Thursday 20th February

A question about : Thursday 20th February

When we start out on the Debt-Free Wannabe 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

Best answers:

• I have never started a thread before, hope it was ok to crack on with this one this morning. I hope this means the early risers amongst us are getting a well earned lie in
  Off to work in a moment. My lunch, snacks, water bottle and exercise kit are all already there so getting ready has been easy this morning. The exercise kit is still there
  Tiptoeing around the house as guest is getting up and about too. Keep reminding myself that this is DFW behavior, remembering why we are sharing our space!
  I had an enquiry last night which would be a lot of hassle but would completely cover the accommodation costs we will be shelling out on our holiday, and comes at a convenient time as it is when DD is away. It means A LOT of preparation though so I am easy either way - either I will have to get myself on top of some jobs and stay there, or it wont happen. Watch this space.
  Need to book some expenses in at work - not much, but more than my current e-bay sales. To think I would once have shrugged it off as too much hassle to fill the form in!!!!!
  Need to post one item and prompt two more for postage. Prompting now so hopefully I can post all three tonight. Update - crikey, one item is off to the United States. Best I pop down the PO rather than try to guess that postage I think!
  I transferred Ј63 from paypal last night - need to do the credit card shuffle with that and tfr it to my card with the 0% ending soon. Also tfr the current guests payment straight to that account too.
  Revisit survey accounts tonight - one is at payout amount, another is nearly there. Fingers crossed I could get them both to payout tonight.
  Heating is off the timer so will only put on if necessary
  Have a great day folks. I'm off for a cup of tea and phone charging session at work!!!!!
• Hi! I love reading these and seeing how people fit so much money saving ways into their day, so here I am jumping in.
  *All meals and drinks from home
  *Heating staying OFF
  *Keep lights off if not necessary
  *Get box from work to send music magpie bulk lot off in
  *Adpoints
  *Look for reduced food at work (supermarket) but don't buy things just because they are cheap!
  *Go shopping and stick to the list
  *Free exercise
  *Crack on with uni assignments which should help with keeping me entertained!
• hi Cl2009
  You have lots of things planned. Hope your day goes well.
  For today I am having a grocery delivery which I have calculated to within a few pence of the Ј40 minimum. So that is the shopping done for the week.
  Hope to do a batch cook as I have a lidl mince pack so we will see what happens there.
  Take care all.
• Morning peeps! Thanks for starting us off crazy_lady!
  Ok running late as ever... Today's list:
  * all meals from stores
  * prawns out of freezer for curry tonight
  * taking lo spag sauce for lunch
  * update expenses
  * get Ј10 of petrol on way to meeting
  * drop off moses basket to the refuge - finally going that way when there are staff there!
  * submit meter readings (late...)
  * NSD?
  * work hard
  * shred this evening
  * post letter
  That's my lot. Have a great day x
• Good morning everyone, I have not managed to post yet this week, as things have been hectic.
  My list for today:
• All meals from stores
• Keep the heating off until later
• Nectar adpoints
• Do course work that is in for today
• Sort through some of the paperwork pile – file/shred
• Do paid work that is in for today
• Do 2 loads of washing and hang up indoors
• Do some of ironing pile turning off for the last couple of items
• Make a start on organising diary for next week

