LJ's Mortgage free road to early retirement

setmefree2

Hi Louise

I think you're doing really well - that food budget isn't too bad as there are 4 of you, aren't there? and a girl does need her make-up:D


Chin up!

Jorgan_2

Hi Louise,

don't be to hard on yourself, yo are doing well.

Are you worried about how much the OH drinks for health or money reasons. If its the latter, try buying cheaper, non branded drinks from the likes of Aldi/Lidl etc.

Let me know if you find a way to save money on petrol by the way, I'd like to know as well.

Kaz2904

I worry about the amount that DH drinks from a financial point of view initially but then I think if he's spending that much on alcohol, it really can't be good for him can it?

LouiseJ

Jorgan wrote: »

Hi Louise,

don't be to hard on yourself, yo are doing well.

Are you worried about how much the OH drinks for health or money reasons. If its the latter, try buying cheaper, non branded drinks from the likes of Aldi/Lidl etc.

Let me know if you find a way to save money on petrol by the way, I'd like to know as well.

I am worried about both really. He has a drink every day and says he can't sleep without having a drink. The money is a concern but I am more worried about his health. He takes very little exercise, eats like a child would if you let them (he wont eat a single vegetable) is slightly overweight too. The only drinks that pass his lips are coffee and lager! Luckily he doesnt smoke cigarettes but has the odd cigar which I have noticed is becoming more regular.

He does go on the treadmill a few times a week but I have noticed this is becoming less and less.

I do worry as his father drank every day, smoked and led an unhealthy lifestyle. He had a stroke in his early 60's and although he lived for another 7 years after his quality of life was greatly reduced.

LouiseJ

OK I have set a more realistic budget for us for March. I feel that my February one was a bit too ambitious.

£250.00 Food
£25.00 Work
£200.00 Petrol
£0 Treats - No make-up or online bingo this month!
£20.00 Takeaways
£100.00 nights/meals out/drinks in house
£8 Lottery -Work one only due everyy 10 weeks
£24.00 Pocket Money
£68.00 Bottled Gas - Should manage on just 2 this month unless it snows!
£50.00 Other - Guitar tuition/need a new toaster
£745.00 Total

financialbliss

Hi LouiseJ,

Regarding petrol, do you live near an Asda? We're not far away at all from one and while the diesel there is 107.9 currently, we get 2p off per litre when using an Asda credit card. Got the Asda CC for the sole purpose of this 2p off. Card is paid off in full each month.

Perhaps worth a look at this, providing you don't need to travel too far for petrol and cancelling out any savings.

FB.

LouiseJ

financialbliss wrote: »

Hi LouiseJ,

Regarding petrol, do you live near an Asda? We're not far away at all from one and while the diesel there is 107.9 currently, we get 2p off per litre when using an Asda credit card. Got the Asda CC for the sole purpose of this 2p off. Card is paid off in full each month.

Perhaps worth a look at this, providing you don't need to travel too far for petrol and cancelling out any savings.

FB.

We do have a local Asda but it does not have a petrol station. Unleaded at our local Shell garage is 101.9 per litre at the moment. I really do wish we had bought a diesel car last time as I do alot of miles in a week.

I have decided to use my sat nav to make sure I am taking the most economical route for my usual travel. It has a setting on it where you can choose between fastest/economical route I dont mind my journeys taking longer if I save on petrol!

setmefree2

Good luck with your month LJ:T Another council tax fee one:j:j

Kaz2904

LouiseJ wrote: »

I am worried about both really. He has a drink every day and says he can't sleep without having a drink. The money is a concern but I am more worried about his health. He takes very little exercise, eats like a child would if you let them (he wont eat a single vegetable) is slightly overweight too. The only drinks that pass his lips are coffee and lager! Luckily he doesnt smoke cigarettes but has the odd cigar which I have noticed is becoming more regular.

We could be married to the same man nearly! My DH is trying to give up smoking and now only smokes if he's had a drink. Trouble is he's craving cigs all the time so is now having a (few) drink(s) each night so he can have a cig.
He gave up smoking when I was pregnant with DS and started again when I had him. He then stopped one summer and started again in the December and said he'd only smoke when he went out. Eventually even his family started commenting on the fact that he was going out getting pi55ed evry night virtually just so he could smoke.

He would eat no veggies if he could away with it but I stopped that when I was pregnant with DD. He was moaning about some veg and I pointed out to him that he couldn't sit there being picky about his food and refusing to eat his veg and then expect his child to- and that there was no way any child of mine was going to be brought up not eating veg!

It's funny how we all have our little blocks which when typed out seem so unreasonable and yet my DH is the most laid back loveliest person and I wouldn't be without him (his feet yes but not him!)

HP_Guy

financialbliss wrote: »

Got the Asda CC for the sole purpose of this 2p off. Card is paid off in full each month.

We did the very same thing, though we do now use it for shopping also and get some vouchers every now and then I think ASDA is currently at 100.9 for unleaded.

I am really enjoying your diary Louise (I sound like I have been reading it for ages - I have just read all 7 pages now), and it is really making me think about our mortgage, > 21 years left, err... don't think so!

Did you get anywhere with the Matched Betting? You can obviously handle numbers so it should be a doddle for you - but PM me if you want some help.