365 days adrift .... land ahoy!

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:46AM

So - time for a new diary

Previous installments here

Risen from the ashes

Rising to the top of the ocean - & staying afloat

MSE went a bit out the window in 2013

- I was really ill towards the end of 2012 and it's taken me a while to get back on my feet (getting there!)

A bit about me ..... well I live in South Scotland - a singleton (which I love - but does make money tight by the time all the basic household expenses are paid)

I do ramble a bit (well a lot tbh) so I won't be offended at all if you pass over some of my more ...... ranting

posts!

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:47AM

Because I will ramble on about them quite a bit, thought they should have their own post

You’ll hear a lot about them so .... there’s my dog (Maisie) who's a nutty Lab

and my 2 cats (Archie and Mia) who sadly hate each other

It can be a bit like musical cats sometimes as they have to be totally separated - 1 in / 1 out etc & never should the 2 meet :eek:

I did try to rehome Mia but it sadly didn't work so she's back (:)) but it does make life a bit more complicated!

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:49AM

Think it needs a bit of reviewing as I've not got that left

BUT I did have a big deficit when I was on reduced hours so that's maybe why it feels wrong ....

There's def stuff missing so will have a ponder ....

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1370

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 277
Management charge - estate maintenance .. 12
Council tax............................. 95
Electricity............................. 40
Gas..................................... 35
Boiler cover............................. 15
Telephone (land line)................... 15
Mobile phone............................ 10
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 26
Internet Services....................... 14
Groceries etc. ......................... 180
Clothing................................ 25
Petrol/diesel........................... 130
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 20
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 35
Cats insurance ............................. 14
Dog insurance ............................ 24
Dog costs .................................. 40
Cat costs.................................... 50
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 20
Buildings insurance..................... 10
Contents insurance...................... 10
Income protection insurance...................... 30
Tablet insurance......................... 2.5
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 30
Holiday................................. 10
Emergency fund.......................... 25
Replacement boiler fund.......................... 25
Total monthly expenses.................. 1256.62

Assets
Cash.................................... 600 Replacement boiler
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Car(s).................................. 5000
Total Assets............................ 5600

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Mortgage.....................................(277) ......3.49

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,370
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,256.62
Available for debt repayments........... 113.38

Created using the SOA calculator at www.stoozing.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using Firefox browser

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:51AM

I'll put in some comments next to the figures later on (need my brekkie!)

It does need some work as I don't have over £100 left each month

BUT I have been very lax about logging spending this year so some figures are probably wildly off

Have got the new SoW set up to start recording spends on 1st Jan

(looking forward to it as I have missed doing it)

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:54AM

I discovered "pots" a few years ago - firstly for the pets so I could get their stuff when it was needed (even if I was really skint) but as a method of proper budgeting in the past couple of years:)

I did start out with lots of them (one for every thing) but it got silly

(I think I was up to 15 :eek:) so I eventually combined them & now have 3 which seems to work well:

Pets
House & Car (House - Insurance, Landline advance rental / Car - Insurance, Mot, Service, Road Tax)
Others (Dentist, Opticians, Hairdresser, Hols)

Has worked well but sadly all depleted so starting from scratch again

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:56AM

Will post up some goals shortly:

Goals:

1. To get pots back up & running (which is going to be a nightmare as most stuff falls in 1/2 half of the year...)
2. To pay off last bit of catalogue (sub £100 @ £20 / month so nearly there)
3. To sort out c/card & get back on top (only around £150 deficit but need to put a lid on it now)
4. To sort out O/D (as always!)

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 10:56AM

So - that's def enough from me just now

If you're still here, pop out & say hello, the more the merrier

Right .... coffee time!

LAM2011 · 28 December 2013 at 11:00AM

Hi - I remember you from a few years back. Sorry to hear that you were not well - hope its under control now.

When my mum used to live with us her dog and my mini JRT (yes really mini - he thinks he is a Doberman though) never used to get on and after a couple of humdinger fights we had to keep them separate so I sympathise with you and the cats.

Good luck with the debt busting in 2014 - I have returned to diary land as I find it helps me focus and I enjoy reading everyone elses ideas and stories.

[Deleted User] · 28 December 2013 at 11:36AM

Happy new diary Rising

Have subscribed again

Pmo2
x

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 12:19PM

LAM2011 wrote: »

I have returned to diary land as I find it helps me focus and I enjoy reading everyone elses ideas and stories.

Snap! It really does keep me focussed on things - I've lost track of many diaries I followed so will be trying to catch up with a few

Welcome aboard!

Deleted_User wrote: »

Happy new diary Rising

Hi PMO2 - lovely to see you, hope everything is good with you & you've had a lovely Christmas

rising_from_the_ashes · 28 December 2013 at 12:20PM

It's quite funny as I watched Castaway last night and when he was drifting along on the raft I was thinking ... "must do my diary tomorrow"

I love that film - the only thing I wish is that Wilson had made it too!

365 days adrift .... land ahoy!

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