Friday 19th February - What Small DFW-Style Things Will You Be Doing Today?

allydowd

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:

allydowd

MONEY MAKING AND SAVING SITES AS OFTEN MENTIONED IN THIS FORUM:

• Benefits check-up ( Link )
• Coupon Shop Forum list of money-off coupons (Link)
  
• eBid ( Link )
  
• Freecycle ( Link )
• Free Postcode Lottery ( Link )
• FreeStuff ( Link )
  
• FreeUKStuff ( Link )
• i-Say Surveys (Link)
• Jack-At-A-Pinch, cheap recipes ( Link )
• List of online newspapers. At bottom of the linked page. ( Link )
• LuckyPhone free lottery with loyalty rewards (Link)
  
• MSE Boost Your Income page. Gateway to lots of money-making links. ( Link )
• MSE Abbreviations Explained ( Link )
• MSE Deals and Vouchers ( Link )
• MSE Wow Offers ( Link )
• NHS Minor Ailment Service article (Link)
  
• My Supermarket ( Link )
• OnePoll ( Link )
• Quidco ( Link )
• Reclaim PPI at no cost to yourself ( Link )
• Resolver tool. Helps you draft a letter, send it, monitor replies and then escalate it to an Ombudsman or key complaint body if it's not sorted. (Link)
  
• SayNoTo0870 cheap phone number finder ( Link )
  
• Survey sites that pay for your opinions ( Link )
• Swagbucks ( Link )
• Swapit ( Link )
• Tesco Orchard product testing (Link)
  
• Tickety Split cheap train tickets (Link)
  
• Toluna ( Link )
  
• TopCashBack ( Link )
• You Need A Budget site and App (Link)

Revised 31 Oct 2015.

Bobarella

Thank you for starting us off Ally.

Ziggy - I read your post from last night. I am so sorry for your brothers condition worsening so quickly. It must be horrible to try and get your head around. And so difficult after your mum's op on the same day. Thinking of you and hoping you find the strength you need right now.

allydowd

Hi February Folk,

Much love to everyone who needs it.

I decided to take today off work. I'm feeling under the weather and since Sept I have gone to work every day I've felt ill regardless but I think I should take care of myself for once. It's a year since I had a day off sick in any case.

So today's list will mainly be done by my OH. I need to get her to start contributing to the household admin. Until now I have dealt with all the bills, contracts and finances and she has dealt with the more practical things. This has ended up being an unequal partnership: my responsibilities take up more time than hers. I work full-time and she part-time as well. She's not lazy or malicious it's just what's ended up happening. And she's scared of these kind of things. Anyway we'll see how this goes.

Debt Free-Nillionaire Continuity Plan Month Nine:

* OH to transfer all items from old car to newer car. Not going to keep all the tools in the boot anymore. It uses petrol to cart them around and we don't need a full tool kit on the road. That's what Start Rescue are for.

* Read up on fuel efficiency. (Link)

* By the way yesterday I used the ole' Chuzpah and haggled the price down for the newer car. I went over the car with a fine tooth comb. Asked for money off for window needing new regulator. Got it. Asked for a bit off as car seat doesn't tilt to allow access to back seat. Got it. Asked for a bit off as rear wiper needs a new motor. Got it. And asked for a tenner off to put petrol in it. Got it. Anyway, the car is going back on Monday to get these bits repaired for free. And I'm going to get them to test the battery and alternator while I'm there. I think the trader was so surprised to meet a girl who knows a wee bit about cars that he was flummoxed. :rotfl:

* OH has identified 20 DVDs that can go on eBay. These need listing.

* Put 20 DVDs and a mountain of CDs on Musicmagpie. They don't pay much but it's better than them gathering dust and most were bought for less than a £1 anyway. £16 payment pending.

* It's payday so the rent can be paid.

* We've had to borrow £250 from our Australia Fund to finance the car but should be able to pay this back with a fortnight: sooner if we can sell the old car. (The original plan was to wait a fortnight til we had the money for the car but unfortunately we couldn't do that as the brakes went.)

* List broken laptop on eBay.

* List digital photoframe on eBay.

* Display lovely card a friend sent me. Something to be treasured. I so rarely get "real" cards in this digital age.

That's about it. How about you guys?

