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Watty's Awakening
Comments
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Whereas whenever I read your diary I think the samegreenbee said:You are an inspiration. I really must follow your example rather than just admiring it...
Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!4 -
Thank you @Suffolk_lass that is really helpful. I will look up said "products". In the meantime, I have been wearing my muck boots in the office as they are just so warm and bed socks at night (I had some in a drawer) and things are improving.
I'm off to a Christmas Fair this morning. Am meeting friends there for a coffee. I don't really like Christmas Fairs as they seem full of opportunities to spend money on "things" and my cost cutting ways this year mean this seems alien to me now. (I appreciate my cost cutting ways may not have been evident to readers - laughing here - but have been - I promise). This one might be fun as there is an appearance by Santa so children will enjoy it and some live animals for petting and I'm really hoping there is a good coffee stand!Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!10 -
Congratulations on the goals being ticked off!
And enjoy your Xmas market.
I agree with the others that the CS event sounds a great idea. I wish they did that around here.Emergency Fund goal - £1000/2000
Mortgage OP goal 2026 - £800/£4500
Read 24 books this year 7/24
No Spend March- 11/314 -
Enjoy your day.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger.
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan. 20 months left.4 -
Lovely festive day yesterday. The Christmas Fair was in a barn, I ended up helping a for half an hour on a stall to name a donkey (£1 for 3 guesses and the winner won the toy donkey), had a coffee and cake with friends followed by a burger for lunch with same friends. and then a lovely catch up at the end of the event with a dear friend at the end of the event. She had been running the burger stall. I hoped the church made a lot of money, it was fun.
Then home to take WattyDog on a walk around a nearby nature reserve, it is one of his favourite places and I cried with joy at seeing him able to do the walk, then off to local village to see the lights switch on. Again with WattyDog. This really is the biggest event of the year in the village, think stage with choirs, bands, stalls all around the square. It was packed but the live music was great and lots of oohhhs and ahhs as the lights went on around the village at the big switch on. WattyDog loved it but was really tired at the end which is understandable. Back in the summer I did not think he would be up to this at all
Such a lovely day - I feel so blessed to enjoy days like this.
Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!14 -
Great post @Watty1 - I feel envious of all the socialising. Ours starts next weekSave £12k in 2026 #2 I have banked £2870.61 so far, against a £10k target The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2026 I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026 - currently £568.34 and most of my March purchasing made
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here7 -
That sounds a really lovely day watty22: 3🏅 4⭐ 23: 5🏅 6 ⭐ 24 1🏅 2⭐ 25 🏅 🥈2⭐ 26 🥈 Never save something for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. The diff between what you were yesterday and what you'll be tomorrow is what you do today Well organised clutter is still clutter - Joshua Becker If youre not already using a thing you won't start using it more by shoving it in a cupboard- AJMoney The barrier standing between you & what youre truly capable of isnt lack of info, ideas or techniques. The secret is 'do it'5
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How lovely - WattyDog being able to do the fun stuff! And the rest of it sounds great too.
I thought at first you were going to say you won a donkey!I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/224 -
Lovely to hear how happy WattyDog is... and how happy that's making you.5
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Lovely Festive activities Watty - and lovely wanderings with Wattydog.
Why did I picture a real-life donkey, standing patiently in a little pen, filled with straw, with folk wondering what it was called - and then wondering some more as to whether the names of all the donkeys locally might be known anyway......... A toy donkey. Of course! Sometimes I think I overthink things........... 🤣🤣🤣
Greying XGrocery spend March 2026 £166.80/£195
Non-food spend March 2026 £35.93/£80
Bulk Fund 2026 Month 3/12 - £16.48/£114.50 (reducing balance - start £120 pa)
""Mother Nature don't draw straight lines
The broken moulds in a grand design
We look a mess but we're doing fine
We're card carrying lifelong members
Of the union of different kinds..."
"Union of the Different kinds" - R Christie & T Gilbert, Fisherman's Friends7
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