Please Stop Me Now....

ROSIEGLOW255

Monthly Surplus: £361.05

Unbudgeted Items:

Groceries: £72.50
Petrol: £11.28
Daughters Birthday: £47.24
Cash Withdrawals: £70.00
Extra Childcare: £32.00
M & S: £5.31
M&S: £5.00
Bin: £40.99
Boots: £5.91
Light: £15.48
Shoes & Umbrella: £12.00
Mothercare Refund: +£27.00
Adjustment: +£45
Prescription: £22.20 (will be reclaiming this as signed up for pre-paid cert)
Prescription Pre Payment Cert: £10.40

Remaining Monthly Surplus £82.74

ROSIEGLOW255

Well this is so true, just been shopping with daughter, with a shopping list but no meal plan, and kept picking up little extras, and got to the checkout and had spent £57! Couldn't care this was supposed to be a cheap week. Only went shopping so didn't have to pay delivery charge but to be honest think I would have been better off paying the delivery fee or waiting till later when could have gone shopping on my own.

Well back to meal plans and online shopping next week I think.

ROSIEGLOW255

Mixed bag today, may have spent all of this weeks grocery budget already but managed to come £57 under budget for week. I transferred this into the joint account to go towards weekend away next weekend. Still hoping to have something left over at the end of the month even if it is only £1.

katsu

Just wanted to say re the eggs - you can use them after their use by date. Put water in a clear measuring jug or similar then drop in the egg gently.

If it sinks it is good, if it stands up on it's point it is on the turn so I'd not use it and if it floats it is definitely for the bin.

Hope this helps you in future - I've eaten them after checking this way all my life with no ill-effects.

ROSIEGLOW255

Thanks for the tip re eggs, I knew there was a way to test but wasn't quite sure what. Will prob come in handy as bought 2 dozen eggs the other day and may not get them used before date.

Not had a very good couple of days, feel like I'm losing my way a little bit, maybe because the end of month is nearing and my self sabotage habit is starting to kick in. Wasted money buying lunches at work the last couple of days so must make effort to take packed lunch tomorrow, after all did buy stuff for it on Sunday.

Am coming up to September and need to make a decision about whether to go back to college. I didn't last year due to finances but this year employer said he would contribute towards costs and as my initial plan to self study hasn't panned out (no self discipline) think I need the structure of college to get the qualification completed. Don't really want to postpone another year but on other hand going back to college would mean putting fees onto interest free credit card for 15 months which would equate to monthly payment of about £60, although am hoping employer will contribute enough to bring payments down to £30/40 which would be much more manageable. Mmmm decisions decisions, sensible head says no wait till debt free and then save up money but impulsive head says just go for it, it's an investment/a good debt. If I put on credit card and started in September rest of debts should be paid off by March/April so could then pay it of using debt repayment money in May/June and would finish course in June. If saved up after debt free would have money by June but would not be able to start course until September. In my mind is better to start in September but isn't this the same mentality that got me into debt in the first place? :think::think::think:

ROSIEGLOW255

Losing control again.

Don't know what's wrong with me this week just can't seem to stop spending again, nothing major but just wasteful little spends here and there, so frustrated with myself.

Don't know if I get a bit bored with it towards end of month. At beginning of month was lots of updating spreadsheet but as month goes on there tends to be less and less activity on account so not as much to do to keep interest, either that or it is pure self sabotage.

Went to update my spreadsheet tonight and hubbys wages haven't gone in although not unusual to have to wait till Friday for pay, better be there tomorrow though. Roll on Tuesday when I will be able to see if there is any money left and to check credit card balance at end of month to see how much have paid off in total.

Got day off tomorrow, was hoping to go out for bike ride but after weather the last few days not looking too promising so trying to come up with some wet weather plans as don't want to be stuck in house.

ROSIEGLOW255

Just checked bank account and Egg have still taken the Direct Debit for the minimum payment despite already receiving £100 a week and their website saying that if payment has already been received Direct Debit won't be taken. So annoyed, that's £91 gone out of account that wasn't expected, good job not in a position where this would incur fees.

Made a good discovery last night, found an app on my phone where you use virtual envelopes and put your weekly or monthly budget in and label what they are for and then everytime you spend from that category it will deduct it from the balance, hoping this will be easier to use than spending diary as always have phone with me.