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

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Comments

  • in_need_of_direction
    in_need_of_direction Posts: 7,838 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you have access to a sulky lemon, cut it, put in a bowl of cold water and microwave until it steams. This makes the microwave so easy to just wipe clean.
    Mortgage at 01.01.14 £119,481.83:eek: today £0 Emergency fund £5.5/5.5k & £200/200 cash.:jWeight 24/02/19 14st 7lb now 11st 12lb determined to stop defining myself by my mistakes. Progress not perfection.:T100%through my 1% mortgage challenge. 100% through my pb challenge. I’m not perfect but I’m good enough for now.
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks INOD I'll try that :).
    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
  • Reb2016
    Reb2016 Posts: 176 Forumite
    I second the microwave tip, makes it smell lovely too.

    Reb
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,748 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »
    I guess I should have called it an autumn cleaning list :). I always get the urge to spring clean before Christmas rather than in the actual spring :D.

    I read that in Japan there is a custom of deep cleaning (osouji) at the end of the year. If I had any time and energy after Christmas I think it would be a wonderful thing to do. As it is, the best I can hope for is a very slow run up to a slightly better house by New Year - but you seem to be doing a great job on yours!
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Well I'm going to do my best to do an osougi Cherryfudge, but I doubt if I'll do it all by Christmas :). I'll prioritise so that I get really important jobs done like the fridge, the living room windows and the bathroom blind, and then see what else I've got time for.

    Today's priority is work, obviously, but I also need to think about breakdown insurance for the car which we still don't have, organising and trying on our wedding clothes, buying a wedding card and buying a John Lewis voucher from the wedding list :eek:.

    I'll enjoy seeing everyone at the wedding, but I'll be glad when life goes back to normal. It took me ages to get to sleep last night as I had so much on my mind :o.
    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 20 November 2017 at 10:14AM
    I forgot to say that yesterday wasn't a NSD after all because we had to buy petrol :(. We spent £14.53 at Mr T, which seems to be the cheapest locally plus we get the points. This is the first petrol we've had to buy since getting back from Sussex however :T.

    We also bought eight pints of milk for £2.

    But we had a lovely evening with my parents and watched a bad Christmas film together :D.

    Have a good Monday everyone :).
    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: 96,586 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    What part of Scotland are you heading to?
    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
    The wedding next weekend is in the Midlands not Scotland beanie. How are you? You seem to have been a bit quiet lately. Hope everything is ok with you.
    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: 96,586 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    Have had the flu & still have.
    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.
  • 117pauline
    117pauline Posts: 743 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    I love the idea of the checking the clothes before you go. Last time I forgot!

    The Midlands is freezing and very dark today. Hardly conducive to going out.

    Try having a notepad by your bed to get rid of those hectic thoughts. It helps me to focus on real or imagined fears. I am trying to put some of the CBT ideas into practice now.

    Is it still exciting being debt free?

    Take care honey
    Pauline
    Don't get it perfect - Get it going
    Better Than Before
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