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The Frugal Hearth: Stories of Simple Living and Living Well
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Elisheba
Posts: 1,786 Forumite
Hello, and welcome, one and all to my new debt free diary!
My Journey
I started my old diary at the beginning of 2020, a couple of months before the pandemic hit the UK and we went into lockdown. That diary can be found here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6089640/frugal-thrifty-make-do-mend-let-this-debt-come-to-an-end/p1
Back then I wasn't in the best of places. I was recently divorced and unsure who I was on my own, suffering from undiagnosed depression and anxiety, and was drowning in debt.
Although I earned a good salary and had found a house whose rent was manageable, years of living the high life with my ex (where we raked up debts), and then setting up a house for myself had left me with 8 credit cards that were maxed out, a large personal overdraft, 50% of the responsibility of a loan my ex and I had taken out to repay previous debt, 50% of the responsibility of our old joint overdraft, catalogue debt, and no doubt other debts I can't even remember.
It had gotten to the point where I was starting to struggle to keep up with the repayments and was ending up short at the end of the month. My credit rating was shot - although I was making the repayments, the amount of unsecured debt I was in meant no-one was going to give me another card or increase my overdraft, so I had absolutely no fall back in case of unexpected bills or the like.
I had been on the MSE boards without ever really posting for years. Although I had had the best of intentions in the past, I never really followed through. This time though, I didn't see that I had much choice because I was in a proper mess.
So I started a diary here. I sorted out a budget on Google Sheets and did my best to stick to it. I worked out areas I could cut back. I trawled through different threads on MSE, writing down as many money saving tips as I could. I read books and watched YT videos on frugal living and tried to follow the advice. Anything I could feasibly try I did.
Not everything stuck. Not everything worked. Sometimes I regressed to old habits, and I definitely made some quite big bloopers along the way. For a long time I was repaying more in interest than in capital towards the debts. About 18 months ago I had to move house again unexpectedly and needed to borrow again to manage it.
Where am I now?
So where am I now, and why am I starting this new diary? Well, although it has been a bumpy journey and wasn't all in a straight line, this week I was in a position to close down all the credit cards, and now have savings in the bank. I still have a bank loan (one of those bloopers along the way), so this is still a Debt Free Diary. I kept 2 credit cards - one of which I use for cashback on purchases and pay it off in full each month, the other of which I haven't used in years but is good for my credit rating. For years now I have been in control of my finances, not the other way around. And after the extremely enjoyable murder of the credit card accounts I feel like I am at the start of a new journey, and wanted a new diary to reflect that.
So now the plan is to save like mad so I can finally get a mortgage and buy my own house. Security is extremely important to me, and I never want to be forced to move again at the whim of a land lord. I am in my mid 40s, so I don't have forever to wait around to buy one - especially if I want it paid off before retirement. The bank loan is something I am just paying in the background and will be around for the next 5 years, so if this diary lasts as long as the old one and you stick round, then you will see me being actually debt free!
A Bit about Me
My last house move has taken me to Mid-Wales, and I live in a lovely little rural village with two decent towns within half a hour's drive. My early childhood was in the countryside and for many year I had wanted to move away from all the noise and people and busyness of towns and cities, so everyday I am grateful I have finally managed it. My work is 3 hours away and I am in there once or twice a month, and I have to admit it really wipes me out. Still, the benefits of living here and the good it does my soul far outweigh the disadvantages of a long commute.
My focus in life these days is to keep things as frugal, simple and stress free as possible. I am really keen to be as eco as possible while being frugal, and make all my own cleaning products, and try to minimise waste wherever possible. My depression and anxiety are now well managed with medication and lifestyle changes (and some therapy in the past) and rarely flare up too badly. I have a very silly dog who is really quite daft, and a black cat who is 19 and tells me off a lot.
I recently discovered I was pre-diabetic so have been on a weight loss and healthy living journey and have so far lost just over 1/4 of the weight I am aiming to lose. I'm veggie, and eat as low carb as possible to help with the pre-diabetes, and as this is all fairly recent for me I am still trying to get to grips with keeping the food budget low now I can't rely on cheap, filling carbs.
My Current Finances
So, onto a Statement of Affairs. I'm not sure the actual numbers mean much, as everyone's specific finances are different, with different income and outgoings. So I have broken it down into percentages of my monthly salary.
