Joined 31.05.16

This month is a bit funny, lots out of the ordinary, i cant wait to get back into routine and have some evenings at home. My dad paid for dinner last night. They were very cross at the idea of any payment or contribution so that worked out well.
I went to the shops this morning, spent £127 on clothes. It is a lot of money but I do need them. Resisted urge to buy £130 coat but came home still thinking about it. Not sure if I will buy. I do love it.
Food shop tommorow, I have enough at home for today and getting eyebrows done tommorow so can combine the 2. Then weekend at.home and parents and friends house, no expensive outings and staying out of the pub.
The next work week is fairly quiet. Just lunch on friday but its 3 weeks to payday which is an exceedingly long time.
The loan I have has a payment break every January so 3 payments to end of feb.
Now £1838
28 oct £1685
Nov £1532
Dec £1379
Feb £1226
Mar £1073
Need to clear this, halifax and hsbc cc
Then onto the rest.
Not there yet and the clothes spending will not help. I've started using all the things I own like nail treatments and skin creams and watching all my dvds, trying to fool my brain into thinking that I have loads and don't need to keep spending. With or without the coat it is going to be a quiet run up to payday. But I think I will have a look for other cheaper similar coats and see what I can find. I just want something grown up, flattering and classy but not boring. Might buy this next week. At least not today and that is an achievement!

I do really want this coat. My mum would never spend that much on a coat-She would tell me off! I can see myself wearing it to work and pub and looking really happy. Going to hold off till at least monday. I do have some winter coats from budget shops but I.dont think I have ever had one as nice as this. But Reality you are 100% right in your post.
I might make myself have beans on toast 2 days a week. No beauty supplies unless something runs out, walk to train after work, make november as frugal and lean as possible with aim of reading a few books, few meals at my mums house, no additional social. If I wear the coat from oct-feb its £25 per month. Well going to hold on to at least monday.

I've been thinking about this loads this morning. My biggest problem is the loan payment of £153. After I pay this and everything else there is very little left, this makes everything more stressful and much harder. But this payment is the same as the total of 3 of my other cards so it is just ruining everything until it is over. (6 months est). I like the amount of £200/£250 inc clothes and will see how this works in april.

I am going to buy the coat next week, but with caution it marks the end of all of this nonsense and silly spending. I've spent money on things I don't need and now I am worried about buying basics like coats and shoes and bedding. Excluding Christmas, nov-april are the easier months because I pay my big bills over 10/11 months so some break over this time. Need to keep my head and be sensible on this.

I would like to have made more progress but i have achieved a good bit in lifestyle changes including no holiday for rest of year, reduced alcohol, reduced takeaways, more cooking, making do, buying less. But obviously could do more. I am going to get into a position to close the first credit card, but might hang onto it until march. Going to meal plan for next week and plan and try and keep low profile to payday and try to keep going till things improve. Been to tesco today which I think brings my food shop over budget as well. So here's to a quiet november. xxx