Luckycharm's debtfree and self-sufficiency journey

beanielou

Pretty grim here TBH.
bad accident on M90 earlier,

Luckycharm_2

I heard the roads were backed up for miles so I avoided the trip. I hope no-one was hurt.

I've just printed off an MSE calander for next year. It looks good and full of tips to save cash. I'm thinking I'll maybe assess the situation at the end of every month and then make some plans and targets for the coming month.

I've also been playing with the snowball calculator. If I really go for it my debtfree date is April 2011 but I'd like to bring it forward if I can.

I'm still in shock over my bingo win. Shock in a good way.

lucielle

I loved bingo britain, so sad when it ended. Have you got your OH signed up for it?
L

Luckycharm_2

Not yet but will have soon! Thanks for the reminder.

Luckycharm_2

I've just received an unexpected payment of £10 from a mystery shopping organisation. I can't remember doing the shop. They usually pay at the start of the month or right in the middle so it's a bit odd to get this on christmas eve.

Wonder if it's a christmas bonus?

Looks like I'll definitely be under £9k for the new year. I'm very happy with that.

Luckycharm_2

I've been thinking about my budgeting difficulties and checked out the info on this site about it. I'm going to have a go at a better budget for the new year.

Lots of the expenses don't apply to us. We cut each others hair and like camping holidays which cost no more than being at home. However, we have birthdays, christmas, car costs, pet costs and dentist costs. These are the main 5 things I want to try and budget for and see how I get on.

Having worked it all out, I think we need £525 for Christmas, £195 for birthdays, £740 for the car, £75 for the kitties to be jabbed and around £200 for the dentist.

This brings a grand total of £1,735.

Now where am I going to find it?

Luckycharm_2

Also, just won £12 on bingo britain. Am feeling very lucky and a little bit charmed today.

Luckycharm_2

Also, I'm really good at getting everything muddled up, forgetting what's due to where and when, so I'm trying to work out how to organise this.

I already have 2 different plans on the go. Paying off the debt and saving a month's wage. (I thought long and hard about the second one as I know saving is daft when you're in debt. But the stress around self-employment and late payment would be completely lifted by a month's wage sitting in the bank so I'm going for it.)

So where and how to save for this other fund, the added extras that are actually essential? I shop a lot online so having a tin might not be practical. However, it's always good to see your cash and know exactly what's there.

Oh I don't know.

Luckycharm_2

I've decided to save this money in a tin along with with a note of cash out and in. Hopefully this will keep me on track. I need to find £145 a month to cover it which will all depend on how much my ever-changing wage is each month.

It always feels good to make a plan.:j

Luckycharm_2

I've also had a few more money-saving ideas for the new year. I'll do a post at the start of the month to keep me right but thought I'd jot a few down here so I don't forget. I have the memory of a goldfish.

I'm going to stop snacking and eating when I'm not hungry. This would save some cash. I don't really need to lose weight but I could certainly cut out the mindless muching that goes on when I'm watching tv.

Drink more water and less tea and coffee. There's a health reason for this that I don't want to go into, but would also save some cash.

Quit smoking! Planned for boxing day. I've had a few NSDs (no smoking days) lately and it went ok. I'm going for a permanent quit.

Menu plan and batch cook for 2 weeks in advance. Organisation is key in saving money with food. I've been guilty lately of ordering pizza after a hard day at work and our local charges £3 delivery which is just silly.

Do all shopping and petrol buying at tesco. Although I loathe the place, it's very cheap and you get points.

Buy cheap christmas stuff in the sales. (Oh my god, I'm turning into my MiL. :eek: )

Anyway, that's about all I can think of for now.