Monthly Outgoings for July
Rent - 28.2%
Housekeeping (Food, Water, Council tax, Broadband, Electricity, Mobile phone) - 11.9%
Pets (Insurance and food. Ex pays half of black cat's expenses) - 4.5%
Travel (diesel and train/parking for work) - 5.3%
Personal Allowance (spending money, Spotify, online storage, charity) - 4.1%
Debt - 12.8%
Short term savings (annual pots for birthdays, Xmas, oil, events, holidays, subs, Car MOT, insurance, tax and maintenance, garden bin, animal vaccinations, clothes, and house purchases) - 17.5%
Long term savings (for house deposit) - 15.7%
How I Save Money
Basically I put everything into my budget spreadsheets, and then try to stick to it religiously.
Regarding expenses, I don't have a TV Licence as I don't watch much TV. Spotify is a recent addition as I got rid of all of that sort of thing when I started the debt free journey, but I now pay £5 a month to my sister towards her family plan. I give very little to charity financially, not because I don't want to, but because I decided getting rid of the debt had to be the priority. Instead of financial giving, I volunteer my time so do a lot of stuff for Scouts and my church.
Although I would love to be growing food, my landlord doesn't want me digging up the garden so I don't have any expenses for that. I buy everything I can clothes wise second hand, and try to keep it to only things I genuinely need (I am not always successful). I try to mealplan based on what i have in every week. If I eat out it comes out my personal allowance. Holidays at the moment are normally visiting family in Scotland where I come from originally, or car camping so its mainly just expenses of diesel, eating, and visiting places.
Pretty much every bill I have is as low as I can get it. I am on a water meter. I only put on the heating or light the stove as a last resort. I do actually have a contract for my mobile as weirdly it worked out cheaper than buying it outright but that ends later this year and then it will reduce again. If I need to cut back then it will generally be out the food, personal allowance, or annual pots as everything else is about as low as they get, but if I underspend on them then it goes to long term savings.
In terms of lifestyle, I am all about living as simply and sustainably as possible. I cut my own hair. I am frugal with water and electricity. Exercise is generally walking silly dog. I read a lot of books, mainly from the library these days, although I still struggle not to buy books on Kindle. The easiest way to save money is not to spend it, and that is also the most sustainable way of living as well. The more I buy the more I spend, and the greater my impact on the planet. So although I am not a minimalist, I do try to use as little as possible, and to reuse and repurpose as much as I possibly can.
Well, I think that's all for now. I hope this diary will be interesting, cosy and tell stories of a life well lived.
My Journey
I started my old diary at the beginning of 2020, a couple of months before the pandemic hit the UK and we went into lockdown. That diary can be found here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6089640/frugal-thrifty-make-do-mend-let-this-debt-come-to-an-end/p1
Back then I wasn't in the best of places. I was recently divorced and unsure who I was on my own, suffering from undiagnosed depression and anxiety, and was drowning in debt.
Although I earned a good salary and had found a house whose rent was manageable, years of living the high life with my ex (where we raked up debts), and then setting up a house for myself had left me with 8 credit cards that were maxed out, a large personal overdraft, 50% of the responsibility of a loan my ex and I had taken out to repay previous debt, 50% of the responsibility of our old joint overdraft, catalogue debt, and no doubt other debts I can't even remember.
It had gotten to the point where I was starting to struggle to keep up with the repayments and was ending up short at the end of the month. My credit rating was shot - although I was making the repayments, the amount of unsecured debt I was in meant no-one was going to give me another card or increase my overdraft, so I had absolutely no fall back in case of unexpected bills or the like.
I had been on the MSE boards without ever really posting for years. Although I had had the best of intentions in the past, I never really followed through. This time though, I didn't see that I had much choice because I was in a proper mess.
So I started a diary here. I sorted out a budget on Google Sheets and did my best to stick to it. I worked out areas I could cut back. I trawled through different threads on MSE, writing down as many money saving tips as I could. I read books and watched YT videos on frugal living and tried to follow the advice. Anything I could feasibly try I did.
Not everything stuck. Not everything worked. Sometimes I regressed to old habits, and I definitely made some quite big bloopers along the way. For a long time I was repaying more in interest than in capital towards the debts. About 18 months ago I had to move house again unexpectedly and needed to borrow again to manage it.
Where am I now?
So where am I now, and why am I starting this new diary? Well, although it has been a bumpy journey and wasn't all in a straight line, this week I was in a position to close down all the credit cards, and now have savings in the bank. I still have a bank loan (one of those bloopers along the way), so this is still a Debt Free Diary. I kept 2 credit cards - one of which I use for cashback on purchases and pay it off in full each month, the other of which I haven't used in years but is good for my credit rating. For years now I have been in control of my finances, not the other way around. And after the extremely enjoyable murder of the credit card accounts I feel like I am at the start of a new journey, and wanted a new diary to reflect that.
