Russell's 'New Leaf' Spend Less, Make Money, Pay off Debts Diary

rustysmart

£90 left to last me exactly two weeks - I can do it!! Hopefully I may get a couple of book sales to boost a bit of pocket money. I also have an item on eBay to sell, not expecting loads from it but bought a Ralph Lauren polo shirt that doesn't fit so re-listed it.

Off out at the weekend, got my brother's leaving do (he's off to China) and then off to Bath Spa which was a wedding present that we haven't used yet. Bring on the 'in credit' end of month!!

rustysmart

Oh and in two weeks I also have to buy my brother's car off of him, so goodbye savings - temporarily of course

rustysmart

Decorating the bathroom today and so far not spent any £££ so still have £90 to last me now 13 days I know it's only 10:19am, but a positive start to what will be a busy day!!

rustysmart

Bathroom ceiling painted, waiting for it to dry but think I'll start the walls tomorrow.

Raining outside, hasn't stopped all day - reason no. 236 not to go out and spend money Pay day is still 13 days away though

rustysmart

Just got back from the gym and feeling rather good. As I sit here typing this (my wife's turn to cook tonight), I've made it to the end of another day without spending a penny - in fact I sold an amazon book today so actually made £1.41!

Planning ahead to next month, as I always find myself doing at this time in any month - I'm hoping to put away an extra £100 in savings making a total of £390 going into my savings in Sept and £150 in the joint account for the holiday fund - hopefully I can stick to it!! Also upping my shares investment from £22 a month to £30 a month and seeing how I do with that one - early days yet!

Have a good evening!

rustysmart

Another possible no spend day ahead of me as I need to finish decorating the bathroom this morning. Possibly going to the cinema later with my wife but that won't technically be a 'spend' as it's from the joint account which I've already paid in to this month - cheating I know!!

Right... To the bathroom!!

rustysmart

Yay another NSD!! Just got in from the cinema and sooooo tired so straight to bed with the sound knowledge I have 11 days until payday!

rustysmart

Ok, after a quick (essential) spend in Next - going to a wedding at the end of the month, I have withdrawn the remaining £70 from my budget to last me until the 23rd. It's a risky game as I've never had large amounts of cash without spending it, however if it works I have decided to take out my entire budget in cash next month and see how I do.

My fab little iphone app tells me that I have spend an average of £5.68 a day so I am setting myself the target of spending an average of £5 a day next month which means a budget of £160 instead of the £180 I allowed myself this month. Not sure if it will work, but need to try these things.

Little else to report really. Getting restless as payday is on the horizon, but not wanting to wish the summer holidays away!!

minniepoos_2

Hi Rusty,

Glad things are still going ok for you. Please don't wish the summer away too much - be nice if we had more than the odd day of sunshine before it's over for another year!

I'm still trying to sort myself out enough to get back on the wagon. Maybe in a couple of months I'll know what I'm doing, then will start again. Trying not to let it slide too much while I'm off it though - don't want to undo any of the good I've already done.

Got 2 weekends away planned though, then I'm on hol (although I stay with my folks, so not too bad on the money front).

Hope your budget plan goes well, and good luck with keeping hold of your cash (something I'm not too good at either!:o).

rustysmart

Tranfered £10.77 to my savings yesterday from amazon book sales this month, every little helps! Got a polo shirt ending on eBay this weekend too so let's see what that brings.

Other than those snippets, not much else to report - 9 days until payday and still sticking to the budget. £65 left now, need petrol to go to Bath tomorrow but should end the month in the black!