Tuesday 29th March - What small DFW things will you do 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)
  
• Cooking On A Bootstrap, cheap recipes ( Link)
• eBid ( Link )
  
• Freecycle ( Link )
• Free Postcode Lottery ( Link )
• FreeStuff ( Link )
  
• FreeUKStuff ( Link )
• Income Tax Calculator (Link)
  
• i-Say Surveys (Link)
• List of online newspapers. At bottom of the linked page. ( Link )
• LuckyPhone free lottery with loyalty rewards (Link)
  
• Marriage Tax Allowance (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 )
• Wombling Guide (Link)
  
• You Need A Budget site and App (Link)

Checked 25 Feb 2016.

allydowd

Hi March Money-Watchers,

Just have to drop OH off at work and I'll be back!

Feeling a bit "Monday morning" today. I have to work a half shift later today. I detest reverse half shifts because I always spent all morning thinking "I have to go to work in a bit".

Debt Free-Nillionaire Continuity Plan Month Ten:

* Print something in library...I'm out of ink. Smurf it!

How you all doing?

yasmin2

Good morning all...

Used to use this site a lot a few years ago when I was trying to pay off my debt and then got distracted but not anymore as determined to pay it off this year.

Small DFW things to do today:
1) Have several items to ebay so going to start taking pics/listing in prep for posting them on Thurs - normally go for 10day listings
2) Pay in chq for £5.34 from a closed credit card
3) Post something on gumtree - a working printer but no software to load. Hopefully someone will take it for a small amount.
4) Need to return some shoes as well

[Deleted User]

Good morning all, welcome Yasmin. I'm also a recently returned member of the gang.

Ally - I meant to say over the weekend, thank you for the summary of links you put up. regularly. I remembered you for it when I was away (the lady with the lists), and occasionally dropped in just to find a link:beer:

Sun is beautiful here right now, but lots of rain forecast. DD last night volunteered to blitz her room today, I don't want to distract her from that, but might try to drag her into town for a walk and to do some odd bits this morning. I need to keep moving today or I might seize up after my long walk (for me) yesterday! So, list variable depending on whether we are in or out...
(red = more urgent)

• Bank cheques that are in my purse (thank you Yasmin for the prompt. So rarely get cheques these days!)
• Submit DD sports club uniform form before prices go up
• Update details of DD expenses for ex. Am really rubbish at doing this.
• Submit expenses for work (this is a mega task. I'm also rubbish at doing this. Find it very stressful, not sure why).
  
• Letters x2 linked to charities I support, for a event we are planning
• All meals from stores
• Turned off all appliances at sockets
• Update SOA
• Complete the sort out of the bureau
  
• Keep DD company in her clear up by blitzing either my wardrobe or 2 boxes from loft. Also trying to KonMarie my excessive collection of books. Will review them for EBy or book/cd sales like ziffit (had got into the habit of just taking to c shops).
• Free exercise - target 12,000 steps

Have a good day everyone

lambda

Morning All!

Feeling positive today.

It's pay day tomorrow. That means we can get our first CC wiped off. A huge milestone for us in our debt busting. I reckon we can be debt free in October at this rate.

We had a huge discussion with my parents about our plans. They kept hassling us about saving up for a house deposit for months and months. In the end I got sick, and came out clean - that I am paying off debt before we go down that route. We have also decided between us to have a very small wedding -- just immediate family -- consisting of about 20 people. We feel sick at the idea of people spending thousands upon thousands on a day. My OH's sister is getting married and this was the last straw for us. Especially when the OH's mother told us that they are spending 6 grand (yes, 6 GRAND, 6 THOUSAND POUNDS) on a honeymoon. It made my eyes water at the ludicrous expense.

We are not going down that route - but doing something different. A nice, small, low key wedding that is going to be cheap. What is important is that we are together, not some superficial cash loaded day.

Our plan is to clear off all the CCs by October. Then I think we can put about £1500 away each month (we are putting almost that on CC debt right now). We should have a house deposit and wedding cash saved up in a year. Then we keep going. My car will need replaced, so we will save up and buy a newer one in cash outright. And so on. The future is being debt free and living within our means!

Took the parents to Costco yesterday for a run out. Apparently they don't accept CCs at the till. We had no idea, as we never spend on CCs anymore! My dad had to search for his debit card to pay for his stuff. Such a different mindset for us. No CCs for anything - pointless, evil things.

Anyway, hope you are all well!

HelleBelle

Morning all!

Today I am wfh whilst looking after eldest (saving a day of holiday childcare cost!).
I have one load of laundry on the line and another in the machine. Hoping it will stay dry long enough for it all to dry but the clouds are creeping in... GO AWAY CLOUDS!!
I've decided to try out YNAB so will see if I can carve out some time for that today.
Will pop to the post office and post 3 eBay sales.
Planning on going back to running club tonight after two successful runs over the long weekend. I'd given running a break for a month after I'd hurt my legs. Not feeling too great today so hoping I'll perk up by the evening!

Hope you all have a great day!

PS: any getting started on YNAB advice/links v welcome

yasmin2

Hellebelle,

I looked at the YNAB site and it's pricey at $5 or have you managed to find somewhere cheaper/free.
Please let me know how you get on.

Yas;)

lambda

yasmin2 wrote: »

Hellebelle,

I looked at the YNAB site and it's pricey at $5 or have you managed to find somewhere cheaper/free.
Please let me know how you get on.

Yas;)

Yeah, it's 5$ a month. I found it revolutionary, though. You can try it for 6 weeks (I think) for free before you commit.

allydowd

Deleted_User wrote: »

Ally - I meant to say over the weekend, thank you for the summary of links you put up. regularly. I remembered you for it when I was away (the lady with the lists), and occasionally dropped in just to find a link:beer:

You're welcome.:D

allydowd

I'm back. Managed to get a few things done before going to work:

* Printed parcel labels and posted two eBay sells.

* Made soup for dinner later to save us both desiring a takeaway. Was short of time so 'converted' a tin into a stew with potatoes and sausages.

* Did one load of washing using half the recommended amount of powder and conditioner.

* Cleaned the kitchen using Stardrops and washable cloths.

So, off to work shortly. Sigh. At least it's only for 5 hours, it pays the bills and it's free exercise.