My savings journey

MaryMurphy

Good to see the "family" is growing and we're all reaching/nearing our targets!

Well a relative unexpectadly came to stay (partner trouble - it's not pretty) but she's moving out again at the end of this week as she's found proper accomodation, so unfortunately while she's been here I haven't been able to save at all. In fact, all my money is more or less gone!

Whilst I am disappointed about this, I am glad I've been able to spend some quality time with her and have some fun etc. It's not something we ever could do before (boyfriend very possesive - I am really glad for her they've split though she's obviously very sad about the whole thing and that it ended etc but she can see herself it wasn't working).

BUT it's payday soon and I intend to put away as much as humanly possible. Things will always come up which will prevent you from saving, but I know myself sometimes it can be more of a way to justify the spending than anything else...

I currently have £1,121.14 in the eIsa so not great progress there, but it can only get better

MMx

fairtrade

After a series of unfortunate events (sounds like a novel:)) over the weekend and bank holiday my finances are not as robust as they should be. Still, managed to move the savings up, now £227/£414 target. Not yet received the Utility Bills so not yet certain how much more I can add to the savings this month. Will keep you posted.

MaryMurphy

Well hope it all works out fairtrade!

I re-jigged some of my savings so I have all the £ I need for my Sept trip, was able to add some more £ to the Xmas fund and I inexplicably received a fiver interest in my eIsa - I thought it was paid at the end of the financial year but it must be twice a year. Had a look through the T&Cs but couldn't find exact confirmation of this, but it must be the case.

So, with that I have £2366.3 to go. I am getting there

I am considering opening up an account with the credit union, purely because if we need a loan the interest rates will be better (apparently). But info online about the Credit Union is sketchy and their website awful. So we'll see. OH pointed out I already have enough accounts as it is :P

I have about £450 in my main account to keep me going all month, so I'll try use it to pay for my flight or accomodation. After the trip I'll be able to reassess my accounts, as I'll know for definite then how much is left over.

And then, nothing else between me and Xmas savings!

So, all in all everything is good, just need to get back on track with my accounts, and hope everyone else is keeping well

MMxx

MaryMurphy

I told the OH last night that on my way to work I resisted the urge to get a Costa coffee, and he got quite annoyed saying I'm going overboard with this whole saving thing.

The way he sees it, I work for my money, and surely as long as I put away "x" amount each month whatever's left is for me to enjoy, without limiting my spending, because I never buy myself anything new so cutting out on life's small pleasures (such as a coffee) is madness. And if there happens to be some left-over at the end of the month happy days, if not ah well, at least I'm getting paid again.

I really didn't know what to say, he'd left me speechless. But the above really does make sound like some sort of tight-fisted scrooge, doesn't it. I am quite frugal as it is (hence not buying anything for myself, unless I need it) so I don't see it as a massive issue, but to be honest I was kinda hurt by what he said.

Didn't think he'd see it that way, it's not like I am not buying food or whatever in an attempt to save, I'm just cutting down on stuff I don't need (but I enjoy) and trying to be a bit more careful.

So, there you go. I am still a bit gobsmacked. And there was me thinking that opening the joint savings account was progress for him. Sigh.

MMx

MaryMurphy

I am pleased to say I only have £85 to go before I fill my Xmas target of £350, so I'll get that done when I get paid next. Plus I have enough for this trip at the end of the month so I really cannot complain

I am still doing my Virtual Pot Challenge which goes in the eIsa so I'll keep that going and put any spare cash I have at the end of the month towards the Christmas fund, I really want to get it out of the way asap so I can concentrate on other things (i.e. the eIsa).

That's the plan at the moment anyway, it's only day 4 of this month so we'll see if anything else comes up in the meantime.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

MMx

MaryMurphy

Strike what I said above about the Xmas and Sept trip fund, as I'll need to dip into it to cover some unexpected expenses. Did I say "dip into it"? More like wipe the lot. Sigh.

I think I'll know by mid-week how much I can leave, though I'll try to sort it before then. This sucks but hey, it happens. It just means the next month or two will be devoted to bridging the gap again, and then hopefully I can start saving properly again in the eIsa.

I was secretly hoping I'd have 2 k in it by December but that's never happening now. But what can ye do...

MMx

leahciM

MaryMurphy wrote: »

I told the OH last night that on my way to work I resisted the urge to get a Costa coffee, and he got quite annoyed saying I'm going overboard with this whole saving thing.

The way he sees it, I work for my money, and surely as long as I put away "x" amount each month whatever's left is for me to enjoy, without limiting my spending, because I never buy myself anything new so cutting out on life's small pleasures (such as a coffee) is madness. And if there happens to be some left-over at the end of the month happy days, if not ah well, at least I'm getting paid again.

I really didn't know what to say, he'd left me speechless. But the above really does make sound like some sort of tight-fisted scrooge, doesn't it. I am quite frugal as it is (hence not buying anything for myself, unless I need it) so I don't see it as a massive issue, but to be honest I was kinda hurt by what he said.

Didn't think he'd see it that way, it's not like I am not buying food or whatever in an attempt to save, I'm just cutting down on stuff I don't need (but I enjoy) and trying to be a bit more careful.

So, there you go. I am still a bit gobsmacked. And there was me thinking that opening the joint savings account was progress for him. Sigh.

MMx

My OH is constantly looking at me in disbelief as I calmly explain to her my reasons for not buying lunch out when I can make a perfectly good packed lunch myself.

She never seems to complain when I buy her stuff with money I've saved though...

UnluckyT

Roll on payday on thursday, not that im going to be able to save much in general.
Must admit for the simple reason i have spent a reasonable chunk of the money i save in my account for general things like drama, tai chi, clothes, glasses and so on and feel i have to replace it and admit ive done it, take responsibility and replace as much as i can.
Plus im on a weeks annual leave next week with my birthday on the monday so im planning to have a day or two out and have a little treat.
Must sit down and sort through savings like ive said, although where i try to budget, get half way through the month and just spend my food money on crap ive thought sod it i will use my current account with natwest (my main current account with nationwide) for my food money and just put some away each month, esp where i bulk bought say washing powder and so on and put at least say £5 away per month till i need more/see a good deal.
Must just learn to budget better and stop nicking money out of other money budgeted for other things.

MaryMurphy

Hi leahciM, that's it they'll never say no when you've got them a present with your hard-earned (saved) money :P

Hope you have a good birthday UnluckyT, it is hard to "break the habit" isn't it? But even starting with something relatively small is definitely beneficial. I didn't really realise the true meaning of "every little helps" until I started the Virtual Pot Challenge.

I am officially broke for this month. As I mentioned earlier on some unexpected bills came up, and now thanks to that I'll need to dip into my savings to pay for it. I am really annoyed. But it has to be done, I don't really have a choice in the matter. I hate leaving bills unpaid, but if I could leave some to October when I get paid next I would. Sadly it's not going to happen, so bye bye trip in September.



MMx

fairtrade

Doesn't look too rosy at the moment.
The same thing happened to me over the Bank Holiday weekend.
I would suggest getting your emergency fund up to target before adding to the savings.
Don't let it get you down :grouphug: and keep posting!