Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

Frogletina

Anglea wrote: »

Hi my lovelies

Strange not to see Fr on here especially in the evening.

I took part in a challenge today - no reading, music, computer, phone etc for over 12 hours - I had do make one necessary call to mum.

Hi Anglea

I'm here :j

Must be a special sense, I just looked at emails to see if you or anyone else had written onto this thread.

I like your challenge - I ought to do it, what did I do with spare time before computers?

Have been to the dental hygenist this afternoon, £39. Then into town to meet a friend for a drink

Anglea

Hi FR

Did you have a good time with your friend?

The hygenist is often really painful I find.

I can give up tv, books etc but I find being away from the computer difficult. I've got into a stupid habit of eating breakfast while online or reading so today I found it easier not to eat anything until about 2pm rather than try and eat it on it's own.

Frogletina

Anglea wrote: »

Hi FR

Did you have a good time with your friend?

The hygenist is often really painful I find.

I can give up tv, books etc but I find being away from the computer difficult. I've got into a stupid habit of eating breakfast while online or reading so today I found it easier not to eat anything until about 2pm rather than try and eat it on it's own.

Yes, we do meet fairly often, male friend I have known for over 25 years - and definitely only friend material

It was quite painful at the hygenists, but she was pleased with the condition of my teeth. Says I should go again in 6 months time.

I had a sandwich while out this afternoon which was the only thing I have eaten all day. Have been thinking about food since I have been back but not done anything about it

Tonight I have been working out my November spends, and budget for December. A bit difficult with presents to buy for Christmas but I have plenty of food in as I have been overbuying lately. So may just keep to my years budget. However - all my holiday/household maintenence/furniture purchases/large expenses have come out of my savings/savings interest. I try not to break into my capital but I think it was inevitable this year

Anglea

I remember last year you had a lot of food left over from Christmas.

This weekend I was given a load of co-op vouchers with a lot off each one so will be using these in between my normal shopping and will be stocking up as they are to be used by end December. Today they overcharged me and while I was outside the shop I went over my till receipt and spotted the mistake so got a refund.

I seem to be using them for very ordinary things or else the bags are heavy to carry. I probably should plan my purchases in advance to get the most in return for the voucher.

You sound very organised with your finances. Since I filled in that nasty form back in June, I haven't kept up at all and have no idea what is going on.

I made myself a list of chores and Christmas and birthday preparations for December and it's really overwhelming

Frogletina

You have a good memory Anglea, I don't remember food being left over last year.

I have some co-op vouchers too - 10% off weekly shop, so will have to remember to use them.

It is always good to check receipts, I guess not many of the young MSE's knew that once till receipts only had prices on them and the individual items were not shown.

I am really organised with recording my finances, goes back to my childhood and I also have budgets going back to when my first marriage broke up and I was very poor.

Anglea

It's strange, but you talking about still eating the food after Christmas doesn't seem that long ago this year's gone fast.

That was interesting to read about your budget history.

I used to do it when I was younger and tried to carry on after marriage but ex never gave me his receipts and not all cash was put into the bank so I couldn't keep it up.

I didn't start doing it again until joining this thread. I'm going to try and do it properly in December but will have to leave the last 4 months undone as I never wrote down my eating out and other non receipt expenses.

I think I'll also try and make it easier for next year, less columns and the cash back and returns (yes even I had a few) got me confused.

Frogletina

Well - I always separated my personal spending from housekeeping/bills.

Ex husband and ex partner both agreed to transfer money into a joint account to cover bills and we each had our own personal spending money. I was careful to keep the building society joint account book and later the debit card so I had full control of the joint spending. Keeping accounts was so that I could account to them as to where the money was going - but there was complete trust.

So I had no reason to ask for receipts as only ones they had would be for their own personal spending.

(for anyone new reading - each relationship was at different times!) :rotfl:

It is best to start simply where budgeting is concerned. At the beginning just keep all receipts and write all spends down. Even though I am on my own, I still split my personal spending from bills/household expenses. Later you can decide when you sort through the receipts and spends which is the best way for you to record them.

Frogletina

Frogletina wrote: »

I messed up my new bank account, £600 is floating around somewhere as I entered the transfer account number incorrectly. Each bank says the other needs to sort it out. I have to go into town tomorrow to try to see what is happening. I know it is my mistake but no-one seems to want to help me sort it out. I am hoping the account number I entered is not a live account, but the receiving bank said they could not tell me if it was. :mad:

All resolved now, the payment transferred back today. I didn't have to go to the bank after all there was a smaller payment of £10 paid incorrectly which landed back in my account yesterday so I imagined the £600 would return today, which it did :j

Anglea

Hi all

You must be relieved FR that your bank is finally sorted out.

What is everyone doing today?

Frogletina

Anglea wrote: »

Hi all

You must be relieved FR that your bank is finally sorted out.

What is everyone doing today?

Yes, a weight off my mind! :j

As it is Thursday I am off to see my youngest daughter in town, we only do a little shopping (thank goodness) and then we go to Costa's for a drink and put the world to rights - who said gossiping!

Steps away from the laptop.........must not be late