My Intentional Journey to Debt Freedom

Cara_

That’s a great start and even though you have some areas that still require work, at least you know what they are and can address them.

The coffee buying is a very good reduction and now you have sorted out the morning coffee you have quickly halved the habit. I feel confident that you will sort out the evening coffees to either a zero spend or an amount that you are happy with.

I agree with others about getting your energy refund sooner rather than later – it is better off in your pocket than the suppliers.

February’s plan looks good – just knowing where your money is being spent / thinking about future expenses makes you feel so much more in control.

Sun_Addict

You’re getting into a much better money mindset, well done. Re the coffee could you take a reusable coffee cup to work with you and make one at work for your journey home. I can’t drink instant coffee but have a box of coffee bags at work so I still get a decent coffee fix without splashing out. 

RosaBernicia

Go you!

Re the skincare, if this interests you then how about learning or reading about the ingredients?  Maybe look into making some of your own?  I didn't expect it but am sure that having a bit of knowledge in this area saves me a fortune - I am deeply skeptical of a lot of mainstream brands as so often the things in them are either just emollients or they use botanicals that have no real tradition or evidence behind the supposed action.  Latest example is my refusing to pay £28 for a 50ml bottle of scalp massage oil, since I know I could buy the three ingredients for pennies - two of them in the supermarket - and none have strong action, so any effect is likely mostly down to the massage! 

Re the coffees on the way home, is there anything else you could have as a treat and keep in the car so that you're not tempted to stop?

RB xx

Brie

RosaBernicia said:

Go you!

Re the skincare, if this interests you then how about learning or reading about the ingredients?  Maybe look into making some of your own?  I didn't expect it but am sure that having a bit of knowledge in this area saves me a fortune - I am deeply skeptical of a lot of mainstream brands as so often the things in them are either just emollients or they use botanicals that have no real tradition or evidence behind the supposed action.  Latest example is my refusing to pay £28 for a 50ml bottle of scalp massage oil, since I know I could buy the three ingredients for pennies - two of them in the supermarket - and none have strong action, so any effect is likely mostly down to the massage! 

Re the coffees on the way home, is there anything else you could have as a treat and keep in the car so that you're not tempted to stop?

RB xx

Strangely I had asked about the difference in a well known posh lotions and potions shop (starts with an O) about the difference between their body lotion and hand cream.  I was only going to buy one (very special treat) so was trying to decide which.  The beautiful young lady in the shop looked at me like I was completely mad and ultimately couldn't answer my question.  I mean if the lotion is larger merely because it has more water in it then you might go for the cream for being more compact.  But so often the sizes are virtually the same but one priced more than the other.  

And as for coffees - what about having a few of those off the shelf Stirbucks or similar.  If you were ok with an ice coffee then that would work well.  

twiggy86

Sounds like the budget meeting went really well and you've had a great shift in mindset! 

Echoing @RosaBernicia - is there something you can keep in your car for your caffeine fix on your way home? For example, I am a bit of fizzy drink fiend and would very often pop to the shop at £1-£2 a go, so instead I buy a pack of Aldi own brand cans and take one to work with me - so it's £1.50 for the week! Could you do something similar with maybe iced coffee? I don't drink coffee so apologies if I've offended any coffee connoisseurs with this suggestion! 

Less_Talk_and_More_Action

Evening everyone.
Thanks so much for your comments on my mega post:
@twiggy86
@Brie
@RoseBernicia
@Sun_Addict
@MFWannabe
@beanielou
@foxgloves
@PennysIntoPounds
@jwil
@Cara_

