Saturday/Sunday 2nd/3rd March

A question about : Saturday/Sunday 2nd/3rd March

When we start out on the DFW trail we do loads of big stuff that makes quite a difference to our situation. These include having our lightbulb moment, cutting up the credit cards and cancelling Sky and the gym.

But once we have done the bigger stuff, we often feel that we are not making the same amount of progress, when in fact the small steps are helping us form good financial habits and helping us get closer everyday to staying in control and becoming debt free, or staying debt free.

Examples could be hanging washing out instead of using the tumble dryer or leaving your purse/wallet at home to avoid the risk of spending.

So be proud of those small steps, they really are important

Morning lovelies hope the weekend is looking fun for you

I seem to have a lot booked in for today so hoping I can get through it without it being too expensive...

DFW plans this weekend though:

* check banking
* keep on top of spending diary
* have to go for a drive this morning so will check my water, oil & tyre pressure
* make a cake
* stop at the farm shop for some veg, just get in season items - they are ridulously cheap!
* other than veg all meals from stores
* take some food out with me this morning so I'm not tempted to eat some rubbish - although I am probably going to meet up with dd and get her a macdonalds or subway (think I have some vouchers for maccy ds...)
* research & write report for interview Tues
* research and prepare for interview weds
* plant some seeds
* go for a run and or a walk

ok think that is all I am going to have time to do!

Best answers:

• morning peeps
  cannot believe I am up this early on a saturday when ordinarily it takes me all my energy to prise my eyes open on a weekday!
  I've pretty much posted my weekend plans yesterday but I have a friend's birthday bash tonight at which I am not going to drink and food is being served - starts really early so hoping to go for a couple of hours, slope off early and have an early night with having spent nothing!
  I've also done a meal plan and list and will stick to that so hopefully it shouldn't be tooooo expensive (although I also need shampoo, conditioner and deodorant). Will use my WR card to get a free coffee whilst there and avoid any extras like a slice of cake!
  Am even tempted to go to the library to read my monthly mag rather than pay Ј4 for it!
  Am really trying this month as last 2 months were really expensive and hen dos and other time off looming in next few months
  Have a great day all!
• Hello friends
  Today's my day off and I'm determined to pick myself up, dust myself off and have a happy day today. So today I will:
  Help a few people on here, if I can.
  Spend TopCashBack reward of Ј11.99 that converted into a Ј12.59 Amazon voucher on OH's birthday present. Done, also got a card for 29p.
  Put the cement down for the new shed base, if the weather's good enough. Ј5.50 DIY job instead of paying a builder Ј100 to do it. Done. Ate lunch in the garden as it was 10c out.
  
  Ј5 Reward from Halifax current account received. Ј100 switching offer ends tomorrow. (Link)
  Email survey company to chase missing payment. Done.
  Email Tesco to complain that every time I go to spend a Tesco Price Promise coupon (Link) the shop assistants look at me like I'm a martian and are reluctant to accept it as if they've never heard of the scheme, or as if I've designed the coupon on PhotoShop! I'm not hopeful of a reply, they frequently don't respond to my questions/complaints. Done.
  
  Sew more raddish seeds. Done.
  
  Order shed. Get Ј5 cashback through TopCashBack. Done. That's all OH birthday gifts bought a fortnight early. Cashback tracked straight away.
  
  Dry washing outside. Done.
  
  OFFERS:
  Free Bite card (Link)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  If anyone has any McVities products in their cupboards and would like to tell me the long VIPClub codes on them, I'd be grateful. I only need a couple of points to get a reward.
  
