Zig's new start (again!) on a budget!

zigmeister

I rang M&S - they never cancelled my account :mad: Apparently they have closed it now, but time will tell :rolleyes:

I can't continue my Tesco Savings account until I have proof of my current address which means changing my address with the bank and waiting for the next statement. To be honest I didn't want to change my address with the bank in case I don't live here long, then I'll have to change it back again. Ah well.

I don't want to go and do a night shift tonight *think of the money*

zigmeister

I have done my first night shift which means an extra £35. But my manager just rang me to say that they have overspent with the overtime so I'm not needed for the next two shifts. Bit annoying that I won't get the extra money, but she offered me a shift tomorrow so that's an extra £25

Spending

Tesco: £11.something

Tbh most of today's spends were avoidable. I bought sausages and lamb which were reduced, and a magazine. I did need cheese though.

I'm so tired.

Pamela1705

Hi Zig :hello:

I know the feeling about tired - I'm running around like a headless chicken at the minute with work and with home and just want to go to sleep, but am a wee bit caffeine filled tonight. Bad idea.

Was just reading your post and thought you sounded v weary. Wanted to tell you to cut yourself some slack. This is hard, and definitely useful, but keep your chin up!

We are girls, we all like spending money, but I wondered if you had thought of another tack. Have you tried really cutting down on your Tesco spends and then putting some of the extra cash towards a treat?? Eg, say you normally spend £10 a day on your food shopping. What if you tried to reduce that to £7.50, then put the extra £2.50 in a jar. After two weeks, or a month or whatever, you take the money out and split it, with most of it going towards your debt but maybe a tenner going on a nice treat for you?

It might perk you up a bit, and cut down your food bills. I often wonder if the reason why this whole MSE thing can sometimes feel so hard is because we lose sight of our goals. At least something like that might keep you on track?? Just a thought

zigmeister

Hi Pam, thanks for your post

Reading back over my last few posts I do sound proper miserable! I guess it's once you realise how much you want to get rid of your debt, and hwo much you waste money sometimes, it can get you down.

That's a good suggestion though about the treat money, I think I'll try it. :T

Well I managed to get some overtime for the next couple of weeks - 10 shifts. Which means £225 when it gets paid in. I'm well chuffed as it takes the pressure off a bit in case the overtime suddenly stops.

Bad news - I spent £16.70 yesterday in Tesco and most of it was avoidable. In fact, looking over the receipt, I only needed about £2 worth of the stuff. :mad:

AND, because I got back from work late, my OH bought us KFC instead of the chicken dish I was gonna make, and now the chicken is out of date. So that's more money wasted.

I'm going away this weekend so at least I won't be spending anything - it's sailing, so no shops!

Also, I've just found out my stepmum is pregnant again. So feeling a bit weird at the mo. She has had about 5 miscarriages, the last pregnancy got really far, but the baby had a heart defect and she died. There's a 1 in 20 chance this baby could have the same. She's only 8 weeks gone but she's got to wait til 18 weeks til the scan to check the heart. It's gonna be a long wait.

zigmeister

From the looks of things my Natwest ISA has been activated which is good. I just need to transfer the money from my Nationwide ISA now, and shut that.

I literally have £20 to last until payday which is 10th July. This will be a challenge! I have a feeling I'll be dipping into my Lloyds overdraft which I rarely do.

I spent £10.01 in Sainsburys yesterday but I probably could have cut that down, but I wanted the Sainsburys magazine and some cookies! (White choc and raspberry - highly recommended ) I'm thinking I should subscribe to that magazine, cuz I buy it every month.

I have tea planned for the next few days though so that will help with the spending.

I have the top of one of my ears pierced but haven't worn an earring in it for years. I re-pierced it last night and it's so sore! Can't decide whether to keep it in or not.

zigmeister

You know when you use your card over a few days and don't keep track so it's a surprise what your total is when you check your account? Well I was keeping my fingers crossed that I wouldn't be overdrawn and I have 0.57 in there. Yay! :rotfl:

My Tesco CC is at 0.00 so I'll shut that when I can. I've decided not to keep it, even for emergencies.

Natwest is on target so that's good.

My OH owes me £20, and he gives me £10 a week for food so I might ask for this months food money all in one go so I know exactly what I have. So I'll have £60 to last me until 10th July. I wonder if I can do it. Thing is, I'll have to buy petrol so that might push me over. I'm also gonna aim for 10 NSDs til next payday.

NSDS 1/10 cuz I won't be spending anything today

Pamela1705

Hi Zig!

You sound like you are really on track, well done! Of course you can get through to payday. Just hold your focus and your nerve and you'll manage it. That's this week's new mantra for me anyway, positive thinking!!

Good luck!:beer:

zigmeister

It's been a long day at work today so my brain isn't functioning quite as quick as I'd like, but I'll try and do a good update so I know where I am!

Yesterday I spent £12 after work and approx £5 of that was avoidable. Then I took my Mum to ASDA and was we were going round I put stuff in the trolley. Realised I shouldn't be buying anything and I put some stuff back. I asked my Mum could she pay for some of it, seeings as she owes me money anyway. In the end, she paid for the lot, which was really kind of her cuz she can't afford it. But tbh, I shouldn't have had anything. It actually works out like I haven't bought anything cuz I changed up some of my change pot which came to £11.

I did spend £7 after work today though. But it was stuff I needed (milk, can opener, beans, coke), plus something for my Mum for tea cuz she's ill today. Could probably have done without the coke tho...but it was only £1 for a big one.

I did get a bargain today. I've been needing some concealer for ages. Noticed today that it was 3 for 2 on the make-up in Tesco, so I used a £5 points voucher, doubled it up and bought 3 concealers and a powder. It came to £15.75 which I thought was weird. Noticed they hadn't taken the free one off so got double the difference and got £7 back :T So the make-up actually cost me nothing, yay!

More work all day again tomorrow. Luckily, all the meals are planned up until Wednesday night, then I am staying at my Nan's until Sat night so that is more food I won't have to sort out.

X

Pamela1705

Hi Zig,

I know you've had a rough couple of days, so give yourself a big pat on the back for your moneysaving antics this week and go and have a drink! :beer:

wendz86

Well done on your spending, you seem to be doing well. Well done on the bargain make up!