Dreaming of financial freedom!

kirtsypoos · 22 January 2017 at 12:02AM

I tend to stick to a staple few - bolognese (bulked out with lentils if needed), curry, chilli, fajitas, enchiladas, diet coke chicken and a few others

Well done on the shopping spend, very impressive!

ch4rly2002 · 23 January 2017 at 9:57AM

Yesterday I did a Sunday roast for the first time ever, and it was actually good! We invited my brother-in-law round, had a home cooked roast and watched a film on our TV. Normally we would go out for a carvery and go to the cinema so it was a nice saving

I did make a purchase though, I bought an NUS student discount card for £33.50, which will give a whole host of discounts but I think I will really get my money's worth from the 10% off at the coop as I shop there quite a bit. It lasts 3 years and I got it by signing up for a free OU course. I expect this will more than pay for itself... I will keep a log of what I save and put it in the payment pot

ch4rly2002 · 23 January 2017 at 3:52PM

Just renewed the landlord insurance and managed to save £20 on the renewal figure and did it through a cash back site so I should get another £72 back eventually.

Also, I've just signed up with Virgin who will charge £55 per month to keep the same kind of package we have now with Sky, which is about £15 per month cheaper, plus their broadband is so much faster and more reliable in our house so I'm happy to move to Virgin.

I'm going to have a look at what I can list on eBay, and the in-laws have mentioned doing a carboot sale so anything that's not worth going on eBay can go into a carboot sale pile. I should hopefully end up with a tidier house and get some money to OP

MallyGirl · 23 January 2017 at 6:48PM

ch4rly2002 wrote: »

Managed to hold back the spending in Leeds I decided to go and do shopping for the week so we are less likely to be lazy and get take away. I thought about what we have in the house and what ingredients I would have to get to make meals for the week out of them. I spent £21 and have food for 5 days. A big improvement on my usual spend! From what I've read on here, I think the main thing that will help with the food bill aspect is planning so I am going to start on a meal plan. Does anyone have any ideas for well priced, filling meals that aren't too difficult to make?

I'd take a trip onto the Old Style section of the forum - there are loads of suggestions for good, cheap meals. I like doing a gammon joint in the slow cooker - a small one does us for dinner, leaving enough for a week or lunches (sarnies or salads) for OH and the remaining stock makes a great base for soup.

ch4rly2002 · 23 January 2017 at 10:07PM

Great idea Mallygirl, thank you

I'll take a look. I'm not the best cook but I find the slow cooker very forgiving so I feel more confident trying recipes that way.

ch4rly2002 · 23 January 2017 at 10:09PM

Today I sold a Filofax and ended up with £20 after fees, then I took my grandma shopping and she gave me £24! I couldn't believe it, I tried to refuse but she seemed offended so I said thank you very much. That'll go straight into the OP pot. Not a bad day

I also made a big batch of bolognese for tea so I have leftovers for another day.

ch4rly2002 · 24 January 2017 at 1:57PM

Woohoo, I sold another item today which works out at £14.37 after fees

That will go straight in the OP pot. I find it such a bore and a laborious task listing items on eBay but you can't beat the feeling when something sells and you can add it to the OP pot so it's worth it. As they say, every little helps!
I am going to my mum's tonight for a meal with her for her birthday. I offered to cook but she already had something in that she wanted to cook, which is nice of her. The hubby wanted to have his brother round tonight and they will be getting a takeaway pizza. He's not well at the moment so I couldn't deprive him of it, but at least he's only paying for one as his brother will pay for himself.

ch4rly2002 · 26 January 2017 at 11:28AM

Yesterday I sponsored my brother £50 to do the Brighton and London marathons. It's a pretty eye watering amount but I felt like I had to keep up with the rest of the family donations.
Luckily, I managed to sell some spa gift vouchers that I'd been given for Christmas so I will use that to offset the sponsorship.
DH is working in Norwich today so I've come down with him as my brother and his family live down here. It's 4 hours drive and a lot of petrol to get down here but as he's travelling for work it hasn't cost anything. Free breakfast in the hotel as well so I filled my boots, hoping I can get away without needing lunch. There are also some biscuits in the room so I can munch on them if I get hungry. I'm going to my brother's tonight for tea so I'll take them a bottle of wine to say thank you. It won't be a NSD but it should be cheap

ch4rly2002 · 26 January 2017 at 4:43PM

Not such a great day today. I was tempted in by Five Guys in Norwich (my favourite, I was weak) which is so expensive. That then made me go over my parking time so it cost £3.40 instead of £1.70

I'm pretty annoyed with myself now. I think I've learned an expensive lesson.
Slight bit of good news. The car was absolutely filthy, so much so that I was struggling to see out the windows. I went to a car wash and their cheapest wash was reduced from £1.99 to £1.50

Jessy103 · 26 January 2017 at 6:33PM

Hi ch4rly2002! Don't worry about your slip up, we all have our moments and you're doing great!! You've got to treat yourself now and again as well so you don't get disheartened and feel like this journey is taking over your life! X

Dreaming of financial freedom!

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