Being realistic, being kinder and taking my time.....

Choc-addict

Yay, last day of work!!! Well for 4 days anyway

I've worked out a budget that allows me £50 per week spends from today. It's exactly 3 weeks until payday for me so Fri-Fri is going to be my fiancial weeks so to speak. Will keep a tally etc and see what I can do. I'm hopefully given that it's the Xmas period and will be spent most of it at home or visiting a relative that I won't spend too much this week at all. I'm working (from home) in the few days between Xmas and NY so again hopefully no spending. Hmmm, wonder how I will do?!

Nothing else to report, will try and update through the festive period but not sure when.

Have a lovely Christmas xx

jwil

Hope you have a lovely Christmas too

Choc-addict

Can't believe I am back at work already Christmas flew by, sad but at same time i'm quite glad to be back into routine...I was in danger of becoming a slob! Only a few days and then i'm back off for three

Well reflecting back, I spent and ate far more than I should have done. Clearly no good at this budgeting business, something I most def need to work upon. Had a lovely Christmas though and can't dwell on the spending, its done, just need to get back on the DFW wagon - which I am. Just have new year spends to deal with, hopefully cheap as we're off to France (travel already paid for) for 3 days, staying in friends parents cottage so spends should be minimal as cottage in middle of nowhere, would imagine we'll just pick up supplies between us all and be done with it.

Anyhow, need to give some thought towards the pending year and what I want to get from it. I have a few ideas, obvious one being working towards becoming debt free, there are a few personal ones too so need to have a think, i'm not going to go mad and set myself up for a fall. Just little lifestyle changes for the year ahead. Obviously have our wedding in April (4 mths today!!!) so know the earlier part of this year is going to be taken up with that. Lots to do and think about....

Choc-addict

Just a random mulling board for new years plans.....nothing in concrete so don't take my word on any of it!!!!!!

- to work towards becoming debt free
- to manage money better (better budgeting and forward planning)
- to live within my means
- to marry the man of my dreams and plan/have a beautiful wedding and become Mrs Lucas
- to get to 9.5 -10st and maintain it - hopefully before the wedding!
- to have some rainy day savings
- to save for christmas 2012
- to save for holidays etc
- to start a course (to be decided) at local college in evening
- to keep on top of house = routine/structure
- to make more effort to keep on top of new laws and legislation re work, read regular policies and circulars rather than ignoring. Again introduce structure

- to start climbing again
- make sure come spring/summer take opportunity to do more outdoor climbing and push myself
- to walk striding edge on honeymoon - tried it once and got scared....have a problem with sheer drops (if given too much time to think about them!)....I will do this!! Pending weather conditions obvioulsy!!




Just a bit of mulling....will set some definitive goals soon and above all start having some structure to my life....bored of just being and feeling unmotivated.....can't wait for 2012!!!!!!

-

jwil

Good luck!

Choc-addict

jwil wrote: »

Good luck!

Thank you!

Choc-addict

Gosh this day is going slowly....I feel as though i've been at work for a week! Even had to take my lunch break early and have a half hour kip as can't keep my eyes open - what's going on?!

No real updates re money or anything - that'll have to wait until after the NY once I know what is left in the bank, what's still to come out etc. Hopefully I can make it through and still have some pennies in the bank at the end of the month.

Need to get on and sort out my savings (online) pots for the year ahead, this year I am going to become a budgeteer in every sense, something i've not yet got to grips with. Need to learn that I just don't have money!

Choc-addict

A little reflection on 2011.....

Debt as of 01.01.11 was £37,451.84 current debt sitting at £29,193.74 therefore paid off £8258.10 of my debt in 2011.

I do feel as though I could have done better and I still feel that I have a long journey in learning how to control my money better for instance, this year I took an trip to spain with a girly friend (not necessary), still spent money on random day trips, clothes, magazines, meals out (not taking vouchers), etc etc....I still feel I have a lot to learn and still to this day have not stuck to a budget. So, yes i'm happy that I paid over 8k off of my total debt but can't help but think it'd have been a lot more if I tried harder

Anyhow, onwards and upwards - 2012 is a new year and it's a bright year with already lots to look forward too mainly being our wedding :j:j I am determined to make 2012 a better year than 2011 and already have a mini plan of action. To be revealed when I get back from France (which I have not had to pay for just to be clear!)...only spends I should encounter are bit of food and drink, staying in lovely cottage owned by friends parents and OH has kindly paid for ferry over.

Next year has to be spent looking at controlling my spending and budgeting - something I clearly have not got to grips with. Back to the start for me, spending diary is a must from 01.01.12.

I have already taken steps and opened online saving accounts for forward planning such as xmas, car, bdays, holiday etc - I now need to work out how much to pay into this each month and ensure that this is a monthly transaction just like the payments towards my debts.

Nothing else to report just yet, as always waiting for statements to come in so I can update my debt totals after my December payments.

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year and here's to a fantastic 2012 for all!

Karen xx

OrangeFairy

CHOC I am going to need to get you to message me when you start these new diaries!! I think u are quiet and then find you again!

Don't be disheartened that could could have paid off more than you did. What you have achieved is fantastic. Here's to a great year for you! Your wedding will be here before you know it!!! enjoy your holiday xx

Choc-addict

OrangeFairy wrote: »

CHOC I am going to need to get you to message me when you start these new diaries!! I think u are quiet and then find you again!

Don't be disheartened that could could have paid off more than you did. What you have achieved is fantastic. Here's to a great year for you! Your wedding will be here before you know it!!! enjoy your holiday xx

:rotfl::rotfl:SORRY! I promise no new diaries for a while!:rotfl::rotfl: