My attempt to be a super saver

snozberry

jenberry wrote: »

Hi Snozberry,

Sorry to hear about your struggles from last year, but well done for picking yourself up and getting CBT, very best of luck with it.

Have you heard of minimalism? There's currently a documentary on Netflix about it that inspired me to stop spending on anything but necessities. I got rid of 8 bags of clothes and clutter in October last year and have been really conscientious about my spending over the past few months. I keep a spending diary and write down every penny I spend which makes me more aware of when my spending is unnecessary. Also, there's a book out called 'One Pound Meals' on Amazon (which I think is currently a fiver). Might be worth a look if you want to expand your meal options cheaply.

Wishing you lots of luck with saving and looking forward to following your journey

Jen

Oh you sound just like me! I love minimalism and have been konmaring for just over a year now (I have had to break down each category into sub-categories because I can't do each one in each hit). I have been selling my old tat on faceb00k and eb@y as well as donating to charity (I'm almost on first name terms with them in my local shop lol). The more I konmarie the more I hate clutter but my fella is a hoarder and I have a small child who loves plastic tat...

I have been following the bloke behind one pound meals on instagram and bought his book when it came out. I have made a few of his meals already. I paid a bit more for it in Asda though

I used to keep a spending diary and was quite careful with it but I let it dwindle. I have restarted it this year and had quite the shock in January when I saw how much I had frittered away. At least I have a baseline now so that I can compare future months against it.

snozberry

It's not been a bad week spending wise tbh and I feel a lot brighter now that January is behind me. I am going to be having a week off work in a couple of weeks as well which is fab and much needed.

I only had two NSDs so I will be improving that next week. Most of the week has been a LSD anyway (less than tenner and on things like a trip to the local soft play centre).

I have listed a few things on eb@y and have dabbled with fb but I think that people are still feeling the pinch after the festivities. I do have bidders on eb@y though and will list a few more things in the week.

Goals for the week:
* At least 4 NSDs
* Take a packed lunch every day except Friday (I need something to look forward to!)

savingwannabe

Well done. At least you are planning ahead. This time next year you will have reaped the benefits. Yay.

snozberry

savingwannabe wrote: »

Well done. At least you are planning ahead. This time next year you will have reaped the benefits. Yay.

That's the plan. I just hope to gawd that I don't fall of the wagon so to speak

bobobski

Well done, sounds like you're doing well On the packed lunch front, I don't know if this would be useful for you but I tend to batch-cook something at the weekend (risotto and chilli con carne are my current faves) then stick it in tupperware boxes so it's ready to go. It makes it so easy to take lunch with me and it's especially nice in winter to have something warm rather than a sandwich! Cheap too - I worked out the chilli is something like £1.75 per serving with bread on the side.

Well done for selling stuff on ebay - a great little earner

Bertrum

We have been extra frugal, in a quest to buy and then pay down a house as quick as possible.

We have found a way to live on £30 a week on food for both of us shopping a Lidl, that includes all meats fresh veg etc. I cook from scratch every day and take a packed lunch every day.

When I cook something I cook for 4 so that we can both take a portion to work the next day.

I can go 5 days a week without spending any money and don't in anyway feel hard done by.

Tonight is going to be Salmon with chili pasta and avocado..yum


Our house is furnished with Gumtree finds £80 table and chairs, £400 sofa that was brand new etc etc. every one thinks we spend a fortune. We buy cars outright at teh bottom of the depreciation curve, i'm currently driving a BMW 6 series that only cost me £6k everyone thinks I spent £20k :rotfl:

By doing this we can save £2000 per month without any trouble.

Google Mr Money Moustache for some inspiration.

snozberry

bobobski wrote: »

On the packed lunch front, I don't know if this would be useful for you but I tend to batch-cook something at the weekend (risotto and chilli con carne are my current faves) then stick it in tupperware boxes so it's ready to go.

I have worked out that it is when I prepare my packed lunches is the problem. I just can't do them in the morning as I just don't have time. I need to get myself and my little one ready and out of the door for 7.30 and it doesn't matter how early I get up something happens lol.

Gonna see if preparing my lunches in the evening works. I love the idea of heating something up because it will force me to stop and sit down as opposed to 'eat on the go' so to speak.

Bertrum wrote: »

We have been extra frugal, in a quest to buy and then pay down a house as quick as possible.

We have found a way to live on £30 a week on food for both of us shopping a Lidl, that includes all meats fresh veg etc. I cook from scratch every day and take a packed lunch every day.

When I cook something I cook for 4 so that we can both take a portion to work the next day.

I can go 5 days a week without spending any money and don't in anyway feel hard done by.

Tonight is going to be Salmon with chili pasta and avocado..yum


Our house is furnished with Gumtree finds £80 table and chairs, £400 sofa that was brand new etc etc. every one thinks we spend a fortune. We buy cars outright at teh bottom of the depreciation curve, i'm currently driving a BMW 6 series that only cost me £6k everyone thinks I spent £20k :rotfl:

By doing this we can save £2000 per month without any trouble.

Google Mr Money Moustache for some inspiration.

That's brilliant! I can manage lots of NSDs on the trot when I'm not at work (which sounds bizarre). Saving £2k a month is brilliant - absolutely amazing!

snozberry

Pay day in 12 days and a much needed week off work in five get ups time. Wahey!

I haven't been too bad spending wise when you consider that I have been out for tea and had to buy petrol.

I have done some more decluttering today and made a trip to the tip as a result. The box room of doom is looking so much better as a result. I have a few more things to list on fb and eb@y this week as well. I am not adding any of these funds to my challenge totals as I need to build up a buffer bank account in case the things go belly up one month.

Five more get ups until my little one and I can stop and breathe (and have as much fun as possible)

snozberry

two get ups done, three more to go!

I have been good and not bought my lunch this week. I have discovered something that I really like: Warbies Toaster Pockets! I can quickly rustle something up in the morning and, because they are warm, I feel full up longer. It's all in my head I know but they do taste lush

(Touching wood) In 10 days £3k becomes £4k

Maiden_Mum

Hi snozberry. Sorry to hear about the horrible time you had a year ago. I too have heard that CBT is very good so well done on booking yourself onto it.
Keeping a spending diary is definitely helping me remain focussed so I do recommend it. (Well it is, although my spends on food still haven't reduced but in 9other areas yes it is definitely helping!)
Well done also on taking a packed lunch, that will definitely pay off the longer you do it.
Have you tried selling your child's clothes &toys that they have grown out of? Unless of course, you plan to have another.
Good luck, I'll be following along!