Ongoing Journey to being a Frugalista..

pennywisepoundstupid

Morning Brizzle, hope you had a lovely evening.

I am also starting to think about children and uni :eek:, even though its 2 years away for DD and 3 for DS. I will have 2 at uni at the same time so really want to save as much as possible as its going to be an expensive time.

Wishing you a Happy New Year.

greent

Maybe worthwhile not getting rid of any excess kitchen items whilst you're waiting for kids to go to uni (if you have space to store)- same for bedding. We had to buy crockery for both of ours but luckily had spare cutlery from caravanning. DS1 benefitted from 1 of our old saucepans this year and a frying pan from the caravan I had loads of utensils, so just gave them my least preferred ones! Neither needed much aside from kitchenware and bedding for Y! in Halls (oh - and a heated airer - saves on tumble drying and neither of them have much clothing suitable for TD anyway), but for Y2 and Y3 DD has needed more for rented flats. x

brizzlegirl

Really helpful - thanks greent. Yes my sister had given DD1 a large box of kitchen stuff including some decent pans when she moved to a new house with induction hob. So think that’s sorted. Bedding may be an issue, may have to organise that.

She is planning to go to the SE, so truly horrendous accommodation costs. But the course and location is the key for her. She has quite a lot saved but even so it won’t be cheap. She should have a year in employment mid way through which hopefully will ease things a little! Unless it’s London of course in which case it’ll go backwards.

Hi PWPS- so nice to ‘see’ you! It’s been ages. How you doing? I think you’re very sensible to be thinking a way ahead. It’s important to prepare financially for sure. I am dreading the emotional side of it all, I will miss her dreadfully.

Have a good day folks x

brizzlegirl

All

Today have been musing and diving into various blogs and diaries. I have also looked at the family finances and planned my budget for the year not just the month to give me a long term perspective. And so here are my 5 unbreakable rules for 2019...

1. Aim to pay off latest accrued debts in 24 months but see if I can challenge ourselves and do it in 12
2. Stick religiously to the categories on YNAB (which I have now set up for the whole year) which allocates every penny and also to not go over any YNAB category each month, even if that means using cash in the envelopes method. Meal plan every week to make sure we use up what we have and also have a max of meat or fish on 3 days only per week. That will mean our grocery bill is cheaper.
3. Ditch the CCs. Pay off the current balances (scheduled to happen by end February anyway) and then cancel so not tempted to use for spends. It’s not proving possible for me to be disciplined enough not to use them and then pay it all off so they need to go
4. Follow Barefoot Investor religiously. This is linked to No. 3. Rope in family and make sure they are fully on board with this and we all act together. Add this resolution to my NY resolutions and the January calendar (thanks to XSpender for that idea!)
5. Make a payment a day... usually a TT, but more if I possibly can.

Ok. So onwards and upwards!! It’s game on. I can say, possibly for the first time, I am thoroughly bored and fed up with having debt and really want to move on in 2019. If we really work hard at it I could be free of this burden this time next year (whilst keeping moving cash into funds like the S&S ISA for the kids and my pension all the time) and what a Christmas present for me that would be.

Remind me dear readers of this post when I falter.. as I surely will. I could have been free of this years ago, and have been before, but don’t seem to fundamentally change my habits. This needs to change and change drastically. I can’t go on like this and also I need to save more for older age etc etc. It can’t all be achieved without significant changes... and I finally feel up to that.

And in a small sign of progress, a LSD today. £5 spent on DD - on an essential too.

Bring it on Thanks for reading all x

beanielou

Bring it on indeed
You CAN do this xx

XSpender

Good luck with your goals. You can do it!

greent

Am sure you will succeed! :T xx

brizzlegirl

Aw, thanks lovely peeps. Just push me when I falter..you have my full permission to kick me as necessary and to kick me hard!!! :rotfl:

Xx

PurpleFairy26

Great set of principles Brizzle very focused.

Hoping 2019 brings you lots of joy and happiness

I've managed 2 runs in 3 days so hoping that'll continue in to 2019

jwil

You can do it Brizzle, good luck