bobble_hat's Debt Diary

bobble_hat

I'm online today for probably the last time until January now. I'm off to stay with friends over Christmas and they live in the sticks with no broadband. I'm not sure how I'll cope.

I'm afraid to say I've been totally useless at sticking to my budget this month but am glad to say I've not used any credit for Christmas shopping, eating and drinking. I will be entering the New Year with money in the bank. So I don't feel too guilty. :j

I'm suspending my spend diary and other MSE daily tasks until after Christmas but will not be spending anything more than I've got left from my December pay packet. I will begin afresh in January, in fact I already have January's money divided into envelopes. I organised and paid for our team Christmas meal, and rather than pay the cash people gave me back into my account only to withdraw it again, I decided that that would be my January budget. It's less than I would normally have so I will start the year as I mean to continue.

The best thing is, the friend I am staying with is an aerobics instructor, and she is working most of the holiday, so not only will I have little chance of spending money, I will also get lots of free exercise. So I should end up losing weight and saving money over Christmas. :j

Happy Christmas to one and all. :xmastree:

poorbutrich

bobble_hat wrote:

Happy Christmas to one and all. :xmastree:

You too! Good luck with the laptop!

bobble_hat

Well, I spent too much, ate too much and drank too much over the Christmas period. I've still got plenty of money in the bank though and did not use any credit/debt. :T

I bought my laptop with my overtime money and had to use a little extra. But it was worth it as I'm already lined up with website work for 3 websites, to do in my spare time. It won't be too long until it has paid for itself. :T

I've also spent £145 on my winter running kit, I had to get everything at once because I have no kit and am just starting out. The kit should last me for a few years and as long as I run two to three times a week I can justify the spends.

I've started my spend diary again, I began on the 1st of January. I'm annoyed at myself as I had a big blow-out last night. We have some american guests staying so we took them bowling last night and bought copious amounts of alcohol for drinking games once we got home.

I'm back on track from today, I'm going to do my grocery shopping tomorrow. I'm doing the Kellogs 'Drop a Jeans size' challenge for the next two weeks and I'm going to cook a huge pan of soup for my healthy meal. I've already got tons of cereal so my grocery budget for next week will be tiny. I also start running with the club again on Monday (We run Mondays and Thursdays) and intend to go swimming once a week too.

So my goals for the rest of January are:

1. Maintain my spend diary.
2. Keep within the January budget.
3. Lose 8lbs.
4. Drink no more alcohol.

I'll keep the diary updated as to how well I'm doing. I'm online at home now and I love it. :j

bobble_hat

A rather manic day today. Our 3 house guests left this morning to return to America. The house was a complete tip so we went out grocery shopping then blitzed to house.

I spent £31.15 on my groceries, I had intended to spend £20 but I'd emptied my cupboards before going away before Christmas, so £30 was probably a lot more realistic.

I finally get to sleep in my own room, I'd given it up for our guests as I have one of the larger rooms. I'm so looking forward to going to sleep tonight. I haven't had any alcohol, although we have copious amounts in the house, so I'm rather proud of myself for that.

I just have one birthday present to buy this week and should not have the need to spend anything else.

CAFCGirl

Hi Bobble.

Just wanted to say congrats on starting up the thread again, and super good luck with the resolutions.

Hope you have a lovely nights sleep back in your bed. I dont really have anything else fab to add apart from good luck with the debt busting, and enjoy the new shiny laptop. Is the money made from the websites going straight to pay off the laptop?

bobble_hat

CAFCGirl wrote:

Hi Bobble.

Just wanted to say congrats on starting up the thread again, and super good luck with the resolutions.

Hope you have a lovely nights sleep back in your bed. I dont really have anything else fab to add apart from good luck with the debt busting, and enjoy the new shiny laptop. Is the money made from the websites going straight to pay off the laptop?

Thanks CAFCGirl, I was able to pay in full for the laptop with overtime money and some of my account buffer money. But yes the website work will be used to pay me back for the laptop spending. :j

Had a NSD today, and managed to stick to the first day of the 'Drop A Jeans Size' (DAJS) challenge. I also ran 4 miles this evening so am feeling very righteous. :A

clarab_3

Hi Bobble - just wanted to say I was outsourced to BB myself a few years ago - if theres any advice I can ever give...

(PS - I wouldnt worry aboout monitoring, they really don't)

CAFCGirl

ran 4 miles eh?

I ate 4 jaffa cakes.

For every clever thing that happens, something dumb happens to re-dress the balance.

But well done you for running off my jaffa cakes!

bobble_hat

CAFCGirl wrote:

ran 4 miles eh?

I ate 4 jaffa cakes.

For every clever thing that happens, something dumb happens to re-dress the balance.

But well done you for running off my jaffa cakes!

*LOL* :rotfl: You're welcome.

My legs are killing me today! It was the last mile that did it, that was horrendous.

Well today was my second NSD in a row! I think that's a first for me. And I've stuck to the DAJS Challenge too. This taking one day at a time lark really works. I'm starving, my legs are killing me, and I'm desperate for a shopping spree. But I will be strong, tomorrow is always fresh.....

bobble_hat

A good day today, was planning on a NSD, but had to buy milk. Only 64p spent though. An amount which I added to my spend diary.

I made another batch of soup this evening, in fact, it's still bubbling away as I type.

I'm on day 3 of the DAJS challenge, and I feel fine. I've not been as hungry today. I should have weighed myself today, but I walked through town without my purse so didn't have my boots weight machine card thingy with me. Will leave it until next week now.

Just been doing some more website work this evening.