Blinded by the LBM...!

Going4TheDream

banwa wrote: »

I tried it in the past but didn't have the discipline. I would just dip into it when I wanted (wanted, not needed) something. Then dipping into the credit card when I needed something.

Wat Christmas shopping have you done so far?

I know the feeling and you are so right it does take a fair bit of discipline but when I had a lower salary I had to really force my self to stick to it! Lucky I dont have debts but knew if I carried on spending at the same levels I would and it kinda spirred me on to stick to it, and the fact that i pay for all the big sutff in full so no nasty monthly interest payments on car insurance etc... Thats why I love the diaries on here, full of inventive ways to save a bit and make a bit of extra money and make the best use of money in general!

Seems kinds weird but really budgeting and using the 2nd account for big non monthly bills means I dont panic any more when the car insurance is due for example and find I am using half my salary to pay it! Aso Birthdays and Christmas aren't shockers as the money is there...

Maybe its not for everyone but definatley made my life easier and less stressful!

Have been buying a few bits for a few months now so not a lot left really......just the wrapping up!!

Beencounting

Going4TheDream wrote: »

Have been buying a few bits for a few months now so not a lot left really......just the wrapping up!!

Argh!! I hate the wrapping

Beencounting

Good news arrived in the post today...my insurance refund cheque, and my cashback cheque from phones people :j :j

The two together are £287 :beer:

I'll need to update my spreadsheet now to see how much I can pay off the card. OH has done a service on the car this morning, so an unplanned spend of £20 that I need to allow for, plus I'm already projecting to be over budget at month end as we'll need to spend more than planned on fuel and shopping.

But anyway, I think I can risk a little payment of £30 today .

Off to do that now!

Beencounting

Woohoo!! That's done.

Balance is showing as £878, which is much better than I expected this month

banwa

Going4TheDream wrote: »

no nasty monthly interest payments on car insurance etc...

Both our car insurances are coming out monthly - I think we are paying about 30%, very stupid of us indeed. Will spend more wisely at renewal time, lessons learned. Will do the same for the pet and home insurance. I think we will save £300 on that next year. Or looking at it another way, we have wasted £300 this year:(

Beencounting wrote: »

Good news arrived in the post today...my insurance refund cheque, and my cashback cheque from phones people :j :j

The two together are £287 :beer:

Great news Been :j. That's a great feeling, especially nice and close to Christmas

I have done about 35% of adults Christmas shopping. The children all get cash, so that's easy.

I can't believe I spelt what WAT:o

Beencounting

Had some more good news today...£52 refund due from E0n :T . It should be transferred into my account, hopefully by the end of next week .

I've done some more (online) Christmas shopping today. TV for DS (we'll finally be able to move the xbox to his bedroom ) and some ghds for DD.

Another little 'good news' thing...DD2 is using her own money (earned money as she now has a p/t job) to buy a birthday present for her friend. This would normally come from my coffers, so another little victory in personal frugalness (not sure if that's a word) :T.

Been

Beencounting

Beencounting wrote: »

OK, need to start with a list to get myself motivated!

• phone e0n to find out what my final balance is (hoping for a refund) - done
• find out when first payment to Sc0tP0wer will debit - done
• update spreadsheet - done
• make a payment to the target card, even if it's only £1 - done
• aim for a couple of NSD this week
• stick to mealplan (delivery from 4sda due later today) - done, except for takeaway on Friday for DDs birthday
• renew OHs monthly train ticket later this week - done
• sort out school shoes for DS...still not done - done, very last minute, managed to find them online at 5.30 this morning...couldn't sleep
• DS has seen a superdry top on ebay he wants, so get this ready for Christmas - done

I'm sure there must be more, but my brain isn't awake yet .

I've just been checking over my list for last week, and am pleased that nearly all of the items are ticked off . But, an important one that I didn't accomplish last week was to have a couple of NSDs. This was partially due to buying unexpected and expected birthday cards, and also because we ran out of sandwich stuff for work before the end of the week. I think this is telling me to improve my planning , so with that in mind, I'm going to be more specific and aim for just ONE NSD next week, with the intention of building it up from there.

Next post will be my list for next week.....

Beencounting

Here's my MSE list for next week, so far:

• Aim for 1 NSD
• Chase up school for DS' expenses (£11)
• Update budget spreadsheet
• Update BS account pots
• Draw money out of BS for Christmas spends so far
• Pay DDs rent
• Write up mealplan for the week
• Food shop and keep within budget
• Make a payment to the target card
• Check T3sco rewards to convert points to train tickets
• Update Make £10 a day challenge with my extra earnings
• Do surveys
• Do lots of Av0n

Better get cracking

Been

hillside777

You seem to be doing well with the jobs on your lists. :T

I'm with you in wrapping presents, I can't stand it. I'm useless at wrapping presents and hate wrapping ebay parcels.

Perhaps it's in the make up of ladies to be able to wrap parcels and presents.

Have a good week and I hope you get your one NSD!

Beencounting

Thanks Bonnington

Well, today definitely won't be the NSD as OH and I have been really naughty and bought a C0sta on the way into work . Neither of us had breakfast this morning, and the temptation was just too great...lovely way to start a Monday morning though .


Just picking a few things off the list for today -

• Prep mealplan - done
• Shopping at Lid1 on the way home from work - done
• Phone DDs landlord to get address to send the cheque to
• Update budget spreadsheet - done
• Chase up school re DS' expenses - done
• Pay cheques received on the weekend into the bank - done

Think that will be it for today...can you tell I love lists :rotfl:

Been