• Morning all!
  Am in work today so here nice and early, OH also came in early to have a look at my car so between us we have set up ready to open with plenty of time.
  Lulabelle - I quite often do this, get there early and leave early!
  This is me:
  - Checked bank
  - OH looked at car, OSR brake pad binding as caliper is sticking, need new rear discs and pads and possibly caliper. Agghh! Never mind it's cheap enough, discs and pads at below trade and fitting for the cost of a cuddle
  - Working over time 8-2pm for Ј100
  - DM looking after DD
  - Write Mr T's list
  - Price list then visit Lidl before Mr T's
  - B/L/D from stores
  - Snacks brought from home, I LOVE marzipan eggs
  - Check noddle report when it's out today, I hope I've gone up to a 3, I know the scored doesn't mean 'owt but its psychological, I feel I've worked so hard for this.
  - 1x HC in machine already, 1 load in tumble for speed I need to get all DD's stuff washed and together as I am working away next week and she is staying at her dads for the whole week.
  - 1 more HC to do when I get home
  - Sort dry, clean washing - I too have issues with this!
  - Lovely friend that moved away is coming round for a cuppa and a chat this afternoon
  - Submit purge claim
  - Try to set up my service plan again as I did it wrong yesterday
  - Pack up everything I might need to take to other branch next week, it's always nicer to have your own stationary and "things" than try to scrabble around for what you need.
  - Do lots of housework stuff in the three hours that I have to myself this afternoon as I am away at my brothers tomorrow.
  It's all go go go!!!
  Hope everyone has a lovely day today
• Good morning everyone, Spring is in the air here today as it is nice and sunny. Today will be a hard day as my ex is coming to pick the kids up for the first time since we split so I will need to stay positive.
  My list for today:
• Quick shower
• Sort budget for March It's going to be very tight this month but should hopefully manage
• Check bankShocked my phone bill is Ј30 more than usual so will need to limit how much I use the phone this month and cut back somewhere else.
• Look into Ј10 a day challenge
• Catch up with emails
• Look into business idea and make a start on the business plan
• Do some of the ironing pile and put the clothes away
• Laundry - wash full loads, empty TD, check airer and move to ironing pile
• Tidy and hoover the house
• Empty the kitchen bin
• Get an early night
• Organise diary for March
• Organise course work for March
• Check postcode lottery
• Get kids to bed at a reasonable time
• All meals from stores
• Quick tidy up outside
• Have some me time whilst the kids are with their dad
• Do some course work
• Write Mr A list and do online shop
• Surveys (remember to check one poll)
• Not much today as it is date night so will be paying out for a few drinks and Indian tonight. Mmmm
  I will be walking the 4 miles to the big Tesco Extra today though to buy half price fresh salmon fillets for the freezer. Also have a Ј2 off voucher for Ј8 fish counter spend so savings ahoy
  Tomorrow will be a no spend day.
• Morning everyone. On the train home for the match. Over the years I've had to move around for work or for a partner but there's still only one place that's ever felt like home. Its the anniversary of my Mam's death in 3 days so I'll take the opportunity to visit the crematorium where her ashes are scattered.
  Checked online banking this morning and all is as expected. Brought a packed lunch for the train. I'll have to buy some food for the way back, so I just need to be careful with how much I spend. My train ticket is free through my job, and the match ticket only Ј10 so its not too expensive a day out thankfully. As long as I can resist the lure of a takeaway curry when I get home!
  Have a great weekend everyone
• I've only just 'admitted' my debt problem so haven't joined in anything before but have found it helps to talk so......
  This weekend I'm starting to clear the garden from the winter, fill skip bags with and take them to the tip on my way to the local jumble sale where maybe I can pick up some decent stuff
  List things I no longer need on eBay tonight and collate all my figures ready for the paperwork of my DMP which hopefully will arrive next week
• Hi, long time lurker on this thread, thank you for the inspiration. Today I have or will:
  Have a NSD
  Heating off
  HM mushroom soup for lunch
  Resist urge to buy any extra snacks/treats for us to have while watching borrowed copy of Skyfall
  Found 20p -- I obliterated my collection of 20ps yesterday on parking at unanticipated hospital visit so was happy to start building that back up
  Not go anywhere in car
  Use less than recommended amount of washing powder
  Hang washing on line
  Write up meal plan for rest of March
  Have also done Nectar adpoints and search and checked freepostcode lottery, all of which I picked up from this forum and thread in particular, thank you.
  Wishing everyone a happy and low cost weekend, thanks again for this thread xxx
• Hi everyone
  Don't think I posted yesterday. Have nothing to report... Managed to get through the day without spending so that's a bonus. Wk is really busy at the mo so just enjoying my time off today (I've gone back to bed!!!)
  I'm a decent mood as paid Ј500 off my debts yesterday so overall balance is Ј6450. Also found out ill be getting a bonus next month Ј1000 so works out Ј590 after tax etc - that'll be going straight off the CC
  List for today
• Check bank everything ok, balance was 74p so transferred that to savings... Will transfer my weekly spend limit tomorrow, still need to work out how much ill need for the week
• Update app done
• Start thinking about a Mother's Day gift
• Make "English onion soup" hopefully will HA e enough left for lunch on Monday
• NSD
• Good evening, were it is here, from Thailand.
  Groundhog day Saturday for me.
  Collected a loan repayment.
  Attended the auction this morning and bought 30 nearly new paperbacks for 600 baht. I don't actually want to read any of them but will get around 1800 baht in credit for them when I exchange them at the second hand book shops in town for titles that I do want.