So now the plan is to save like mad so I can finally get a mortgage and buy my own house. Security is extremely important to me, and I never want to be forced to move again at the whim of a land lord. I am in my mid 40s, so I don't have forever to wait around to buy one - especially if I want it paid off before retirement. The bank loan is something I am just paying in the background and will be around for the next 5 years, so if this diary lasts as long as the old one and you stick round, then you will see me being actually debt free!
A Bit about Me
My last house move has taken me to Mid-Wales, and I live in a lovely little rural village with two decent towns within half a hour's drive. My early childhood was in the countryside and for many year I had wanted to move away from all the noise and people and busyness of towns and cities, so everyday I am grateful I have finally managed it. My work is 3 hours away and I am in there once or twice a month, and I have to admit it really wipes me out. Still, the benefits of living here and the good it does my soul far outweigh the disadvantages of a long commute.
My focus in life these days is to keep things as frugal, simple and stress free as possible. I am really keen to be as eco as possible while being frugal, and make all my own cleaning products, and try to minimise waste wherever possible. My depression and anxiety are now well managed with medication and lifestyle changes (and some therapy in the past) and rarely flare up too badly. I have a very silly dog who is really quite daft, and a black cat who is 19 and tells me off a lot.
I recently discovered I was pre-diabetic so have been on a weight loss and healthy living journey and have so far lost just over 1/4 of the weight I am aiming to lose. I'm veggie, and eat as low carb as possible to help with the pre-diabetes, and as this is all fairly recent for me I am still trying to get to grips with keeping the food budget low now I can't rely on cheap, filling carbs.
My Current Finances
So, onto a Statement of Affairs. I'm not sure the actual numbers mean much, as everyone's specific finances are different, with different income and outgoings. So I have broken it down into percentages of my monthly salary.
Monthly Outgoings for July
Rent - 28.2%
Housekeeping (Food, Water, Council tax, Broadband, Electricity, Mobile phone) - 11.9%
Pets (Insurance and food. Ex pays half of black cat's expenses) - 4.5%
Travel (diesel and train/parking for work) - 5.3%
Personal Allowance (spending money, Spotify, online storage, charity) - 4.1%
Debt - 12.8%
Short term savings (annual pots for birthdays, Xmas, oil, events, holidays, subs, Car MOT, insurance, tax and maintenance, garden bin, animal vaccinations, clothes, and house purchases) - 17.5%
Long term savings (for house deposit) - 15.7%
How I Save Money
Basically I put everything into my budget spreadsheets, and then try to stick to it religiously.
Regarding expenses, I don't have a TV Licence as I don't watch much TV. Spotify is a recent addition as I got rid of all of that sort of thing when I started the debt free journey, but I now pay £5 a month to my sister towards her family plan. I give very little to charity financially, not because I don't want to, but because I decided getting rid of the debt had to be the priority. Instead of financial giving, I volunteer my time so do a lot of stuff for Scouts and my church.
Although I would love to be growing food, my landlord doesn't want me digging up the garden so I don't have any expenses for that. I buy everything I can clothes wise second hand, and try to keep it to only things I genuinely need (I am not always successful). I try to mealplan based on what i have in every week. If I eat out it comes out my personal allowance. Holidays at the moment are normally visiting family in Scotland where I come from originally, or car camping so its mainly just expenses of diesel, eating, and visiting places.
Pretty much every bill I have is as low as I can get it. I am on a water meter. I only put on the heating or light the stove as a last resort. I do actually have a contract for my mobile as weirdly it worked out cheaper than buying it outright but that ends later this year and then it will reduce again. If I need to cut back then it will generally be out the food, personal allowance, or annual pots as everything else is about as low as they get, but if I underspend on them then it goes to long term savings.
In terms of lifestyle, I am all about living as simply and sustainably as possible. I cut my own hair. I am frugal with water and electricity. Exercise is generally walking silly dog. I read a lot of books, mainly from the library these days, although I still struggle not to buy books on Kindle. The easiest way to save money is not to spend it, and that is also the most sustainable way of living as well. The more I buy the more I spend, and the greater my impact on the planet. So although I am not a minimalist, I do try to use as little as possible, and to reuse and repurpose as much as I possibly can.
Well, I think that's all for now. I hope this diary will be interesting, cosy and tell stories of a life well lived.
