Happy New year everybody I don't have time to read right now but I do have time to dream and I have now come up wiht my creative challenge for January - to do a 60 minutes writing meditation on prompts or lines from favourite poets and things I read (might throw some of my own in there), I am throwint it into the challenge here as writing will keep me out of trouble - as it is now free - now tha I have my new laptop, it will be dfw as it will help me use the reosurces I have and also I need the accountability to support my every day practice. I don't knoew how I will fit in 60 minutes everyday, but I shall try. The target is 28, but less will not be a fail but a challenge to continue. I will read and explain more leter. Not asking for attention, just want to share this idea and If you want to I can try to share my prompt every day - it is a prompt to share my inspiration and to actually read a bit more as well. Have a lovely and fresh new year, is it two little ducks in bingo lingo? I am happy wiht the year of the ducks! Lets keep on peddeling under the surface.
LBM Jan 2019 - £25.928/Active debt £14616, 43% sorted EF 2023 £50/10005% Have paid up my car and house insurance yearly and am now saving to pay back my overpaid tax credits outright. And am saving for various things that might break - like couch, vacuum cleaner, dish washer, and bikes.Housing fund 2023-2024 £1900/6000 32%
Happy 2022 Everyone!!! Bright blessings to you all.
Well - this morning I've hit the budget - looking through it and trying to simplify everything. January is going to be an opportunity for me to live off what I have in my cupboards/freezer - and plough money saved to top up my car fund in readiness for May when everything is due; Tax, MOT and any repairs. If I can survive January... when I survive January (think positive!), my car fund will be bang on track. From February I will then be able to start some serious debt clearance - and will look at my DFD again then.
Changes I am making to save TODAY:
1) I had 3 streaming services running - am now allowing myself only one at any time. Cancelled Amazon + Netflix. As an O2 customer if I sign up to Disney+ for 6 months (as a bolt-on to my mobile) they knock £2 off my O2 bill (I get the sub for £5.99 instead of £7.99 per month effectively). Loads on there I haven't seen so that'll do me!
2) I have 4 credit cards; 1 x Natwest CC with the bulk of my debt [£5245] on (0% interest); 1 x Tesco CC (0% interest) with the remainder [£400] which I will prioritise; 2 x cards - Amazon and Sainsburys - [Zero balance] that I use for points then clear each month. I am realising that whilst points credit cards seem like a good idea - they do encourage me to spend in those places to get points - instead of perhaps shopping elsewhere for cheaper. Plus - I don't have the discipline to not use them always. If I hit a low ebb I am likely to treat myself with money I don't have - and pull money from other pots (e.g. my car fund) which is how I got in the mess I am in today. I am less likely to do that with my debit card as everything is accounted for in my current account and without the lure of those 'extra points' it won't seem so appealing lol.
Solution: Set a spend amount each month and either draw it out into envelopes or use my debit card. That way when it's gone it's gone. I still have my Nectar/Tesco clubcards for points - I just won't get the 'added' points from using a store-related credit card. That minor loss will hopefully be offset by the money I won't be spending on stuff I don't need/can't afford. I will close my Amazon and Sainsbury's credit cards today.
3) Trying to not leave lights on when I am not using them... washing pots vs using the dishwasher... showers instead of regular baths... buying home-brand food vs branded. Just small ways to try and save!
As an aside - just in case there are newbies here - if you have a credit card and are paying interest - swapping over to a 0% interest card (look on Money Savings Expert for comparisons) is a sound move. You just have to make sure you don't then spend on that card at all. Try and find a card that doesn't charge you a balance transfer fee.
If anyone has any interesting ways they are saving money this month/year I would love to hear!
Current Debt = £8500.00 : DFD = Dec 2025 @ £250.00/month Follow your heart & be true to yourself always My life is full of abundance and prosperity NST January: Groceries/Spends Week 4 = £00.00/£60.00 : NSD = 10/15 Be kind to myself - Eat well - Exercise - Be mindful
Happy New Year! ! Love the Turtle idea of the year of the Duck (2022) or maybe the Swan (break your arm soon as look at you!).
Anyway, it will be the Chinese Year of the Tiger, but not til 1st Feb, so we will just kick that can down the road a bit and deal with it then. Nothing major planned for today, might go Otter hunting later on, and need to repot a couple of houseplants the DS's bought DH for Xmas, and a load of aloe babies that thrive on neglect.
80% of the house is clean, the snacks from last night did not get baked, as they all voted for the cheezecake instead. So an easy supper today, after football at 3pm. I am going to inventorise the pantry and concentrate on using up, before buying in, and there are 32 days until the next birthday.
Feeling calm and relaxed and quite chilled out.
4/10/22 Mortgage? What Mortgage??? Yay! I have an Architect!! NST March Turtle # 13 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 ......... 🐢 No Turtle gets left behind.******PROUD MEMBER OF THE TOFU EATING COALITION OF CHAOS !!!******
Rightio - here are my commitments, but first Happy New Year to everyone.
Just be you. This is me to a tee - with my friends, but not so much with my family, where I just try to keep the peace. Their dramas are not my problem, but I always seem to become involved - this needs to stop. I have today deleted a few 'friends' from FB, and it feels really good.
