Ambitious MFW

AnnaBeth

Thanks Natalie I've just started our spreadsheet this morning think it's easier than keeping a diary by hand.

Complete panic last night that there is no way we can really overpay at the moment looking at what we currently spend.
Overspent this month which will affect next month, guess we all need a light bulb moment!
Going to still keep the £100 I put aside for mortgage OPs this month but think OPs will have to stay smallish until credit card paid off which had wedding spending on it.

AnnaBeth

Also just edited signature, mortgage rate is 3.89% not .69.
Having a depressed day about own lack of commitment to saving money which I thought I was good at looking at last few months think I've fallen off the wagon ++

nellis10

The fact that you have started a spreadsheet/spend diary is step one on the road to saving money....I know, cause it has worked for me too...yes I have a little CC debt to pay off and a couple of loans, but they are manageable and I still can see where I can get a few shillings each month to start the O/P.

I'm working on getting rid of the CC by year end so I can start my MFW challenge fresh in January. My Spreadsheet only cover's my spending/bills/payments as DH and I have separate accounts.

Why not do a wee SOA and post it here to see if some MFW experts can see where you can trim the excess...I know mine comes from frivolous spends and overspends at Mr T!!!

[Deleted User]

hey Annabeth
try not to get too down about it, I think changing habits are some of the biggest steps in moneysaving...seeing where you are spending is a great first step! I am trying to keep a spending diary to see where the money *actually* goes as I have intentions of how much Ill spend but interested if Ill actually stick to that budget or not ! :rotfl:
stick at it, MF is the long haul and wont be done in a week or a month (despite my wish that it would!! :rotfl:)

AnnaBeth

Thanks Natalie and Deleted_User you both make a lot of sense sometimes it's hard to remember what you know already!
Feel better for going to the gym today and shopping at Lidl!
How is the SOA different from my first post, there confusing me as keep seeing them referred to but haven't found one yet!

LilacPixie

wellcome to the infectious and addictive world of being a MFW

nellis10

AnnaBeth wrote: »

Thanks Natalie and Deleted_User you both make a lot of sense sometimes it's hard to remember what you know already!
Feel better for going to the gym today and shopping at Lidl!
How is the SOA different from my first post, there confusing me as keep seeing them referred to but haven't found one yet!

lol I forgot you did one in your first post!! the makesenseofcards website has a SOA that you can use that formats things perfectly for MSE. I stuck one in my MFW thread too....

I'm giving up my gym memebership as soon as I can, it's only £15/m as I get it subsidised through work but to be honest I don't use it so it has to go and that's an extra £15 OP!!

AnnaBeth

Thanks LilacPixie
Nellis10 - My gym is far more expensive than yours but had serious need to get fit so I'm enjoying it while I have it but it's certainly not something I will always have.

Really finding the support newtork on here good, def the only way to be a mfw!:j

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello,

Like you I am relatively new to MFW but wish I had started much earlier, like you. The amount of interest we pay is truly shocking - nearly as shocking as the amount of money I have frittered away over the years! Keeping a diary on here is a great incentive, and on working days I aim to spend nothing at all - I take lunch and keep out of the shops. I really recommend this as a way of finding that you have much more left at the end of the month than ever before!

Very good luck to you - people will think you're mad but we know you are right!

Squirrel :j

AnnaBeth

Thank you Squirrel.
I am glad I'm starting this earlier on in life however think life might get in the way of OPs but will wait and see.
Definately will update a spending diary on here from today to keep me motivated.
Agree about staying away from shops and for me TV shopping channels! As sad as it is when I get hooked I feel I need what ever they are selling!
Thanks again, trying to get my head around other people's diaries as well, feels like a second job!