Spending diaries

shebangs

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camuk81

I have to admit doing a spreadsheet now. I suppose I'm very lucky as my work pay the fuel so it's more embarrassing being stood there with a big queue saying can I pay separately! Though going to do more pack up loose some weight. Only a stone left but can't shift it! One advantage I refuse to shop for clothes as I want to get new clothes in my slimmed down size!

On the downside I have a work do this month (free bar till 12, though got to pay afterwards!) and a free holiday to take (will have to pay for some drinks but no cost on flights or hotel),

yasmin2

I have an Iphone and I use an app called IExpenseIt. It's really straightforward and simple to use - allows me to put my spends in in a few seconds, different categories and will then also put them in charts etc as well so it's in an easier format to look at.

Sure it doesn't matter what you use as long as you keep using it and it works for you....;)

camuk81

My problem if it's easy. Its easy to spend. if I have to write down on old fashioned paper what I have spent. It takes two minutes to do, that me thinking why did you spend that, could it have been cheaper!

Reverse psychology!

Mich81

I'm putting £40 into my purse each week, marking on my spreadsheet where the money has gone. Then I can check at the end of the week that the money left over matches my balance on the spreadsheet. Any money left in my purse on a Sunday will go into my money pot, then on Monday the cycle starts afresh.

camuk81

Well just done mine for next week and worked out I have the grand total of £30 till the end of the month, excluding child care, debt repayment and weekly shop put aside. Feeling horribly broke now! On the plus side waiting for around £180 back in various payments owed, but still I can now see where I have been going oh so wrong!

BlushingRose

gfplux wrote: »

Can I add, that a simple check to make sure you have noted EVERYTHING in the spending diary is to add it up and compare how much is left in your purse with how much you had at the start of the day or week.

Yes, this is what we do and actually I updated the book today (NSD) but discovered that we've 'lost' £1 and have no idea where it's gone.

BlushingRose

camuk81 wrote: »

Well just done mine for next week and worked out I have the grand total of £30 till the end of the month, excluding child care, debt repayment and weekly shop put aside. Feeling horribly broke now! On the plus side waiting for around £180 back in various payments owed, but still I can now see where I have been going oh so wrong!

I feel your pain. We have £77 (still!) to last us until the 24th, and that includes any food/petrol...:eek:
Saying that, we haven't spent any money so far this year :rotfl:

camuk81

Horrible isn't it. Roll on the end of the month.

Ps love the fact you can't account for a £1. It's my first month on a spending diary and the £100, I have budgeting for is obviously not happening. Buckle down time me thinks

BlushingRose

camuk81 wrote: »

Horrible isn't it. Roll on the end of the month.

Ps love the fact you can't account for a £1. It's my first month on a spending diary and the £100, I have budgeting for is obviously not happening. Buckle down time me thinks

See, I think this is why we're not good at budgeting, as we haven't actually budgeted!
Not even sure how to go about it.
I is useless