Live the good life where you have been planted.
Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2022 - 15 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2023 - 6 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2024 - oops! My Frugal, Thrifty Moneysaving Diary
Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2022 - 15 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2023 - 6 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2024 - oops! My Frugal, Thrifty Moneysaving Diary
13
Comments
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I have bookmarked your new diary, @Elisheba
I also had the big lightbulb moment & change of lifestyle re debt in my 40s & still think that wake-up call was the best thing that could have happened to me.
Shall be dropping in to cheer you on.
F x2025's challenges: 1) To fill our 10 Savings Pots to their healthiest level ever
2) To read 100 books (36/100) 3) The Shrinking of Foxgloves 5.9kg/30kg
"Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards" (Soren Kirkegaard 1813-55)3 -
Just popped over and subscribed. Love reading your diary.Making the debt go down and savings go up
LBM 2015 - debt £57K / Now £28,744....its going down
Mortgage Free December 9th 2024! 18mths ahead of schedule. Since 2022 we paid over £15K in OPs.Challenges
EF #68 £450/£3000
.
Fiver Friday '25 #10 £15
Studies/surveys July £72.46
Decluttering items 750
Books read 12
Jigsaws done 8
My debt free diary...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6396218/we-will-get-this-debt-d£own-the-savings-up3 -
I will be here, cheering you on 😊
KKAs at 15.07.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £233,521
- OPs to mortgage = £11,338 Interest saved £5225 to date
Fixed rate 3.85% ends January 2030
Read 37 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 23rd July
Produce tracker: £223 of £300 in 2025
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.3 -
Hi Elisheba
Thank you for sharing your story - I am inspired and will follow you on your journey.
I can relate to a lot of what you write. I'm also mid 40s and like foxgloves, have recently had my lift bulb moment. Years of a cycle of debt, debt free for a while, debt again.... living beyond my means (sometimes to meet others expectations and due to low self esteem) and not taking the time to learn budgeting and saving skills. I have 2 horses and 3 dogs, 2 of which I had with my ex. We, too, were living what others may have thought was a dream lifestyle.
I also want to live a peaceful quiet life. Most of my income is spent on my animals, but they are family to me.
Wishing you all the best.
3 -
Happy New diary will be cheering you on xx3
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@Elisheba , wow, What an amazing opening to your new diary!
I honestly cannot wait to follow all your updates and will be cheering you on from the sidelines.
I am now going to go back and read your original diary,
Best of luck on your latest chapter, you've got this!
M.A.G.2 -
Followed you across and subscribed again. Great intro for new readers and best wishes for what lies ahead for you.2
-
Still following. Im not so good at keeping up with my own comments on your progress but read. whenever you update. Feel like I live next door these days!
2 -
Hi, @OopsIdiditagain1 Welcome to my ramblings! Totally get you with the animals - no idea what I would do without them! I would love more but sadly my budget doesn't stretch to that, and silly dog needs a lot of time and energy so I don't think more dogs would be the right move for him at this point anyway. Hope you might pick up some tips as you read along. I am very far from perfect, and the bad habits do rear their ugly heads from time to time, but I do keep trying!OopsIdiditagain1 said:Hi Elisheba
Thank you for sharing your story - I am inspired and will follow you on your journey.
I can relate to a lot of what you write. I'm also mid 40s and like foxgloves, have recently had my lift bulb moment. Years of a cycle of debt, debt free for a while, debt again.... living beyond my means (sometimes to meet others expectations and due to low self esteem) and not taking the time to learn budgeting and saving skills. I have 2 horses and 3 dogs, 2 of which I had with my ex. We, too, were living what others may have thought was a dream lifestyle.
I also want to live a peaceful quiet life. Most of my income is spent on my animals, but they are family to me.
Wishing you all the best.Live the good life where you have been planted.
Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2022 - 15 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2023 - 6 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2024 - oops! My Frugal, Thrifty Moneysaving Diary2 -
Hi, @Middle_Aged_Guy Hope you find this new diary interesting! Good luck on reading my old one - it very long and rambling!Middle_Aged_Guy said:@Elisheba , wow, What an amazing opening to your new diary!
I honestly cannot wait to follow all your updates and will be cheering you on from the sidelines.
I am now going to go back and read your original diary,
Best of luck on your latest chapter, you've got this!
M.A.G.Live the good life where you have been planted.
Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2022 - 15 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2023 - 6 carried over. Fashion on the Ration Challenge 2024 - oops! My Frugal, Thrifty Moneysaving Diary3
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