Thrifty is now my middle name!

kerri_dfw

Have you considered The Book People instead of Waterstones? I know it's not the same as not buying anything but they always have really good reductions. There's a challenge somewhere about reading all the books owned before buying any new ones somewhere too.

Miss_Information

kerri_dfw wrote: »

Have you considered The Book People instead of Waterstones? I know it's not the same as not buying anything but they always have really good reductions. There's a challenge somewhere about reading all the books owned before buying any new ones somewhere too.

I really have to do that - reading all the books I own, I mean. I have just always loved reading! I used to get a lot in tesco (I know...):mad: but actually more recently I go around charity shops, as usually I can find the books I want for a fraction of the price. So I'll keep doing that when I've read all the ones I have currently! I actually think I'll get my Mum a few books from charity for christmas presents. She won't mind as she really supports this project, so I'll just wrap them up nicely and as she loves reading too, she should be happy! I've joined the challenge you suggested about paying off debts by Dec2012 so the pressure's on now:T

Miss_Information

Thought I'd do one of these, as I think I missed a couple of things off the one I did on MSE.

Any hints/tips gratefully received!! Here goes......:(




Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household.........
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 2098.09
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 2098.09
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 724.5
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 209.5
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 30.83
Council tax............................. 86
Electricity............................. 9
Gas..................................... 17
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 53.9
Telephone (land line)................... 15.3
Mobile phone............................ 23.56
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 32.5
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 180
Clothing................................ 30
Petrol/diesel........................... 55
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 29.99
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 12.46
Life assurance ......................... 22.06
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 30
Haircuts................................ 25
Entertainment........................... 45
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1643.72

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 129999
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 10200
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 140199

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 113......(724.5)....6.49
Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... 14249.9..(209.5)....6.9
Total secured & HP debts...... 14362.9...-.........-
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit card....................2400......50........0
Total unsecured debts..........2400......50........-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 2,098.09
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,643.72
Available for debt repayments........... 454.37
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 50
Amount left after debt repayments....... 404.37
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 140,199
Total HP & Secured debt................. -14,362.9
Total Unsecured debt.................... -2,400
Net Assets.............................. 123,436.1
Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using IE browser.

wuvvies

just to say your doing really well. if you have ups and downs its still good your thinking about it. ( I say this because i have just had a big spend week) start again next week for me!! my goal is to make this the first year ever that i dont start january in debt from christmas. ive saved some and cut my budget and got a second job even though i dont seem to have any more income (although i have really i just dont see it). i have some on my credit card but get paid this month and on the 17th december i should have enough to pay all my card off. i hope!! good luck to you and keep posting. well keep each other going.

Miss_Information

Have listed my first 20 items. Got about 40 more to put up but it has taken me ages and I'm bored now!! Not sure anyone will buy anything, but it's worth a go.

Thanks for reading so far, the support on here is great, I'm sure we can all do it together :j

Good night MSE! x

WELSHWOOD

With the cost of gas and electricity increasing all the time, I begrudge paying British Gas a single penny so decided to reduce my use of electricity through minimising the number of electrical appliances I use. To that affect, I realised that if I set my alarm on my mobile phone, I can discard my electricity-guzzling alarm clock. Instead of electricity being consumed 24 hours a day by the alarm clock, I am now woken by the sound of my mobile. I live alone but wonder how much electricity would be used by a family of four if all had alarm clocks plugged in all day long all year long? It's a simple idea and may not save much money but it's a start.

Miss_Information

Well it turned out very well! My friend's husband insisted on paying for lunch so I bought us all a drink later in the afternoon - only £5

I used vouchers to buy some perfume and bought a set of 10 mini nail varnishes which I'm going to split into pairs and mix with little bits and bobs and make gift bags as xmas presents for my friends. So each present should cost about £7 - well within budget and mostly home made.

M+S had a deal on - 25% off footwear so I got a pair of ankle boots for £29 instead of £39 - also paid for by birthday money vouchers.

So I've come away with still a lot of money in vouchers that I got for my birthday. That's all I'm going to allow myself to spend on treats for me over the next few months, so I should be able to spread it out nicely.

Proud of myself as I could have bought soooooo many things!

I know it's not exactly thrifty but it's an improvement. Hoping for lots of no spend days this week. Good luck everyone! :A

kerri_dfw

Aw well done that's pretty amazing I can't go shopping without spending too much.

Miss_Information

Thanks Kerri! I really wasn't aure about going, but we have had this booked in for weeks and I couldn't drop out at the last minute. It was a really good test for me, and I'm glad I have this new focus and was able to say 'do I need it or do I WANT it?' Lots of things I want but don't actually need.

3 of my ebay items being watched now. I'm easily pleased!! Have a really good week

Miss Info x

Miss_Information

Had an awful day! :mad:

Had a really stressful start - car wouldn't start, forgot bag and had to come home so arrived later than usual at school. Had an awful class and just generally have felt like rubbish. Anyway, still trying to be positive!

I did have to call in to Tesco this evening, and bought a couple of things I shouldn't have, but total bill was £8.70 so not too bad.

POSITIVES:
- Refilled Heinz squeezy ketchup with Tesco Value (29p)
- Trying Tesco Value cereal bars instead of Alpen (76p)
- Trying Tesco Value squash instead of Robinsons (34p)
- I bought barn eggs instead of free range. Didn't feel good, but I got 10 for £1.98
- Found another cheap loaf of bread (55p)
- Bag of apples for £1 instead of my favourite pink lady apples (2.50)


NEGATIVES:
I was too early for the reduced items
I bought some hotdogs and rolls but blame this on my foul mood!

NSD tomorrow. I'm determined.