This is about a journey, it involves simple living, saying no to consumerism, reducing debt, saving, being frugal and learning from my many mistakes. This journey is a long road, a road to decrease debt [debt now gone!], saving for a home [I dream of a small holding with at least 2 acres] and using my money to give back and help others. It’s about getting in control of finances instead of letting them control me, living a life which is defined by purpose not complacency.
I had the typical middle class childhood, weekends at activities which cost £, extra-curricular activities galore, holidays in hotels, food from packages [at age 10 I learned there was something called a recipe book by visiting a friend's house], schooling being about league tables and the goal in life which was pressed upon me – gain a place at a top University & sensible profession with a good income. I knew no different until I had the life I was supposed to – yet nothing about it felt right! That same year I had four children (ages 3-9) come to live with me as they could no longer be with their parents, and to be perfectly frank it awakened something in me; suddenly I began questioning the norm, wondering why Saturday means going to town to shop and buy more stuff, or paying people to teach your children yet another thing we think they need. I became interested in ethical consumption, defining need vs want, joyful living, purposeful parenting, nature and the great outdoors. I went from finding happiness strolling through the mall to joy being found coming across wild ponies on the moor and spending time at home. I went from thinking stress relief was a new top or handbag and an hour at the salon, to finding the ultimate stress relief (and prevention!) is the simple life which doesn’t cost a cent.
I love trying out new recipes, making food for family & friends, swimming, hiking, walking along the seaside [I often say my greatest love affair is with my country - England], laughing with friends, taking photographs, working on my inspiration book [a scrapbook filled with ideas], reading, writing, finding beautiful vintage things, volunteering and knitting. I’d love to learn to sew, but no matter how hard I try I’ve yet to be able to do more than sew on a button! Oh and before I end this very long about section, I should mention I have a very unhealthy obsession with Mr Colin Firth. You’ve been warned 
Welcome to my blog!
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.
I discovered ‘The Tightwad Gazette’ through thriftlady on Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Old Style forum. I agree that it is difficult to translate many of the ideas from their USA slant to British life – yet – I have used the essence of the ideas and I’ve found them easy to impliment in my life – and very useful.
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!
I would like to subsribe to the website to receive info.
Thasnk You
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
oh and that’s “an option” not “am option” … geez, I should have read what I typed before I pressed the button
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
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
: )
Do you have an RSS feed? I’d like to subscribe in a reader.
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.
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
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!
Wow, your blog is fantastic! Love the whole thing.
YOU inspire ME!
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
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)
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
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.
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!
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
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
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…
Your blog is absolutely delightful. Thank you!
Sacha
Washington, DC
http://www.goinggreendc.net
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Thank you all for the lovely comments, somehow I missed them until now!
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Really enjoying your blog.
Just came across your blog from a comment you made on SouleMama. I haven’t had much time to read it yet today, but from what I have read, it looks lovely and interesting. I especially love your “No Spending Days”, something that I have been thinking about doing. I will definitely check out more of your blog.
My mum-in-law lives in Bristol and is in love with England too. We hope to get out to visit her one day!
Enjoy your day,
Tricia
Loved your ‘ABOUT’ section. I think I am raising my kids exactly as your parents raised you! LOL!
I think I have a lot to learn from you.
Thanks for a great blog!
Love you blog!
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I too found your blog through Simple Co-op, via Down-to- earth and Living the Frugal Life, ironically as I am in the UK.
Lots of inspiring ideas, I’m going to enjoy reading back through the archives, but most importantly I must say that….it was at Colin Firth you really got me! Definitely. Good Choice!
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I have not read a lot of your posts yet, but love what I have read. It is amazing to hear that one so young has arrived at the age of awakening.I am 62, now, and have wished for years, that I could have followed my dreams of doing just what you are doing, but once you get started with your life, and involving others, it is hard to just drop everything and everyone in your life as you know it, to take off for parts unknown to follow my dreams. I enjoy and will now be following your blog on a regular basis. Take care!Sue
Thank you for your lovely comment Sue! It made my day
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