January 2011 spending diet

stitching_witch

I just noticed you'd posted on another thread about spending diaries. I have used Microsoft Money for years - I think it's the 2002 version! I know some people don't like it as it's an American programme, but I swear by it.

Every evening I sit down with a cuppa and my purse and transfer my spending onto the system. It's okay with the things I get receipts for, but the little things - like a stamp or a cappuchino doughnut - that have no receipts can cause problems. It's then a matter of sitting and re-tracing my steps e.g. carpark, greengrocer, chemist, post office, baker .....

At the end of each session I reconcile MSMoney with my on-line banking to doublecheck I haven't forgotten any transactions (usually purchases on-line) and check the "cash" account balance is the same as what is actually left in my purse.

I can pull up reports, see how much I owe various credit cards or how much is in my penny pot without having to empty it all over the floor

I know it's a bit an*l for some people but I love it! I used to do it all on paper which took an absolute age so I'm glad I can do the accounts quicker now, and I've never felt the need to upgrade to a newer version.

You'll find that I love numbers just as much as I love lists :rotfl:

OrangeFairy

Well done on joining the gym DNMS - i will have to remember to keep asking you if you have been!

SW - might have a gander at MSMoney! I love numbers and lists too!! :T:T:T

determined_new_ms

Hello :wave: and Happy New Year! :j

today is the first day of my diet. Last night we came home before 10 as both of us weren't feeling too good, I think we've come down with the flu thingy that is going round will see how I feel later but have a hunch that its going to be easy to make my first NSD today!
up for 20! This will be a bloody miracle if I make it!

Haven't given up smoking yet, as I still have some cigs left but I will either later today... Did really well yesterday with smoking. I tried smoking less and each time I wanted one putting it off for an hour (or 3 ), and it wasn't too bad....

we went for a mammouth walk to a Country pub & back yesterday which was lovely so hoping that's going to be a regular occurance this month (without the glass of red in the pub!)

so that's me....

La_escocesa

Happy New Year, DNMS!

Sounds like Day 1 is going to be easy peasy! Woo hoo.

That's a shame you're not feeling well. Typical of winter bugs to come out at party time.

xxx

OrangeFairy

Happy New Year DNMS!

I hope you feel better soon - We traditionally go on a nice walk on New Years Day but oH is poorly and i don't want to force him to go out if he feels like curling up in a ball on the sofa!

Good Luch with your NSD's! 20 will be a great achievement! I am going for 12 this month!

stitching_witch

Happy New Year DNMS and all your dedicated followers!

Good luck with the financial diet. With the events of the last two days I certainly need a diet, both financial and physical.

I'm aimimg for AT LEAST 15 NSDs so maybe we can support each other.

pixiechick99

Afternoon ladies, can I join in too?!;)

I'm just contemplating starting a new diary as I'm feeling mighty uninspired by my old one and fancy having a sparkly new start to the new year:D

NSD for me today...the girls and I have come home from my sister's where we spent last night and I was a whirlwind and took all the decorations down:T I have my lounge back to normal now, it feels lovely and tidy and fuss free...for a while anyway:rotfl:

I'm with Kel - going to go for 12 NSDs I think:)

WelshWoofer

Hello!
Just posting on my little diary and found you!
Good luck with the January diet - I'm doing something similar but not quite as strict as you - hopefullly your ramblings will spur me on!
I'm also attempting to give up the nasty habit - I'm only a 5 a dayer but still its 5 too many and adds up to about £15 :eek: a week
Have no more in the house and won't buy any tomorrow hopefully!

NSD no 1 for me today too:j

determined_new_ms

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww thanks guys for popping in lovely to see you all!

Well yesterday was easily achieved as I felt pants all day & just stayed in bed. I guess NY day is quite an easy one for most eh?

So Day 2 (in the DNM house) and I have smoked today although only have 1 ciggarette left so very soon I will be a non-smoker - will try not to get p*ssy with ppl today (well maybe not oh )

Am determined not to be ill today - I'm a firm believer that its mind over matter, while at the same time being the worst ever patient :rotfl:

Woofer how mental never knew you smoked, kept that quite didn't ya??? good luck, hope we can both be strong!

Stitchy, I'm going for NSD2, you in? :cool:

oh and I received a call from my mother last night and she has said she wants to give me £10,000! Well I'm not convinced it'll come to fruition as she is barking (long & complicated story ) and there are a lot of hours between now & when the banks open for her to change her mind! :rotfl:Who knows though? The Brasil fund may be closer than I think

stitching_witch

determined_new_ms wrote: »

Stitchy, I'm going for NSD2, you in? :cool:

Yep, NSD2 today and probably NSD3 tomorrow.

I now have a strict budget of £40 a week for petrol/diesel, self-sufficiency (allotment and chickens :rotfl:), food top-up (not main shop) and the local paper on a Thursday (still trying to find a better job for me and ANY job for DH).

No more spending on hobbies, magasines or cappuchino doughnuts

I hope your money diet works DNMS. Hopefully you'll shame me into making mine work too