Here we go... First post!!

Hiya Readers!

Happy long weekend! My favourite kind of weekend!

Having one extra day meant that I had no excuse not to start this blog.

I have wanted to write a blog on my frugal living journey for years.

Lots of things held me back...

Lots of people are writing blogs on frugal living, what more could you contribute?
You don't really have time, do you?
Who would want to read what you have to say?
What if you suck at this?

But you know what?! This is my dream and I am going for it! No one is going to hold me back, not even myself!

So here goes...

Today I finally bribed my lovely husby into writing down our respective income and expenses to work out exactly how much we spend. Thank goodness I bought that packet of kitkats on sale a couple of weeks ago, nothing like a KitKat bribe :)

My husby despises talking about ANYTHING to do with money. Whereas money has always been my thing. I guess opposites really do attract!

We got through it relatively unscathed although I had to forego more of my share of kitkats than I was initially willing too!

The purpose of this exercise was to work out exactly how much we can save in the new financial year. #organisationisthebest!

It is my goal for the new financial year to save half my income. The savings I make will benefit my husby and I as follows:

1. Build up our savings given the majority of our savings were used to pay off business debt. My husband started a business which did not work out so great. Running a business is not for him and that is totally okay. I am so happy he took the leap of faith and gave it a go. #youneverknowunlessyoutry

2. It's the start of our retirement fund. We both have super funds however I would like to retire sometime before I die. I assume by the time I am at retirement age the age to access super will be around 90 - by the way it's going!

3. Peace of mind. My husby and I come from families who did not have much money whilst we were growing up. Due to this, it is a very strong need of mine to have financial security.

4. TO HAVE SOME FUN!!! I feel this needs extra emphasis :) My husby and I have had a really tough few years... shutting down a business, deaths and illness in our families etc. We really need to take a step back and look after ourselves. This includes doing things that we enjoy which sometimes costs money. Not always but sometimes. We enjoy nice restaurants, travelling and new experiences. Saving isn't just so we can have a big pile of money in the bank (loving that image!) but so we can have an amazing life without financial worry.

This is how I intend to save all this money:

1. Practising intentional grocery shopping. I am well known for buying a bargain...only because it is a bargain and not necessarily because I need said bargain! That needs to change.

2. Being prepared! (I shouldn't really have any problem with this :)) I often make impulse purchases when I am out of time, rushing or something takes me by surprise. My mum had heart surgery earlier this year and I spent lots of my hard earned pennies on revolting hospital food. If I had more frozen meals in the freezer, I would not have had this problem. This afternoon I intend to make a bag of sandwiches to freeze for lunches. A small start but hopefully this will become a habit.

3. Question. I am going to question ALL my expenses. I am going to question all my providers - insurance, electricity, telephone etc. #ifyoudonotaskyouwillnotreceive I LOVE a good question!

4. Being content and making do with what I have. I am not a materialistic person. I pride myself on being a minimalist. However, I am guilty of spending money because I feel I "deserve" that pretty thing or that experience or because I am bored. This is going to take some practice but I am willing to give it a shot! In this category includes buying takeaway because I am feeling like a food snob and don't want to eat leftovers or something out of my overloaded freezer!

Let the accountability begin...