Building savings to bubblewrap my new life.

doingitanyway

longway2go said:

Clearing 24k so fast is a massive achievement, any tips?
Well done on the cycling

Thank you I did it by throwing myself into it and becoming obsessive. I took on an additional job in the evenings. I became an expert at NSDs so my paltry weekly spends felt like a small fortune as I spread it over 2 days instead of 7. Lastly I became the queen of the yellow stickers, stacking my freezer and eating whatever turned up YS that day. I used a flask and stopped coffees out. I packed food whenever I left the house. I arrived at the finish line exhausted but debt free! I'm not sure I recommend it really...but it worked for me

doingitanyway

I've been away for a few days looking for a new home. Spending was high! I was with a spendy friend. I am aware she is spendy so I go with it when I am with her as we don't spend time together that often. I managed to control spends a bit by choosing the restaurant and checking there was a set menu. She still ordered off menu and ordered an expensive bottle of wine. Sigh. We stayed in a B and B and then there were travel costs. I booked the B and B and I got the tickets in advance so saved there. 

Back home I am back to low cost living. I cycled to a budget supermarket. I will meal plan later today as doing so always saves me money. I have beetroot and some YS smoked mackerel so going to make fishcakes with those using quinoa instead of potato. They look beautiful and taste good hot or cold

I have decided any journey under 3 miles will be walked or cycled and under 5 cycle one way and get the train back if I feel the need. 

Reading all the DIY chat on here is great. I can't wait to be in that position. 

The good news is I now increased my savings pot to £500. 

Wishing you all a good day.

MovingForwards

Unfortunately spendy people take money for granted, those who have been in debt are more cautious. Occasionally spending needs to be done, especially when it's in relation to finding your home 🤗
You will be joining the DIY club soon!
Cycling will definitely save money and keep you healthy, don't overdo it though and recognise your limits.
Fishcakes sound good.

Savings are going up, which is always a positive.

doingitanyway

Thanks MF. I so agree about spendy people taking money for granted. My friend bought a jumper for £100 and ordered wine for £23 a bottle. I buy quality jumpers too, but wait for the sales. A different mindset

MovingForwards

Eak, sales are the way forward! Hope the wine tasted extra nice 😁

longway2go

It us definitely a differenr approach to money, we can still have nice things but go about it differently. Any luck with finding a home? 

Irenadler

Hey DIA, hmm, spending vs saving mindset. That's a tough one, with a spendy friend....  maybe look on it as a safety valve to spend a little something on you (with you saving on what you can, like you have), and knowing that a splurge here and there stops you being too apprehensive about spending anything at all....? Because the rest of the time you are keeping a close eye on the money & where it is going.

Another musing - looking for a home is kind of an investment in yourself, your future self, so it's not 'wasted' at all. I read somewhere (terrible memory sorry) about dividing income into 'thirds': one third save, one third invest (like you could partly say that about your outing) and one third spend (as you have!). Getting the balance so that you don't fall into super saver mode (i.e. too afraid to spend anything at all). HTH?  

doingitanyway

Thanks everyone

I like the 'thirds' formula @Irenadler

Thanks for asking @longway2go I have drawn a blank with a new home Leaving it until 2021 now as exhausted by it...

@MovingForwards The £23 wine was nice but not £23 nice

I don't want to give the impression I don't splurge. I do! I buy expensive clothes and shoes for instance but only in the sale so I am always a season out. It doesn't matter to me as I prefer style to fashion and know what my style is and buy accordingly. 

I love my spendy friends and I tend to see them when I want to be a little bit spendy myself

doingitanyway

Saving:
I cycled to areas I would have taken a train to today. So Just under £5 saved

Spending:
I bought a small cafetière to replace the one I broke. £10 but a good purchase that will make buying coffee outside less frequent

MovingForwards

It's nearly 2021, don't be sad about it, things will pick up 😊 for now enjoy the holidays.

Your spendy ways are prioritised and planned, I don't think any of us believe you're not spendy at times, we all have those moments 🤭

I did wonder about the wine due to your reaction to the price, had it been something special you would have told us.