My Five Year Focused, Frugal and Fun Challenge

carboot_karaoke

StripeyTightsSpottySocks said:

Hi @carboot_karaoke and thank you. I use cash back sites but I buy so little online now.

my socialising budget is minimal- this is the real issue. Walks and going to friends are all part of meet ups - I guess living alone I go out more. I have more to ponder here…

Could you switch bank accounts ? The one off payment could be used for a few treats/social events. 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

carboot_karaoke said:

StripeyTightsSpottySocks said:

Hi @carboot_karaoke and thank you. I use cash back sites but I buy so little online now.

my socialising budget is minimal- this is the real issue. Walks and going to friends are all part of meet ups - I guess living alone I go out more. I have more to ponder here…

Could you switch bank accounts ? The one off payment could be used for a few treats/social events. 

Thank you @c@carboot_karaoke I’ve done switches before and have done 2 recently- the remortgage is coming up on the smaller mortgage very soon and then remortgage on the larger one next year. I will switch again but want my credit file a bit better - no missed payments or anything but I got refused an interest free card - part of the reason I’m trying to clear all that debt this year before the interest kicks in. But the main reason is being so debt averse now and wanting to simplify things.
i used the money for switching to reduce the credit card debt 

I do have treats - I guess I’m just trying to find treats I like - i enquired about a new art class - at about £30 a week I won’t be going. 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Urgh feeling pretty rubbish - this is my reminder to myself that I may like a cheap sandwich meal every now and then but the sandwich does not like me 

I’m finding lately that whereas I could manage to eat sandwiches or other things previously and be ok, I’m going to have to stick with the foods I can eat as it’s not worth being wiped out.

Financially ticking along, I’ve planned out repaying the credit cards by the end of the year - I need to sell things to make this happen. Bank rewards payments are included in this and this months have been paid over.

Again, it makes me want a second income stream so I can make more payments and feel more secure financially. Especially as work isn’t very certain at the moment.

So, ideally start selling things tomorrow- this will help with money in and ease feelings of overwhelm - I don’t like to have too many things.

I’ve been really good not buying for the freezer, I have got 2 new to me books and a pair of shorts for this warm weather (also second hand) and bought for by my friend so feel I’m keeping up with no charity shop visits too.

I’ve read 1 book and almost at the end of the second 

the plan is a good nights sleep, an early walk if my stomach will let me leave the house, visiting family and then seeing friends later. In between that I’d like to list some things for sale, read a little more and maybe do some art.

South_coast

Hope you're feeling better today 🩷

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Thank you @SouthCoast I’m actually not too well so probably why the sandwich affected me more than usual.

Due to illness I’ve wasted soup (was defrosted for lunches) and not managed any walking.

In better news- I haven’t bought any more freezer items  I’ve finished a second book and started a third  i listed an item yesterday and today and one has sold  and… i sold some other small bits and managed to clear my small credit card 

so just the bigger card to go now, I was wanting to celebrate getting down to 1 card by having a treat of a coffee and light lunch out - will see how I feel later in the week.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

It’s been a busy week and I’m really struggling to get into a routine so if anyone has any suggestions I’d really appreciate it 

I’ve unavoidably thrown some food away - this is an issue with having food from the freezer - if I’m ill there’s no one else to eat it.

I’ve been listing items for sale and if I miss 1 in a day I do 2 items the next day - this definitely feels manageable and not like I need to sell three quarters of my wardrobe all at once. Just 1 sale so far but I’m hoping for more.

Im wondering if posting here daily will help keep me accountable- I want to walk 10k steps a day - as a walk and not just part of my general day to day journeys- this I must do to get my fitness back up. 

I also want to clear a small area a day in the garden.

other than this I have tried to keep spending minimal- a couple of meals with friends where the food was just ok but expensive- I remind myself I was there for the company.

Best get back to work as break is over in a minute

Jessy103

I like to start my morning off with a walk. I have to take the dogs out anyway, but i find the fresh air first thing in the morning helps get me going and in a good routine 🙂

_Dolly_Rocker_

Hi!

Just caught up with your diary and you're doing amazing already and love the planning ahead. 

I've also got plans to pay off my mortgage in the next 5 years, not sure how possible that will be now with some changes in work, but I would love it if I could!

Also need to lose weight and get better in turning my house into my home. 

I'll be here forever, all I can afford and I actually love my little flat. 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi @_Dolly_Rocker_ thank you for stopping by x how lovely to hear you’re in your forever home - I will look out for your diary if you have one 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Just quickly popping in to say that due to a very sore knee I have been unable to do the walking and garden as planned. 

Also, due to the way the month has fallen pay day and money shuffling completed… and then I popped into a shop on the way to work and have spotted 2 things on the list of wants for the house - things that others might say are a need - as they will make the house more of a home and go a long way to bringing together and finishing off 2 rooms. Of course there is no money to buy the 2 said items (in the sale and last 1 of 1 and last 1 of 2 for the other). 

I really need a better paying job or a second income.

i don’t think i have any items which i could sell quickly to raise the money needed for these things… I have lots of small bits to sell and nothing is selling quickly at the moment… Will try and think of things that might be worth more if there’s time to think as work has been exhaustingly busy.

Also went out for food with friends, no-one had booked and we couldn’t get in where we wanted.. £16 later on ok food that wasn’t filing   I really need to not let things like this affect my time with close friends but I do hate wasting money  

I’m going to make a coffee before I start work.

Hope everyone is having a good Friday