Everything is possible if you try!

I'd just like to echo what everyone else is saying - this is a marathon, not a sprint. You've made some great progress so far and the key thing is that it's sustainable. You can't throw everything penny at the debt and not allow yourself to live because you can't carry on like that. Finding a balance that you can maintain is important because when the debt is gone you can use that money for savings and enjoying life some more. If you budget for treats now you won't feel the need to go crazy when the debt is paid off. This isn't just about getting out of debt now, its about adjusting you habits and attitude towards money now so you can benefit in the future.

On another note, I too will be using your risotto recipe.

Well done Tea

Austerity October sounds like a sensible thing - is that a challenge on here or somewhere else?

Talking of things that sound good - that risotto....Mmmmm! I'm guessing it would also be delicious if you mix up the flavours a bit by substituting ordinary oil for smoked, and the honey for a smoked paprika or something along those lines...that's got me thinking, now! (See this is why I'm useless at following a proper recipe - I'm constantly thinking ahead to what I could move it on to, and the original dish never gets cooked at all! :rotfl:)

As for the question of spending/not spending on entertainment type stuff - it's about finding a balance that works for you, and particularly when there are children involved, it's not always practical to not spend out anything in that area. Down the line you might feel you want to cut it a bit more - but that's one to see about as you go along - as you say it will all feel harsher than it might as you've cut back so much on the frivolous spending anyway.

You're doing fine and making great progress - I always reckon the first few months is as much about changing mindsets and habits, as it is about actually pay off hard cash!

This sort of behaviour from schools makes me really cross - I honestly wish that parents would fight back more against this sort of thing - it's utterly unreasonable to expect you to come up with that sort of money, plus food, at that notice. It needs enough parents to gang together and ALL respond by saying "Sorry - we need at least 30 days clear notice of that sort of trip to allow for budgeting for it" though. how on earth are parents supposed to teach their children about budgeting and managing their money if schools imagine that this is reasonable?! Grrr! :mad:

Agree with your about throwing garlic into things though - when Al's S6 or Lil's POTW includes packs of garlic I often buy a couple and then roast them - pop the individual cloves out once soft and freeze individually giving me a nice box of roasted garlic cloves ready to add a nice smooth garlicky flavour to anything I think would benefit! :T (Not to self there is to freeze them on either waxed paper or baking parchment NOT greaseproof as they stick to greaseproof - bet you can't guess how I know this?! :rotfl:)

And of course - I should have guessed that was where Austerity October came from!