Three(ish!) years until I ditch the rat race? 1 January at 8:02PM in Debt free diaries 15 replies 1.4K views

IntoTheForest

I previously had a diary whilst getting out of debt but unfortunately I can't find it and I got locked out of my account when the forum changed over. I found the encouragement and accountability invaluable so I'm back again! 

In the next 3 to 5 years I want to move back up north and drop my hours (I'm currently working a 50 hour week). My husband is also keen to have a change in lifestyle. My children have grown up but one is still living at home. I don't have the time or energy to do the things I love like growing veg, daily walking or cooking for fun. I feel like I'm stuck in an endless cycle of working and sleeping. 

The only way this would be possible would be to save with the intensity we had whilst paying off debt. Being frugal, cutting out the canteen lunches at work, being organised and not spending money on stuff I don't really need. 

If anyone wants to join me, whether in debt or not I would love the company. 

Today I just worked my normal shift and didn't pick up any overtime. I also have tomorrow off so I'm planning on sorting through the freezer and then getting a few bits in for lunches. I took in some sandwiches made with a leftover baguette. It was a little dry and I am realising I'll need to make some nicer stuff to resist the cooked canteen meals. £0 spent today and I'm feeling chuffed with the good start to the year. 

Four_Seasons

Happy New Year, I will be cheering you on.

Blackcats

Happy new year.
As you already know this is an amazing community.
by being accountable here I've been able to change my spending habits which has meant I now work part time and will be retiring later this year.  I really couldn't have done it without support from here.  

The dry baguette doesn't sound great but £0 spends is a great result.

Good luck 

enthusiasticsaver

Sounds like you are doing well with watching your spends.  A 50 hour working week is tough.  

Why not start a savings challenge either on the DFW forum or the savings forum?  There are numerous ones up and running for the New Year now. 

IntoTheForest

Thank you everyone! I love hearing about others successes. I don't know anyone who has managed to retire or semi-retire early, it was only after joining this forum that it seemed like a possibility. 

I will definitely have a look into some of the money saving challenges, anything to help keep the motivation going is most welcome. 

I used my day off wisely and had a clear out in the kitchen. I found quite a lot of food I can use for work lunches. Tomorrow will be cous cous with some chicken from the freezer.

I did buy some bread and eggs but only spent £3.65. 

katsu

Hiya. Great idea. Being here really helped me get DF and MF.  Now I need to work on my next stages of life as I'm in a company that seems to love a restructure  so I think I'm not on my timeline but theirs.

We've got a lot to do in our house as we decided to get MF then save to do it up, then there was covid so we didn't start on any home plans. Hopefully I can work out how to focus on my house and future and cheer you on at the same time! 

FootyFanDan

Great start with the £0 spent - another one here who needs to get into the work lunches mindset so will be following with interest. Good Luck

IntoTheForest

katsu said:

Hiya. Great idea. Being here really helped me get DF and MF.  Now I need to work on my next stages of life as I'm in a company that seems to love a restructure  so I think I'm not on my timeline but theirs.

We've got a lot to do in our house as we decided to get MF then save to do it up, then there was covid so we didn't start on any home plans. Hopefully I can work out how to focus on my house and future and cheer you on at the same time! 

It's stressful working in a job that doesn't feel secure. I worked in hospitality whilst my children were young and lost my job in 08. How much work do you have to do on your house? 

I managed a no spend day! Hopefully I can manage quite a few more this month. 

katsu

We have a lot to do. For eg Kitchen needs damaged artex removed/ceiling redone, walls made smooth, new kitchen units and flooring.

All our rooms need redecorating basically (it's a small house), we are thinking of a heat pump to replace the boiler... we've been saving a long time for all this so we wouldn't need to borrow any money. 

And yeah, it's a shame when you work in a great team but the company is going through a lot of change.  

IntoTheForest

Super quick update. I've had another no spend day. Old school favourite of cheese and potato pie with baked beans for dinner. I will have to fill up my car and get some groceries tomorrow but I'm going armed with a list. 

IntoTheForest

Happy Sunday! I have 1 day off a week and for the first time in almost a year it has worked out that this day is a Sunday. The weather is beautiful and the sun is out. I am taking my child out shopping and for lunch. It's a delayed Christmas present. 

I've managed to not go grocery shopping (apart from the £3 65 spent on bread and eggs). I keep finding odds and sods in the freezer and the back of the cupboard that desperately need using up. I've been having cous cous and pesto pasta for lunches. I did have to fuel up the car that was almost £80, but that is down from the recent high costs. At one point it was costing me nearly £100. 

The interest rate on my Coventry FHS has now gone up to 5pc, thank god for the different savers threads on here because I don't have the time to shop around. I'm thinking of pulling my premium bonds money for the guaranteed interest but I quite like the dreaming that comes with the chance of winning big. 

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.