My battle with budgeting - a thread to keep me motivated

dreamcatcher73

philnicandamy wrote: »

Good luck with everything DC if you need a bum kicking you know where I am...:D:p

lol Phil - yes in a house opposite to one that look exactly like mine :rotfl:

dreamcatcher73

Hi SK, unfortunately I don't the room to put a chest freezer in my very small house, otherwise it is something I would have definately got.

My corner shop is actually quite reasonable and charges less for a loaf of bread than tesco! My trouble is I go in for a loaf of bread and end up coming out with loads of other stuff I didn't really need, like 6 cans of Fosters and a big bag of maltesers!

The last time I went shopping I only spent £55, so I know it can be done, just have to resist the bakery section and I'll be fine!

nervousmother

Thats why i like tesco.com i am not tempted but stuff i dont need yes i know i have to pay delivery but i save much more than that! I also check out the buy one get one free offers and half price before going to favourates, i spend about £60 max for 5 of us inc delivery. Also look into 'growing your own' I now have pots planted in big black bins, strawberrys coming on very nicly too! looking at what else to plant... every little helps!

dreamcatcher73

Hi NM, I have been "growing my own" for a couple of years now, very satisfying and much tastier than the shop bought stuff.

This year we have carrots, brocolli, green beans and strawberries on the go, with tomato plants, sweetcorn and cucumbers to come - my mum has a greenhouse, so starts them off for me!

philnicandamy

Ohh I might pick your brains soon....i'l looking at starting something at home myself!

dreamcatcher73

it's a great thing to do Phil, well it is when the weather is nice! Now I'm a lazy stay at home mum I'm going to be make a big effort in the garden this year and the house come to think of it..

Got a big long list of things that need doing, I will start tomorrow :rolleyes:

Bluebelle72

dreamcatcher73 wrote: »

Thought I'd start this thread as a kick up the bottom to myself to make a strict budget and stick to it!
The last couple of weeks have been a financial nightmare for me, huge gas bill of £160 :eek:and BT bill of £75 have left me in a pickle and I've had no money for food shopping for 2 weeks!

Today I realised I had to sort out my finances and work out a way to keep my head above water - so I have, now I just need to stick to it!

I have sorted out my outgoings into weekly ones, monthly ones and "other" such as quartlerly bills, car expenses, birthdays and christmas.

My weekly income is £186 - weekly outgoings £115 leaving a surplus of £71.

My monthly income is £250 - monthly outgoings £165 leaving a surplus of £85

So, I have decided to put the surplus £85 a month away for the gas/BT bills and the car tax

The surplus from the weekly income will break down as follows
£30 pw for christmas/birthdays
£20 pw for emergencies - which will include car repairs

I have allowed myself £20pw pocket money and £60 pw for shopping, I know this sounds low for 4 of us but my eldest is 18 and hardly here for dinner and my youngest has school dinners, so usually has a light dinner and the middle child is 16 and a size 8 so doesn't eat much! I'm hoping this is feasible, time will tell, if not I'll have to adjust it.

Think I have everything covered, and will use this thread to keep track of my spending and see if the budget actually works!

Wish me luck!

I am terrible at budgeting!! I leave it all til the last minute, our rent is only £400 per month but I scrape it together 2 weeks before it's due! Perhaps that's the reason we're struggling now! lol I've never been any good at it, but always managed to land on me feet so to speak. Mind you I must do something right as it's not me that's gotta go BR it's my OH LOL

dreamcatcher73

I was forever taking from Peter to pay Paul as they say, gets you in all sorts of trouble in the end..

I'll keep you posted how I get on!

Bluebelle72

dreamcatcher73 wrote: »

I was forever taking from Peter to pay Paul as they say, gets you in all sorts of trouble in the end..

I'll keep you posted how I get on!

Yeah dream please do hun. I for one know for a fact I'll never change, I always land on me feet, but I do wish I was more money minded IYKWIM, I'm just as disorgasnised in everything from cleaning to kids lOL xx:o

shadowdragon

dreamcatcher73 wrote: »

Hi NM, I have been "growing my own" for a couple of years now, very satisfying and much tastier than the shop bought stuff.

This year we have carrots, brocolli, green beans and strawberries on the go, with tomato plants, sweetcorn and cucumbers to come - my mum has a greenhouse, so starts them off for me!

I have just this week been allocated an allotment having been on the waiting list for nearly a year!!! 1/16th of an acre!! with a chicken coop!!. I just this afternoon purchased six hens and hoping for eggs soon , at the moment the allotment is a bombsite, full of other allotment olders flytipping and weeds...lots of work but i have already got stuff going at home ready to plant out.

hardwork but highly recommened. :T