Making savings before it's too late

SmlSave

Tori.k, if the people in the chain are agreeable why not ask to exchange with a completion date that better suits you? No harm in asking

Blackcatsreturns

Tori - it all sounds very exciting albeit expensive. Long term it's the right thing and that's the really exciting bit. I agree that it might be worth agreeing to exchange at an early date (just to make sure it is all formalised) but agree a 3 or 4 week completion date. I'm looking forward to a few days off over easter to do some relaxing and de-cluttering, aiming for a ratio of 80% relaxing and 20% decluttering. I've got a few more things to sell on eBay. I've actually sold a fair bit over the last 6 months and have accumulated a nice chunk of money in my paypal account. I really don't like the process of selling on eBay but a decluttered house plus some money in the bank reminds me that it is worthwhile even though the occasional buyer can be really annoying!

tori.k

There is no chain SmlSave we will exchange and complete on the same day as its an empty probate property crazy as it sounds i was just hoping the mortgage would have taken a little longer to sort.
I think because we had a nine months trying to purchase another property and spent so much in rent and expenses on that that everyone and the universe pulled out all the stops to get this done as quickly and painlessly as possible for us.
It will be quick but far from painless :rotfl:

Blackcatsreturns

I've set myself a paperwork sorting challenge today. Will give myself an hour which should get through plenty in that time. I updated my shredder last year which makes it so much easier. The old shredder chewed up paper rather than shredded.
Achievement this week - I have a friend who visits regularly and for various reasons never reciprocates with cooking at their house. They have an enormous appetite too. I don't mind any of this but have changed how I cook for them. I used to go out and buy lots of quite expensive fancy food but recently I have started making nice meals using store cupboard and freezer food and imagination. This week I made a yummy chicken casserole with chicken from the freezer, veggies from the fridge and freezer, and served couscous from the cupboard. I then made bread and butter pudding and served a bottle of gifted wine.
For me this thread is about changing my behaviours to be more thoughtful and thrifty with my money and that's why I'm acknowledging to myself and to on line friends on this thread when I achieve changes to my habits.

lessonlearned

Hello everyone.....

Well my thrifty month has been a bit mixed...some gains, some losses.

I have managed to reduce my food spend and to avoid too many impulse buys.

I have bought a few items of clothing but all in the sale and what I have saved in the housekeeping budget pays up for it. Hopefully I will not need any more clothing for a while - especially if I can drop a dress size. :rotfl: I have a wardrobe full of nice clothes waiting for me.....I just need to lose another half stone and I should be able to wear them.

I have paid off last months large credit card in full. Next months is about 1/3rd of that one and as it includes the deposit for my Iceland trip I am very pleased with how I have managed to rein in my spends this month. The balance of my holiday is not due till next year.

My really big spend this year will be on some dental treatment. :eek: I am afraid there is no escaping that one.

I started my college course this week. I am loving it. The long term goal is with the qualifications I get I will be able to set up a little business working from home. Working at my own pace, doing what I love and earning a little bit of extra money. I just need to buy a rather expensive textbook, luckily the curse is funded and I will not have to buy any equipment.

So that is the master plan, fingers crossed. :rotfl:

Beautiful day here, going to do some gardening.

Blackcat.....I think you are right, i think it is all about changing habits. I am making a few changes at a time so I do not get overwhelmed and feel tempted to give up.

caronc

Spendy month here as well though mainly previously budgeted for thankfully.
I'm looking to get a garden trolley and swithering between a "cheap & cheerful" and more sturdy affair. The dilemma is that I'm not sure if it will actually be as helpful as I think it will rather than the cash outlay. I wish I knew someone that had one so I could try it out, unfortunately getting to a garden centre is difficult for me which would be the best option. I will continue to ponder for a bit before deciding.

caronc

Money saved today as my lovely neighbour managed to fix our broken fence. Small gains but as the advert says "Every little helps":D

pigpen

OH has had a couple of days of work so has done a fair bit of work in the garden.
I have been flinging stuff out of my house.. I have several ebeast sales, and lots for charity shop and even more in the bin and more still to my oldest daughter. She is moving house this week and I have sent lots to her.

Every room in my house looks like every bit of storage has spewed its contents into the middle of the floor! I can almost see progress, but there is a lot of work still to put into this.

I have paid off one account this week.. and now to work on the next one.. and I am knitting blankets for my little grandbeasties to get rid of a chunk of my yarn stash.

tori.k

My house is upside down as well pigpen, as they say you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs
Heck of a week woke up yesterday in a world of jitters and pain think ive been running off stress all week and it finally caught up with me.
Money is flowing at a rate of knots the wrong way. new bed ordered for the lad he needed a new mattress anyway and as his room is slightly smaller we opted for a 4ft divan rather than a full size double cost the same as replacing just his mattress and a headboard from ebay as the price in the bed shop was extortionate.
Found some wardrobes I liked but as normal im drawn to the most expensive item in the shop so agreed with DH for the sake of our bank balance we will just get some ikea cheapies and pass them on when we settled in for a while.
Had a massive bonus of the vendors leaving a stated working washing machine, and cooker which is a massive help so just a fridge freezer and curtains to get straight away.
Payday sucked nothing worse then working a month and having nothing to show for it, have a feeling the next couple are going to be the same
but we are where we need to be at the moment so shouldn't complain.

Blackcatsreturns

I've got 2 upside down rooms which are being sorted. Trouble is, it gets worse before it gets better. I've sent some "treasures" to a jumble sale, some to charity shop, some have been ebayed and some freecycled. There are some lovely people on freecycle and some very rude people. I posted an offer and got a range of responses like "confirm working". "Yes". "Send address for collection". Now I know it's a mutually beneficial service but "hello" as an ice breaker would be nice.
In money saving news I was worried that I was very close to this months spending target but I've woken up feeling awful (flu like) so that will cut down on any spends. I've got lemons, honey and fresh ginger and paracetamol so will make myself another concoction when I've got the energy to go back downstairs.