The Marching Minimalist

angelpye

Hutchch0920 wrote: »

Maybe other MSErs will correct me on this one but do you need life assurance? Seems like a lot? Could the cover be reduced for a short time to free up some cash?

Between now and April you can have a ball on eBay and the extra cash will lighten the load. Every 99p counts!

Thanks Hutch, I do question if I can get this cheaper. But clueless where to start. I have it because my older DD has no family other than me and if anything were to happen to me I feel its my responsibility that she has some financial backing. I seem to think it may have been a condition of mortgage too. Should check this all out. Also I smoked until quite recently and this made my premium higher - a bit ridiculous really that I smoked whilst worrying about my DD having some sort of inheritance should anything happen. The premium will apparently go down once smoke free for a year - but again need to check this out. I realise this may not make sense to people to pay such a premium for something that may never happen but I feel strongly its the right thing to do.

Ebay is definitely on the list. Also I read that some sites can pay ok for books etc and all this clutter needs to go!

angelpye

P.s I know at some point something will happen to me but I mean may not happen prematurely when I say 'may never'. It gives me great piece of mind to know she will be provided for.

angelpye

I have been reading diaries for the last couple of weeks and whilst some definitely mainly focus on debt busting, some also include other parts of peoples lives.

For me, this journey is as much about getting myself routined and orderly in order to be more in control of my life as a whole.

My house is clean but its rarely tidy, I clean and tidy rooms on a rotation but that often means I don't have a whole tidy house at once. And I function sooooo much better when my house is tidy.

My aim as part of this journey is to sort this out. I need to get on with building storage and stay on top of the stuff in the mean time. I have a copy of Marie Kondo's book and it has helped me so far. I know she talks about storage not being the issue but I am sure she is talking about homes that actually have a bookcase etc which I don't yet. The book is helpful on minimising my belongings which is an important part of this journey to me.

When my house is tidy I am lighter, I cook more interesting meals rather than the minimum, I get more targets completed, I get ready in the mornings quicker and with less panic and I just generally feel more like 'I have got this.' Minimal belongings means a tidy house is easier to achieve as well as not holding on to stuff just because...

I do know I will find some things challenging to get rid of but the more personal belongings are advised to go last.

So I am seeing this as my 'Mark Time' (imagining a stern voiced drill sergeant yelling in my ear whilst I march on the spot) part of my march. I need to be doing lots even if I am making very little progress on the debt.

JoJoC

I just had a read at your diary above - I think we have some similar goals in life. I also feel like life can be overwhelming at times and the chaotic disorganisation makes me really retreat into myself, become lazy and let things get on top of me.

I'm going to set some clearing out/ sorting out goals, inspired by you, so thank you!

Good luck on doing lots!

angelpye

JoJoC the overwhelming chaos is a nightmare and I am working hard to eliminate it. Too much head space taken up by unnecessary stuff leaving less for the stuff that counts. Time for change. Glad I have inspired you...lets do this!

yasmin2

angelpye wrote: »

Ebay is definitely on the list. Also I read that some sites can pay ok for books etc and all this clutter needs to go!

Just been reading your diary and I was in a similar place a couple of years ago with all my clutter that I never tended to use... It's amazing how much better/lighter I felt once I had got rid of a lot of the stuff that I had but never used... I used Magpie/ebay/amazon/gumtree to sell things off first. Think I saw a new app advertised on tv this week to sell things as well.. cant recall its name. I never touched this money myself.. it went towards paying my debt off.

I also had the same debate regarding Netflix when I started my debt-busting.. But I chose to keep mine as I thought I needed a treat. So cut back on my socialising and kept the Netflix.. I realised from experience that I can't completely deprive myself as then I would just end up having a huge splurge....

Good luck with your journey;)

angelpye

Thanks yasmin2, your post is very encouraging!

I have been looking into the life assurance issue today. Need to find a cheaper policy but first need to work out what I need the cover for i.e. if linked to mortgage etc. If I can reduce this even by half it would make a difference.

1LuckyLady

angelpye wrote: »

Hi and thank you for posting 1LuckyLady, no council tax as I am exempt.
The classes I do, when well, are mostly pool based which to be honest are the only ones I enjoy and feel motivated to do plus my membership allows me to take DD swimming etc. Classes in my area are at least £6 and £7 for water activities plus £9 a session at the gym. I am sure there will be cheaper options for purely gym but I mainly do the other stuff. I have been ill so haven't been using it but better now and can't afford a social life - I am going to monitor how much I use it and if its not used enough will loose it. I need to be doing 6 sessions a month for it to pay not including taking DD for swims etc.

Being 40 seems like such a grown up number! I am in denial about being a grown up!

I'm definitely not a grown up!!

That's good that your dd gets to swim too, I used to love our old gym (talking 15+yrs ago :eek: ) I used to go in a morning before work (well before kids!) and I'd get this lovely starry sky light lit pool all to myself!

1LuckyLady

angelpye wrote: »

And I function sooooo much better when my house is tidy.

When my house is tidy I am lighter, I cook more interesting meals rather than the minimum, I get more targets completed, I get ready in the mornings quicker and with less panic and I just generally feel more like 'I have got this.'

I do know I will find some things challenging to get rid of but the more personal belongings are advised to go last.

Angelpye, I could have written those! For me its Tidy House = Tidy Mind. Otherwise I get distracted by "stuff" and don't seem to achieve anything. That's why I find posting on the "small things" thread so great, keeps me focused and I do get things done.

angelpye

1LuckyLady, yes the small things definitely makes me think about the basics I want to achieve for the day - I am hoping continuous posting will help up those achievements. As for the lovely sky lit pool...oh that's what dreams are made of!