the postman was bringing up to 10 parcels from ebay and various online orders. It got really embarrassing and very hard to stash all this stuff away from DH. He isn't completely innocent in this but I would say 85% of the blame lies with me. Anyway Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2013 I was online ordering things in the half price sales and later I was completely disgusted with myself and even more so when it all arrived. January 2014 I started these challenges and I did fall off the wagon once and rack up the debt somewhat again but I am fully committed now.

dolly84

I have made a debt repayment this morning of £399.88 bringing the total outstanding to £6194.68. £25 has been transferred to the savings which now stands at £125 and the e/f is at £400.50.

My fuel budget is currently at £45/£85
Food is £116.98/£340 (5 week shopping month for us)

I will have one meat free day per week and will also give up biscuits as I eat loads of them, chocolate (I don't eat it everyday but when I do have it I have quite a bit) and caffeine one day per week too. I am going to buy a big bag of dried banana from my grocery budget to replace the chocolate.

I will not buy anything we don't need this month and for me this is particularly aimed at things that take up permanent residence in the house - like clothes, candles, books etc.

Good luck everyone.

Mrs_Toast

My first NSD today and another planned for tomorrow! This week's food shop was done yesterday and I managed £25 so the rest of my budget went to debt repayments I'm trying to find lots of free things for DD2 and I to do instead of all these playgroups so we went for a walk to the river this morning. We fed the ducks some oats and then collected lots of autumn leaves for crafts. I almost went to Waitrose for a snack and a free brew but DD managed without until we get home. Must take drinks and snacks next time but am proud of myself for resisting today.


Dolly84, I'll join you in no biscuits as I eat a ridiculous amount and could probably do with loosing a few pounds. We normally do meat free meals at least once a week anyway so that'll be easy.


My budgets so far stand as


Groceries £25/£200
Petrol £40/£60
Entertainment £2.50/£120


Many thanks again for this challenge. I've already managed one extra payment to my debts so am feeling very positive about October

thriftylass

Well, failed on the chocolate front already :eek:, however doing well in writing every penny down so far.

We'll have meat free day today as I'll make a yummy fish pie. Found our fav recipe now that includes fennel, capers etc.

Lost my SFD today too as I ordered I present for my friend's 40th birthday on the weekend. Still cheaper than a mad dash to the shops tomorrow. But who'd have known that getting sth. delivered to the "Highlands" i.e. Inverness is just as expensive as the outer Hebrides?

Anyway, have a lovely evening

Question:

How do people with a high milk consumption preserve SFDs. Bought milk yesterday, but could get more tomorrow already. With all the other fresh stuff in the fridge there isn't enough space to more milk in one go. On the other hand I'm not keen on UHT milk and it's more expensive.