It is now nearly 5 years since I stopped working (and so six years since we have managed without my full time salary)

it is amazing what we have achieved on a budget.....far more, I think, than we would have done if we had both the salaries coming in.

We are so much more economic these days........

In terms of practicalities, we have, this year, found ourselves in credit with our electricty company. Last winter we got a shcoker of a bill, so this winter we chose to NOT use column heaters or electric blankets or the drier.

We have literally halved our bill! And since last year I strted paying a certain set amount fortnightly to the electric company.......and we are now in credit!

Any other great hints out there?