DawnW

Morning all, thanks for starting the thread Ally

Ziggy, I have just read your post from last night too, and am so sorry to hear of your family's difficult time at the moment My thoughts are with you.

PurpleFairy26

Ziggy thinking of you at this difficult time.

List of things seems a bit unnecessary when friends are having a hard time but it keeps me on the straight and narrow:
Check banking, DH payday :T
Check surveys, FPL
One thing off February/annoying things list
Meals from stores
Finish the washing mountain
Build new cabinet
Run for free exercise
Check £co

Think that's all, check back later

craftingmad

thinking of you ziggy

DawnW

jonno7 wrote: »

Ziggy thinking of you at this difficult time.
List of things seems a bit unnecessary when friends are having a hard time but it keeps me on the straight and narrow:

You are right Jonno, so here is mine for today:
So far:
Porridge, stewed fruit and yogurt for cheapie breakfast
Cleaned top of cooker, which was disgusting and washed up
Cleaned the sink

Still to do:
Dog walks x 2 (free exercise - apart from dog food, vet fees, insurance, grooming costs etc :rotfl:)
Speaking of which, I need to make an appointment for pup to get a haircut (I need one as well, but that can wait a bit longer)
HM meals, plenty of soup left for lunch, and curry for dinner, so no cooking either - unless I make a cake :T
Make a shopping list - I think it will be Waitrose this week, as I have a £6 off a £30 spend voucher :T
Need to go to the post office
And collect a prescription from the surgery
Also sales unit
Going to an auction viewing this afternoon - not sure if I will leave any bids /attend tomorrow, but if I do it will be business spends rather than personal ones! Not sure about OH though :eek:
Surveys, FPL etc

Better get on and do some more!

crazy_cat_lady

:wave:
Morning all - thanks for the start Ally. And really well done on the haggling with the car - you've really done well there. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Ziggy :grouphug: - I read your post too. So sorry to hear that things have deteriorated so much. Lots of love to you and your family, and fwiw I think that you did the right thing to look after your mum. My dh's mum died of a brain tumour, and I kept the kids away right at the end - obviously for different reasons - but I don't regret it. There's only so much you can do... xxx
I feel ok today, although obviously I'm gutted that it's the last day of the hols. I've had a bit of a headache for a couple of days but plodding on. I don't really have any plans for the day but I suspect that things will turn up as they always do. DS is nagging me constantly for 'something to do' - not that easy the week before payday on reduced wages with rotten weather outside. Ah well.
Here's the list:
Check banking and PAD (looking tight for the week ahead - thank goodness for tutoring)
Possibly take ds to £land later for the £land challenge - he has to find the best thing he can in the shop to spend his 2x£1 coins on
load of washing
No other housework apart from washing, washing up and food prep.
Try and let dh have a lie in - he had a bad night last night
Make time for myself somehow
Get dd to gymnastics later
Do one survey
That will do for the moment. Have a good day all - and hugs to all those that need them.

ziggy2407

Good Morning All

Ally - Thanks for starting us off today

Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and messages, you lot really are the best. Had a really bad night with mum - up and down, but to be expected. Brother had a rough night and thanks to morphine managed some sleep but extremely anxious and agitated, palliative nurse meeting this morning - heartbreaking to think it's now just a matter of time (apparently he has been told he will not be going home). Not sure how today will go but will try to:

Packed lunch for DH - Done
Collect DH's Prescription -
Take mum home -
Hospital visit -
Check Bank -
Bit tidying in attic -
Craft -
Declutter -
Read -
Continue purge on Emails -
Complete a few surveys -
Enter a few comps -
All meals from cupboards/fridge/freezer -
Check https://www.freepostcodelottery.com - Remember there are now 5 chances to win -
Check Lucky Phone -

Have a good day! Love to you all!

C x

its_maths_not_magic

OK, after way too long faffing about with my money, I've decided to get back here and on the wagon - money is too important not to! So today:


1. Came here for motivation. Saving is more important than spending, having financial security is necessary for me to feel safe and happy.
2. All meals today hand cooked.
3. Eat mindfully and will probably meditate this afternoon.
4. Looking after my health.
5. Paid some of my debts off. Every penny gets me closer to a debt free me.
6. Challenged myself to have four spend free days this week.


I think that's about it.