Living frugally in 2025......

Justcrackingonwithit

Evening all, hope you're all well.  Oh my goodness is it only Tuesday.....We get our payslips on line a few days before pay day (which is Friday for me) so I excitedly opened it up today hoping and praying I might miraculously get more money.......nope!  No surprise as I get exactly the same every month but I can live in hope!! 

Another no spend day today which is good, the bank balance is looking very precarious at the moment so I'll have to really hold on tight til payday. 

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the budget and I knew I was going to be pushing myself hard (harder than I need to) to pay the debts off sooner, which is silly as the CC's are on 0%, so I'm definitely not going to be as hard on myself in Feb and see how I go.  I'm also going to concentrate on the EF too. 

In other news, I think I'm going to join a local gym.  I've always really enjoyed exercise, and not done anything for ages, and I can really tell, my middle age spread is spreading and I need to take control.  I can get a membership for £35.00 a month, which I'll factor into the budget.  I think it'll be good as I'll hopefully get fitter, it'll get me out of the house at night and hopefully I'll start a new network of friends.  I've moved to a completely new area a few months ago, so need to try and get out a bit more and meet people, so thought this would be a good way.  I don't spend anything on myself, but think this will be worth it - as long as I go regularly.  

Right, that's about all to report for today, roll on Friday.....

Justcrackingonwithit

That's exactly what I've done @Sun_Addict and do you know I knew I was doing it, and I knew I'd feel like this, it's almost as if I had to do it to get it out of my system.  I'm just greatful that I've realised this and am doing something about it next month and not just throwing the towel in.  All down to the support on here x

MisterPym

kayannie said:

Jigsaws can be picked up cheaply in charity shops.
KA

I love Jigsaw Planet online, free !

LzzyIsGod

I think it's very easy to be quite hard on ourselves in the beginning, I know sometimes when I set a challenge to myself I go in all Gung Ho! from the off. I guess we have to think of it more like a marathon and think tactically ...... and don't start off sprinting and run out of steam within the first 400m!

Justcrackingonwithit

That's so true @LzzyIsGod and exactly what I've done but trying to steady things out this coming month.

I've been wide awake since 1am - thanks insomnia!  Pay day today so I've transferred some of my pay over to the CC and emergency fund.

Scores on the doors are as follows:

CC1 - 3k 
CC2 - 1,500
EF - 500
Loan - 7k - will reduce by 248.00 when this months payment comes out. 
Day to day account minus all DD - 450.00

I left myself with 250.00 in the day to day account last month for food, petrol, birthday presents/cards, cat food/litter, socials and it was really tight.  I ended up using the CC a couple of times as I was worried I'd go overdrawn.  So I've left myself some more wiggle room this month.  I'm hoping that I won't need all of the 450, but knowing it's there will help me mentally if that makes sense.  Anything left over at the end of Feb I'll transfer to the EF.  

I'll also have no council tax to pay in Feb/March I think it is, so I'll put that money towards the EF as well so it will increase it be 240.00.

I'm also going to try and do payment a day (PAD).  I've not got anything to sell, but if I ever manage to do any more survey's on Prolific I'll use that as a PAD, but my main PAD will be rounding up from my every day account into a separate account.  Last month I think my round ups came to about £67 which I put towards my gas and electric bill. 

Challenges this month are to stop nipping into B&M and Home Bargains and buying things that I think I need but don't really.....I've not been too bad in the supermarket, but could be better. The nights are drawing out a bit thank goodness so I'm hoping I'll be able to get out walking after work a bit, plus if I join the gym that'll be something to do in the evenings and weekends.

Anyway, enough rambling, I'll try and get some more sleep....

Cara_

That looks like a good plan for February.

I can be very focused when I start something new and then interest wanes and the plan falls by the wayside. If it is something I know I need to change, then I find the plan comes back to the top of the list and when this happens, I am more measured in my approach and I feel more determined to succeed. I do think we need to be in the right mindset for success and when I read your diary, your determination to succeed is evident. 

jwil

Happy payday!

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

I get paid on the last day of the month, so next Friday for me.  We will have a bit extra to pay towards the debts next month because DH got a decent tax refund that has been sitting in his account and that's going off the cards.

I have done really well not buying any clothes or anything for the house, but it's not been easy.  I will confess that I have been on online shopping sites a few times, but stopped myself.  I hope this is a habit I can break.  February will be interesting because we have family visiting and then I have a week off work.  Negotiating that without spending too much will not be easy!

We had a nice trip out to the coast today and a bracing 5.5 mile walk.  We did go in a cafe for a hot drink and something to eat but we are under budget on food shopping, so I am OK with that.  I think we will be having a day at home tomorrow. 

Justcrackingonwithit

Evening all!  Sorry I've been MIA and not posting - this money saving malarky making me a very dull Crackingonwithit!

I've literally not had anything to post, I've not been anywhere or done very much, I've not spent a penny in 7 days, which is unheard of for me. I have successfully avoided the supermarket and charity shops and I feel like I've really broken my habit, which does make me happy. 

I'd left  myself a bit more in my current account this month, and I'm not sure if it's that but I've felt a bit happier in myself, even though I've not needed it yet.  It's a funny, contrary kind of thing really, but I guess that's me!

I've been busy at home knitting, reading, listening to music and doing a bit of french.  I've been heading to bed early with the hot water bottle and I've really not missed going out.  The nights are getting a bit lighter so I will hopefully get home from work in time for a walk after work.

So I'm still here, still plugging away, taking each day as it comes.  

jwil

Glad all is ok and you've done really well.  Sometimes knowing that we 'can' do something is enough to make us feel better, even if we then choose not to spend that money.