Keeping myself on track and focused....

savingholmes

Karen_30 wrote: »

You're cleaning method sounds just like mine :rotfl: I have been on and off here, packed a few bits away....watched a bit of the soaps.....advert = packed away a couple more bits.....back on here.....:rotfl:

Yep I recognise that... right programme just finished - need to put leftover tea in the fridge!:eek: Of course as soon as I cleaned up DD spilled a full glass of milk all over the carpet!:rolleyes:

DS has unpacked the dishwasher so hopefully I might even put the dirty stuff back in...:p

9 minutes later - yep dishwasher now back on and food put away - woohoo !

Karen_30

Dishwashers are a HUGE help aren't they - I'm sure my hands are far softer since we moved into this flat

I've given up on being a domestic godess for today, OH will have to just appreciate me in other ways.....i'm so not one for keeping up with housework. Problem is neither is he so it always ends up with us spending what very little time we have together doing a massive room by room clear up of the flat. Mmmm maybe I will make becoming a domestic godess part of my 2009 plan - at least then OH and I can do something fun rather than dull and boring cleaning

Karen_30

No onto some serious stuff, money :think: ....

Just realised I put a lot of ....... into my posts. Sorry!

Anyhow, I am thinking that come payday I need a plan of action. So far I have the following ideas to keep me on track and focused -

1. Spending Diary
2. Weekly budget
3. Monthly shopping budget
4. Regular post of spends, or no spends on my diary.
5. Transfer any monies to savings as soon as get paid - if it's not there then I can't spend it.

Re point 5 - I think I need to do this as have had a habit in past of earning say £400+ in overtime collected and then think, i'll see how the month goes and before I know it next pay day is due and no money in the account :rolleyes: Obviously an area of weakness for me.

Any ideas on how to start off anyone I think the above is a good start but any other ideas would be great.

savingholmes

Hi Karen - I think there is a website called my spendingdiary .com which I think you can record your spends on...

While I am unemployed, OH and I have agreed max £5 each per week "free" spend outside the budgeted groceries etc... Could you do something similar while tackling debt... If it is less critical for you - you could have a higher limit...?

Also have you every tried to divide your money into weeks and then taking out cash and putting it in separate tubs or envelopes for the different categories of spend... Some people have found they spend 50%!!!! less!!! You think so much more when handing over cash...

Meal planning also works as a way of reducing a) your grocery bill and b) reduces waste. Try putting your normal things that you buy into mysupermarket.com and compare prices - Take the downshift challenge (where you trade down a level on your products to see how much you can save). Ipoints (which people! like me could refer you to or you can go direct) will pay you to join and compare prices!!! Give it a go!

My normal shop is £20 cheaper in Asda than Tesco on a £70 shop... Some friends of mine said Sainsburys worked out cheaper for them on what they buy - so it is dependent on what you get... Now most supermarkets have introduced a value range then there is less difference....

Good luck!

Karen_30

Good morning,

Thank you for your advice SH :A I'll def be trying some of that. I think once I work out where I am going wrong things might start to be clearer.

I really like the idea of "free" spends things, I won't feel so guilty then. Must work out a sensible figure for that, maybe £10 per week.

Must get back to work, lots to do.

Have a good day all

debt_cruncher

Hi

I noticed you had posted on my thread so I thought I would say hi.

I have sent you a PM regarding Matched Betting. I hope it is helpful.

Well done on what you are doing so far and getting things sorted. I have found this forum very helpful and there are loads of great ideas out there.

You should have a look at the the old style board and the weekly flylady thread. I have just joined it this week and I think it is great. Doing the housework now does not seem as bad when you know other people are doing it with you. Also have a look at the meal plans thread since I started planning the meals for the week the grocery budget has come down from about £200 a month to £120 a month for the two of us.

Ok I would need to go and get tonight's housework done or I will be letting the side down.

DC

savingholmes

Hope you had a good day Karen - I got another interview!