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

Sun_Addict

I agree with SSG about using the EF and replacing it, that's what it's for, no point worrying about unpaid bills needlessly.

I think we all dread going back to work after time off, after a couple of days it's all fine again. I wasn't looking forward to going back after my recent holiday and now I'm well back in the swing of it.

Great to list the positives, it's not so long ago that you didn't have the job and your prospects are good with the training, things can only improve financially. I hope DS brings in some money soon and you can stop worrying xx

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

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

).

This is a wonderful list, and sometimes only once you actually see the positives written down can they become real enough to appreciate.

Health especially is really important and to be cherished.
Imagine me crowing to my family today as I displayed my prowess at bending down to tie my trainers with ease !!!! Given that I've barely been able to put my own shoes on never mind tie the laces for the last 10 mths, this seems a massive thing for me.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to take this type of ability entirely for granted until it vanishes.

I agree what others have said about using your EF. Are you waiting till the house falls into a pit before you deem it an emergency ? Money for a rainy day admittedly is not to be used for a drizzle, but nor does it have to await a biblical flood !

Sunshine_girl2

Agreeing with everyone else you should use EF for essential bills . I think you have done an amazing job in the last 12 months with all you have achieved. I think a lot of people will feel a bit out of sorts now the clock has gone back, darkness doesn't suit everyone.

Have a good day tomorrow. X

jwil

That is a lovely list :T

Hope today goes well back at work, you'll soon get back into it.

I agree, pay the bills using the EF if they are going to be late otherwise, if not, then there's no issue hanging on a bit longer.

milann

My two penny worth for what it’s worth is Emergency Funds are for emergencies. In my book not being able to pay a bill is an emergency. I know you’re enjoying accumulating premium bonds but could you put that on hold for a month or so and put the cash towards the bills too?
I suspect the worrying about up and coming bills you can’t pay is the biggest factor in your feeling meh - plus your current health worry about blood tests. Hope you feel better soon.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Seasidegal58 wrote: »

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!
x

Thanks SSG . I think the thing with the bills is that when we're really up against it and can't pay the bills, DH is galvanised into action and usually ends up getting some money in from somewhere. If we use the EF then it may all just disappear and then we will nevre have another EF ever again.

Sun_Addict wrote: »

I agree with SSG about using the EF and replacing it, that's what it's for, no point worrying about unpaid bills needlessly.

I think we all dread going back to work after time off, after a couple of days it's all fine again. I wasn't looking forward to going back after my recent holiday and now I'm well back in the swing ostf it.

Great to list the positives, it's not so long ago that you didn't have the job and your prospects are good with the training, things can only improve financially. I hope DS brings in some money soon and you can stop worrying xx

Thanks SA . Yes it can help to list the positives and change your focus.

elizabethhull wrote: »

This is a wonderful list, and sometimes only once you actually see the positives written down can they become real enough to appreciate.

Health especially is really important and to be cherished.
Imagine me crowing to my family today as I displayed my prowess at bending down to tie my trainers with ease !!!! Given that I've barely been able to put my own shoes on never mind tie the laces for the last 10 mths, this seems a massive thing for me.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to take this type of ability entirely for granted until it vanishes.

I agree what others have said about using your EF. Are you waiting till the house falls into a pit before you deem it an emergency ? Money for a rainy day admittedly is not to be used for a drizzle, but nor does it have to await a biblical flood !

Thanks Elizabeth . I'm glad your hip is so much improved . I do write down my positives when I'm feeling down as sometimes it can help.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sunshine_girl2 wrote: »

Agreeing with everyone else you should use EF for essential bills . I think you have done an amazing job in the last 12 months with all you have achieved. I think a lot of people will feel a bit out of sorts now the clock has gone back, darkness doesn't suit everyone.

Have a good day tomorrow. X

Thanks Sunshine . I agree that the dark evenings can make people feel a bit grim.

jwil wrote: »

That is a lovely list :T

Hope today goes well back at work, you'll soon get back into it.

I agree, pay the bills using the EF if they are going to be late otherwise, if not, then there's no issue hanging on a bit longer.

Thanks SSG . Yesterday went fine luckily.

milann wrote: »

My two penny worth for what it’s worth is Emergency Funds are for emergencies. In my book not being able to pay a bill is an emergency. I know you’re enjoying accumulating premium bonds but could you put that on hold for a month or so and put the cash towards the bills too?
I suspect the worrying about up and coming bills you can’t pay is the biggest factor in your feeling meh - plus your current health worry about blood tests. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Milann .

As I said to SSG I think the thing with the bills is that when we're really up against it and can't pay the bills, DH is galvanised into action and usually ends up getting some money in from somewhere. Having the EF takes that pressure off him to bring in sales and if we use the EF then it may all just disappear and then we will never have another EF ever again.

[Deleted User]

Morning Hairy,

I love your list, it's good to look back sometimes.

Well done on your assignment...6000 words!!!

I echo that you should use the EF for the bills.

Have a lovely day xx

HairyHandofDartmoor

Yesterday was fine in the end, in fact I felt that it went quite well and I enjoyed the day. It was dry all day too which is always a bonus . I got home at 4pm and then went to Pilates at 5.30pm with my friend. That's four weeks in a row I've been to Pilates so I feel like I'm on a roll there. I always feel better for going . I felt very tired in the evening though and I'd done 17,000 steps and 54 active minutes when I checked my Fitbit!

I've been to the doctor this morning for my blood tests and should get the results in a week. Then I'm in school for lunchtime and the afternoon.

It feels really cold this morning. I'm sitting under a blanket and wearing my outdoor fleece jacket, but my hands feel cold. At least it's be warm at school .

HairyHandofDartmoor

Deleted_User wrote: »

Morning Hairy,

I love your list, it's good to look back sometimes.

Well done on your assignment...6000 words!!!

I echo that you should use the EF for the bills.

Have a lovely day xx

Thanks Purplemum . I know that sounds logical. It's just I know the way DH's mind works and if we spend the EF he may hustle less to get sales and then our EF will be gone forever as we'll never be able to afford another one.