2017 - my frugal year

SkintTeacher

Well! What a long time it has been!

This month has been ridiculously busy and I'm just coming down off the high of my wedding - it was so amazing.

Money and weight goals are going really well. I'm now over 2 stone lighter than when I started this diary. I'm not scrabbling around for money at the end of each month and I have a handle on my 'guilt' spending - if it's within the money for the month, why feel guilty once I've done my saving?

On that note, I'm on track with my savings and even managed to put a little extra aside in March. This month I'm focusing on enjoying time with my family so I'm putting away all the generous gifts of money from family and friends into my ISA but keeping some money to make sure I can be out and about with my sister who I see far too rarely.

This all sounds too perfect and I'm sure there'll be blips but I'm just checking in to enjoy the moment and look at how far I've come in such a short space of time. My friends are all amazed at my physical transformation but little do they know what's happened in my bank accounts! Thanks for all the support to everyone who's commented on here

Skint Teacher x

DrSqueeze

Well done!

I'm sure other people can look back over this thread and pick up some good ideas for their own plans too.

SkintTeacher

hello 👋
I've not posted for a very long time... Been reading other people's diaries though and keeping up with my goals.

Update:
£3,000 in my FD 5% savers account and very excited as this 'matures' on the 4th of January and I'm going to use the interest to go shopping in the sales.

Shopping in the sales for clothes! Since I started my debt-free and being healthy diary on here I've had a total overhaul of my lifestyle and I am now 3 stone lighter than when I started. I've gone from a 12-14 to a size 8.

Mostly, I've bought charity shop clothes to keep up with the changes in size and I've been on a much-reduced wardrobe. Underwear has been a bit of an issue as I have an (ahem) ample chest so I've got to buy quality. Luckily, my mum has been so impressed with me she has treated me.

Coming up to Christmas and feeling really good about continuing my goals and setting some new ones for 2018. OH is now looking for work as our little one went to school in September so there should be a little more coming in to work with.

Pop up and say hi if you're reading

SkintTeacher

DebtFreeDuo

What a fantastic update! Well done on the weight loss, it sounds like you deserve to treat yourself with that interest you will receive.

SkintTeacher

hello again
I'm finally into the 50kg category! Literally 59.9 but really chuffed. My new goal is no crisps,no chocolate and no sweets. I'm going to try to keep it up till Christmas day when I will have asked for my all -time favourite chocolate. I don't like the way sweets make me feel and I have no stop button with crisps.

In terms of money, this month is always tricky because of my son's birthday but child benefit came in today so we'll scrape by to the end of the month. 5 weekends and a half term in one month is tough going!

Hope everyone is well
Skinty x

Maiden_Mum

Wow SkintTeacher, you have done so well on the weight loss (I’m very jealous,lol!) & your savings are also looking good.
Well done!

SkintTeacher

my last post here before I start a new 2018 diary - I've been putting lots of thought into my goals for the year
But as for this year ... I have lost 20kg,and managed to maintain that over Christmas!
I've kept up at least 4 exercise sessions a week (including joining a gym and actually using it and joining a running club which has been a revelation at only £25 a year)
I've gained a group of like-minded friends and have signed up for a half marathon next September which will include a weekend away
I've kept up yoga classes and can almost do a head stand - still working on it!
I've saved £3,980 - which is £300 a month plus £180 interest. I was going to treat myself with the interest but now it comes to it I can't think of a single thing I need! I was going to get trainers, but my SIL kindly gave me a voucher for Xmas so I no longer need to use my interest.

I've learnt a lot about myself:
I do have the motivation and self-control to stay fit and healthy.
I don't get happiness from buying objects.
I have (had) a few people in my life who aren't genuinely interested in seeing me happy.
I have some amazing, supportive individuals who are with me every step of the way.
Changing your money habits is really hard to un-do (when it came to Christmas this year, I probably spent at least 50% less than other years, and implemented a 'no spend' for any relative I wasn't actually going to see - I sent an email in October to let them know and tell them I didn't want anything either)
Happy 2018 all!!!

MeenaM

well done you! and that is a great amount of interest earned