Ongoing Journey to being a Frugalista..

brizzlegirl

Thanks. Yes fingers crossed.

Having a leisurely weekend trying not to spend money and binging on box sets Am rather enjoying not having to be anywhere with the woodburner on (had to be done!) and doing very little.

Did a money shuffle today but it’s crazy tight. Good job we are staying in this weekend - it really couldn’t work being any other way.

Have a good weekend all

Brizzle x

brizzlegirl

Hi

2 NSDs this week :T... we are rubbish at these usually but have managed these this week, probably as we are so concerned about the overall financial position.

A lovely day today too - leisurely dinner with friends and an exercise class... what’s not to like

Nicely set up for the week ahead. Hope everyone else is too

X

beanielou

Good news on the NSD's :T
Hope your week is s good one xx

brizzlegirl

Thanks beanie. I have just taken a little lunch break (this is not usual at all!) and seen that if we don't spend anything today (another NSD too) then in September we didn't spend 27.5% of our income. So..whilst not the 40% its getting closer and that is despite some spendy times including last Saturday with OH, DD1 off to university which included an overnight stay for us, fuel and a food shop etc, NT membership, new bike helmet and some much needed replacement cycle gear for OH as well as a bike for DD2 so she can get to school without using the bus...our groceries were still over £500 but getting much more manageable.

Its not easy I am fairly stressed about it all, but I do need to remember to celebrate and acknowledge the changes we are making... I was hovering this weekend over looking into getting a loan but think we need to ride this one out and change for good - including not swopping to 0% BT transfers as the existing offers we are on come to an end...otherwise again there is less drive to change our ways.. and 2022 for paying off our mortgage looks like a right pipe dream!! But I keep it there in my signature anyway..

Love to all xx

beanielou

That sounds blooming good to me

XSpender

Fantastic result not spending almost 30% of your income. I expect ours is more like 12%! Our mortgage payment accounts for 38% of our income so doesn’t allow for much wriggle room.

I am not planning on chasing BTs any longer either as my repayment plan means I should clear each of them before their current deal expires. I will have about £9k that will expire early 2021 but the (slightly unrealistic) goal is to have cleared the lot by then.

brizzlegirl

Hi lovely ladies (and any gents who may be lurking)

Thanks for stopping by. Yes our percentage of ‘non spend’ was better than I thought it might be but the 40% does seem elusive on a consistent basis. Looking back we only managed it when OH had a huge run of OT and I had a very different tax code (which I am now literally paying for..) but anyhow. At least we spend less than we earn at the moment which is a joy.

Yesterday was quite an anxious day for me finance wise, but picked myself up in the afternoon and told myself to get a grip. We can do this. OH and I also did a load of admin and bit the bullet and transferred onto the new subscription based YNAB (taking account of the free 30 day trial plus 10% lifetime reduction as we are previous users ) - but it’s taking some time to get used to as some elements are SO different to before. For example as we don’t get paid until midway and then at the end of the month and because our ‘age of money’ is so poor we have nothing to budget. Nada. Not a thing. So today as everything went out eg. mortgage we are on reds and zeros. Will take some getting used to :eek:

Have a good day folks

Brizzle x

beanielou

Blimey. That sounds scary.
I would be frightened to spend any money.

brizzlegirl

Haha!! Think that’s precisely the idea Beanie!! Drives you to change your behaviour but as I say takes some getting used to after 2-3 years of the classic version..

Have a great day x

beanielou

Thanks brizzle:). Xx