Muchin's diary of recover; becoming debt free and being happy

Munchin

Weekly spend - w/c 20th Sept

Sun - NSD (12)
Mon - £36 physio + £28 vet + £3.50 0dog bits
Tues- £22.74 Tesco
Wed - NSD (13)
Thur -

Total = £90.24

Munchin

Weekly spend - w/c 20th Sept

Sun - NSD (12)
Mon - £36 physio + £28 vet + £3.50 0dog bits
Tues- £22.74 Tesco
Wed - NSD (13)
Thur - £3.40 coffee + £2 charity
Fri - £7.24 groceries
Sat -

Total = £102.88

Munchin

Evening all,

As I'm currently waiting for a start date for my new job the current job have stopped giving me work, so that was one very long boring day. On the positive side I got to read lots of frugal blogs. I found these ones - andthenwesaved.com & pennygolightly.

I'm borrowing from 'andthenwesaved' and copying her money diet which is similar to what a lot of us MSErs are already doing. The first thing I did was update my YNAB categories into Needs, Wants and Savings and I also read that I should be dividing my salary into 50%Needs, 30% Wants & 20% Savings.

So the plan is -

• Make list of my NEEDS. These are things that we need to spend money on ie rent, utilities groceries, dentist, car etc. I have to streamline these budgets.
• Stop spending money
• Limiting my Wants to a specific amount each month (clothes, make-up, entertainment, dinner out, other Wants) and when it's gone it's gone.

If I buy something I have to ask the following -

• Does it fall into a need?
• Do I have something like it?
• Is it made well?
• Is it expense worthy? (how many hours would I have to work to afford it?)
• Is it worth it? Are you just paying for the name/label.
  
• Could I get it cheaper elsewhere?
• Sleep on it.
  

Munchin

End of Sept review

- Credit Card debt + £2100
- Save everything - £400
- Xmas savings - £450

Munchin

Evening all,

I took my Mum shopping today for a winter coat. I thought I was indecisive but at least I know who I get it from:).

I also got my hair cut and it was quite MSE because I tried a new hairdressers and it cost me "£10:) and I'm happy with the cut. I would class the hair cut as a 'want' rather than a 'need' because I could live without it but in some of the budgets I read they classed it as a 'need' because it is important to be presentable in their line of work. I've set up my new recording chart with wants and needs and we will see how it goes.

Weekly spend - w/c 27th Sept

Sun - £

Total = Needs £ & Wants £

Munchin

Weekly spend - w/c 27th Sept

Sun - £1 charity + £1.12 groceries
Mon - £

Total = Needs £1.12 & Wants £1

Munchin

Evening all,

I've a busy week ahead with various appointments which all cost money. Tomorrow I have hopefully my last physio appointment (£36) followed by my nutritionist appointment (£50). Unfortunately there is 2 hours between appointments and they are too far from home for me to get home and back. I will go for a walk in a park and download a free book to my kindle to kill the time.

Tuesday I have an appointment with my therapist (£45) and then back to work. I count my nutritionist appointments and therapist appointments as being worth it and a major need as my Recovery is more important than anything. I am having lunch with friends on Tues & Thursday so they are classed as wants and hopefully will be less than £20.

Hopefully my physio will sign me off and I can get running again. My ankle is still a bit stiff but not painful.

OH is working today so I'm making a very nice dinner of leftovers - very MSE

Munchin

Morning all,

Yesterday was a spendy day but it almost all fell into the Need category. I don't feel so bad spending money when it falls into the Need side but it was quite a lot:o -

Weekly spend - w/c 27th Sept

Sun - £1 charity + £1.12 groceries
Mon - Needs - £.56 vet + £9.75 groceries + £18.99 books + £86 physio/nutritionist + £35.01 diesel. Wants -£38.97 Dunelm + £3.50 chocs.
Tues -

Total = Needs £151.43 & Wants £43.47

I wouldn't normally class books as a need but they were recommended by my nutritionist. I bought some lovely brushed cotton sheets which I have been planning on buying since last year so you can't say I didn't think about it:). I'm out to lunch today with some friends so that is a want - this is going to be such a spendy week but they don't happen often.

Physio hasn't signed me of yet but he thinks one more appointment should do it and no running until next week which means the race I was planning on doing is out the window. I also saw my nutritionist and she analysed my food diary and surprisingly enough she spotted my veg and fruit consumption was pretty poor. She recommended 2 books for me to read - Jamie Olivers Every day superfood and Eat Nourish Glow by Amelia Freer. I also have to build up to eating 10 yes ...10 portions of fruit and veg a day. I'm also to increase my water intake which is also pretty poor:o.

A busy spendy day yesterday but it felt quite productive.

in_need_of_direction

My fruit and veg intake is also really poor. The only way I up it is through home made soups in winter. Since you invested in a super duper flask thing, it might be an option.

Munchin

Thanks INOD - I think soups and stews are the only way to increase my uptake at the moment. I'm having salad today but I know the weather is on the turn and salads will not be so appetizing soon. I felt like I drank gallons of water yesterday and I know they are due to test the fire alarm in work and I was worried they would catch me in the ladies when the alarm sounds:o. What I like is that I'm not starving myself or making massive changes but gradually introducing new processes into my eating.

I was out for lunch yesterday and it was lovely to meet up with the girls for a chat. They are both in bad work situations and again it is one person making life hell for everyone and it is so frustrating that they get away with effectively being bullies.

Weekly spend - w/c 27th Sept

Sun - £1 charity + £1.12 groceries
Mon - Needs - £.56 vet + £9.75 groceries + £18.99 books + £86 physio/nutritionist + £35.01 diesel. Wants -£38.97 Dunelm + £3.50 chocs.
Tues - Needs - £45 therapist + Wants - £17 lunch
Wed - NSD (14)

Total = Needs £196.43 & Wants £60.47