What Small DFW Things Will You Do This Week 01/08/22?

carrielovesfanta

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 😀

carrielovesfanta

Morning all,

@DawnW sorry to hear that you and hubby have the 'rona. I hope you both feel better soon. 
Hi to all the other regulars and any newbies

I haven't been about as things are just super busy. Work is really hectic and I've got so much going on at home (nothing bad, just burning the candle at both ends). So where was I last..? Dad is doing quite well. He has regained enough feeling and motion in his legs that they are teaching him to stand up onto a zimmer and he can shuffle from one end of the room to the other. Mum is really struggling though, both physically and mentally. She was quite horrid to both me and dad when I was there last. I have decide to seek some professional help to shore up my coping mechanisms and get some tips on dealing with the situation.  
Home-wise things are good but hectic. I'm doing well in the gym and have regained my pull-ups. The allotment is going well (possibly some exciting news on that soon...). I have been doing a walk-round-Iceland challenge (the country, not the shop!) which has required me to walk at least 11km per day. Needless to say, this has been a bit time consuming but today is my last day! Hurrah! 
Finances are looking ok at the moment as I'm working 5 days, not 4 at the moment and OH has lots of work in the summer. It's a double-edged sword though as I would actually prefer the free time! We've finally got to grips with our spending a bit and have regained our slush fund. Having said that, yesterday was a very spendy day as we made some long put-off purchases: new large stockpot, new walking shoes for me (last ones all falling apart and relegated to allotment-wear) and undies for OH (see previous brackets!)

So today's MSE things:
B/L/D from stores (much of it home grown)
Gym 1/3 done
WFH
Sort bag of produce from the allotment

Spendy things
Small spend on essentials (i.e. coffee, bananas for OH)
OH driving to work and back so petrol spend

Other things:
Cut the grass (actually MSE as push mower not electric)
Go for my last forced walks!
Bring washing in a put away

Have a lovely day all

clf x

allydowd

Hi August Austerity Wrangles

Thanks for the starter @C@carrielovesfanta. A precious day off today.

Debt-Free-Nillionaire Continuity Plan Year Eight:

Alarm clock off at the wall during day time.

Turn off WiFi box when not using it.

Defrosted soup from freezer for lunch. This portion has been at the back of the freezer for a while.

Cleaned and serviced our Dyson Small Ball Vacuum cleaner myself for free using videos from the official Dyson YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/dyson  The only tool I needed was a long piece of stiff wire to clear a blockage. What I like about this brand is how easy they are to maintain or replace parts if damaged.

Called a company to ask if they would retrospectively apply a voucher code. They wouldn't. At least I tried.

Ironed just 6 items. Mercifully my work clothing is all iron-free fabric.

Do washing with half the recommended amount of powder.

Air dry clothing.

Cleaned house with Stardrops and washable cloths.

Two years ago I bought DW a 5 litre bottle of an expensive shower gel she had fallen in love with. After using it for three weeks she developed an allergy to it. I am still stubbornly using up the stuff! Funelled some more into a smaller bottle to use up.

Paid credit card. I use it for getting cashback and pay it off soon after at 0%.

Checked TopCashBack for money payable.

twiggy86

Morning all!

I hope everyone is well/ starting to feel better and had a nice weekend. 

Today I have/will:

• Check banks
• WFH so no petrol spend
• Update spreadsheet (after a bit of a spendy weekend)
• Load of washing on 30 degree eco wash
• Hang washing on airer
• Make a couple of payments 
• Dye hair if I get a chance 
• Lunch and dinner from stores
• Crochet in front of the TV!  

That's everything I can think of for now. Hope you all have a good Monday!
Twigs 

allydowd

MONEY MAKING AND SAVING SITES AS OFTEN MENTIONED IN THIS FORUM:

• Benefits check-up (Link)
• Birthday Freebies (Link)
  
• Cooking On A Bootstrap, cheap recipes. (Link)
  
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• Ipsos i-Say Surveys (Link)
• Jobseekers Railcard (Link)
  
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• Martin Lewis' Weekly List of Deals and Tips (Link)
• MSE Bank Charges Comparison Tool (Link)
  
• MSE Boost Your Income page. Gateway to lots of money-making links. (Link)
• MSE Budget Planner (Link)
  
• MSE Abbreviations Explained (Link)
  
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• MSE Demotivator Tool (Link)
• MSE Credit Card Minimum Repayment Calculator (Link)
• MSE Money Makeover (Link)
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• Wombling Guide (Link)
• You Need A Budget site and App (Link)

If any of the links are broken, let me know.

Links last checked for workability 1st Aug 2022.

Please click Thanks if this post helped you.

Bagpuss741

Today I have/will:

1. Checked online banking
2.  Meals from stores
3.  NSD
4.  Duolingo
5.  Ironing
6.  Dusted and vacuumed living room
7.  De cluttered dining table
8.  Washed cats bowls and disinfected mats and cat flap.
9.  Surveys/Pick my postcode
10.  Keep electricity use low as possible

allydowd

MONEY MAKING NEWS:

• £400 Energy Grants (Link)
• Three Mobile price increase (Link)
• Lloyds Bank branch closures (Link)
• Free School Meals in Wales (Link)
• Amazon Prime price increase avoidance tactic (Link)

ziggy2407

Good Afternoon

Still not 100% (and unfortunately for me never will be but have to accept that situation and be grateful), the sun is shining and am hoping to spend a little time later sat in garden with book.  Have been like a cat on a hot tin roof as DS had his driving test this morning, happy to report he passed - yaay

Today's small things

Check Bank & make PAD - Done 
Swagbucks - Done
Shopping with list & vouchers - Done
Upload receipts - Done
Washing and line dry -
Enter a few comps - 
Purge a few emails - 
Read -  
All meals from cupboards/fridge/freezer - 
Check: PMP, WinaDinner, Freejackpot, Daali

Have a good day! 

C x 

carrielovesfanta

@ziggy2407 - big hugs. It's not easy to have ongoing ill health. We're very grateful you're around though xx
Congrats to your DS

DawnW

Evening all

((Hugs)) @ziggy2407

@carrielovesfanta sorry to hear about the situation with your Mum, but glad your Dad is making progress.

Had a rotten night last night, as I had breathing problems and ended up calling 111, followed up by a GP appointment this morning (outside in their car park lol). A bit better today, and I got a couple of hours sleep this afternoon. OH and I managed a couple of things between us (pathetic, isn't it?)

Load of washing dried outside on the line

Watered the garden pots

Ate stuff from the fridge, though not much of it in my case. Still, I may lose weight, which would definitely be a good thing!

OH walked the dog when nobody was about. Luckily the dog didn't want to go far, though I think OH is now past the latest recommended isolation period. He is still not right though, and I have no doubt he could still spread it around if he decided to start mixing with others (or had to go back to work). No wonder there is so much covid about!

Anyway, I am feeling bored and frustrated at the lack of progress / energy so I must be at least thinking about getting better!

ziggy2407

carrielovesfanta said:

@ziggy2407 - big hugs. It's not easy to have ongoing ill health. We're very grateful you're around though xx
Congrats to your DS

Thanks so much lovey, some days are really good , other days I feel I'm just being mardy and feeling sorry for myself and other days I'm angry at myself for being mardy, lol - life certainly is a rollercoaster.  

I'm so glad DS was willing to learn about "money" growing up as since he started work/apprenticeship he's managed to sort an ISA, a LISA and have the funds to buy and insure his first car - although I don't know how the heck he's now 19 - scary, how fast time has flown.