What small DFW things will you do w/c 7th October?

determined_new_ms

When we start out on the DFW trail we do loads of "big stuff" that makes quite a difference to our situation. These include having our lightbulb moment, cutting up the credit cards and cancelling Sky and the gym.

But once we have done the bigger stuff, we often feel that we are not making the same amount of progress, when in fact the small steps are helping us form good financial habits and helping us get closer everyday to staying in control and becoming debt free, or staying debt free.

Examples could be hanging washing out instead of using the tumble dryer or leaving your purse/wallet at home to avoid the risk of spending.

So be proud of those small steps, they really are important! :money:

determined_new_ms

Morning guys Thought I'd get us started:) Always feels like Russian Roulette starting at this time of the morning :rotfl:

Today:

* TOMM
* hang up washing in machine. Put away washing on airer
* take dog for walk
* finish dress. It's almost done! Just need to take out the bodice a bit as it's a bit too snug! And hem
* call dentist and see if I can get appt today
* book parking & insurance for our holiday
* all meals from stores
* go through clothes for holiday wash any that need washing and do any repairs that need doing
* cancel milk for while we're away

natlie

Hi

Thanks Determined, sounds like you have something to look forward to - enjoy your hols!

Today:

Checked bank, credit accounts & updated Snowball (45 months to go)
Damp clothes from line yesterday will have a short tumble as airer is full
Walk to work
Got soup for lunch from home
Walk to meeting - or train, weather depending

This week I have to employ someone, we've shortlisted to two but I am stuck so 2nd interviews
I have 2 buffets this week one for 12 and one for 30
I have £400 invoices due
Need to pop to the allotment to check if there are any edible runner beans left, got some great potatoes and parsnips yesterday
still have a bit of cleaning to do

Have a good day all

Nat
x

trailingspouse

Morning all, and welcome to Monday. What excitement will this week bring for us?


I'm not at work today until 4pm (until 9pm), so 'almost' a full day to get things done in. My plans for today are
- wash the towels. I do them on a 60 wash and to heck with the expense. I never use fabric softener, so swings and roundabouts!!! Looks like another rainy day, so they'll be hung in the bathroom with the window open, and the door closed. I turn them over from time to time, so by this time tomorrow they should be very nearly dry - at this time of the year, if I need to, I'll stick them in the tumble dryer for 20-30 minutes (never more than that) just to finish them off. It softens them up as well, so two for the price of one. Drying nicely round the radiator in the bathroom.
- clean the dishwasher and the cooker. They get a proper going over once a month, and today's the day. I clean the dishwasher filter, give the inside (particularly around the seal) a wipe out, then put it on the longest hottest program with some dishwasher cleaner. At the same time, I give the inside of the oven a spray with Mr Muscle oven cleaner, and leave it for an hour or so. Usually it just needs to then be wiped out, as I'm quite careful when I cook and things don't boil over often. Also I keep a baking tray at the bottom of the oven which gathers most spillages and is easy to clean. It's a ceramic hob, so that gets a clean with Oven Brite. It's not too bad, as it gets wiped over with a damp cloth every day and I don't let spills get burnt on. Done
- I need to transfer some money across to another account Done
- Spring Cleaning. I like to bottom the rooms out twice a year (October and March). I've done the living room, and nearly finished the dining room. When that's done, I'll make a start on the kitchen - chase the cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling, dust the lights, tops of the wall units, empty the cupboards and have a sort out, and finish off by wiping the plinth and mopping the floor. Made a good start on the kitchen, will be able to get more done tomorrow as I don't start work until 1pm.

- I have a little bit of work I need to do for work, should only take about 10 minutes. Done


After all that, I'll be going to work - for a rest I think!! Done!! No rest though...
Hope you all manage to find a ray of sunshine in what looks like being another wet Monday.
xxx

foxgloves

Morning DNMS & all who follow,
Another week, hope everyone is bearing up OK.
I'm thinking of posting a weekly list for a bit, as I've been rethinking how I organise my regular daily tasks. I've been contemplating this since listening to an episode of the 'Slow Home' podcast. I love a list, as you know, but I have started to think that while they are keeping me on track very well with the daily maintenance stuff, they may well be inhibiting progress on some of the bigger more creative stuff I need to be progressing. So this week, the money saving stuff will be:
*Laundry on the most economical cycles & pegged out whenever possible or heated airer on nighttime tariff.
*Packed lunches made every day.
*Meal planning & sensible shopping list.
*Positive energy saving behaviour. Heating on if we need it, but we haven't so far.
*Assess where my plans are re Christmas - presents, starting to buy a couple of grocery items a week, cards, wrappings, etc.
*Plans for family meet-up at the weekend, esp free or nearly free gifts. Box of plants & some baking, I think.
*Step up knitting time if this gift is to be completed by Oct 31st.
*Clear a number of Annoying Jobs - some are mending, so are money saving.
*Bake this week's bread.
*Lots of free fitness continuing big garden clear & autumn shutdown.
*Financial admin this week will be dealing with an overly high insurance renewal, chasing the solicitor again & keeping budgets updated.
*Decluttering will be getting a charity bag packed & dropped off.
*Continue to make best use of home grown produce, which this week will be pears.
*Think some more about changing how I do my job lists/organise my time.
I don't have specific days assigned to any of the above. My aim is to keep all frugal behaviour going as normal, but to prioritise other projects.
Best wishes to everyone for a calm & productive week ahead,
F xx

Baileys_Babe

DNMS Thank you for starting this week's thread :A

I can't believe it is Monday, where has the weekend gone?

