My SOA- your thoughts please :)

Mandamoo_3

Hi Cloudcuckoo

I know the fuel is a nightmare, my job involves nursing in the community where I average 25 miles a night 2-3 nights a week. I am also studying to be a psychatric nurse and that involves lengthy placements where ever the uni feel like placing me, last time it was a 100 mile round trip daily. So whilst its not that high all the time there are times where it is higher, so CCCs recommnded this amount as an average over the year. When I am at uni though I do car share and get the bus

ERICS_MUM

Mandamoo wrote: »

Thanks bib I think that a spending diary is the way forward. If I actually do have £50 a week I am a little concerned what I am doing with it!

M

This is one of life's mysteries! I had to really cut down on spending a few years ago when my income was halved and I was shocked at how much I spent on non-essentials:

magazines, newspapers, "luxury" coffees, the odd take-away, the bits I threw into my supermarket trolley that weren't on my shopping list, several types of cleaning materials for different areas - windows, floors, kitchen, bathroom. Expensive shower gel and shampoo, luxury loo rolls etc etc.

The spending diary could really help if you record every bit of spending no matter how small. Also try using own-brands or value ranges. Some you will like and stick with and some you will hate and can justify paying more for your preferred brand.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Linda :beer:

Mandamoo_3

Thanks Linda, I am lucky that because I am normally at uni or placement my mum does all the shopping for us and she is very frugal (just a shame I never inherited that bit of her :rotfl:) sitting here this evening I have already realised that a very very large amount goes on smoking :mad: so need to stop. And you are so right I think it may well be the coffees at uni (£1.20 a pop) and the odd choccie bar here and there. I will beginning my spending diary tomorrow :T