About
This is about a journey, it involves eco living, cutting back, saying no to consumerism, reducing debt, saving, being frugal and admitting that desperate times do call for desperate measures.
I am middle income earner who is on a path, a path to minimize debt and maximize saving for retirement, saving for a home (not easy on one income in London) and using my money to give back. It’s about getting in control of finances instead of letting them control me; it’s about time!
I am NOT a financial expert nor can I afford one at this time. I’m reading all that I can, making priorities and deciding what is right for me!
I wonder whether you have heard of the American book “The Tightwad Gazette”? It was published about 10 years or so ago and is the ultimate in frugal living. You may be able to order it from the library. It is very American (so some things may not apply). But I found it fascinating – made a frugal gift for my sister once I had read it myself! Google it and see what you think. The author was Amy Dacyczyn – I admire her stance in such a consumer-led society.
By: Sandie on May 16, 2008
at 7:10 pm
Yes, Sandie I actually have it! I do find it very American and many of the topics don’t relate if you live outside N. America, but it is amazing – the ideas she has are brilliant, although I do think much easier if you aren’t coping with working outside the home at the same time!
By: notesfromthefrugaltrenches on May 18, 2008
at 2:05 pm
I would like to subsribe to the website to receive info.
Thasnk You
By: Regina Mack-Abney on June 3, 2008
at 3:26 pm
Hi,
I have visited your blog and found a lot of interesting and useful information for me. I’m searching for advertising. Can you write a post with the link to my site and put it in your site? How much does it cost? Waiting for your soon reply. Thanks.
By: Laura on June 6, 2008
at 9:21 am
happy to have discover your blog.
I am on the same path, with some more difficulties : looking for work and living with a geek and DVD addict !
I will read it all.
and congrats for being debt free earlier ! amazing.
By: Pascale on August 8, 2008
at 6:33 pm
Stumbled on to your site from Sharon J’s blog – absolutely love it! Also in late 20s living in London and trying to cut out all the excess crap that everyone seems to think is necessary!
In a decently paid job but looking to quit so have been tightening the purse-strings for the past few months so that I have enough savings as a buffer in between jobs. I tell you what, it’s not easy, especially in London!
Best of luck with it all, I look forward to more posts!
Jade x
thejunglefever.blogspot.com
By: Jade on August 9, 2008
at 10:42 am
Hi,
Was wondering if you would add me to your blog-roll…I’m trying to do a similar thing, except I quit my job and am enjoying the easy (but very frugal) life for a while!
Good luck – looks like you are making progress at least!
Lynne
http://www.myecoself.blogspot.com
By: Lynne on August 31, 2008
at 9:20 pm
Hi, I don’t know how I found you, but am very impressed with your ealy debt recovery. I am currently trying to pay off my own debts – and winning-ish so far.
By: tea and cake on September 20, 2008
at 7:05 pm
Hi
What a great blog, lots of well thought out posts. We recently downsized, or downshifted, as you call it. In October of last year we thought that the US was heading for real financial meltdown (and this week I’m sorry to say that we were proved right). Not wanting to be holding property when it went south and not wanting to throw money away on rent, we sold everything and brought a Airstream. We now move around the country and do all our work over the web. Anyhow, I had a few ideas on how to save money, e.g. rentnotbuy.com or rentnotbuy.co.uk (both non-for-profits). Might be interesting to your readers.
By: Leo on September 26, 2008
at 7:20 am
I am addicted to your blog LOL. You have great ideas and I’m re-reading from the beginning so it may take me a little bit to catch up to Oct. Am still in June. I am a single parent with one income and 3 mouths to feed so being frugal isn’t really am option. But saying that, I always put my $2/day and $25 on paydays away for my little travel fund. It is amazing what you can do without and I find blogs like yours an absolute inspiration. Gotta go and catch up on your June 2nd entry. TTFN.
By: Amanda on October 15, 2008
at 1:54 am
oh and that’s “an option” not “am option” … geez, I should have read what I typed before I pressed the button
By: Amanda on October 15, 2008
at 1:57 am
Hi there, I found you via your posts at the Simple Green Frugal Co-op (which I really enjoy). Just wanted to say how much I empathised with your point of view, and I’m very impressed by how much you’ve achieved so far – well done. And thank you for writing about it so more of us can be inspired. We’re half way to our dream (paying off the mortgage) but with 2 small children, one income and no savings to speak of, have a long way to go. Budget revamp this weekend. And I’ve posted a link to your blog from mine, hope that’s ok.
Best wishes,
Rowena
By: bunting on October 17, 2008
at 9:32 pm
Great Blog – I had a really good tootle around to get some tips. I have £21,000 to pay off and I’m trying to do it within a year.
I got some really good ideas from your site – thank you
: )
By: Frugaller on October 19, 2008
at 8:51 pm
Do you have an RSS feed? I’d like to subscribe in a reader.
