Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey

A strange thing has happened over the last 24 hours and it’s making me wonder why it seems to be raining money.

First, I checked an old lottery ticket and found out I’d won £73

Then, I got a check from my old work for 1 months pay £1560 (they owed me this and were notoriously bad for paying, at times being 3 months behind – yes this was not good for the finances!)

Then, I got another payment from my old work for £142.44 for essential car user costs (apparently this is a new scheme from Jan and as I was there until April, this is my share!)

Finally, I got a £4.00 rebate for overpayment for my car!!

So, in the space of 24 hours I’ve received £1687.37

HUH????? How does this happen?!?!?! I never get money for nothing (granted I worked very hard for the £1560!). You know when your friends get cheques from godparents for Birthdays or cars from relatives or inheritances from great aunts they never knew? Well that was never me, so this money is very welcome indeed.

A comment from Sandi made me think carefully about what I’d like to do with it. I hate debt, hate it hate it hate it. So, I’ve decided to put the £1560 right onto paying off my £2000.50 credit card debt. I’ve just deposited the cheque and my credit card debt will now be £440.50. WOO HOO! (when everything clears!)

I’ve decided to put the £73 from the lottery into my emergency fund.

I’ve decided to earmark the £142.44 and the £4.00 into my travel fund for my Asia trip at the end of the year. This is a trip I’ve been waiting for (I’ll be visiting long lost family) for over 2 years. I’ve also found some very very cheap flights for £380 plus tax, so decided not to put it off this year, as, I’ve been saving my change jar for quite some time!

So, total emergency fund now: £225 from previous savings plus £500 from pay this month and £73 from my lottery win. Plus, I’ve sent in complaint and asked for a refund for a course I was on which was terrible. I’ve spoken to the fees office and I will get at least £280 refund, although it may be slightly more. So, hopefully soon I have another emergency fund update to share!

You know what the most amazing thing is? Despite having various cheques arrive today, I’ve not even thought once about what I could buy instead I’ve been thinking “oh I can’t wait to save this”