A new start for a newbie

debtfreewannabe321

oh and as for the holiday/birthday fund etc I did my SOA and then saw what was left to split between entertainment/pocket money/ holiday/ presents and split accordingly and if i make any money from sales from ebay etc i put that into one of the savings pots too...Next year will be my first year of doing a proper spreadsheet...i did one this year but didn't really get the hang of it till about october :rotfl:

dfw

vintage43

debtfreewannabe321 wrote: »

oh and as for the holiday/birthday fund etc I did my SOA and then saw what was left to split between entertainment/pocket money/ holiday/ presents and split accordingly and if i make any money from sales from ebay etc i put that into one of the savings pots too...Next year will be my first year of doing a proper spreadsheet...i did one this year but didn't really get the hang of it till about october :rotfl:

dfw

I like the spread sheet idea, did you do one that added everything up as you go along, I have done the budget planner one on here, but need to unpick it a bit as I have rounded up on gas, electric and Council tax, just estimated until I dig the bills out at the weekend, does anyone know of any good spreadsheet templates I could use as I am not too hot on making them, i can do a basic table but I'd like one that adds it up for you as you go along, way too clever for me to do!
Thanks so much for the comments xxx:A

debtfreewannabe321

http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/budgets.html

I used one from that site there for 2012. This year I did my own one but like you i'm not too great on making it all calculate lol so found a ready made one next year and just changed it a little i used the money manager one (think that's what it's called) and seems good to go and better than this years one already lol

dfw

vintage43

I have just chopped up my credit card, massive step forward, no more CC in the new year, yey!!!!!:j

vintage43

I changed gas suppliers this morning, did a duel fuel 8 with Npow*r and will get £100 love to shop vouchers, £30.00 cash back and save 21% on my yearly bill, it only took two minutes! Thanks MSE :j

vintage43

Well last night was lovely, Christmas meal number 1 with work, I didn't buy myself anything new to wear, result! I split a curry rice and naan with a workmate so my total bill only came to £15.00 which is much less than I'd been expecting, had to drive so just had tap water, what a lovely night and an oxfam secret santa which was great fun.:j

vintage43

I missed out on xmas meal no 2 last night as it snowed here and I skidded while driving so it put me off driving the 40 miles to the meal. I had a doggy bag of curry and naan from the night before though, scrummy!
A NSD today, I've had a lovely relaxed day, just tidied a bit and caught up on 3 episodes of boardwalk empire, walked the dog a few times and done all the washing. I had to buy a dehumidifier for son#3's bedroom as it was really getting damp with condensation and i can't afford to have it lined as it's a single brick extension, on the plus side because it needs to be on when he's in his room, which is alot, teenager I can put the washing on the radiators instead of using the tumble drier. I'm planning another no spend day tomorrow and will start officially using the budget planner as from Wednesday which is my last payday of the year. I have updated my signature, but although my loan and mortgage and overdraft have gone down my cc has gone up so that's what i'll work on clearing first, have to admit i have been worrying about it and am really glad now that i chopped it up.

Cherryjack

snap vintage, i did the npower deal aswell cant wait to get the vouchers

vintage43

Cherryjack wrote: »

snap vintage, i did the npower deal aswell cant wait to get the vouchers

I know me too! Hoping they come in time for the 75% off Boots sale that's usually around the 16th Jan, should be able to buy all next years Xmas pressies for friends and family from that amount xx:j

vintage43

I have just started work on the budget planner, I have broken down so far the kids school lunches, car essentials and spare for any emergencies on it, school travel and Christmas/birthdays/holidays, I am debating if I should actually have a fund for christmas,birthdays and hols or if I should just tell everyone next year they are getting a token gift as the money would pay half my credit card bill off! if i do that with the £200.00 I have budgeted for cc bills then i might just pay it off in a year, what are your thoughts, seems a bit of a no brainer??????