Keep me on track to save!

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Hi Vikki,

Unfortunately i'm a bit of a spender too. Used to live with FIL so had a lot of "disposable" income which i just wasted on junk. I think the more you spend, the more you want to spend, so spend more. But now BF and I have our own (well rented) home so now that has to stop.

You have to be strict with yourself. That is the bottom line of it all.

This year I am doing a few challenges. Maybe look up these in the above search box. (sorry not good at posting links)

• Clothes challenge. A £100 limit for clothes in 2009 (exc underwear, shoes and accessories) So you still get new stuff, or you can set your own limit.
• £4000 a year challenge. Basically living of that (works out about £330 a month) . Doesn't include essentials such as rent, food and petrol. So you would have that money for clothes, going out etc. Sounds like you could easily do that. The surplus you could first pay off your debt then start saving it.
• There is a £10 a day challenge (i'm thinking £5 a day). Basically to make an extra £10 a day for the month. Doesn't have to be daily. But for the month as a whole you would make £310 by Ebaying, selling on Amazon, doing surveys online, overtime. You said you like "making money" so maybe set yourself a challenge

Hope this helps a little,

LMMS x

*Vikki*

finallydebtfree!! wrote: »

that devil soon goes away when the savings grow though! :rotfl: I used to regret that too! but now realise that is what made me who I am today so its no point having regrets! the point is you want to do something about it!!

as my gran always said (and mentioned on here earlier) I know think, do I WANT it or do I NEED it!! I still buy things I want every now and then but not as often as I used to

Yea saving I think can get addictive too, when I have had a bit of savings I love seeing it grow. I feel more secure with it too which is a nice feeling. Trouble is then I see something that tempts me and I then spend it:rolleyes: But I have never had real proper savings. I have found also if I don't give in to temptation straight away and think about what I want for long enaugh I find out if i really need it or not. If I leave it long enough I usually go off the idea and dont get it!:D

Ahr yea thats a really nice thought which makes me feel better about the regrets thing:beer: :j

Francesanne

You are so fortunate to be paying your parents such a LOW amount for your board & keep. Don't mean to be harsh but think you're going to be in for a BIG reality shock if you should ever leave home. Count your blessings you are in such a fortunate position and for having such generous parents.

finallydebtfree!!

think thats what has happened, Ive just found a new addiction to saving, Im always reluctant to spend it too, although I did break into my savings for a new camera that I WANTED and 2 lots of tickets for shows that me and my boyfriend wanted to see

*Vikki*

little_miss_moneysaver wrote: »

Hi Vikki,

Unfortunately i'm a bit of a spender too. Used to live with FIL so had a lot of "disposable" income which i just wasted on junk. I think the more you spend, the more you want to spend, so spend more. But now BF and I have our own (well rented) home so now that has to stop.

You have to be strict with yourself. That is the bottom line of it all.

This year I am doing a few challenges. Maybe look up these in the above search box. (sorry not good at posting links)

• Clothes challenge. A £100 limit for clothes in 2009 (exc underwear, shoes and accessories) So you still get new stuff, or you can set your own limit.
• £4000 a year challenge. Basically living of that (works out about £330 a month) . Doesn't include essentials such as rent, food and petrol. So you would have that money for clothes, going out etc. Sounds like you could easily do that. The surplus you could first pay off your debt then start saving it.
• There is a £10 a day challenge (i'm thinking £5 a day). Basically to make an extra £10 a day for the month. Doesn't have to be daily. But for the month as a whole you would make £310 by Ebaying, selling on Amazon, doing surveys online, overtime. You said you like "making money" so maybe set yourself a challenge

Hope this helps a little,

LMMS x

Good ideas there, which ill look in to. I think yea I could definitely do the £330 a month thing. I am up for that challenge even in summer where I tend to go out and spend more money. Winter with exception to winter 08 is the time I spend far less.

finallydebtfree!!