I think that is everything for today, Hope everyone has a good Thursday x

• Hi All
  I have also been busy all week so this is my first day posting
  Had job interview on Tuesday was horrible - still not heard and not feeling hopeful
  I did meet actor Michael Sheen that day too
  I have spoken to DH about our financial situation - 1st time since we have been together 11 years - it was horrible and I don't feel better for telling him really but he is being supportive
  I am busy at work but taking a few days off for half term next week
  Today:
  Lunch brought in to work
  Checked bank and credit report
  Shift in restaurant tonight BOO but have to think of the money - plus fortunately I am not working rugby day tomorrow
  off to look for jobs now
  Have a good day all
  Nat
  x
• Afternoon all
  Today I:
  * have checked online banking
  * will be submitting gas & electricity meter readings
  * will not be going to Brighton to see my bestest bud (money saved on petrol, parking and food out)
  * will be doing an online tesco shop using one of their free delivery codes
  * will be meal planning for next week when back at work
  * will need to do some housework & coursework - yawn!
  CG
• Hello lovely peoples : ). On this gorgeous Thursday I am watching my money by:
  1. Coming here, keeping my mind fully on my finances. I find if I don't, old habits threaten to come back and thats not happening.
  2. Cooked all food for today, thankfully the weather is warming up so for the first time in ages Im getting a fresh salad in.
  3. Going to take the pooch for a walk later on.
  4. Meditated.
  5. Practised my guitar.
  6. Practice mindful eating/living.
  7. Going to get my budget done for tomorrow.
  8. Get my to do list sorted.
  9. Work on my online business.
  I think thats about it, have a great day everyone.
• Good afternoon all,
  Feels like ages since I've posted, I've been really under the weather, making a recovery and back to square one again. Thankfully I'm feeling loads better today and the sun is shining, the wond is blowing and all my washing is drying nicely outside. Long may it continue.
  My DFW list for the day.
  1) check bank - done
  2) NSD
  3) No heating on until later and all unused appliances are turned off at the wall and not left on standby.
  4) List some stuff on local gumtree - done
  5) Working from home so no diesel used today.
  6) awaiting one payment from an ebay sale and my few items will have then pocketed me Ј86.
  7) Transfer ebay money to credit card balance.
  8) Dinner from leftovers in the fridge, didnt take anything out of the freezer in time this morning so will throw something together later from the leftovers.
  9) Do some surveys, its been ages.
  10) Do shopping list and hopefully get some yellow sticker items this evening.
  That's it from me.
• Afternoon Money savers,
  A few bits today:
  *Saved a smidgeon of energy by sharing bathwater, letting hair dry naturally, saving hot kettle water in flask for next drink & having the heating off till 5.30.
  *Finished my knitting project. Next one will probably be for the present box or maybe some things to sell.
  *Made tomorrow's packed lunch & work snacks.
  *Did all surveys that were available for today.
  *Meals as per meal plans - the rajma bean curry I batch cooked the other week with jacket potatoes.
  *Picked the last of the overwintered chard.
  *Made good inroads into clearing the herb bed, until a big shower forced me back indoors.
  *Checked newly arrived credit card bill to check that the instant repayment we did in store (because we had to put purchases on the card if we wanted to use a 20% off voucher) had gone through correctly. It had.
  Not much of a list, but better than nothing! Oh....& check your money jars for 50p pieces. There's an article in the 'Guardian' today about the 50p coin with the Kew Gardens design on the back having become rare. Apparently one has sold for Ј24. So get looking!
  Cheers,
  Foxgloves x
• Hi all, in the office today but decided I need a five minute break so here I am.
  Short list to compensate for the long day in the office.
• Check banking
• All food from stores
• Dinner as per meal plan - got chilli out of the freezer last night so just needs re heating whilst the rice cooks this evening.
• Print my asda price garantee at work
• Print March's meal plan (may still move a few about but like to have it printed off to look at)
• Print Presso voucher for sister's birthday meal tomorrow.
• Great ideas on here! Might join you all some day soon!
• Just a quickie from a lurker...
  I am having a huge money sort out right now...All credit card debts arenow on 0% for at least the nnext year, I have fixed our gas and leccy till 2016 and today I applied for a nationwide flex plus account. It's Ј10 a month, but gives us a decent car breakdown cover plus mobile phone cover as well for but me and my OH. Will cancel other bits and bobs once the new account is in place
  Just wanted to say to all the posters, thanks for all the inspiration..I am around a lot but don't always have the chance to post, but I have taken so many ideas from you guys and you're all a massive help.
• Evening everyone
  I have been in my crafting room most of the day. Ha ha, I have noticed now people call their front room a crafting room when doing any type of art.
  I spent a while designing a patchwork square for another cushion cover.
  I sewed a star out of 2 different yellow colours and then added some pale blue. Reminded me of the seaside a bit. yellow and sky blue.
  Looks lovely and far improved from the old, tired cushions I had.
  I have now made 12 new covers, all colourful and for different rooms.
  it is very mse. cut up old clothes and recycled sheets.
  Cushion complete, I carried on crafting and made a posh peg bag. My old one is biting the dust!
  The peg bag is fully lined and has a zip. Sits on an old blue coat hanger.
  Ok, made from recycled material I had and the zip, I unpicked from one of the old, tatty cushion covers that I no longer need.
  What else? the usual washing, surveys, puppy sitting.
  Battling the electric - turn things off etc.
  Night, night.
• I didn't get half of my jobs done, but there is always tomorrow...
  Feeling very pleased however that I am showing a trimmer signature....paid a whopping Ј400 or so off of various debts, from ebay money, money left after being paid and all budgets allocated, and from our paying guest. Felt GREAT to be sending it straight to the CC's, especially as my 0% rates on the two biggest amounts end in 6 weeks time. I have deals on the other two actually, so I can move them, but trying to trim the amount I have to move as much as I can.
  Natlie - well done for taking that big leap and talking with your OH. I hope it works out well.
  Best of luck to everyone else. Thanks for all your inspiration and welcome to the new posters. I find this thread really helps keep me motivated and focused, and everyday I pick up something new to try.