Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

Spendywendywoo

Yay! I'm finally a Forumite so can add a signature! I've added the main points and will cross out and override once financial progress has been made....going to read some more diaries so I can take note of the contents, and also the signature formats....

Spendywendywoo

Slightly later checking in this morning as I'm in the office... all day workshop.

That said, the plan for today is;

* exercise - walk after dinner ( no time at lunch)
* declutter - work through DS boxers and chuck the smaller ones
* make leek and potato soup - the leeks were looking a little sorry for themselves this morning so I must do this tonight to prevent waste, I have enough potatoes and bought cream in the shop at the weekend.

I was up, showered and dressed by 6.45am this morning, usually I am rushing around but I was able to take my time. I had prepped DS lunch last night and had everything laid out ready for work in terms of clothes, and my bag was packed. I am on leftovers today for lunch (beef stew) so that will not only save me time and money (circa £5 for a meal deal plus all the other 'bits' I would have picked up from the shop).

Food today is all from stores;
* Cereal
* Beef Stew
* JP tuna mayo and side salad

I have told DS I will go and buy him another pack of boxers as he will only have 5 pairs with the new pack, getting another will ensure that if I do happen to miss a day or two of washing then he will still have some available, I'm also thinking of our holiday at May half term as he will need 7/8 pairs for that. 

Anyway, the workshop starts at 9am so going to declutter some work emails beforehand. 

Feeling good, feeling positive

Have a great day all,
Wendy x

foxgloves

As you get further into your journey to debt-free, you will realise that being very organised will invariably save you money. Having come out the other side with no remaining debt or mortgage, I think I'd have to say that a strong level of organisation is a really key tool in the debt-busting arsenal. And I can testify that it is essential in staying debt-free too. 
Keep up the good work!
F

Pollie

Have you checked to see if your condition qualifies you for a medical exemption certificate ? (free prescriptions) 

Sun_Addict

If you have a big Mr T locally they are doing 25% off clothing this weekend with a Clubcard. You could pick up some boxers for DS from there. 

Spendywendywoo

Happy Friday! 

Just spent two days locked out of my account, all sorted now though and happy to report that this week has been great in terms of being on track, being very mindful of money and where I can save money (will provide a better update tomorrow when I have more time) but the biggest achievement this week is… getting DH on board. He nipped to the shop for us the other day and usually he would buy lots of things we didn’t need. I asked him to be mindful and reminded him of our mortgage overpayments. He bought what we needed and the only extra little thing was a treat for DS who was with him, which cost 85p and I’m recording that out of DS monthly allowance so doesn’t impact the groceries. 

Today’s meals all from stores. Friday we would normally get a takeaway but we’ve planned ahead and bought pizzas in, myself and DS have got a cheap one from Alds as we like them, I’ll add jalopenos, peppers and onions to mine, and DH bought 2 for £5 from warehouse of food - very small cost of £7.78 instead of £40-60. These changes are going to make a difference come the end of the month, if we can remain on track with our targets. 

I hope everyone has had a great day, happy weekend 😀

Cara_

It's great that you have stayed on track and that you are now both working together. That's a great savng on buying pizza instead of having a takeaway - it adds up to a nice sum over the year.  

foxgloves

You will save so.much money reducing your takeaway habit. I know we did. They can add up to an eye-watering amount once they become a regular indulgence. These days if we have one, it's planned & often for some sort of occasion & we enjoy them so much more because they are now a very infrequent treat. 
We also like 'Fakeaways'.....meals which hit the 'takeaway vibe' but which we have cooked ourselves. 
Oh, & it's much easier with our partners on board the debt-busting budget bus so well done on that too!
F

slm6002

I've also noticed that as the children are now all eating adult portions, that means the cost has grown too.  Well done on getting everyone involved and on board.  That can only be a good thing as if one of you starts to wobble the others can cheer you on and keep you on the right path.

Spendywendywoo

Eee..time to catch up. 

Morning all, 

@foxgloves, yes I agree being organised is key. I can’t believe what a difference it has made to the last two weeks.  The organisation is spilling into other areas of my life too and I’m just so grateful that I, on this new journey and way of living. 

@pollie thank you for highlighting, I’ve checked and I don’t current qualify for free prescriptions, but it was certainly worth checking. 

@Sun_Addict, thank you for highlighting, I managed to get him some of the ones he loves for £8 (5 pack). I got two sizes up from where he was so they should last him a while now. Good to know re the sale though as he needs some new school socks having of into a size 4 shoe lol

@Cara_ eating out, going out and takeaways have always been a large chunk of our monthly budget - it’s been a mix of my disorganisation and tiredness from working longer hours than I am paid for (this has stopped too). We still have a small budget for a takeaway, one meal out and an entertainment budget each month but I’m hoping the reduction will help our health and waistlines. 

@foxgloves, fakeaways are our favourite, in fact DH has requested our super burger… a burger with cheese, a piece of bacon, an egg and topped with an onion ring. Very calorific but nothing compared to a takeaway and I always use low fat meat, and db the excess oil from the bacon, burger and egg, I also use spray oil. I need to do a small shop tomorrow for lunch items so will pick up some meat for that. Still got to enjoy life while paying the mortgage and car off. 

@slm6002, I agree, DS is certainly in the midst of a growth spurt, he got up early, went to the toilet and then back to sleep for another couple of hours, which is unheard of. He’s just waking up now.

we’re deffo all on board and I think it’s helped that I have been honest about the why, and hows.  Deep down I want to achieve mortgage free and hopefully early retirement as my health could deteriorate at any point (though I try to help myself as much as possible). I can’t get life insurance so I only have, currently, my works death in service to fall back on.  Our mortgage currently takes us to 68! It’s not acceptable to me. We need to make this work and I a, so determined 😀