Debt Free Forever
MrsFezziwig
Forumite 7 Posts
Technically we're not in debt - we do use credit cards but pay them off in full each month - but we want to stay that way, having been in debt in the past. I couldn't access my old user name (and wasn't very good at keeping my diary going anyway), so I thought that this was a good excuse for a fresh start. Our finances will change in September when my OH starts a new permanent job. Previously he's been self-employed/worked for agencies but the agencies messed him around and didn't furlough him in lockdown so we've had enough. They'll lose out as he earned them enough in commission (I'm not bitter...). His new job pays less but gives us a regular, stable income and gives him more time for voluntary work and other activities. We'll also save money as, not only will this job save him a lot of travelling, we can share a lift to work, thus saving a lot on fuel and wear and tear on his car. It's also less stressful!
A couple of years ago we moved house (debt-free but doubled the mortgage), but it's been well worth it. In that time we've not saved as much as I'd like and since lockdown we've eaten into our savings as OH hasn't been paid anything. By the time he gets his first pay in the new job it would have been 6 months without his salary. I'm proud of the fact that we've been able to manage (and feel blessed), but we need to reign it in now and knuckle down. There are things in the house we would like to do and we'd like to book a special holiday next year as it will be our 20th wedding anniversary (this year's holiday was cancelled). So, it's 12 weeks until we're back to two salaries. 12 weeks to set up a budget, to stick to it and to make plans for the future. I would like to pay the mortgage off early, but this diary is about keeping out of debt in these straightened times so DFW seems more appropriate than MFW - plus, I've found much inspiration on this board.
A couple of years ago we moved house (debt-free but doubled the mortgage), but it's been well worth it. In that time we've not saved as much as I'd like and since lockdown we've eaten into our savings as OH hasn't been paid anything. By the time he gets his first pay in the new job it would have been 6 months without his salary. I'm proud of the fact that we've been able to manage (and feel blessed), but we need to reign it in now and knuckle down. There are things in the house we would like to do and we'd like to book a special holiday next year as it will be our 20th wedding anniversary (this year's holiday was cancelled). So, it's 12 weeks until we're back to two salaries. 12 weeks to set up a budget, to stick to it and to make plans for the future. I would like to pay the mortgage off early, but this diary is about keeping out of debt in these straightened times so DFW seems more appropriate than MFW - plus, I've found much inspiration on this board.
Previous member but can't get my old username/account back!
Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever
Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever
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Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever
Plan for this week:
Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever
NSD which was good. I took advantage of the dry weather and completed some jobs in the garden:
- Painted the front fence with wood protector left by previous owners.
- Chopped down bush and replaced with large pot of geraniums (free pot from friend and geraniums from another friend).
- Moved over-fence pots from back garden to front.
- Weeded front flower bed and gravel path.
This is the first year I've planted vegetables and I'm amazed how exciting it is! The runner beans now have red flowers, there are three peppers growing on one plant, the potato plants are looking good (hopefully there are some potatoes below the surface), and there are at least 13 tomatoes growing on two plants (the third plant was started late so nothing yet). For some reason one of the tomatoes ripened really quickly. I "made a meal out of it" - sliced it, sprinkled with salt and pepper and served on a pretty plate - wonderful! Hopefully, this is the start of my vegetable journey.Frugal gardening:
I managed to acquire quite a few things from friends once I put the word out. As it was the beginning of lockdown, I couldn't go shopping and they couldn't go to the charity shop/tip!
Other bargains: seed potatoes from the 50p bin in Poundland, bean plants and tomato plants from supermarket (gift from mum), bag of bark chippings reduced to £1 becuase of rip in bag. The only money I've spent was on some compost (though I had tree bags from last year), and a pepper plant. The pepper plant definitely isn't frugal as it cost £3 and I could buy three peppers for 99p! I am enjoying watching it grow, though!
Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever
We started to declutter the garage but didn't get very far! Every little helps, I suppose...
All food from stores.
All in all, a good day.
Debt Free Diary - Debt Free Forever