NST March: Marching to a different beat

mothernerd

Debtfreewannabme wrote: »

Hello, it's official - DH and I are now DEBT FREE! I can't believe it!!! We hadn't used credit for over 2 years so I'm confident we aren't at risk of getting ourselves into CC debt soon.
We have some money in EF so next goal is to build that to 3 months living costs and then save for a morgage deposit x Today is a good day! One I'll remember for a long time x

:j:j:j Congratulations :j:j:j:j

Toni'sfriend wrote: »

First time out for days. Weather was lovely and it was good to get some fresh air.
Bought a supply of birthday cards (10 for £1.00) and basic needed vegetables (carrots. onions. celery and potatoes). Also found some YS sausage rolls, pakora and cheese, Lots of lunches out of that lot.
Suggestions needed. I am making up a box of basic cleaning and cooking items for the boy moving into his new flat. Nothing fancy but anything you think would be helpful. Got ideas myself but I'm sure I've forgotten something.
Thanks everyone.

Went to FFoods for mum shopping and noticed the 10 for £1 card offer was back.

I bought both my brothers a washing up bowl and brush, a bucket (handy for putting all the bits inside. I also did each of them a 'useful box' - a general one with a couple of pens, pencils, ruler, drawing pins, sellotape and scissors and a sewing one with pins, needles and thread - just enough for basic repairs. A stapler comes in handy for first home repairs.

The boys all got sent to university with plates, bowls, some cutlery (not necessarily full sets, if I had four plates from a previous set that would do) wooden spoons, can opener, large and small pan, fry pan for the one who liked fry ups (from my cupboard), good big knife and a small one, choppingboard/ bread/ cheese board (one of), seive/colander (DS3 still uses my steamers to drain things). Plus basic food supplies and basic toiletries/ cleaning stuff (shampoo etc).

Looked through what I had and could spare (one or two tea towels didn't make much difference to me, but boys don't think to buy something like that until they are standing holding a wet plate) first. It's always fun to go round the £1 emporiums and charity shops and see how much you can buy for your money.

They all already had their own bedding (different dark colours) and towels they used for sports and swimming. I have always included one or two 'bottom drawer' items in with their Christmas presents.

When DS2 left this house (he was renting it from me until shortly before DS3 and I moved in) and moved into his flat, I supplied nearly everything he needed - the fridge/freezer only had about 18 months life left in it, but 18 months use is better than forking out for everything at once or going to the extortionate rental places. You can offer to let him do his washing at yours once a week for the time being.

I read somewhere that the average new couple spend around £8000 on kitting out their house. Totally uneccessary. I started saving to move out of my parents when I was 15 (worked 3 hours on thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday for about £2 - one of the boys said min wage wasn't much more than that now. I said £2 total.) My ultimate goal was to have my own house but I bought small household items every few weeks and in my eighteeenth year (obtained a catalogue so I could buy some larger items) I had enough basics to be able to rent a flat if one became available.

Good day, too little sleep but did shopping, then phoned for a taxi half way between FF and the taxi firm (4 heavy bags). Had to walk that far because I wasn't using the usual taxi firm and I had to get near enough to read their phone number on the front of the building (I was about 2 blocks away, across their car park and back one building - bingo hall facing and Masonic Hall next to me). Was glad I had not spent the larger amount (had money off vouchers but they all need to be spent by March 24th).

Put everything away, re-distributed toilet rolls (bought 3 x 18). Did some cleaning as mum's cleaner has been ill. Wiped round the kitchen and bathroom and did a few bits the cleaner has missed. Cleaned all the gunge out of the plug hole thing. Said I will do more on Friday if the cleaner isn't well enough this week.

We all have to help each other - yesterday the foot nurse asked for a contact in case I became ill during the appointment and I had to give her mum's number as I don't think DS3 has a phone and I don't have his gf's current number. Didn't think DS1 would be thrilled at travelling from Manchester to collect me, mum could have come in a taxi for me while I was only local.

Today I am grateful for some progress - another sackful of paper out of the house, for easy meals from leftovers and getting to rest (weekend coughing has left me weak and the heavy shopping did not help).

A SFD - all spending was mum's.

apple_muncher

Well done Debtfreewannabme! What a relief for you!

LavenderBee

When I first moved out of home I bought everything for my first kitchen for £20 from Asda - pots, pans, mixing bowls, cake tins, baking sheets, spoons, spatula, colander, sieve, grater, knives, scales, chopping board, food containers, tea towels (I love the idea of a bloke standing with a wet plate in his hand trying to work out how to get it dry ), and probably more. I know I didn't buy anything else for a long time and I used this and a single recipe book to learn to cook. Sometimes I remind myself of this when I find myself coveting beautiful kitchen things (my Achilles' heel)

The next thing I bought was a small(ish) tray bake style pan, also used as a small roasting tin. It cost me £2 in a discount shop and I still have it

LavenderBee

Debtfreewannabme wrote: »

LavenderBee thanks so much. If I knew how to change my name, I would

I remember having a simular chat with my DH as we approached 2nd lot of maternity leave ( 12 months) in 2 years we suprised ourselves with how we managed ( we are at the end of it now and I'm back at work). Sitting down and writing out a budget really helped us, so much so that we knuckled down and became debt free. Something I never thought would happen so soon especially after having 2 years off wrk. Best of luck to you both x

Thank you - I have had to manage on silly tight budgets on and off over the years quite a bit. When I haven't budgeted carefully I've ended up in debt (lesson well and truly learnt now, I won't go back again!). Anyway, Hubby hasn't had these concerns before and always saved lots. Probably a culture shock for him, but he knows that I can go into ultra-frugal mode and I think he trusts me to look after the pennies so his pounds can look after all three of us

indigowarrior

NSD day 9.
Well done @Debtfreewannabme
Just waiting for midnight to roll up and then about to sign up for OU degree. Going to aquire 17K debt but feel it will be worth it. (especially as I dont have to pay it off until I am working.)

misstara

Congratulations Debtfreewannabme :T

Today has been a NSD now on 11/18

bizzie

Another spending day on groceries. Will update signature later when I add up all the receipts.
Successful visit to library as found a book I couldn't find in the local bookstores so will read free of charge.

f0xh0les

Debtfreewannabme wrote: »

Hello, it's official - DH and I are now DEBT FREE! I can't believe it!!! We hadn't used credit for over 2 years so I'm confident we aren't at risk of getting ourselves into CC debt soon.
We have some money in EF so next goal is to build that to 3 months living costs and then save for a morgage deposit x Today is a good day! One I'll remember for a long time x

:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

Go you!! Well done.

apple_muncher

Indigowarrior - what are you going to study?

indigowarrior

apple_muncher wrote: »

Indigowarrior - what are you going to study?

Law :j:j

Today will be a spend day. Paid the rent today will need to top up electric and go food shopping. Thats it.