Financial faux pas and other disasterous decisions

moo2moo

Its not half scary when you see it in black and white like that. Its also condsiderably more than I'd allowed when I did my trial run back in September. I'm no longer entirely delusional although I'm spotting my many errors already. No budget for presents. Doh. Its a good job all opur birthdays are October onwards, it'll give me plenty of time to aquire some vouchers from the various survey companies. Doh 2 and 3 come as I realise I haven't allowed for a holiday or childcare expenses. I am a muppett.

moo2moo

Its even scarier when you consider that my January 2009 SOA included all of the above and was £2240 a month. Only £573 less then. I have finally lost the plot. Still if it means we're debt free by next Christmas it will all be worth it. I may need to get very very creative.

honeybear_2

Moo, I think it's hugely impressive & shall be cheering you on :T

Can you shave any of the figures at all to give a tiny budget for holidays or expenses? Both of which will help you keep your sanity for the year

moo2moo

Already covered under the heading of "anything I've omitted" cos I figured I was bound to overlook something.

Also have shed loads of Tesco vouchers and a M-I-L who owns a hotel plus a mahoosive trailer tent and a smaller more practical tent for breaks of shorter duration or in windier places.

ps. My sanity departed years ago with no chance of salvage

beanielou

You could always shave a fraction from entertainment or childrens savings if you really had to & I wont mention the fags.

beanielou

Also meant to say its much more do-able if its only for a year rather than longer term IYSWIM.

moo2moo

Fags are for OH who shows no signs of quitting despite a bewildering array of artificial replacements. Child benefit amply covers the DDs savings and I guess a holiday is indeed a form of entertainment so already planned for unintentionally although I was thinking more along the lines of a trip to the swimming pool once a week which woud set us back £40 a month in the rather dilapidated local council pool.

In an ideal world I'd like to retrain my brain so that this becomes a long term lifestyle thing rather than a quick fix to get us out of our current hole. Theres no reason we shouldn't be able to live perfectly happily on this, its just we've got used to spending an awful lot more.

honeybear_2

They say (whoever 'they' are :rolleyes:) that habits are made over 21 days - so perhaps as you go along this will seem like a great way to live, rather than any kind of chore...maybe?

PatchCabbage

:j hi moo just though I'd stop and say hi

PatchCabbage

:j hi moo just though I'd stop and say hi Ive been Reading a few diaries as inspiration and yours is great!