Spending diary.....

Midnight_Shopper

Hi,

I've recently started using EEBA on my phone and internet.

I'm logging all my spends on there,

It's taken me a while to get my head around it, but I may be getting there.

I check my banks every couple of days now, and list it in a notebook.

And I get my banks to send me lots of texts with updates on. They all seem to offer this, these days, and it does help me feel in control of it all.

Good luck with it all,

olivia84

i just made up a landscape sheet on word with 2 boxes at the top and 2 at the bottom and in the boxes i made tables with
something like:

date ....description .......money in .......money out ......balance

---

5/6/12 ....SALARY ..........£1000 ..............................£1000

---

6/6/12 ....TESCO ..............................£48 ...............£952

---

6/6/12 .....PETROL ............................£64 ................£888

---

i always try to make what i have in the bank and what i have in my purse add up to what's in the balance colum! if i am putting money in envelopes or anything i would list these in the cash book as an outgoing.

i printed them out by the way and write everything down - i'm not the best with spreadsheets etc.

my boyfriend also pointed out that at the start of my cheque book there are a few pages with the same sort of format for you to record bank entries into!

olivia x

camuk81

Mine is a spreadsheet with everything laid out. It's been a labour of love.

Mine starts with working out all the bills and if anything changes I have to update it, i.e. phone bills etc however I over budget on these.

I've changed most of my direct debits to come out one day after my salary so I can't spent it.

I then have to put in the salary amount take away bills. I also put in adhoc things i.e. haircuts or shopping and always over budget.

This allows me to see into the future with my budget. Its all my benefits and regular payments out mapped out already. But that way I have a full idea of whats going on

badger_

If you've got an Android phone the Easy Money app looks fab. You can add different accounts and do transfers between them.
The only downside is after 30days you have to pay for it.

reallyAnnoyed_2

When I was in debt I did the following to control my finances:-

• Opened a 30 days notice saving account.
• Changed all direct debt dates to 4 days after payday.
• For phone, set a call charges limit of £5.00 for out of contract use (You can't make call or text if go beyond this limit. you can do it by calling your mobile phone service provider).
• Opened tesco home delivery account (no visit to the store, no impulsive buying.)
• Carried/Used lowest limit credit card for petrol and emergency use.
• Incoming - fixed outgoings ==> 30 days Notice account on 6th day after payday- leaving £20-25 in account.

Friends made fun of me for this strict/weird setup, but it did payoff.