Francesanne wrote: »

You are so fortunate to be paying your parents such a LOW amount for your board & keep. Don't mean to be harsh but think you're going to be in for a BIG reality shock if you should ever leave home. Count your blessings you are in such a fortunate position and for having such generous parents.

Thats another reason why I try and save so much, I too only pay my parents a small amount of rent, they wont take any more from me. But with the extra that I save each month I know that I could afford to move out and still manage, although I wouldnt be able to save as much

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Vikki, me again,

What I like to do is a few calculations and see how much I could pay off/save etc. A bit of motivation

For example if you did the £4000 a year challenge.
your monthly income (net) £923
Then your rent and fuel £230 (180+50)
Then the 333 (£4000/12) for your food, going out, clothes, other bits you "want"

So each month you could save £363!!! So your debt could be paid off in 3 months.
So by December you could save over £3000, not including any interest you might get on that.

Maybe this helps, I dunno. just When I see things on paper it makes it clearer.

LMMS

*Vikki*

Francesanne wrote: »

You are so fortunate to be paying your parents such a LOW amount for your board & keep. Don't mean to be harsh but think you're going to be in for a BIG reality shock if you should ever leave home. Count your blessings you are in such a fortunate position and for having such generous parents.

Yea I know, in a way I agree but in another way I don't. My other 3 sisters paid no rent. I am allways seen as the more generous one out of all of my sisters from my parents when it comes to birthdays x mas etc. I allways lend my parents money, which I am trying to put a stop to:rolleyes: I look after their house, 4 dogs, 3 cats, etc (when they had money to go on holiday which was about 6 times a year to spain) But yea still cheaper than elsewhere I agree and I totally agree I am scared when it comes to that day as I am going to come down with a great big thump, im scared!:o I blame my parents in a way though, lol they spoiled me and always gave me what I wanted when younger and I have come accustomed to that.

*Vikki*

finallydebtfree!! wrote: »

Thats another reason why I try and save so much, I too only pay my parents a small amount of rent, they wont take any more from me. But with the extra that I save each month I know that I could afford to move out and still manage, although I wouldnt be able to save as much

Yea my dad don't want any more off me ether *thank god lol**

*Vikki*

little_miss_moneysaver wrote: »

Vikki, me again,

What I like to do is a few calculations and see how much I could pay off/save etc. A bit of motivation

For example if you did the £4000 a year challenge.
your monthly income (net) £923
Then your rent and fuel £230 (180+50)
Then the 333 (£4000/12) for your food, going out, clothes, other bits you "want"

So each month you could save £363!!! So your debt could be paid off in 3 months.
So by December you could save over £3000, not including any interest you might get on that.

Maybe this helps, I dunno. just When I see things on paper it makes it clearer.

LMMS

yea it always helps me too writing it own on paper. Trouble is I think thats another problem for me as for the last 5 years I have done that most days. Juggling figures and I have really down at times over it and confused. I think I honestly have OCD with it. I have spent many hours each day working it all out on paper, then only to change it all over again due to another purchase:rolleyes:

Im sticking to the paper thing though, its easier to work it out. When you r write it down all like that I think WOW 3k, but i'll have to see what I am left with after the car tax £150, car insurance £400, my MINI holiday:o £400 and MINI service £300. Thats without anything needing to be done on my car:eek: if it needs it **tough wood not as its just passed its MOT**

I am going to do it though, I am going to save some money and I am looking forward to turning around my life with spending and sharing it on here.


Do you think I should pay off my laptop early then? I purchased it from Comet I think and it was on the buy now pay £80 deposit I think, and as long as I pay it off before December 09 I only pay £29 admin fee. If I don't pay it off by then it shoots up to 29%apr which no way would I pay! I purchased my Canon camera in March 08 for £1345 last year and paid it off in October that way.

Mind you I think paying it off soon is probably best as jobs are so insecure at the moment and mines only going to be around for the next 3 years. But who knows in today climate!