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

redofromstart

Just think of the fun you can have fantasy shopping

Is it worth paying the arrears off on the utilities so that you can move to a cheaper supplier and get out of that trap? Anything that reduces your day to day living expenses seems like a good investment.

Also hope you find a good interest rate home for that emergency fund. Should be able to get 1.5% on it easily enough, more if you have the patience to cycle money around (5% on TSB if you move £500 in and out every month for example).

HairyHandofDartmoor

elizabethhull wrote: »

I think we're all in a daze of astonished happiness on your behalf - this is amazing :j:T:j:T

It's been so windy here, OH wanted to stand by the front fence to protect it ! Hope it survives.
And I got a £5 survey on PA today - and I thought I always just missed the high-paying ones !

Thanks Elizabeth . I hope your fence survives!

daisy_1571 wrote: »

Fantastic news hh, so pleased for you. So glad we all kept on at you to get your applications in. Just shows how wrong these organisations were taking money off people in all the wrong situations.

So pleased to see your very modest wish list here, i feel you are right to prioritise savings as that has caused you so much stress over your diary having no savings. In time you may find you loosen the purse strings a little but it's good not to go mad immediately imho. I favour a cautious approach after some consideration :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I think your dh will get glasses much cheaper than £500 btw I got two pairs with scratch proof coating and not in the cheapest frames (ie I chose them cos I liked them without checking prices first, then was ok about paying the money) for less than that, in a private type shop not your glasses supermarket type place. Course maybe he needs varifocals or something? Mine were 'ordinary' type, sorry, dont rely on my prices

Anyhoo, fab news. Keeping my fingers xd for the third one too and hoping this one is quicker than 28 days although you have a bit of emergency fund now so hopefully never again will you be waiting on a £25 invoice to be paid so you can eat :T:T:T:beer::beer::beer::j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:T:T:T:T:T:T.

Daisy xxx

Thank you Daisy . I'm really grateful to you and to everyone else on here for nagging me to apply for the refunds :T.

DH is VERY short sighted and needs varifocals with two high index lenses as well as a coating. This is why his glasses are so expensive . Still they should last a few years. He reckons he's had his current glasses for five years.

HairyHandofDartmoor

beanielou wrote: »

Yes, as you say how awesome to not have to have that grinding anxiety about paying the mortgage & council tax :j :j :j :j :j
Priceless

:T :T

redofromstart wrote: »

Just think of the fun you can have fantasy shopping

Is it worth paying the arrears off on the utilities so that you can move to a cheaper supplier and get out of that trap? Anything that reduces your day to day living expenses seems like a good investment.

Also hope you find a good interest rate home for that emergency fund. Should be able to get 1.5% on it easily enough, more if you have the patience to cycle money around (5% on TSB if you move £500 in and out every month for example).

I know fantasy shopping is almost more fun than real shopping ..

Yes we probably should pay off the utility arrears and shop around, I'd forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder .

You're also right that I should also look for a good interest rate. I'm getting 0.25% on my current savings account. It didn't matter before because I never had any money in it :rotfl:.

Sun_Addict

Just caught up with you again and OMG :j

I'm so pleased there's some good news coming your way for once

All round to yours for celebrations :rotfl:

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks SA . You'd all be very very welcome but it's a long journey :rotfl:.

sashybo

Hi HH, I haven't posted for ages but have been reading along.

Glad you're enjoying your job & amazing news on the PPI results so far. :T:j That money behind you will be a big help, both practically & psychologically. :T:)

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks Sashybo . You're right the psychological benefits from the peace of mind are just as valuable as the practical benefits .

daisy_1571

redofromstart wrote: »

Just think of the fun you can have fantasy shopping

Is it worth paying the arrears off on the utilities so that you can move to a cheaper supplier and get out of that trap? Anything that reduces your day to day living expenses seems like a good investment.

Also hope you find a good interest rate home for that emergency fund. Should be able to get 1.5% on it easily enough, more if you have the patience to cycle money around (5% on TSB if you move £500 in and out every month for example).

Brilliant idea redo.

I hate how you have to have some money to start saving money. Used to drive me bonkers when we were struggling some years ago. As soon as you finally start to get a little cash it just gets easier to save a little more money which then makes it easier to take advantage of bargains/plan expenses which then makes it easier......etc etc. A much better spiral to be in than the downward spiral. (Similar to what somebody much cleverer than me said about banks and they will only lend you money when you can prove you dont need it.)

Anyway, well done again hh.

Dxx

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks Daisy . It's very true that poverty can be a negative spiral and having money can be a positive spiral. This is why I'm so keen not to waste these windfalls.

in_need_of_direction

brilliant brilliant news. well done