So here's to you, Mrs R....

mrs_robinson_3

...and bank charge letters done. Feels like an achievement, had a mental block about it (knowing it would be tedious - the more so when saw Sir- Martin-of-MSE says "do a schedule of the charges"!). Anyway it's done - not posted yet as the only envelopes are the freepost ones we re-use, MSE stylee. So got to invest in some - or pinch some at work, more like.

....and clocking up NSDs every day this this week - hurrah, have ground to reclaim here in quest for 20 this month - just about do-able but oh so tight.....

...and freaking out a bit as listed books on amazon a few weeks ago and not been on email for over a week to check progress due to lack of time, and can't face it now. V much doubt have sold any as was competing with all the pros selling for a penny, but if have, will never be allowed back anyway now. will brave it tomorrow - arch procrastinator, me.

....and ebay doing ok, some bids and watchers on new listings

So, progress, yep, feeling ok, Mrs R can do this....



Mrs R

hypno06

I've yet to manage a NSD for October.....must try harder.......It's not as though I have loads of cash sloshing about, so cannot afford to spend....but I find it really hard to achieve even a handful of no spenders!

mrs_robinson_3

ah, Hypno, but you're so good at eveything else MSE, think we can cut you some slack on the NSDs.

but am intrigued, what do you spend it on?

as personally, once at work, so long as have food with me, don't really need to spend anything. there again, as only work in between school hours, don't get a lunch break, so making it easy to avoid all forms of temptation! and BTW, topmarks on the CT rebanding refund!

anyway, on the subject of NSDs, if there is a god of them, he/she was looking down on me today. had to get diesel, which is ok, as in my budget, but had a DS with me, who would pester for sweets, and usually give in. but when i'd filled up, realised didn't have cash card with me, as OH had it at l/t to collect a parcel for me from the PO, which he only had as he'd not given me my driving licence back the last time he had to collect for me (no lunchtimes, see? plus i like to keep him occupied)

so rather embarrassing, but had to fill in a form, and go back tonight to pay.....which all saved me the cost of the sweets, and so yes, another NSD is mine.......!! lucky it was the littlest DS, so he wasn't embarrassed.

and the parcel turned out to be my gift from Imedeen, for taking their tablets free in a trial for the last 4 months ....which turned out to be....more tablets! another £37 worth.....personally think it's a bit of a scam to build brand loyalty in their target market, but maybe that's just the marketing cynic in me. whatever, am grateful to have them while they last......

OK, coo coo and out

Mrs R

mrs_robinson_3

.....and, gah, yes, sold a book on amazon. two weeks ago. duh.

just sent super-apologetic email to buyer apologising for my slackness in not checking emails. that'll teach me. got to post it tomorrow now.

book title "Be your own life coach"!!

shamefaced

Mrs R

hypno06

I include everything for NSDs - bus fare, milk, cat food, bread, school trip money, football training, blah blah blah......

If I only counted stuff for me - ie buying a sandwich at lunchtime, or nipping into boots for an eyeliner, then I would probably be counting a NSD more days than not, but because I am counting for the whole lot of us, they are rarer than hens teeth

In_my_dreams

Good to see you're still going full steam ahead!

I too forgot an Amazon sale, easy done with a busy life, loads of emails......

Re NSD's I include everything which means me, OH and kids for things that we haven't budgeted for and it is amazing that there is always something spent every day. As Hypno says, I could have loads of NSD's but my other much loved family members ruin it!

My spending diary is having a huge impact though, as I am keeping receipts for everything and it is very interesting reading at the end of the week!

mrs_robinson_3

In which Mrs R goes old-style......

Gah! Did long post last night and lost it all somehow, so this is quick update in case same happens again.

Car 1 had MOT Friday. Only £113 including the test fee, completely thrilled, not what was expecting/fearing at all. Therefore paid from current a/c which will bump up O/D a little, but could have been soooo much worse. Do now save for car costs but following service earlier in year and work to Car 2, pot is much depleted. But both cars serviced, taxed, insured til July next year, barring disaster, so can rebuild pot.

Had NSD Saturday - bonus!

Spent weekend cooking old-style like wildwoman - beef casserole with a scone-y top, toad in the hole, and used up manky old pears in some muffins. Also bought Stardrops so feel sure am now bona fide MSE-er.

eBay items ending tonight - not done very well must say, but still, is less clutter and will realise small sum. In end have put previous £40 left from sales into current a/c to mitigate some of the MOT costs, which is reasonable as my O/D is not interest free, whereas my CC is, so got to keep on top of O/D as that's last on my snowball to tackle when all CCs gone. Know should do the one that costs me most but am happy with my plan to clear the CCs first - proabably as they feel more controllable and are steadily going down, whereas O/D wobbles around.

Still on track though to clear that pesky Tesco card in January.

Just not getting time to do any surveys for extra pennies, but feel am in control of spending so all's well there.

This week's money chores are to get letter off to HSA re OH and DS1 lens costs, and maybe go to Coinstar machine if can bear the humiliation -again as want to pay whatever have in moneybox off of Tesco.

So that's me then

Mrs R

Mrs R

stressed.mum

Hi Mrs R - you're doing really well - keeping on top of everything.

Just wanted to say if you can don't use the coinstar machine cos it takes 8%(I think) of you money as commission - just get some coin bags from your bank and count it yourself

Stressed xxx

mrs_robinson_3

Hey, Stressed.mum thanks for your advice! This mum is so permanently stressed through lack of time that don't mind giving Coinstar a fee just so can get the job done - counting out into little bags drives me super-bananas! It's the old time vs. money dilemma again.

Another NSD. 13 now. Might make my target 20 after all this month. BTW, my rationale for only counting my personal spends is that that's the thing most wanted to get control of - bonus if we get any family NSDs, but what with lunches, activities etc, they're pretty rare. And Mrs R only likes to aim for what she personally can control, so just focusing on own spends.

Got that lens claim to HSA in post - £150 for OH's lens spends this year, and £180 for DS1. We get 50% back so great if it pays out, but is trying it on a bit as supposedly monthly schemes are excluded. But it worked for me so trying again for the others.

Next up - look again at our EON balance. Ended up £600 in red after swiching to them last year in first flush of LBM induced utilities switching. So been paying £200 a month since about june, hoping to get ahead for winter quarter, but have strong suspicion is no longer best deal, so ideally will want to switch aagin.

Mrs R

homegrown_life

Hi Mrs R,

have loved reading your diary Thanks for the comments on mine.

I love counting out pennies, reminds me of being a kid as I always used to help my dad do his. I never have that many though

Am now off to subscribe....