New Year. New House. New Budget

Lurker1972

no updating of debts & weight this month because its going backwards.

I am reviewing the budgets, setting more realistic figures, based on fact not kidding myself figures. so its kind of starting over.again.

Starting with groceries. the budgetted figure was £160 a month but doesnt include milk or topups. so since its payday on Monday, for the next month I am going to keep EVERY receipt & see how much we really do spend. I think i am scared!!
We've been starting the day on smoothies which is costinga bit extra but its a good way to start the day (better than nothing which is MrL usually brekkie).
we need to be eating heathily but also find a way of doing it cheaper...

so while the plan is being created its business as usual, spending as normal, when necessary, at the best price. damage limitation!

First challenge for next week @ work - no buying of breakfast. no purchases from the calorie machine.
Second challenge - 2 half hour walks at lunchtime (weather permitting).

time is ticking on, overtime is calling tomorrow & ideally i want to be in for 8.....which is more than i can manage during the week....hmmm

The_Golden_Goose

You can do it!! You'll be one step closer to getting there with each effort you make. Easy to say and hard to do but if you don't you won't. Don't let it beat you. *cruel to be kind type strategy but with nice warm fuzzy feeling of encouragement*

Skint_Not_Mint

Hiya

Just read through your diary and can completely understand your struggle with paying debts v having a life!! I am trying to pay off debts whilst saving for a holiday - the two don't really go hand in hand because it means I have pretty much become a hermit. Hoping it will be worth it in the long run tho, and I might even have some money left from my savings to get me through christmas too. That may be wishful thinking tho!!

Good luck with getting back on track

Laura xx

Lurker1972

The_Golden_Goose wrote: »

You can do it!! You'll be one step closer to getting there with each effort you make. Easy to say and hard to do but if you don't you won't. Don't let it beat you. *cruel to be kind type strategy but with nice warm fuzzy feeling of encouragement*

:wave: Hey GG, you found me!!!! fuzzy feeling of encouragement duly accepted!!

Lurker1972

Skint_Not_Mint wrote: »

Hiya

Just read through your diary and can completely understand your struggle with paying debts v having a life!! I am trying to pay off debts whilst saving for a holiday - the two don't really go hand in hand because it means I have pretty much become a hermit. Hoping it will be worth it in the long run tho, and I might even have some money left from my savings to get me through christmas too. That may be wishful thinking tho!!

Good luck with getting back on track

Laura xx

mmmm holiday..........am getting close to be on track......sort of running parallel...ish!!

day 3 of the getting back on track plan

Have taken breakfast lunch &fruit for snacks to work & not given in to the canteen or chocolate machine.
Went for half hour walk at lunchtime today. bought strawberries & bananas for smoothies from the market ...& was undercharged

I have a voucher for Mr T - £9 off a £60 spend. my normal weeks shop is around £45...so am not sure if I can use it....but then again, it gives me the chance to stock up a bit....assuming I can bring the spends in at a smidgen over the £60....10p or so....then really its only £6 more than normal

Maybe its that kind of thinking that is my downfall!!!

got 2 item listed on ebay last night - both bulky items so the theory was that they will finish around the bank holiday weekend & people may have time to collect - its also near the end of the month & payday for most people. I am having to control the urge to keep looking to see if there are any bids.....last check said no bids but 3 watchers on one item, 9 on the other! Fingers are crossed.

Time to check the credit card....& finish my cup of tea!!

Lurker1972

apparently, i have lost the ability to do mental arithmetic.
Saturdays trip to MrT went a bit wrong...in his favour of course.

I went armed, as always with my meal planned list. looked for the best offers, adding it up as i went along.
In my head I was around £45, the added some bits to take to work as its by birthday this week and fruit. brain said i was at £55. not enough to use the £9 voucher. however, fabric softener was on offer & would be enough to take me to the magic figure.

got to the till....I'd hit the required £60 spend so yay to the use of voucher....but had actually spent £80!!! multibuys took it down to £71....and then the voucher made it £62....total spend should have been closer to £51.....

Maybe there is some sort of energy field around the supermarkets that affects my ability to add.....

anyway, onwards & upwards. the till spat out another voucher of the same value for next week....we may have MrL's kids over so will easily be able to make use of it then!!

off work today, need to make effort to catch up with housework following a fortnight of not really do anything as we were preparing to decorate.....am now set to make the house pretty again.

need to nip to vets for worming tablets for Kitty & also will take some books to charity shop...clearing junk, i like it!!

first job of the day, stop reading diaries & make up spare bed....

Lurker1972

ok, who cancelled summer?
I am sat here, needing a light on because its so dark, in joggy pants cos I am not warm, with a jacket spud in the oven - thats a winter tea, not one for August!!!

yesterday was productive with minimal spend, took books to charity shop, looked around charity shop but did not purchase. only spend was worming tablets for kitty. major ironing session but still have 2 baskets to do

today, NSD as avoided the machine & was also able to park on a side road.

likely to be small spend tomorrow, but all in all, am doing well with leaving money untouched in my purse & should get to the end of the week having spent minimal amount.

ebay items end on Friday - 15 watchers but no bids (yet) on one item, the other is at £5.50 with 33!!! watchers.
Needless to say, my fingers are crossed for a bidding war!!

House is starting to feel better too, the latest batch of 'reorgansing' should mean that we only have one room with junk in, which can be sorted though at a more leisureley pace. Things are coming together. slowly but surely.

baby steps!

Lurker1972

hello Friday night, eBay watchers please can you start a last minute bidding war?

While I am happy that both items will sell I can't help but be a bit disappointed that they are currently sat @ £10 each....but there is still time...just about 2 hours to be be precise....

its been a fairly good week, minimal spends, stayed away from the calorie machine, but not done any exercise.

need to check bank accounts, make meal plan and shopping list....and I think i may have a survey....valued opinions here I come....

Lurker1972

wooo bidding frenzy....items now up to £20 each....keep it coming eBay watchers!

Lurker1972

less than half an hour to go & I think the final bidding frenzy is over...2 items will bring me just over £40. Nice. best of all they are both buyer collects items, so no hassle with delivering or postage, just need to be available to open the garage door - simples!!

MrLurks has a sportfest planned for Sunday so I might try an proper eBayfest.....clear out some more [STRIKE]junk[/STRIKE] treasures.

ooh, spoke to soon, the bed is now up to £37.....RESULT!!!