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

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Comments

  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 19 December 2018 at 4:24PM
    After my haircut I caught the bus into town. I dropped off my placement form at the training provider and posted my last present and card :T.

    I bought a few bits I could wrap up as extra presents. I got DS2 a llama calendar, a Turing puzzle book each for DS2 and DS3, a giant wooden dice for DS3 and matchmakers for stepdad. This all came to £10.50 so could be a lot worse.

    Then I had a latte at Costalot and came home. I had to stand up on the bus as it was so crowded and it was only 1.30pm :mad:.

    TOTAL SPENDS
    £38 haircut (it cost more than I expected :()
    £2.40 bus
    £10.50 five extra presents
    £2.75 coffee
    TOTAL = £56.65 :eek: :eek:

    I hate spending money :(.
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    This afternoon, when I've recovered from this morning, I want to wrap up presents because I don't want to be doing it on Christmas eve.

    Tomorrow we want to buy the Christmas food, as I don't want to be doing that on Christmas eve either.

    I feel like our money is disappearing fast :( as DH got the car repairs done this morning, which were recommended when we had the MOT test. We thought we'd better get it done or risk something much more expensive going wrong. At least the car is safe to drive long distances now.
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • elizabethhull
    elizabethhull Posts: 767 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »
    This afternoon, when I've recovered from this morning, I want to wrap up presents because I don't want to be doing it on Christmas eve.

    Tomorrow we want to buy the Christmas food, as I don't want to be doing that on Christmas eve either.

    I feel like our money is disappearing fast :( as DH got the car repairs done this morning, which were recommended when we had the MOT test. We thought we'd better get it done or risk something much more expensive going wrong. At least the car is safe to drive long distances now.

    I'm sure it feels the money is disappearing - but you don't describe lavish or frivolous spending. And the car is essential. Also, aren't you still owed some survey site money - that will help, especially as you're not depending on for any Xmas at all. You are naturally cautious, but there has to be a bit of leeway in life to enjoy oneself - I hardly feel that half-price Pringles and some Diet cokes are breaking the bank !

    Next year I feel sure your plans will ease the money situation.
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    elizabethhull wrote: »
    I'm sure it feels the money is disappearing - but you don't describe lavish or frivolous spending. And the car is essential. Also, aren't you still owed some survey site money - that will help, especially as you're not depending on for any Xmas at all. You are naturally cautious, but there has to be a bit of leeway in life to enjoy oneself - I hardly feel that half-price Pringles and some Diet cokes are breaking the bank !

    Next year I feel sure your plans will ease the money situation.

    Thanks Elizabeth :). We are trying to spend it sensibly. I am owed £50 from You Gov which still hasn't come :mad:.

    I'm also £6 away from cashout on OP.
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 19 December 2018 at 6:51PM
    I've just spent two hours wrapping up presents :eek:. But the bulk of it is done now :T. We still need to buy a £20 present for DS2 and to give £50 cash to DS3. Plus we still need to buy a £10 voucher for stepdad.

    I feel really tired now. It's been a very busy week so far :eek:. But I'm feeling more on top of the Christmas prep. I think it's Wednesday today but I'm very confused as my normal routine has gone awol!

    Tomorrow (Thursday?) we want to buy the Christmas food and sort out the last two presents. Then on Friday we are going to stepdad's for a Christmas lunch.

    My friends have suggested going for a meal on Friday evening. I'm worried about spending money, but I haven't been out for dinner for about three months, so DH wants me to go. Last time I went I spent £11 :rotfl: because I had a handful of olives as a shared starter, a main course, a coke and a coffee. No alcohol and no dessert saves a fortune :).

    I want Saturday to be flexible. On Sunday we'll be working on my business and then Christmas eve will mainly consist of food prep for the next day, cleaning and tidying.

    I'm looking forward to some down time after Christmas!
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 96,466 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    Happy new hair :)
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.     ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 96,466 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    So glad to hear you less stressed :)
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.     ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    beanielou wrote: »
    Happy new hair :)
    beanielou wrote: »
    So glad to hear you less stressed :)

    Thanks Beanie :). It's nice to get on top of things.

    I've washed my hair just now so I can see how it looks when it's dry. The weight has gone from the layers so that's a good sign :).
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • Sallyforth
    Sallyforth Posts: 601 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Yes I remember Crystal Tips - I’m 57 so you must have a really good memory! My hair is naturally wavy/curly with a mind of it’s own which is mainly why I grew it long so I can just tie it back for work. I hate it pretty much.

    Good progress on all the Christmas preps.
    Tilly Tidying and
    PADing in 2024 £250.62
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________

    RIP Mum & Dad - thanks for helping me on my journey to be
    Debt and Mortgage free from 2018

  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks Sally :). Glad I'm not the only one who remembers Chrystal Tips :). Wavy hair is hard to manage.
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
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