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

Munchin

Evening all,

I managed an NSD if I don't count £35 on diesel. We also got our Xmas holidays this year so we are off on the Mon - Wed and the following Mon (02/01).

I get paid on 27th this month so 13 long days to go.

I did one money saving thing - I've been reading a blog called "and then we saved" and she published a book but it is £7.49 on Amazon. I've signed up to an audio trial so I can listen to it for free and will cancel it before the month is up:)

I don't have any other updates today just ticking along.

Munchin

Morning all

I admit I do like to spend money on books mainly on Amazon but as that habit has to be broken I'm going to have to see what I can earn on money making sites.

This morning I have reactivated or signed up to the following sites -

• Inbox pounds - 20p
  
• Swagbucks - 429 points
• You Gov - 300 points
  
• Check Free postcode lottery
  
• Check Luckyphone
• Check Numberplate lotto
• Boots - check testing panel

My aim is to check them each morning before work. I've done surveys before and I usually get chucked out because I don't fit in the right category but will see how it goes this time.

I just need to pack my lunch and hit the road:)

Munchin

Money - £40 a week challenge.

Mon - £9.26 Asda + £2.50 Airport parking
Tues - NSD
Wed - £10.95 (£5 owed + 50p nephew + £5.45 Lidl
Thurs -£35 diesel (still an NSD)
Fri -
Sat -
Sun -
Total = £21.71/£40

Munchin

Morning all

No NSD yesterday as OH rang me at work to get natural yoghurt and wine. Thankfully I had yoghurt in my work fridge which I have been trying to eat as it is good for you but I didn't want it. The wine I got in the off licence which is probably dearer than the big supermarkets but at the same time by using the off licence I didn't spend any more money.

I've earned 8p this morning on Inbox pounds:o and that wouldn't even cover a nut on a car but it will all add up. I volunteer at my local credit union and I checked to see when I last put in travel expenses. I don't feel right claiming them as I volunteer but it is the only expense we get and I'm giving up 4/5 nights a month and sometimes more. I haven't claimed since Feb so I think £80 is outstanding:). If my calculations are correct I can put £500 to car fund in August and £50 to emergency fund. In total I should be able to squirrel away £900 into savings in August. Ok this makes sense in my head - if I had the debt now I would want it cleared fast but as it's savings it's harder as I can spend it on bits here and there so hopefully putting down that I'm moving that amount to savings next month should keep me accountable.

OH and I are still looking for a holiday in Sept and with the coup in Turkey and the collapse of Lowcostholidays.com it is all a bit worrying at the moment. I will keep looking.

My best friend is home from England next week with her 7 month old son. We're hoping to get out next weekend for a few drinks and I know that it will destroy my £40 budget next week - I'm secretly hoping we can just get a bottle of wine and spend a night in the house.

Today's plans are to go test drive a few cars- I hate car dealers with a passion. I've told OH that I don't have enough in savings yet but he doesn't need to know that my savings would probably cover the 4 tyres and the bonnet:). He says if I test drive the cars then I know what I would like and I then know how much I have to save. I like his thinking but I know he just wants an excuse to drive a car

Money - £40 a week challenge.

Mon - £9.26 Asda + £2.50 Airport parking
Tues - NSD
Wed - £10.95 (£5 owed + 50p nephew + £5.45 Lidl
Thurs -£35 diesel (still an NSD)
Fri - £6.49 wine
Sat -£5 OH
Sun -
Total = £6.25/£40

Munchin

Hi all

Well I survived the car dealerships and it was fine. I had a nosy in a few cars but I kind of know what I want. I know I have a limited budget but to me I thought my upper limit of £10k was pretty good but the car dealer made me feel that I it was unrealistic and to get quality I should increase it. I'm not asking to buy a Ferrari, though I saw a few which were slightly out of my price range but lovely to look at - who can afford a Bentley at £153,000 or a Ferrari?? At least now my car is a reality but my pot of money is a work in progress.

Spends today - £5 to OH on loan which I know will not be coming back to me but I can't complain as he drove to Belfast and held my hand (figuratively) in the dealerships. Hopefully if I don't leave home tomorrow then I will have survived my first £40 week.

Next week I have to see the podiatrist & physio but my insurance covers the podiatrist which leave me to pay the physio (£25). I have 2 long car journeys so the diesel will disappear a bit faster than normal but I get to claim part of a journey back.

I don't think we have any plans tomorrow but you never know. OH is dosed with the cold so we will not be travelling far.

Munchin

Morning world

OH was coughing and spluttering all morning so I was up earlier than I would have liked. I hope he doesn't give me his cold which I'm pretty sure if I get it will just be a cold and not the plague he seems to think his is .

I've earned £2.50 on Inbox pounds this morning and should get a £10 Amazon voucher next week as well. I'm going to keep a tally for my swag as it will help me stay motivated -

Swagbucks - 440 SB (849 SB for £5 Amazon gift voucher or 17,999 for £100) - I have a long way to go.
Inbox pounds - £6.33 earnings (need £20 before I can redeem) + £10 Amazon voucher due.
You Gov - 300 need 5000 to get £50 cheque

Munchin

Hi again,

Not much left in the budget:o. Mum had 2 X £2 coins which I gave her £1 coins and I gave £1 to charity. I have £1.25 left, we're heading out now to enjoy sunshine which shouldn't involve spending any money.

Money - £40 a week challenge.

Mon - £9.26 Asda + £2.50 Airport parking
Tues - NSD
Wed - £10.95 (£5 owed + 50p nephew + £5.45 Lidl
Thurs -£35 diesel (still an NSD)
Fri - £6.49 wine
Sat -£5 OH
Sun -£4 transfer to £2 fund & £1 to charity.
Total = £1.25/£40.

Munchin

Afternoon all

OH has kindly smit me with his cold but at the moment it seems to be just a heavy cold and not the plague he has:D.

I popped into Sainsbugs today for some bits & bobs including pretend Lemsip and managed not to deviate too far from my list which I'm quite pleased about. I've made a veggie stew thing for my lunch which should cover me the next few days and I'm going to see if I can take leave on Thurs & Friday just because I have tons of leave to use up.

Tomorrow I'm volunteering at a race which is a good 60 miles from my home and I really don't want to go as I feel a bit pants but I don't like to let people down.

Money - £40 a week challenge.

Mon - £15.75 Sainsbugs
Tues -
Wed -
Thurs -
Fri -
Sat -
Sun -
Total = £24.25/£40.

Munchin

Hi all,

Still dosed with cold. I came home at lunchtime & went to bed for a bit. It's not good having a temperature in this heat.

Mum gave me a stack of books & I will work my way through them. NSD today��

Car dealership sent me a personalised clip of car I liked at the weekend. Do you think they would be so friendly if they saw my bank balance��

Money - £40 a week challenge.

Mon - £15.75 Sainsbugs
Tues - NSD
Wed - NSD
Thurs -
Fri -
Sat -
Sun -
Total = £24.25/£40.

Munchin

Hi all

Home from work sick today - this a rotten cold/bug - it's now sitting in my chest.

NSD as I made it to work then came home without going near shops. At the moment I have no interest in shopping but that's probably just because I don't feel well.

Early night tonight and hopefully I will feel better tmw.

I'm going to England next weekend to visit sister so will have to be careful with money.