Debt free the Fly lady way - anyone?

Maisie_M

Hi

okay kept up my spending diary today which was a good exercise again.

Spent £104.59 today which is a lot but also saved a huge amount so I was pleased. Broken down it was:
Lunch £4.55 - previously arranged with friend (paid for me and little one)
Main grocery shop £65.25 saved £10.65 with BOGOF, reductions and some cupons I had stored away
Boots £34.79 saved £20.33 plus 794 points and two sets of vouchers for the hair and make up worth another £16


right bad juju's
1. I am hopeless with money and spend it like water
I recognise this and am taking steps to be in control

2. I am really bad at keeping track of where I am spending my money.
I know have a spending diary and know exactly where every penny goes

3. I am useless at budgeting
with the help of Flyladying I will be able to learn how to budget

4. I have no idea what things cost, I just buy them
I am now aware and am looking for bargins and savings where possible

Day 5 - mobile phone - not really a problem for me as I really only use it for emergencies so think I will move on to Day 6 - credit cards - aarrrrrgh this is going to be a toughie for me but I will do it.

Gemmzie

Read yesterday's post but didn't have time to find the thread, then I remembered it was on the first post :rotfl:

Anyway, as I was reading I was sorting through the day's post, how freaky is that!
Found that the electricity company owe us £100 because we've switched and we were so much in credit!
And a first offer for bank charges
I've now taken over post sorting duties from the parents, who just "file" it - tidy yes, helpful no.


Mum is doing the shopping today so she's been armed with a list and a rough idea of meals for the week so no extra will be bought and nothing will be missed

mizmir

Shopping lists - been doing pretty well on this one in the last few weeks.
Did all the shopping last week for a fortnight - the only things running low are milk and eggs - now on new list.

Maisie_M

Hi folks

Spending diary still in full swing - didnt even have a coffee out today as I knew I would have to write it down!!

Okay day 5 not a problem as only use mobile for emergencies so thats good (in fact most of the time its flat as I forget to charge it )

Day 6 now this is a biggie for me - my flexible friends - but stored all away in teh house (cut two up I havent used for years and wrote and told the companies that I dont need them too). But have stored one away in a secret pocket in my handbag for emergencies (eg last week got a puncture had to get it fixed asap as spare also dodgy so needed card to pay - paid it of when bill came in but just as a tide over). Will not use for non emergency payments - may wrap it in a bag with scellotape all round to make sure its not too tempting :rotfl:

So onto Day 7 - enetring the stuff I have been spending into my diary. Okay here goes.

Speak tomorrow.

mizmir

Well done on cutting up the cards - I need to do that - am hanging on to them in case I can persuade them to do me a good BT deal - but there are one or two who I know from past experience won't! :rolleyes: Good idea about the plastic bag - I might try that!

mizmir

Morning all. Hope you are having a relaxing DFW weekend. Checking for today's challenge - lovely one Tondella - permission to surf!

I am going to explore the OS and gardening boards and maybe have a look around the freebies.... catch you all later.

mizmir

Off now - am away for the next 3 days for work - staying in a hotel - may or may not have internet connection but will take wireless lappy just in case! If not - good luck with your flying! See you on Thursday.

ps had a quick look at the next 3 days challenges. Have been taking lunch but will have lunch provided the next 3 days . Will find a folder. Will look at brands next shop (probably Saturday). Not going to fall off the wagon!

mh1923

Oh dear, I cannot do day 5! I need my phone on 24/7 to receive calls! But I keep my PAYG spending around £5 a month, so that is the one area of the budget I have under control.

bobble_hat

Hi everyone,

Day 9 – shop but don’t drop.

I did my shopping list and shopped today, the only extra thing I bought was a Big Issue. So I'm qute pleased with myself.

I'll start adding to a new one right away. I've only used a bit of pasta and some tomatoes today.

I missed today's challenge, I should have been doing Day 10 today, so I'll do day 10 tomorrow.

Maisie_M

Well haven't got round to doing the book yet but have one and have sorted it out but didnt get time to fill it even though I had a NSD today - woohoo. Will hopefully get it updated tomorrow.

Day 8 - opening the mail - bills and all - not a problem as I do that - sometimes have a heart attack when I see how much I have spent in one month but we normally clear them every month so not too bad on that front. All Utility bills paid by Direct debit so normally just under or over credit with those.

So tomorrow I will complete day 7.