Mission: freedom!

Aspiration

Great news about the family!! 

savingholmes

Hope your relatives recover quickly. 
Glad the roof cost wasn't as much as expected

Ponylover

I thought I'd write down a few things that have helped me save money since I started this diary (obviously some have been helped by lockdown- I'm going to have to try really hard to not let myself slip back into old habits once lockdown ends!)

* Before I buy anything ask myself if I actually need it, or do I just 'want it'. I have so much clutter from buying previous 'wants'.
* same applies to buying a coffee etc out- do I really need one or can I hang on until I get home.
* Using up every last bit of toiletry in the bottle- I have made some bits go on a couple of extra weeks by squeezing last drops out or cutting tops off.
* Going through my toiletry supplies- I didnt realise how many body lotions/ shower gels and other gift sets I had been given and just stored away. I shouldnt need any handcream for some time!
* No buying unnessesary toiletries- I am a sucker for a adverts promise- I have found that the vast majority of products do not live up to the tag line and are very similar to products I already have.
* only buying new toiletries when I am genuinely running low.
*do a stock take and make a list before every food shop
* On the last week of the month I try to challenge myself to a shoe free week or only buy very basics such as bread and milk. I then use up items that I have brought during the month and not eaten, even if it involves some slightly odd combinations! 
* no buying lunch at work- I make some pasta or something up the night before.
* washing machine now on the 20 degrees programme instead of 40- Ive noticed no difference in quality of cleaning from it.


Im sure theres more!

savingholmes

Good list to have and remind yourself of if you ever fall off the wagon in future

Ponylover

Oooh I've thought of some more....

*through lockdown I have discovered that my kids are just as happy going for a family bike ride or walk as they are on a more expensive day out. 

*frozen fruit and veg is far cheaper, lasts longer and most of the time works just as well in recipes.

* I have found that a lot of own branded items are just as good as the branded. We have made a lot of switches! 

* ebay is my friend for work clothes. Ended up taking most of what I had brought new back and buying second hand off ebay. I am very pleased with the majority of my purchases and I saved a small fortune. 

* a sort out of my 'useful drawers' showed me I never have to buy pens, other stationary, birthday cards and a load of other random stuff again  

savingholmes

Some more great lessons there - like you I need to make those stick.

Ponylover

I've stayed away from posting for a little while (I was boring myself let alone others haha!). I have remained a lurker though.
Thought i would come back for a 6 month catch up though. Pretty proud of myself. Overpayments have fallen by the wayside a bit but i feel far happier with my emergency fund. 

I have been one of the lucky ones during the Corona virus pandemic in that i have worked as normal throughout at my normal workplace so I have been lucky enough to be on full pay. That coupled with lock down has meant that I havnt been able to do my normal frittering. 
Just got to keep it up and stop myself slipping in to my old ways.

I've had a good declutter over the last few weeks and the car is all packed up for a carboot tomorrow. I would be chuffed to raise £100 pocket money for my break to the seaside next week!

savingholmes

Hope you do well at the car boot and have fun at the seaside. I've missed the sea. May go and look at it next weekend!

Ponylover

I love the seaside too savingholmes....something so calming about it :-)

Not a bad morning, a good declutter and £157 made. That's our ice cream and arcade money sorted !

savingholmes

Well done on the car boot that's amazing!