  Bought a nice picture for my lounge for 600 baht at the auction.
  Bought the daily special from Subway saving 60 baht on the regular price.
  Off to watch my football team live on the big screen from England this evening. I will nurse one beer for the whole game so I can ride my scooter there and back saving on a taxi fare. Total cost = 50 baht (a pound). It used to cost me 50 quid every match day to go and watch them in the flesh in England.
• Good Morning my lovelies
  dnms - Thanks for starting us off today
  MMM - Thinking of you - Stay strong!
  Hi to all the regulars and lurkers and a BIG welcome to all the newbies, this is a really FAB thread with so many lovely, caring, considerate and supportive people - and I am proud to call them my friends.
  Out for lunch with OH's brothers and sisters today - looking forward to seeing them all and catching up. Todays little list:
  Check Banks - Done
  Check swapits - Done
  Re-list Footie cards on swapits -
  Check www.freepostcodelottery.com -
  General Tidy up - Done
  Washing & line dry - In progress
  Update Food Tracker - In progress
  Meals from stores -
  Bake - Done (Choc Chip Buns for LO, 2 x Banana & Choc Cake, may make apple pie too later when get back to use up apples)
  Hope you all have a great day and weekend, love to you all.
  C xx
• Afternoon
  Well thats me off for a few day yeha
  so today
  nsd as i have no money lol
  all meals from stores
  listed loads on amazon as the never sold on ebz
  hoover
  fast wash
  chill out with hubby lush
  have a great day xxlppxxx
• arghhhhh, went to WR (I live on a rock so really the only choice of supermarket) and it is SO expensive - Ј1.13 for 1 head of brocolli - it's not even organic!!!!!
  I think I'm going to have to investigate if there is somewhere I can get fresh local veg for cheaper because the green beans also looked bloody miserable and were very overpriced!
  I almost stuck to my list - only deviated with mini eggs and something for lunch as didn't fancy the eggs I'd hardboiled on thursday. But even in deviating I was MSE as I looked at the best price in WR for mini eggs (and they were doing that bad supermarket thing where they say 2 bags for a fiver but if you look at the price per 100g it's actually much cheaper to buy the smaller, regular priced bag) and looked for a reduced version of what I wanted to buy for my lunch (which I found rather than just accepting paying full price)
  Had forgotten I needed petrol for my car so that was Ј10 I wasn't expecting but I hardly ever use it so should last me a while and I bought a daily mail for 90p - should read the one in the library but I like to check out the tv guide on a saturday with a cuppa and a piece of cake so I am not going to deny myself that treat when it's less than Ј1.
  I should go into town and get shampoo etc (I was going to buy this in WR also but checked price on boots.com and they were doing 2 bottles for Ј6 so saving of Ј1.58 if go to boots) but cannot be bothered as it's cold so will just scrape out the bottles/tubes I have for the moment and then nip down on Monday.
  Also realised I had most of the ingredients to make the chocolate tart I was going to make so decided to get the rest and will do that tomorrow - should be enough for a small slice for my true friends and enough for a bit of a treat for me in the evenings during the week to brighten up a sh1tty week
• Hi Moneysavers,
  A good start to the weekend, as weigh-in revealed another lb off (it's so slow when you've lost a lot & been calorie counting a very long time so every lb is very welcome now).
  *Grocery budget reduced to Ј200 from Ј250 for March to free up some more money for essential camping equipment, rather than use bank account. Explained to Mr foxgloves that it's Ј50 a week before we hit the shops. Shopped around: Co-op, Waitrose, Aldi & local market & came in this week with over Ј4 to spare. Good start!
  *Allocated our new month 'spends' - we have Ј50 each to use for whatever we fancy, little treats, etc, but when it's gone, it's gone.
  *Found 3 magazines (Feb 2013) on magazine man's stall in market for Ј2.50 for all three. That's my feet-up leisure time this weekend!
  *WHSmith giving out vouchers 20% off anything, so used that on magazine that Mr f likes, plus Mother's Day card.....then got given another 20% off voucher. You can re-use them as many times as you like by the looks of things, so we've kept one each.
  *Did 6 surveys.
  *Planning a day-trip up to North Yorkshire tomorrow. I know we won't manage to avoid Betty's Tearooms......, but I'm defo packing up our lunch to avoid paying for more than coffee & a cake!
  That's it for me....feeling very chilled out. Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend,
  foxgloves x
• Hi everyone
  Hope you are all doing ok. I want to hear all your goss. Will read back a few posts to catch up
  I'm back to reality after 2 weeks working in the US. Was awesome. Went to NYC courtesy of my very generous mother giving me a bday pressie advance and buying my ticket! My friend who lives there is big on Groupon so we got a night out at the comedy club for $5 and a 3 course meal out for $30. All the sights we saw were the free ones too. V much fun.
  I did spend about $100 on things I probably didn't need (a Pandora charm I've wanted - cheaper over there - pressie for OH and my dad - special request for a baseball cap!) so things will be back to normal and tight for the rest of the month as per usual...
  Won Ј10 on the Euromillions so going to get a take away tonight. Then it's back to normal...
  Other small things today -
• Found/went to an NHS dentist; can claim costs through work so will do that on Monday
• Checked that I got refund for reflexology I can claim through work
• OH is fitting our own carpet with the help of YouTube - using old bedroom carpet in the hall
• Night in chilling at home with a film and OH
• Tidying up - having a messy house stresses me out!!

Catch up soon my lovelies.
xx

• Decided to 'fake away' and go to the supermarket instead of getting a take away. More pennies for vino that way too