By: NS on October 22, 2008
at 6:55 pm
Congratulation on changing plans. There is this exercise – seeing own body as the only money that really belongs to each alive being on Earth. Once it helped me a lot with expanding my consciousness. Today it helps with enjoying the multimillionaire task of being Earthmen.
By: filipmoroz on January 10, 2009
at 11:20 am
Dear FT
Can I subscribe in a reader – as asked above – I see you have been posting again and I have missed so much! I also have a recipe I would love to share with you.
Irisheyes
By: Kath K on February 14, 2009
at 8:48 pm
Kath I’ve emailed you. I don’t have subscriptions to this blog, although maybe I should figure it out? You can read by google reader though!
By: Frugal Trenches on February 15, 2009
at 11:00 am
Wow, your blog is fantastic! Love the whole thing.
YOU inspire ME!
By: Renee on February 15, 2009
at 6:29 pm
Hello,
Have just discovered your blog through the simple co-op and think it’s great! I will be back soon to read more
Rach
By: psa37 on March 10, 2009
at 4:16 pm
Dear Admin
I have been reading your site since a week. I greatly enjoyed looking through your site and found some informative pages on finance. I also have a finance related blogs and sites having more information regarding various finance related problems and its solutions. I think it might be of interest to your readers.
So, I think it would be beneficial for both of us if we join in a community together which will definitely help both of ours blog/site in getting more Google values. We would certainly appreciate your site. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at my email id.
If you want we can also write articles for each others site on any finance related topics. I have been writing articles for various finance related sites and blogs.
Waiting for your earliest response.
Thanks and regards
Betty Parker
web admin
allfinancehelp.blogspot.com
debtcs.com
allfinancialforms.com
homebuilder-guide.com
realestateguidance.org
creditrepairfacts.com
(contactbettyparker@gmail.com)
By: Betty Parker on March 26, 2009
at 7:03 am
Hi, good post. I have been thinking about this issue,so thanks for writing. I’ll likely be coming back to your blog. Keep up great writing
By: Click Here to Find Out How I Lost Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days on May 8, 2009
at 4:01 am
Hi,
This is a great resource of information. I’ve just created a new website about self-sufficiency and am searching for the best blogs to link to, this is clearly my favourite as it shows how financial security and green living can be effective together. I’d love to be included in your blogroll as I have included this site in mine.
By: Jonny Lyons on May 8, 2009
at 4:48 pm
Hi I stumbled on your blog today.
I just wondered if you have heard of Dave Ramsey. All the things you are trying to do, pay down debt, save to buy a house, are what he teaches. He has several books, too.
I wish you success in achieving these goals!
By: Donna on May 19, 2009
at 10:58 pm
Hey great blog! I would like to touch base with you about your blog. Please contact me directly at chris@greenpress.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Chris
By: Chris Rose on May 23, 2009
at 4:46 am
hi!
i am sort of new to your blog…i found it a few months ago (followed a link to a link to a link…don’t you love it when that happens?!)
anyway i just wanted to post a wee encouragement to you that i love your blog. you have challenged me so much – i am aspiring frugal (it is a necessity, i am poor :p) but also trying to bring spirituality and creativity and humour (if you don’t laugh at yourself you could be missing the joke of the century…) to my life. sometimes i even – even! – succeeed a little bit…
anyway, i am just testing the waters of the wonderful world of blogging (beyond my friends-locked little livejournal haven, i am branching out into the public blogosphere. eek.) and thought i’d drop you a line…if i can ever figure it out i’d really love to follow you (in the rss sense, not stalking) and once my blog’s a bit less clunky and you have a spare five minutes maybe you could have a look…i think we have a bit in common. tea! knitting! books! (i’m a librarian-in-training) church/community/creativity..! argh, i’m rambling. apologies. anyway, hello. *waves* i love your blog. keep it up! your photos make me smile (bit of a change from grey grey brummie-ville…)
take care! r xxx
By: rachel on May 23, 2009
at 5:16 pm
I was inspired by you, and our Toronto show
:Till Debt Do Us Part.
I now write all purchases down……boy coffee adds up and I have a purchase list on the fridge for big
items ( coats, shoes etc), so when I feel that I really need a treat and simply must go shopping, I review my “treat List” and the result…..no shopping.
I also keep a “wish/Goal” book so I can remember
my short and long term goals and not be swayed the shinny things at the counters, or in the store windows……..
6 months of this, and 7 day a week work an all
my massive credit card debt is gone…..
you can do this……..its just stuff…
By: brant on June 17, 2009
at 12:14 am
Your blog is absolutely delightful. Thank you!
Sacha
Washington, DC
http://www.goinggreendc.net
By: Sacha on June 25, 2009
at 1:29 am