Vegan, Bipolar and in Debt.

evkizzy

9 no spend days so far.

evkizzy

Wow. That is a terrifyingly stark response. I appreciate your candor and the tips greatly and admire your intense commitment to debt busting; unfortunately (as you may know) BP can be a tricky beast at the best of times.

We tried going the hardcore route before (cutting up my credit cards/not having any kind of social life/never having things to look forward to...) but I ended up isolating myself from people and getting such intense agoraphobia coupled with depression and psychocosis that I ended up in psychiatric care.

We both decided that it was worth our mental health to get out of debt a little slower and try to have a better time along the way. I can appreciate that it doesn't work for everyone but we had to make self care a priority.
That's why our activities jar is such a great thing for us. We're planning on going to museums and art galleries and walks to keep our minds active and our bodies healthy. I realise that this way will take longer but you can't enjoy a debt free life if you're not around to see it.

The going out for Lazer Quest and drinks was our big planned night of fun for the month and the drink out with our friends was literally one. So twice in a month. We don't ever get taxis we almost always walk everywhere but I hurt my knee a few days ago and, despite the pain, agreed that if I walked there (45 min walk) that we could justify a taxi home.

I've bought items in the past from second hand stores/gumtree/FB selling sights before and I've had nothing but trouble with them which ended up costing me more long term (in the case of the iron it was free so having a new one was advantageous as we get a decent warranty).

I like the idea of car boots for gifts. I already do some gift shopping in charity shops and make a lot of items too (last year I made Christmas crackers from scratch with items costing under £1 in them).

Will have to discuss my partner taking financial responsibility for me though I'm incredibly dubious about it. I did that with family once when I was unwell and payments were missed and I got letters threatening legal action. It got sorted out in the end.
It's as much about me taking control over my life as it is control over my debts. I need to make better life decisions and become more responsible with money.
Thank you so much for the advice. X

natsplatnat

evkizzy wrote: »

We both decided that it was worth our mental health to get out of debt a little slower and try to have a better time along the way.

I think this is the conclusion that the majority of people come to when working to become DF! Life is still for living, and a little of what you fancy does you good.... as long as it budgeted for! Having something (no matter how small / cheap) to look forward to helps prevent bigger splurges!
All the best - Nats x

evkizzy

I joined July's make £10 a day challenge (I'm aiming for £5 and better late than never). Today I took a load of items that were destined for the charity shop to a cash converters and made £11 (after haggling up from £8). I also listed a wardrobe on a fb selling site which sold immediately and will be collected tomorrow. Plus I got my CB in my account from Checkout Smart: £22.01so that's £55.01 made. Will put cash in the bank tomorrow and pay straight onto my CC.

I also went to Tesco about my mobile to see if there was a better sim only deal for my usage. I got a reduction of £2.50 (which I'll count in Next months M10AD challenge) so I'm now paying £10 p/m plus they gave me an extra 500mb of internet as a loyalty bonus.

AND I didn't spend a penny so 10 NSDs so far.

All in all a productive debt busting day!

I'm now going to make a bean chilli and rice using ingredients that I already have in. Take that debt!

evkizzy

Don't worry about it Robin. Admittedly, I was quite anxious when I first read your response that I was "debt-busting" wrong and justifying my spending with being thrifty about it. But I am sticking to my guns and going to see it through to the end.

Before I started my DFD I was spending more than I was making (due to an incredibly small income of £390 p/m). But thanks to the MSE website and forum, I am making huge lifestyle adjustments not just seeking a quick fix.

It's a bit like dieting. I don't want to hit my goal then fall back into old habbits again.

Sometimes you need a stark reality check to make you face up to the gravity of a situation but in this case it forced me to take note of the progress I'm making and reinforced the rational behind my actions. We all want to be helpful on this forum but sometimes we need to understand individual circumstances to properly advise others.
Thank you for your honesty and words of encouragement. X

evkizzy

One of the rules I set myself for penny pinching was to have 10+ no spend days and, for 5 nights a week, only use items that I have in the fridge/freezer/stockpile. This rule was created as one of my spending issues is on food or exciting ingredients that I figured I'd make one day. #chefproblems
Now, for the first time in months my fridge is very nearly empty and I've been using ingredients that I've had for months.

Last night was a great example of thriftiness. I made a huge chilli and massive pot of rice without my usual fancy touches (fresh limes, sweet red peppers, jalapeños and tortilla chips). This time I used tinned chickpeas and black beans and frozen sweetcorn which gave it a whole different flavour profile. It was a more hearty chilli than I usually make (more pulses less veggies) but I was forced to adapt my recipe to suit my new budget. I made enough for 8 sensible portions and froze half chilli, half rice readymeals in some plastic Chinese tubs for future me to save time and money (on gas hob usage).
The only issue so far is that as a vegan I eat a LOT of fresh vegetables and as a result of cleaning out my fridge I will have to go shopping again. Though Friday is pay day so hopefully I can use up some freezer bits in the mean time to add to my NSD total.
I hope you have a great day today everyone!

doingitanyway

evkizzy I think you are doing great. I'm really enjoying reading your diary. The jar of ideas is brilliant and something I might copy and well done you on NSDs and using what you have (although I love the chilli fancy bits and will be copying them myself as they sound lush. I might add yoghurt too. Do you keep the green chillies raw?)

robin martin you are lovely and your recent post was so generous and kind. You are right, we all judge but not so many of us admit when we have reflected and come to see things in a different way.

Have a debt busting day both

evkizzy

Doingitanyway! Can you help me out by sharing your cheap/free date ideas for the jar?

Re food: the old me on a down/low energy day would buy a jar of jalapeños in brine from the supermarket. The old hyper manic me would chop fresh chillies up the day before and let them soak in apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt and sugar then stir half of them in with the garlic at the start and the rest 5mins before serving (to soften slightly).
Though dairy yoghurt is against my nature, I'd sometimes make a creamy alternative to sour cream using a carton of Oatly cream a small squeeze of lemon, a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar stirred up with chopped cucumber...

I'm drooling right now.
Tonight's dinner is looking like Linda McCartney sausages (free with Bonus bond voucher) frozen peas, sweetcorn and potato wedges (Tesco own brand). Cheap and easy.

11 NSDs.
3 days until payday.

doingitanyway

I’m buying a jar of jalapeños as I like that idea.

I’m making a chilli tomorrow using mushrooms, courgettes and red peppers.

Ideas for your jar might be different for us both as we aren’t the same people but for me…

white jar Take a walk to the city farm to see the animals and then sit on one of the benches with a flask of coffee and a cookie
Go to a gallery and enjoy some art

blue jar Library DVD (£3) and homemade popcorn (50p)
Thread my eyebrows (a mini facelift for £3)

reality_check

I've just had a read of your diary so far Evkizzy and you are doing fab!! All the small changes make the big changes. I wish you luck and look forward to seeing you beating the debt and becoming debt free by 30, if not before!! xxx