Today's list:
PAD
Pmp etc
Do the grocery shopping, only buying what is on the list
Put all the shopping away
Record spending
Do a full inventory of the freezers
B/L/D from stores
Take snacks, water & a hot drink in my thermal mug
Make bread
Make porridge
Home educate children

I would like to find the time to make some apple based chutney, as I have a large bowl or windfalls to make use of. OH gets through a lot of chutney in a year, so this will make good use of them.

ditty1234

Morning all
Brought boring sandwich to work.
Do a small top up shop after list on way home
Make dinner and something for lunches for the rest of the week.
Determined thanks for starting us up this week.

Happy_Kitties

Many thanks for starting us off DNMS

Started the morning off with some paperwork. Just working on bitty things that I tend to dodge. If I can complete today I will be happy.
Been trying to keep rooms tidy as I go along and put things away after use. Makes life a lot easier for me
Did the one cook 2 meals yesterday so have a chicken dinner to look forward to later
Trying to keep the heating off as much as possible. Fairly mild out this morning so have the windows open for an airing.
Need to pop out for cat litter. Morries have had a supply problem with their cat litter which is the cats favourite. Currently on tesco value which they 'tolerate' but I'm not keen as I think the stuff smells more.
Banking all checked, everything good.
Quidco checked.
Dare I say it, have been wrapping 'C' presents and have been tucking out of the way as Dec going to be a busy one for me and DD
Spotted an offer on Amaz@n for cat sachets. As much as I hate using Amaz@n it's a very good deal and gets delivered to the door
For the drying of clothes we have what we call our space hopper where it has a heater, u set the clothes up on the hangers and a cover goes over it. Very useful for me now DD has gone back to uni. Minimal ironing as well
Small amount of decluttering done, would like to get more done-likely to happen tomorrow with a tip run when the old carpet comes out

That's about it from me. Have a great day everyone x

1LuckyLady

Morning all and thanks to DNms for this weeks thread. I'm another who can't believe how quickly the weekend has passed.
BB, I hope you're feeling better then last week.
Hope our regulars like Ally & Clf & La E are doing ok too.

The weather is awful here so a busy afternoon in the house planned.

Todays list
:heartpuls Two gym classes and refill water bottle :heartpuls
:heartpuls Aldee with shopping list and stick to it :heartpuls
:heartpuls Post rm survey item :heartpuls
:heartpuls Check rm site again as theres a query and a message to check :heartpuls
:heartpuls Put all shopping away :heartpuls
:heartpuls Heat oven and then cook two chickens at the same time :heartpuls (plus message my dad to let him know they're be some chicken for him tomorrow if he wants some):heartpuls
:heartpuls Make families lunches for tomorrow
:heartpuls Bake something for lunch boxes
:heartpuls Iron just dh's work shirts :heartpuls, everything else can be hung straight away :heartpuls
:heartpuls Check banking/update spreadsheet :heartpuls
:heartpuls DIshwasher is about full so will put that on after I've had my coffee on a quick wash :heartpuls then clean it and run on a hot cycle - thanks for the reminder Trailing! :heartpuls
:heartpuls Peel spuds for mash tonight, chicken dinner with lots of veggies planned

:heartpuls Two surveys done, I've not been doing any recently, must get back into doing them for regularly. :heartpuls
:heartpuls Gave the bathrooms a deep clean, cut open the bottle of cream cleaner to get the dregs out of it :heartpuls
Thats my starter as I've finished my coffee and should get cracking!

Take care all.

twiggy86

Afternoon all!

Today I have/will:
* Make lunch for work
* Check banks
* Update spreadsheet with weekends spends
* Check OP/PA
* Park for free and walk 5 mins to hospital appointment
* Make pizzas for dinner
* Park for free for parkour - I'm driving tonight and need to pick up my cousins son which is a little out of my way BUT she drives me every week (although she does kind of need to go past mine), so I'll feel better about the free lifts for a while again!
* Maybe do some crochet if I have time

Only seems a short list but I think that's everything for today! Hope you're all having a good day!

DawnW

Evening all
Thanks for starting us off DNMS - holiday plans sound exciting, where are you going?
Horrible wet day today, though we did manage to find 2 short dry slots to take rain-hating mutt for short walks :rotfl:
Restocked my sales unit this morning
Sold a couple of items on FB, assuming they pick up tomorrow as arranged
Also sold 2 ebay items and listed 2 more

Leftovers for lunch and dinner
Hospital trip this afternoon
Found 3 unused first class stamps still on the back of their stamp book on the rainy path when I took the dog out. Brought them back and dried them out
Small spends today, ordered some garlic sets from ebay, and paid for hospital parking. The other big spend was a business one, so that is accounted for elsewhere