Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks SA . Buying the premium bonds as soon as I get paid does stop me frittering .

in_need_of_direction

You should find a home for your pay increase too or it will evaporate

HairyHandofDartmoor

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

You should find a home for your pay increase too or it will evaporate

You're right I should!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well it's been chucking it down with rain and windy all day today so far. I went into town and did a few dull chores. I didn't spend any unecessary money and wasn't even tempted too to be honest because I know how tight money is at the moment.

Spends were £7 in Sup3rdrug on face wipes and other essentials, £4.80 in B00ts on wax ear plugs and ibuprofen (two packs of each), £2.77 on fruit in Mr T and £2.40 on my bus fare. So essential spends only but I still spent about £17 . My coffee was free on my points luckily. I tried to get a flu jab but Sup3rdrug don't do them on Saturdays, so I need to ring B00ts and book one. I did get my free annual eye test to check for glaucoma though and my eyes are fine .

Since getting home I've put some clothes in the washing machine and emptied the kitchen bins. I should do some ironing but I don't feel like it so I might leave it until tomorrow.

In fact I feel a bit meh today. I don't know why, although I strongly suspect it's because half term is nearly over, the weather is grim and we're very short of money at the moment . Half term has been busy for me without that much relaxing going on, what with my assignment, vat return and doctor visit. But I'd still have had to do those things had it not been half term and it's better to get them out of the way when I'm not busy at school. We did have two enjoyable outings to NT venues though without too much money being spent. I'm pleased with myself for not spending money to cheer myself up today as I've often done in the past when I've felt a bit meh. I just thought to myself that most of our problems are due to shortage of money so spending to cheer myself up is just going to make things worse in the long term, so I'm trying to avoid emotional spending.

I may just relax and read a book today as I haven't done that much relaxing over half term and it's going to be a busy and long half term. I think I fancy a good mystery so I've picked 'The Telling Error' by Sophie Hannah to read.

I hope everyone is having a good Saturday

HairyHandofDartmoor

My Dad is having a birthday party for stepmum's birthday in the spring and is keen for all the family to come. It's in the south east so will involve expense. But my Dad is 86 and I've missed a lot of family occasions over the years so I want to go. We'll have to drive down on Friday evening and come back on Sunday as it's in the term time. DH has found a Travel Lodge for £70 for two nights so he's booked that. We can't afford it but thought the price might go up if we left it to nearer the time. We can cancel it too if we can't go for some reason. It will be a tiring weekend but it will be nice to see all the family so that will give us something to look forward to after Christmas I suppose.

doingitanyway

Also feeling meh. I don't think this awful weather helps does it? You are better than me as you braved it. I still need to, so will go for a walk soon.

It is good that you booked the accommodation for your family party. Money is an issue but there are still some things that are more important. Time moves on and we have to grab time with loved ones when we can. Knowing this is coming up may help in being more careful over Christmas.

Enjoy your book. Sophie Hannah is a good writer.

jwil

I hope you managed to relax yesterday. Sophie Hannah's books are good.

HairyHandofDartmoor

doingitanyway wrote: »

Also feeling meh. I don't think this awful weather helps does it? You are better than me as you braved it. I still need to, so will go for a walk soon.

It is good that you booked the accommodation for your family party. Money is an issue but there are still some things that are more important. Time moves on and we have to grab time with loved ones when we can. Knowing this is coming up may help in being more careful over Christmas.

Enjoy your book. Sophie Hannah is a good writer.

Thanks DIA . I hope you feel better today. You're right about grabbing time with loved ones being important.

jwil wrote: »

I hope you managed to relax yesterday. Sophie Hannah's books are good.

Thanks Jwil . She is a good writer but didn't suit my mood in the end so I read something else.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I still feel a bit meh today even thought the weather is dry and sunny today. It's probably because half term is over and despite liking school (most of the time) I always feel reluctant to go back after a holiday . Also we're very short of money at the moment and that always makes me feel down.

However I'm trying to focus on positives. Half term is over but I got lots of things achieved and I hope that listing them will help:

- Finished my first assigment
- Went to my college tutorial
- Did the VAT return
- Went to the doctor
- Went to the optician
- Saw aunt, uncle and cousin
- Had two visits to NT venues

So although half term felt busy I got a lot of things done that needed doing and half term was the most sensible time to do them. Now I need to focus on other positives so here is a list of them:

- I have a job (even if it is very low paid)
- I enjoy volunteering (usually)
- I'm doing a course that should help me in my chosen career
- I'm doing a bit of paid cover
- I have DH and my three DSs
- I have wider family that I enjoy seeing
- I live in a nice house in a nice neighbourhood
- I live in a lovely part of the country
- I'm healthy apart from a touch of arthritis and asthma
- I have a house with only a small mortgage on it
- I am debt free (in fact it will be the two year anniversary soon)
- I have an emergency fund

I can't think of anything else. I hope DH can bring some more money in soon and if/when he does I'll feel better. I feel a bit nervous about school tomorrow but I'm sure things will go fine and if I go to Pilates afterwards then that will probably help me to feel more cheerful too.

I've done a bit of laundry today and am washing our bedding so that I can change it. I need to iron some work trousers and could iron a few work tops too if I can face it (although I've got enough to last the week but I like to get ahead if I can). Apart from that I'm trying to relax as tomorrow will be a full on day. I gave up on the Sophie Hannah yesterday as it didn't suit my mood and read a cosy crime book instead. So I'm going to do a bit more reading this afternoon inbetween a few chores.

I hope everyone in diaryland is having a relaxing and productive Sunday so far .

Seasidegal58

Hi Happy. Listing your positives is a really good idea as it's given you an excellent idea of how far you've come in a year. For instance, you were struggling with the VAT last year - both in submitting it and paying. This year it's all been done and dusted and paid - with no late charges!

You did mention that you don't want to chip into your EF and would let some bills go unpaid in the meantime . Not sure what bills you mean, but please don't do this! That's what the EF is for! You can always replenish it later rather than incur interest on late payments!

Enjoy your afternoon of reading!
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