Freedom and Independence.

PurplePhoenix62

BudgetingBelinda said:

AF 4/10
NSD 8/15
Steps 8.5/100
No de cluttering today out 8:30am- 6:30pm apart from rushing home to walk dog/take him back out with me to do the logistics of picking kids up from x and y. 

Bonus is no time to shop/spend on rubbish. 

Also too tired to want a wine!
Noticed how I was automatically popping to the shop without needing anything. Just as a ritual. Of course they’re things we need but not NEED. I’m now only on the NEED level going in them! I have a list for Fri, usually online shop but have a voucher so will go in store. I’ve made a list/meal plan will stick to it. My Thurs is a bit of a danger zone atm for popping to shop/getting a wine. My last working day of the week on a Thurs. and running low on supplies but also bored/tired. I will check in tomorrow. I’m not going to beat myself up over a spend day the next few days as I know I’m doing very well and I want this to be maintained and balanced. I just also feel quite accomplished and like how it’s going! I am becoming quite keen on not spending money! 🤩
I will definitely have Friday to reflect and enjoy.

It's a great feeling when your mindset starts shifting to this, isn't it 

BudgetingBelinda

PurplePhoenix62
yes! I check for spare money to send to debt or EF out of my budget. And a voice in my head shouts NO when I think of nipping to the shop! I may be able to pull another NSD today. Some leftovers out of the freezer for dinner 🤞🏼

debtfreewannabe321

I only drink one type of wine now and it's quite expensive- and as it's sulphite free I can't seem to find similar elsewhere so I'm able to shop around. I wait until they have an offer on now and buy 6 with 25% off and keep them stocked up. It has saved me a fortune in grabbing a bottle - and then snacks to go with it. I have just combed through my bank account and DPs and we've done far too many little shops this month. Next month I intend to cut that down to minimal trips in between big shops!

BudgetingBelinda

@debtfreewannabe321good luck! It’s the sneaky little shops that have gotten hold of most of my _£’s for so long! 

I’ve cut back on the wine too. And I seem to be becoming slightly more refined! Which isn’t helping the cost! So more reason to be reserved!? 🤔

BudgetingBelinda

A day of busy-ness but productive. Work all done now until Monday. Home ticking over with the usual chores and logistics… Mum vs Washing basket etc. Broke my NDS and AF streak and spent £16 in Tesco, got a bottle of wine and some squash, snacks for the boys and bread. Enjoying a wine and a chill eve. De-cluttered the penny pot- taking the contents to do weekly shop tomorrow (which I am using a voucher for) so feeling quite satisfied with the week. Definitely enjoying this mindset and way of life at the moment. 
Tomorrow is a day off, walking the dog, doing some chores and then a date night with some wine and snacks at home.
A lovely end to a lovely week. 

Aimingforthegoodlife

I think the key is to remember our budgets are flexible and can change frequently as we need, Keedie's diary has been amazing to see how much we should look at our budget and change it as needed. Make the budget work for you! Might also be worth making a note every time you resist the urge to 'pop in' to the shop, that will help you see how much of a saving you are making. 

BudgetingBelinda

@Aimingforthegoodlife thank you, yes making a note of no spends is a good idea. Also equating that to what I can send to pay of the DMP overpayment is really a great step for seeing it come to fruition! Can’t wait until the end of the month. My EF should be plumper and I can send what is in my overpayment pot to DMP. 

Thanks for recommending, I am getting a lot out of other’s diaries and journeys! 💯

BudgetingBelinda

A delightful walk this morning with a friend and the dog. Now just chilling out until school run. Lots to do house wise but I’ll get to that. 

Shopping planned for later,
going to try and stay in the voucher amount which I think has £63 on it. Sainsbury’s though so pricey? I just got a nectar card as I did my shop online -just to check amount and saw the price difference with the nectar card. Don’t use Sainsbury’s that much though sometimes for fuel so will be worth while getting one, I’ve been putting that off! I want to get lucky with some reductions/freezer items! And Brie gave me the great idea of using my pennies that I de-cluttered in the self service checkout so I will be doing that as and when I use those! 

Feeling good. Roll on debt free days! 💪🏼💯

BudgetingBelinda

Yesterday’s shop with the voucher did not stay in budget. Got a nectar card- did some nectar price buying, then proceeded to forget to use nectar card 😤 went to customer services and they refunded me £5 at a guess of what the discounts would of been. Otherwise I’d of had to refund all the shopping and put it through again. 6pm on a Friday and that was a hard no from me! So I spent £50 over the voucher amount. Up to 338/400 for groceries this month 🥴.
had a nice evening and now decluttering the wardrobe 1/3 done and 2/3 to go. Walking the dog now then back to it. Then chills. 

KeepOnKnitting

Just had a read through your diary and seems you are learning some new habits. Some things that might work for you that definitely work for me:
- Use your spare change jar for the single item shops like the washing up liquid. Dig 70p or whatever it is out of the jar and take only that to the shop. I sometimes need to do this for milk or bread. 

- Preparation and stubbornness is key. Having to buy lunch out is my kryptonite, while having sandwich supplies in the house is the bedrock of managing my budget. If I can avoid meal deals, everything else falls in line. Sometimes I have to be stubborn and make myself go out to buy lunch supplies after dinner in the evening when I am tired, because otherwise tomorrow there will be a meal deal. I do it after dinner, so that I am not in the supermarket when I am hungry. This does mean it is late for me and I will be tired, but that is a bonus as I just want to get in and out.

- Find low cost ways to build in nice things to your budget. I can usually afford a basket of shopping from the posh shop once a month if I go around 6pm on a weekday and buy nice things with yellow stickers on. I prioritise things that can go in the freezer and make the treats last for a couple of weeks.

Look forward to following your progress with avoiding the little shop.