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

Herewego

Good luck with the freebie

rustysmart

Thanks, I'm looking at it that even if it loses I'm £15 up due to the cashback - but would be nice to win!!

I'm a bit gutted because some of the bingo sites I have used previously have upped their cashback, but only for new customers!

Herewego

That would be the same for me then as I joined lots of bingo sites some time ago, may have a look later if I get some time

rustysmart

Well my freebet (£10) returned £11 so withdrawn that back to my bank - a massive £1 up!!! But at least that means all the cashback will be mine hahahaha (evil laugh!) so in fact I am £26 up on the day!!

rustysmart

£52.10 to last me 22 days and needs to include petrol which averages around £15 a week - not gonna be pretty this month. I have got my 'emergency' funds but I am going to try my hardest not to touch this account. Let's see how I do - expect many 'counting down' updates as I try and make it to the 23rd Nov!!

rustysmart

Well my £75 cashback has been requested and on its way. I've also had £30 'received' but don't think it will be paid for a while yet. Hoping to put both in savings but as the month is looking tougher the further we go into it I may have to dip into the savings soon. To find a positive spin on it, last year I was in my overdraft and had no savings - so things are much better, even if they are a little tight.

rustysmart

Hadn't realised it's been 4 days without an update - so here it is!

Need to use the £75 cashback to top up the budget for this month which is a shame. I always try to find a positive in life so here it is - at least I don't need to dip into my savings

A tough few weeks ahead in order to stick to the budget but now it's a little more realistic.

rustysmart

Just when I thought it had all gone wrong (financially that is!), I receive £30 from Quidco, that should see me through the week. Have so far dipped into my savings by £50 which I am not proud of, but had to be done. Whilst next month is December there NEEDS to be cuts compared to this month - no idea where it has gone!! The only thing I can think is that some of the spends have been on bingo which I will get back as cashback in the months to come - well I hope I do anyway!

Roll on 23rd and pay day - I will bloody need it!!

rustysmart

Well with two days left until payday, let us never speak of this month again!! Think this has been the worst month on record since my LBM in September 2009. I've not gone into my overdraft, but in order to avoid my overdraft I have used cashback (which I was hoping to save) and had to transfer money from my savings (around £90) so any chances of being below the magical '£1000 total debt' amount before the end of the month will now be nil, however to think positively - a start to 2011 with less than £1000 total debt now almost looks like a certainty.

rustysmart

Two hours until payday and I'VE MADE IT!! Few odd exciting little things on last day of month (I know it's only 22nd but it's the last day of the financial month for me!) - I bought a card from Funkypigeon on Saturday and shared a discount code with my friends - this gives them 30% and me £3 if they purchase, so far I have made £18 in my account to spend on cards - how cool!!

I also ended the month £11 up compared to my expected end amount - small glints of shiny news at the end of a tricky month