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

rustysmart

Having a lovely weekend in Bath with the wife topped off with a £10 sale on eBay - happy days! Payday in 7 days and £45 left - I can do this!!

rustysmart

I am SSOOOOOOOOO tired this morning, I've had (for some unknown reason) three sleepless nights and each night it is taking me longer to get to sleep - 4am last night!

Anyway, back to the moneysaving! £43 remains of the budget and five days until payday - that's the good news. The bad news is that we're seeing the inlaws Friday (£15 of petrol), pub dinner out (£15) and return Saturday to a birthday meal out (poss £15 again). Doing the maths, that puts me over the budget! I have £20 'spare' money I put away from book/eBay sales, but want to avoid that if I can.

Choppy shores ahead, but I WANT to stick to the budget!

rustysmart

Budget update! £29 to last me 3 days. Out of that I need to get petrol and two nights out. Looks like I may need to dip into my £20 pot from eBay/book sales. I don't want to, but it's going to be better than using my overdraft.

Assuming I don't use my overdraft (which I really hope for), it will be the first time I've not dipped into it for the last 10 years. Although I had 'officially' paid off the overdraft a few months ago I still find myself dipping into it by £50-£100, so bring on payday - and soon!!

rustysmart

Good morning all! Dull and wet out today but going to dampen the moneysaving spirit - 2 days until payday! Yay!

rustysmart

Well I know everyone reading this is probably bored of these updates (if anyone is reading them that is!! ) but I have managed to make to the eve of payday and I still have money in my bank!! I have £7 is cash and a reserve of £20 in my bank - quite close to the wire, but still made it. Bring on payday tomorrow (oh and me not spending anything today!)

rustysmart

A quick signature update too in preparation for tomorrow's payday - not looking too bad although my savings took a hammering this month as I bought my car

rustysmart

Payday today which marks the beginning of a new month and more efforts to spend less and budget!

Been into town today and had lunch (cheap I might add!) and had hair cut. I have also withdrawn my budget for the week, of which I appear to have only £12 left! I should say that I am going cold turkey this week with the budget and only taken out £20 so if I need it there is still another £20 of budget to withdraw later in the week, but I'm aiming not to!

I have also done all the transfers needed for the month (joint account, two lots of savings accounts, holiday funds and shares). All in all not much left to do mow until 23rd Sept when payday comes again

Ended last month as predicted so this month aiming to have even more left over at the end of the month. I have decided anything 'in credit' will be transferred to my savings at the end of every month - let's see how long that lasts!!

Choi for now!

rustysmart

Not the best start to the new month. Look out my budget for the week and only have £5 left to last me until Saturday.

I have petrol, food etc. so there isn't actually a need to spend more but unsure whether the odd 'moment' will crop up between now and Saturday where more £££ may be needed. Watch this space I think!!

Thinking positively, I have transferred £290 to my 'non-touch' savings and I have £90 in my 'touch if essential' savings. If I can stick my cold turkey budget I will also have £30 I can transfer at the end of the month, but with a wedding on Saturday that may be tricky.

Updates to follow

rustysmart

What a horrible day outside! I am sure the weather will brighten up next week ... when I am back at work!!

rustysmart

Have had a lovely weekend. An amazing weekend (where I only spent £10!) and a lovely walk yesterday. To complete the weekend, I had a cheeky bet on the F1 and ended up £6.47 up - not much, but better than being down!

Just getting ready to go out for lunch with the family today then the impending doom of going back to work on Wednesday - joy!!