Thriving not just surviving in 2025

onashoestring2023

I’m a long time lurker on here returned last year after a fair few years away, new account new me. the last time I was a member I was married, 3 kids, dogs cats and struggling, I'm returning, working on getting a divorced, adult kids and grandbabies, life has moved on and I'm now living in my mothers old house sharing with my bother trying to rebuild my life. i don't use his kitchen so in my little room i have a air fryer micwave and a little freezer.
I've been planning the next stage of life which will involve saving a large sum of money because for the first time in my life I can say where my money goes and to whom! so for the first time ever I'm actually planning on taking some holidays next year, I've got my passport ready I just need to hold myself accountable for my spending. after I left my husband my spending went a little high, buying things for myself and family that I was never able to do before went to my head a little lol, but now I have goals and dreams

I’m in my late 40’s, 4 adult(ish) children and kinda financially independent with a good job's but with raising costs they have been to the bank of mum a few times and 4 grandkids.

currently my plan is to live on a limited budget of £20 a week , I used to love a good challenge but I could be struggling with this one

so for the last week of December and the first 3 weeks of Jan I have 20 pounds a week, I'm going to the Netherlands for the week so I've not added this for my budget because I have actually been saving for 6 months to be able to go.

dec/Jan budget 20 pounds a week food

buses, 6 a week, walk there bus home

toiletries and make up no budget. I've got so many toiletries they should actually last me at least 6 months

phone bill £45 

cloths, accessories and shoes, no spend month

socializing, if its free ill be going lol

dry January

Netflix cancelled, 

ITVX PRIME cancelled

Disney cancelled

music cancelled

I'm not even sure why I have been paying for these things anyways, I have 1000s of dvds and cds why am I paying for something I already have?

I did take part in the 1 pound a day challenge a few years ago but with the raise in prices I don't think this is going to be so easy this time around

end of Jan I am going to the Netherlands to visit family and I have actually bee saving for that for the last 6 months and have actually managed to save a little more than I thought I would so I'm hoping that when I get back ill be able to spend a few days in London or even fly to Dublin for a few days, but I'm not making that decision until I get back, will be seeing what cheap flights and hotels ill be able to get the day before.

I've decided that i was gonna use this post as a kinda blog to not only keep me on track but also get some advice from you wonderful lot aswell. i know Jan is gonna be easier because i do have cupboards full and my freezer is full aswell. its the rest of the year that's gonna be harder.
i will post every week and keep you posted on how well i do and will try and do the £1 pound 3 meals every now and again aswell, wish me luck.

retiredinfrance

Good luck! Why not take the coach to London or a city that you’ve never been to.Dublin is expensive for hotels and dining out. One thing I’ve thought of doing is to read a book - CS bought, of course, and go to the city it is set in. I’m thinking CS Samson Tombland set in Norwich. 

I_Love_comps

Wishing you good luck with your savings challenge.  Food try looking for yellow stickered food or offers.
If you buy online make sure you purchase via cashback site,
You could try the penny challenge
Surveys

Brie

Best of luck with your saving and blogging!  Always interesting to see someone coming back to deal with life and i think it says something for the MSE community that people do come back knowing that there will be support and ideas awaiting them.  

Rosa_Damascena

£20 a week is a tight budget but doable for one if it is food only and you have access to a fridge. Sling in TP, cleaning products etc and costs start to escalate. 

The Netherlands is expensive, but nowhere near as much as Scandi nations. With family there it should dent the budget a little less, enjoy it!

If you're not tied into a prohibitive contract, I'd look at making inroads into your phone costs. If you're not attached to your stuff, think about selling it to provide a useful buffer.

@retiredinfrance - I'm holding off Norwich until the castle is fixed and re-opened!

tibawo

Back myself too with a diary - i don’t think i’d do well without disney. We’ve cancelled our Now tv but my luxury item is disney which i pay for with tesco vouchers - might be worth a nosey as might work for you too.

onashoestring2023

retiredinfrance said:

Good luck! Why not take the coach to London or a city that you’ve never been to.Dublin is expensive for hotels and dining out. One thing I’ve thought of doing is to read a book - CS bought, of course, and go to the city it is set in. I’m thinking CS Samson Tombland set in Norwich. 

yeah i was thinking about something like that. I'm back on the Friday so i was thinking of seeing what last minute trip i can do.

onashoestring2023

Brie said:

Best of luck with your saving and blogging!  Always interesting to see someone coming back to deal with life and i think it says something for the MSE community that people do come back knowing that there will be support and ideas awaiting them.  

agreed this is an amazing community. i knew i would be welcomed back and doesn't even matter that i cant access my old account, but as they say fresh account new start lol.

onashoestring2023

Rosa_Damascena said:

£20 a week is a tight budget but doable for one if it is food only and you have access to a fridge. Sling in TP, cleaning products etc and costs start to escalate. 

The Netherlands is expensive, but nowhere near as much as Scandi nations. With family there it should dent the budget a little less, enjoy it!

If you're not tied into a prohibitive contract, I'd look at making inroads into your phone costs. If you're not attached to your stuff, think about selling it to provide a useful buffer.

@retiredinfrance - I'm holding off Norwich until the castle is fixed and re-opened!

yes agreed it is a tight budget, i do have a little fridge and freezer, cleaning products i should have enough to last a few months, and i tend to make my own now so i do actually save a bundle on that. hygiene stuff i have at least 6 months worth, i seemed to have collected loads over the year, and i actually don't use bubble bath shower gels etc, so old fashioned i still use soap hahah.

yes I'm hoping that because I'm visiting family it wont be so expensive, i wont be eating out all the time that's for sure.

im tried to my phone for another 4 months i think, but i maybe able to buy myself out, but i will look into that, thank you for the idea.

onashoestring2023

tibawo said:

Back myself too with a diary - i don’t think i’d do well without disney. We’ve cancelled our Now tv but my luxury item is disney which i pay for with tesco vouchers - might be worth a nosey as might work for you too.

honestly im not sure how im gonna be able to cope without Disney either lol. but i don't have alot of dvds so I'm just hoping i have what i would end out missing out on anyways

retiredinfrance

Have you tried borrowing DVDs from your local library? Or a Charity Shop? The thing about Charity t is that looking for something takes time - if you’re working that’s an issue and also it costs you money.