Tuesday 21st June - What Small Debt Free Wannabe things will you do today?

SpekySquarehead

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 :beer:

SpekySquarehead

Good morning,

Yesterday was very productive and managed to tick off most of my list!!

- Bring breakie and lunch into work - Done
- Check banks and YNAB - Done
- Phone docs - Failed
- Gather a NSD - Done
- Get some free exercise - Done
- Drink plenty water - Done

Todays list;
- Bring breakie and lunch into work - Done
- Check banks and YNAB - Done
- Phone docs
- Get some free exercise
- Drink plenty water
- Tidy the house

Have a great day everyone.

determined_new_ms

Man we double posted specky! Hopefully a mod will merge us! x

Biollante21

Hello all
Only my second post

Brought lunch to work
Carry on walking as much as i can to get the miles in on my walk 1000 miles in a year challenge with Country Walking magazine
Make a turkey bolognese for tea and that will also do me tomorrows lunch as well
Look for stuff to sell on ebay
Get an item ready for collection tonight that has sold on ebay
Accept cash on collection of said ebay item to avoid paypal fee

HelleBelle

Hi all!

Thanks for the start Speky & DNMS

I've been a bit quiet lately as sickness has hit our house. we're all back to fitness again now thankfully.
Today I'm wfh so fuel saved
Reconciled YNAB and am on course to complete the month in the black for the second month in a row! hurrah I also figured out that YNAB costs me the same as about one month in my overdraft so it's paid for itself already!
I need to sort out my grocery budget as I'm always going over (but I transfer from other budgets in the YNAB way)... I currently have 66p left in my grocery budget and another 1.5 weeks to go! Surely £250 for a family of 2 adults and 2 young children is enough?

Bagpuss741

Thanks for all the messages yesterday, it really meant alot:A

Today I have/will:

1. Check online banking
2. Beauty coursework
3. NSD
4. Free Postcode Lottery
5. Weeded garden:eek: why do they grow so quick:rotfl:
6. Deadheaded sweet peas and fed all plants
7. Meals from stores
8. Surveys
9. Cat just used some of her loyalty points to buy a £3 off cat food voucher (Even my cat is a moneysaver:rotfl:) She will only eat James Wellbeloved dry food.

Welsh Cwtches* to you all:beer: (*hugs)

SpekySquarehead

HelleBelle wrote: »

Hi all!

Thanks for the start Speky & DNMS

I've been a bit quiet lately as sickness has hit our house. we're all back to fitness again now thankfully.
Today I'm wfh so fuel saved
Reconciled YNAB and am on course to complete the month in the black for the second month in a row! hurrah I also figured out that YNAB costs me the same as about one month in my overdraft so it's paid for itself already!
I need to sort out my grocery budget as I'm always going over (but I transfer from other budgets in the YNAB way)... I currently have 66p left in my grocery budget and another 1.5 weeks to go! Surely £250 for a family of 2 adults and 2 young children is enough?

Much like you, I'm into my 2nd month of YNAB. I usually am struggling to see out the month but right now I have £600 in my account!!! Absolutely amazed. Love it.

Also, similarly, its my grocery shopping that I seem to always overspend it. Just goes to show where you really spend your money.

determined_new_ms

HelleBelle wrote: »

I need to sort out my grocery budget as I'm always going over (but I transfer from other budgets in the YNAB way)... I currently have 66p left in my grocery budget and another 1.5 weeks to go! Surely £250 for a family of 2 adults and 2 young children is enough?

I think it's loads. (not judging though!) where do you shop and what do you guys eat for meals? I shop at Aldis & Lidls, but do top up shops at the farm shop across the road from us to get seasonal (cheap!) veg.

I try really hard to work out what we have already and then mostly it's getting bits & bobs to pad out a meal. If I go to Asda/Sains/Tescos I always pick up reduced meat and freeze. I spend between £130-160 pm on groceries for 2 adults and a toddler (she has a healthy appetite!). I do a lot of baking for deserts/pack lunch boxes - nothing taxing though just muffins or brownies usually. Hths

I think Bob does it for less as well! :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 7 April 2016.

princess_pea

LSD - bought a sandwich on the way to work (naughty)
Other than that all meals from stores
2 hours overtime at work
FPL and surveys done
Banking and spending diary updated
Chase last four wedding guests for their meal choices so we can pay the balance
Spent 99p on Spotify for 3 months. We'll be compiling a playlist and using this at our wedding instead of a DJ!
Loads to do/ done at work as always
Early night tonight - I just feel constantly shattered at the moment

I always end up spending stupid amounts of money on food, even though I budget £200 a month for 2 adults! We shop and Aldi and batch cook. It's all the small spends that add up in our case

DanStan

Worked out when to visit Tesco when they're most likely doing the woops section!
Free exercise in the sun
Stocked up on free conference snacks!
Using 08translate.uk to find free phone number for pc repair
Switched to water only drinks to see how it goes
Decided to cancel gym membership and purchase some home workout equipment