LBM in 2003.. What have I been doing since??!

brizzledfw

On a good note I did get a double points voucher from Boots today..and apparently have £32 worth of points that I can spend on some birthday presents in due course..small things...

Hmm. I am feeling spectacularly silly now..

PinotGrigio41

Oh Mrs B Scream as loudly as you like !

I cant bring myself to tell you off , but just reading through it does look like its all the extras as you say that arent alwasy included int he budget.It doesnt matter how hard we try we cant budget for absolutely everything. . Its so hard isnt it ? These extras always crop up and as we have said before we dont want to deny the children things either, well not too much . I have a larger grocery budget than is entirely necessary and I have tried to use that as my buffer to then pay for extras, school trips etc from that , but I'm no means saying it works perfectly or is the right way to do things. It seems to work (ish) for us for now, but I think as our income is so erratic there is no fail safe way for us.

The only thing I can come up with is to cut the credit cards up once and for all and then you really cant spend on it ! It is sooo scary though !

Oh and dont feel silly, you arent at all

brizzledfw

Thanks Mrs PG..still a bit glum. But oh well..onwards and upwards. At least the CCs are 0% until end of 2012 and my floating OD facility is fee free for another couple of weeks.

Since I started this diary we have put a fair amount into the OP pot with the mortgage ( as our CCs are 0%) as it makes better financial sense but I know we're spending beyond our means ' in real terms'

Have switched off the radio which was 'featuring'(!) George Osborne..I have a small business ( ie my family finances!) to get back on track..the macro situation will be what it will be

Will have a plan put together in a few days..will keep you posted!

Piquant_2

Scream all you like. Spending happens. You need to break down what you've spent into absolutely necessary, such as van insurance; and be brutally honest with yourself as to the rest of the spending and what you're going to do about it. Enjoy what you've spent it on or send it back.

Then use it as a learning curve. What's done is done, don't beat yourself up unnecessarily, it won't put the money back!

A lot of us here are spending addicts, much like drinkers, I imagine. We are always going to be tempted to spend, how we deal with that need is up to us individually, one size does not fit all.

Piq

Piquant_2

Errm, I didn't mean to sound so bossy

In short I wanted to say, what's done is done, learn from it, and move on....

You know I love you really!

Piq

brizzledfw

Wise words Piq..wise words.

Thanks. The comprehensive spending review;) is continuing in the Brizzle household!! Will be literally pulling up the drains next!!!

brizzledfw

Hi- our posts crossed!!

No, bossy is good! In my 'real' life I am known for dishing it out! But that also means by my book that one has to be able to 'take it' too!!

Thanks Piq...they are good words. Wise ones!

debtfreewannabe321

hey

I'm not really one to tell you off i still do this constantly ! However after the last little spending spree i went through my SOA and put a figure in to cover misc. spends each month. So perhaps find some money that you could shave off a few budgets and put XX into the misc. pot each month. (i have a seperate savings account for it now- first month of savings goes into it april) and when i have a misc. spend come up or i need a little spree (well all do now and then, right?) it will come from there

You've noticed your mistake and are trying to rectify doing it again so don't beat yourself up over it xxx

jwil

It still happens to me too brizzle Wise words from piq though.

These things happen though, and it is an ongoing review process, so as time goes on they happen less and less. Then eventually, we are all debt free and budgeting gods with lots of emergency savings At least you have recognised it has happened, and can take steps to prevent it happening again.

HappyNow

Hi Brizzle, just had a catch-up on your diary and I'm sorry to hear your credit card has gone up . I know it's the worst feeling in the world after all your hard work. Hopefully you WILL get a bonus, and your expenses will certainly cover some of it. And at least it's on 0% interest.

You seem to be doubting that you've truly had your LBM. I promise you, you HAVE. Otherwise you wouldn't be upset about the debt increasing. Think back to a few months ago, it wouldn't have worried you nearly as much.

So, onwards and upwards. Re-visit your SOA, make sure your budget is realistic, then stick to it. Next month will be better. Or we'll nag! x