My thoughts are (in no particular order):
- Re the utility credit.  We are currently billing at a higher amount monthly than we are paying in.  We had so much credit that we decided to leave it.  We do make efforts and are not excessive with the heating but because I do a lot of work at home (ie sedentary) and lots of calls where I have to wear "business" attire, it can be quite cold (ie I can't sit wrapped in a hoodie - although the blanket on my legs and my footwear are always interesting!!).  So I definitely get the view of taking it out now, I am more comfortable leaving it where it is for a couple of months and seeing where we get to after the main cold months are over.
- Water rates - I don't think we would benefit massively with a meter.  Our £70ish a month for 8 months works out at £48 a month if we paid over 12.  We have had one metered property in the past 10 years and we were paying about £40 a month there.  We are not profligate users of water and don't have sprinkler running all day in the summer etc so will probably leave that as it is.
- Coffee on the way home - I think you have hit the nail on the head Foxgloves.   The habit part is going to sound a bit ridiculous but it is there.  Basically on my way home I come off the motorway and go across country.  There are no service stations as such - just 3 x Star****s and a few garages with toilets.   The toilets in the garages are so disgusting that I won't use them so if I need the loo it's Starb***s or nothing (!).  And if I go into one, I feel that I have to buy a drink (I know some would just use the loo and they probably wouldn't say anything but I can't do that).  I try and buy a small tea which is the cheapest drink.  Need to think about this as I used to drive all the way home without needing the loo so I think this is a bit Pavlov's dog - in that seeing that S sign makes me think I want the loo and on it goes.  I am pleased with the progress I have made so am happy to keep on tweaking this for a while until I get where I want to go.
- Bank switches - we did two for various reasons last year so not keen to do another.  Thanks for the info PennysIntoPounds and for taking the trouble to look - really appreciated.
- Beauty products - I feel I have made a mindset shift here (albeit I still have expensive stuff to use).  I have ordered some face cream from Wel**da - don't know how many of you have used this brand.  I like it a lot - organic and veggie friendly (which is important to me) and no animal testing.  I have sort of forgotten about them but I have ordered a face cream (I have really really dry skin and they are most suitable in that area I think).  Anyhow, £11 for 75mls - which works out at £8.25 for the standard 50ml.  Whilst I know I can get cheaper than that, if it is good, I will go for that as a starting point as I am happy with that price.  Making good progress in other beauty areas/products as well. 
- Personal spends - currently we are taking this as cash, which we are both happy with.  Over time, we will look at other options but as a starting point it is fine.  We have a separate bank account for food spending and i transfer the budget there at the beginning of the month.  Petrol - I estimate this and we take the cash out.  Generally I am pretty correct and our mpg on the car is pretty reliable.
- I'm quite interested in the home-made beauty options - trying to get Mr L interested in the cleaning product side of it currently.  Mr L might like that as a research project......
- Coffee bags - I would like to try these so will have a look around and see what's about.  I do take re-usable cups and could easily make coffee to come home but I try to avoid due to the not wanting to stop for the loo and then I stop anyway!! More thought needed.

Lots to think about and payday not even until Wednesday.  The other difference is that I am looking forward to all these challenges - I feel that this is something that some or all of you would recognise.  I am determined to beat this and be debt and mortgage free as soon as possible and rather than feeling deprived, I am relishing the challenge.  Mr L is onboard but I would be leading this.  Having said that, he joined in with the budget discussion and had some good insights so all good in that direction.

Thanks everyone - onward into February.

L x 

foxgloves

I do know the skincare brand you mention, as am a big fan of their "Skin F**d", which I use as a night cream.
Once you see getting on top of your finances as a challenge, & find the small wins motivating, I think you are halfway there.
F x

Less_Talk_and_More_Action

I like the product you mention @foxgloves. It’s a bit rich for my skin - although my skin is v dry, it still needs something light but rich (if that’s not a contradiction). This one I’m going to try is called light but reviews indicate it might be okay.   

I agree about the small wins - I am ridiculously pleased when I find a solution to something or have some other success.  

On a different topic Mr L is interested in looking at making some eco products so he’s going to do some research.  

Happy days. 

L x 

enthusiasticsaver

Sounds like the budget review went well and you are both on board with the budgeting for groceries and pots etc.  Do you stick money into a car pot for insurances, services etc etc?  I know this will probably be a work in progress as if you have just started the pot up and have insurance and service coming up in February, March and April there may not be much in the pot but at least you have the council tax money from February and March. I always use ours to bump our car pot as my insurance is due February and my husbands car is due to be serviced and mot'd in March and we have just cleared the pot out for new tyres for his car. I think we need to up ours for the next year given we have 2 cars which always seem to need something. 

Re the coffee habit I get you totally on the motorway toilets situation. I am not sure how long your drive is and whether an option would be just to drive home without taking coffee as I would be the same and need the loo on the way home too if longer than a 2 hour drive.  I guess just getting the smallest cheapest coffee you can get would be the best plan but expensive if it is done every day. Or just call in at the last motorway service station before you go across country. Well done on reduced cost beauty spends.  All these little changes will make a big difference. 

Florafauna

Hi just hopping in to say that I use the Ski**food Light on my face and it's excellent. I have very dry skin also but also need the richness.
I'm enjoying your journey so far. Keep going!