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

HairyHandofDartmoor

Hi Eager Elephant thanks for taking the time to read my diary :wave:

DS3 only goes to college three days a week (even though the course is classed as full time) and he has to catch two separate buses through two zones. I did look into a weekly or monthly ticket, but it would only be cheaper if he travelled every day.

The cheapest way seems to be a dayrider for two zones, which is cheaper than two return tickets. However I did read on the bus company website yesterday about a possible student discount, so thank you for reminding me about that I need to nip into the bus office today and find out more about it.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I only use the bus once a week, DH drives everywhere, DS2 walks most places and DS1 rarely leaves the house unless he gets a lift (suffers from depression and anxiety), so we wouldn't get full use out of a weekly or monthly ticket.

redofromstart

HHoD, we have an ancient metal incinerator bin and have burnt confidential waste before - slow and smelly but effective. Just remove any plastic covers, and don't choke it by adding too much at once.

More talk of books leaving house *shudders*

Hiddenidenity

I burn all my paper things. I'd burn everything if I could :rotfl: I love a good fire.

My mum uses a garden chimney to burn hers, I just have a basic fire pit but it does the job.

Have a lovely weekend x

HairyHandofDartmoor

redofromstart wrote: »

HHoD, we have an ancient metal incinerator bin and have burnt confidential waste before - slow and smelly but effective. Just remove any plastic covers, and don't choke it by adding too much at once.

More talk of books leaving house *shudders*

I'm definitely tempted by a burn barrel

I've still got about a thousand books at home, I'm just getting rid of duplicates I love books

HairyHandofDartmoor

Hiddenidenity wrote: »

I burn all my paper things. I'd burn everything if I could :rotfl: I love a good fire.

My mum uses a garden chimney to burn hers, I just have a basic fire pit but it does the job.

Have a lovely weekend x

I'm definitely going to look into finding a cheap burn barrel. We've got bags of confidential papers and I'm dying to rid of them. Our shredder was a total waste of money :mad::mad::mad:, I think I'll burn that as well

HairyHandofDartmoor

I'm back now and I did quite well on the budget

I overspent on books (£4 on four hardbacks, instead of £3), spent £2.10 on the bus and £2.65 on coffee, but only spent £5.60 in Tesco (fruit and tomato puree). So a grand total of £14.40.

As I used to spend about £20 altogether on a Saturday, this means I can transfer £5.60 into the savings account

I walked right past Debenhams, even though they had a blue cross sale with up to 70% off. I was tempted but I don't need anything so just kept walking. I'm so proud of myself :T

HairyHandofDartmoor

When I got home DH was painting the skirting boards and door frames in the hall. He's half painted almost all the wood in the house now.

Is it just me or is that a bit weird? I would paint one thing, finish it and then move onto the next. I haven't said anything though as don't want to discourage him :rotfl:

HairyHandofDartmoor

DH showed me two letters from Asset Link when I got home. They were a statement showing how much he owes on each of the two debts.

At the bottom of each letter it said "If you have not already done so, we would encourage you to contact us to discuss the state of your account." :mad:

Yeah, I think we might have tried to do that already, twice. Are they trying to wind me up? :mad::mad::mad::mad:

The statements were dated 30 September 2017 and they arrived today, the 14 October 2017! :mad:

And breathe.

parsniphead

I love a good burn up. I built a very shoddy fire pit (well a circle of bricks on the gravel part) in my garden which does the job. I'm sure shredders are built to last two weeks maximum.

That letter must have been very annoying.