Always set budgets and give yourself some guilt-free treat money. I don't drink hot drinks so avoiding coffee shops is never a problem for me! I am avoiding all other shops this month though and will not buy anything on-line.
Never stop loving yourself. You are unique and uniquely gifted. NSDs = 16 please. I am going to aim for more than 16 NSD, mostly after the 7th Jan, when everything goes quiet for me for the rest of the month. I do not need anything, I always want something, but I will try to reconcile the two more mindfully this month.
I downloaded the Emma App and linked my accts, to really track what I spend money on. I am also going to write down any spends at the end of each day so see where I am missing things.
Use it up or pass it on. I have done Project 333 for years, but I find that at the end of each 3 month period, I sell or take to the Charity Shop anything which I am not moving to the next season, thinking that I will just buy stuff again the next time that season comes around. This needs to stop, I will keep items which I can wear again in a future season.
I have listed some clothes on Vinted, and took 3 bags of clothes and shoes to the charity shop yesterday (hope this still counts for this challenge even though it was last year!) and will continue to do so.
I will also use up the mountain of Bath and Body Works toiletries I bought recently That will take a while!
Set targets both small and large. I will close all the rings on my watch every day in Jan. I can close them by swinging my arm around, but I will make sure to close them by actually moving
I think that's it - looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on.
I was due to work my part time job today but they didn't want me in as OH has covid. They want me in tomorrow instead (no I can't make any sense of that decision making either). So am just chilling at home mostly today. Have worked out and been for a walk. Also got my car washed so have had a small spend.
My targets for January are to start my new job, to track my calories (not looking to lose weight but have indulged a lot so this will help me get back on track), workout 4 times a week and to save an extra £12.50 from my weekly budget. Sounds silly but I like setting a mini savings target through the month on top of my "normal" savings as it helps me add to it without really noticing the money disappear.
I'm hoping that today is not an indication of how the rest of my year will be as I was unfairly struck down with a hangover after a measly 2 glasses of prosecco last night. Where is the justice in that? Anyway. I've spent the day packing Christmas away, sleeping, tidying the house and finalising my January budget. For some reason I feel more hopeful this month than I have for a long time. I hate to admit it but my debts are almost as high as they were when I first signed up on MSE all of those years ago. Between my ex husband, Covid and my burying my head in the sand for the past year I'm in a bit of a mess. But I have a plan and I will work hard. Budget is printed off, shiny new spend diary is on the go and I have started the year with a NSD. So can't complain - except I am complaining about my tiredness and hangover. Let's do this!
Happy New Year everyone! Started the day as I do every new years day, going out of the back door and in through the front door😄 . Something my mum always did growing up for good luck throughout the year apparently 🤷♀️ does anybody else do this? Then it has been pretty much downhill spending wise since then. Taken 3 of our children to soft play and then we all went out for something to eat afterwards, but this was budgeted for as it is our sons birthday today. It has been a lovely day though for our son and us as a family. We are finishing the day off with a family Wii games night (free). But from tomorrow we are going to be more frugal than ever and have big changes planned for improved health, happiness and bank balance. Good luck everyone.
Replies
I will read and explain more leter. Not asking for attention, just want to share this idea and If you want to I can try to share my prompt every day - it is a prompt to share my inspiration and to actually read a bit more as well. Have a lovely and fresh new year, is it two little ducks in bingo lingo? I am happy wiht the year of the ducks! Lets keep on peddeling under the surface.
Well - this morning I've hit the budget - looking through it and trying to simplify everything. January is going to be an opportunity for me to live off what I have in my cupboards/freezer - and plough money saved to top up my car fund in readiness for May when everything is due; Tax, MOT and any repairs. If I can survive January... when I survive January (think positive!), my car fund will be bang on track. From February I will then be able to start some serious debt clearance - and will look at my DFD again then.
Changes I am making to save TODAY:
1) I had 3 streaming services running - am now allowing myself only one at any time. Cancelled Amazon + Netflix. As an O2 customer if I sign up to Disney+ for 6 months (as a bolt-on to my mobile) they knock £2 off my O2 bill (I get the sub for £5.99 instead of £7.99 per month effectively). Loads on there I haven't seen so that'll do me!
2) I have 4 credit cards; 1 x Natwest CC with the bulk of my debt [£5245] on (0% interest); 1 x Tesco CC (0% interest) with the remainder [£400] which I will prioritise; 2 x cards - Amazon and Sainsburys - [Zero balance] that I use for points then clear each month. I am realising that whilst points credit cards seem like a good idea - they do encourage me to spend in those places to get points - instead of perhaps shopping elsewhere for cheaper. Plus - I don't have the discipline to not use them always. If I hit a low ebb I am likely to treat myself with money I don't have - and pull money from other pots (e.g. my car fund) which is how I got in the mess I am in today. I am less likely to do that with my debit card as everything is accounted for in my current account and without the lure of those 'extra points' it won't seem so appealing lol.
