For those that have finished paying....

[leaKybrain]

hmmm and with those ebay bargains its needed eh sis.

[kallis3]

We love a bargain!

My bargain Christmas do dress is still hanging in the wardrobe! I might have to wear it for the summer BBQ if I don't get to wear it beforehand!

[leaKybrain]

You'll all have to keep them for next christmas, which means no putting on weight eh LOL

[kallis3]

I'm unlikely to thankfully!

[Lisa2009]

We still lived off our budget for a long while after the IVA and shopping wise, we're still not far off it now. We spend what we NEED to and save the rest to buy things we want if that makes sense?

[kallis3]

It makes perfect sense Lisa.

[leaKybrain]

same to me too Lisa. In fact I think thats the way we should perhaps have been living in the first place to avoid spending and using credit to buy all the thigns we WANTED

[kallis3]

And did we NEED them! For the most part I would have to say no, but I wanted them so went out and got them!

[nepensioner]

I am amazed at how far I have come in the last 6 months, started process of F & F in August using pension lump sum which was approved in October, however had expense budget completed by our favourate IP as plan B was to go down 5 year route and had DI of £200. I was gutted initially as lump sum was to pay for long dreamed for trip to China but have been living on tight budget since then and have actualy saved enough money for trip and now booked to go in September , just need spendies now. I cannot believe that I delayed retiring for 5 years as thought I could not live on pension, and feel incredibly lucky that I now seem to have it all. By the way NEED the trip to China[:D]

[kallis3]

That's fantastic news nepensioner. Glad you have been able to get your holiday sorted. When you are debt free, it is easy to get the things you want!

I never needed the cars that we bought, but I did enjoy the holidays we went on! I'm sure I needed them at the time!

[nepensioner]

Quite agree Jan, I realise now that I have a wardrobe full of clothes that I do not wear and clearly just wanted and did not need. I cannot believe how frugal I am now, I never even used to look at food prices and shopped in M & S. Now I compare ASDA and Morrisons prices each week before I shop with my list. Can honestly say this was the best wake up call I ever had and know how fortunate I was to have the pension lump sum

[kallis3]

You were, I wish I could go now but it's not possible.

Never did food shopping in M&S although I do know a lot of people who do and the food is nice. I do Asda as it is cheaper than most others and I do get the discount as daughter works there!

Having said that, I'd still shop there anyway.

[nepensioner]

Have to say being debt free and retired is like Christms every day, but it won't be long for you now Jan and you certainly sound as if you deserve it, I am full of admiration for people going down the five year road

[kallis3]

If I can retirement earlier, then IVA will finish sooner rather than later.

I can only dream!

[leaKybrain]

NEP wow well done you on saving for that holiday...it will be fantatic esp knowing that its debt free one.

I do 80% of my shopping in asda...def cheaper than the rest.