Living frugally in 2025......

Justcrackingonwithit

@Cherryfudge Oh my goodness, your thread might be a bit beyond me....but I'll take a look, thank you!  I've gone for the paid membership of Duo, I think it'll be worth the investment and will hopefully keep me motivated now I've paid for it!  @Sun_Addict I saw super duolingo too, I might stick with the paid version I've got now, but think about that in the future. 

@Doris17 Hello, thanks for popping by and reading my ramblings!  Great to have you long for the journey - although not via the motorway.....!  

@jwil I wish I could say I had a great nights sleep, but unfortunately not, I'm beyond tired.  I even had an anti-histimine in the hope that helped, and rubbed magneisum cream on my feet.....I'm at the point of trying anything! 
I've had a lovely walk today, but the forecast is rubbish for the next few days so might try an on line workout x

Justcrackingonwithit

Happy Sunday and end of my annual leave, back to the grindstone tomorrow......

Had a lovely day, been out for a walk this morning, it was so bright and sunny, nice to see after all the fog. 
Then I was all set for a nice quiet afternoon and I heard my name being called by the supermarket and couldn't  resist the calling  ....what is wrong with me?!!!!  Although in all fairness I did stick with what was on my list.  There was lots of YS food, but my freezer is already full and I knew I would be buying it for buying it's sake.  So got my steps in, have done my french, been to the supermarket and now time to get ready for work tomorrow.  It's going to be so hard to get up with the alarm after a week off......

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend

jwil

Hope work isn't too bad today

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @jwil it wasn't too bad at all, and I didn't have too much to come back to do, my boss is off this week as well so made it a bit easier.  Hope you've had a good day.

So, all of my direct debits have left my account, including the extra I've paid to the CC and to my emergency fund.  I've got a wee bit left in my current account left until my January pay day.....I know it's very doable, all I'll need to take out of that is odd bits from the supermarket, bread, fruit and veg and petrol.  I don't know why I feel anxious that it's not going to be enough because it will be.  I want to try and enjoy the challenge of NOT spending. 

A NSD today, lunch taken to work, and lunch sorted for tomorrow.  I'll just be having a quiet new year, no plans to go out or do very much.  I'm off on NYD, weather forecast looks dire, so I'll be having a day at home I think!  

Hope everyone's had a good day x

jwil

Glad work was ok and you sound very organised.  Good luck with not spending!

Seasidegal58

Enjoy your Not Spending Challenge!  As you say, it is doable - everything has been budgeted for the month. You'll feel so proud at the month's end when you've achieved it!

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @jwil and @Seasidegal58 I think I'm just anxious and the budget, finances, paying things off quickly is all I can think about at the moment.  I know I need to have another outlet for this and have been meditating regularly and have enjoyed restarting my French on Duolingo.  I've got a few things planned in for the weekends, going on a couple of organised (free) walks in my local area and going to see some live music in my local community centre, so I've got things to keep me occupied and out of the shops! 

Cara_

I'm pleased work was OK. Your budget will be fine and you have some things to look forward to which will help. I'm having a frugal January so I'll cheer you on with your NSD challenge. Good luck.

Justcrackingonwithit

Thanks @Cara_ I think January is a good time to take stock and start as I mean to go on!  I'm pretty good at having NSD, but then tend to have a VSD and undo all my good work.....let's spur each other on

Cherryfudge

Justcrackingonwithit said:

 I've got a wee bit left in my current account left until my January pay day.....I know it's very doable, all I'll need to take out of that is odd bits from the supermarket, bread, fruit and veg and petrol.  

Would it be useful to make a note of these spends over the next month so you have a track of what's been needed? I know it will vary a bit from month to month but you might spot a money leak (like me when I get near end of day supermarket discounts) and it will be an added incentive on grey days or if you're asked to do something social.

Just for fun, you could also try keeping track of money saved. I used to do this and it was amazing how much I managed. For instance, you spot that petrol is cheaper elsewhere so you fill up there and save X on your usual costs. Take a coffee with you instead of buying, Y amount. Spot the bread is marked down and get some for the freezer Z amount. Total savings = X+Y+Z without doing anything dramatic.

You do sound really organised and on top of it all so my main concern is that you might be over-eager and leave yourself short.