Solution: Set a spend amount each month and either draw it out into envelopes or use my debit card. That way when it's gone it's gone. I still have my Nectar/Tesco clubcards for points - I just won't get the 'added' points from using a store-related credit card. That minor loss will hopefully be offset by the money I won't be spending on stuff I don't need/can't afford. I will close my Amazon and Sainsbury's credit cards today.
3) Trying to not leave lights on when I am not using them... washing pots vs using the dishwasher... showers instead of regular baths... buying home-brand food vs branded. Just small ways to try and save!
As an aside - just in case there are newbies here - if you have a credit card and are paying interest - swapping over to a 0% interest card (look on Money Savings Expert for comparisons) is a sound move. You just have to make sure you don't then spend on that card at all. Try and find a card that doesn't charge you a balance transfer fee.
If anyone has any interesting ways they are saving money this month/year I would love to hear!
Follow your heart & be true to yourself always
My life is full of abundance and prosperity
NST January: Groceries/Spends Week 4 = £00.00/£60.00 : NSD = 10/15
Be kind to myself - Eat well - Exercise - Be mindful
Just be you. - Ooook....
Always set budgets All money is going out automatically. am starting my second job which is petrol money and food/pets shopping money.
Never stop loving yourself. Must go to bed early. Make dentist appointment. Must have a better less stressful routine than last year.
Use it up or pass it on. - Will go to the charity and the tip every weekend.
Set targets 1. 20 minutes walking each day 2. Practise French 3. Write in Journal. 4. Follow flylady for 30 days. 5. zero CC balance on the 31st.
Just be you. This is me to a tee - with my friends, but not so much with my family, where I just try to keep the peace. Their dramas are not my problem, but I always seem to become involved - this needs to stop. I have today deleted a few 'friends' from FB, and it feels really good.
Always set budgets and give yourself some guilt-free treat money. I don't drink hot drinks so avoiding coffee shops is never a problem for me! I am avoiding all other shops this month though and will not buy anything on-line.
Never stop loving yourself. You are unique and uniquely gifted. NSDs = 16 please. I am going to aim for more than 16 NSD, mostly after the 7th Jan, when everything goes quiet for me for the rest of the month. I do not need anything, I always want something, but I will try to reconcile the two more mindfully this month.
I downloaded the Emma App and linked my accts, to really track what I spend money on. I am also going to write down any spends at the end of each day so see where I am missing things.
Use it up or pass it on. I have done Project 333 for years, but I find that at the end of each 3 month period, I sell or take to the Charity Shop anything which I am not moving to the next season, thinking that I will just buy stuff again the next time that season comes around. This needs to stop, I will keep items which I can wear again in a future season.
I have listed some clothes on Vinted, and took 3 bags of clothes and shoes to the charity shop yesterday (hope this still counts for this challenge even though it was last year!) and will continue to do so.
I will also use up the mountain of Bath and Body Works toiletries I bought recently That will take a while!
Set targets both small and large. I will close all the rings on my watch every day in Jan. I can close them by swinging my arm around, but I will make sure to close them by actually moving
I think that's it - looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on.
32b3
SPC10 #125 - £851.81
SPC 11 #7 - £968.46
SPC 12 #7 - £2682.90
SPC 13 #7 - £4829.85
SPC 14 #7 - £4173.30
I was due to work my part time job today but they didn't want me in as OH has covid. They want me in tomorrow instead (no I can't make any sense of that decision making either). So am just chilling at home mostly today. Have worked out and been for a walk. Also got my car washed so have had a small spend.
My targets for January are to start my new job, to track my calories (not looking to lose weight but have indulged a lot so this will help me get back on track), workout 4 times a week and to save an extra £12.50 from my weekly budget. Sounds silly but I like setting a mini savings target through the month on top of my "normal" savings as it helps me add to it without really noticing the money disappear.
I'm hoping that today is not an indication of how the rest of my year will be as I was unfairly struck down with a hangover after a measly 2 glasses of prosecco last night. Where is the justice in that?
Anyway. I've spent the day packing Christmas away, sleeping, tidying the house and finalising my January budget. For some reason I feel more hopeful this month than I have for a long time. I hate to admit it but my debts are almost as high as they were when I first signed up on MSE all of those years ago. Between my ex husband, Covid and my burying my head in the sand for the past year I'm in a bit of a mess. But I have a plan and I will work hard. Budget is printed off, shiny new spend diary is on the go and I have started the year with a NSD. So can't complain - except I am complaining about my tiredness and hangover.
Let's do this!
Working hard to pay off my debt
Time to take back control
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6290156/crazy-cat-lady-chapter-5-trying-to-recover-from-the-pandemic/p1?new=1
FamilyOfsix I should have done the door thing as struggling with sciatica still.
My house needs a good clean, now grandkids left the building but not getting vaccum out until my back is feeling stronger.
CCL think we have all been in your position. You are back and its a new start.
NSD 1/16 in the bag, went for a little walk with kids only 7k steps done today due to back pains.
Made a roast beef dinner today, loads left so no cooking tomorrow whippee.
Just seen Strongest Man Final on can't remember which of you turtles are superfans!
Going to do my budgets now and then jump into a bath.