I am a bit like you Lesley - I check my bank about twice a day just in case any money disappears and i'm amazed that the money in there is mine.
I've become fairly good at budgeting - making dinners out of what's in my freezer etc. I plan a few days ahead and just spend around £40 a week on meals, Luckily there is only 2 of us and we also get a full lunch for free at work so evening meal is only ever a light supper.
Its nice to be able to spend my own money and my purse is so much lighter without all the credit cards!
Susie
x
IVA Accepted 31st March 2011.
IVA Ends 31st March 2016.
I'm a bit of an obsessive too so hoping the budgeting becomes obsessive!! I haven't spent for a good year anyway as we've been trying to keep on top of the debts, so we're already pretty much living like that but at least - please god let the IVA be accepted - we'll be able to budget better and not panic when payments are due!
I don't think I'll ever lose my devil may care attitude to spending, it's in me but I can certainly control it, I just have to do that whole internal dialogue thing, do you really need it, no, well don't buy it then, but I like it, oh and you have to buy everything you like, and so it goes on ha ha!
"It is never too late to be what you might have been"
Fiona
Hubby bulk cooks things like spag bol, chilli, curry and stew. We make sure there is enough meat in the freezer for meals during the week and replace that meat once it is used.
Have the odd takeaway when we can afford it.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Much much cheaper to bulk cook and freeze. It's ok for me to do as I am part time duc to ill health at present. I know that Jan's lucky because hubby is at home. I always use value packs of mushrooms, tomatoes etc but never use cheap mince/chicken. I recently made 18 spagbol / chilli meals and they came out at under £2.00 per large meal (enough for 2 or 3 people). As we were wasting a bit of these we have got smaller foil dishes from ebay (bought 200 for £10.00 including lids) and we will have garlic bread or french stick to fill us up. As we grow all our own veg I bulk out the mince mix with all sorts of veg to make it cheaper. Out of season I use frozen packs of value veg as it tastes no different.
Value veg, tinned toms and kidney beans are great.
I won't buy value chicken or mince though and eggs are free range, barn reared at a push. I would go without rather than use battery farmed eggs.
There are some things I won't compromise on!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Totally agree Jan - you'll probably be glad to know that when the goat enclosure is finished we intend to apply for 3 ex-battery hens. Want them to come to us and enjoy retirement!!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
