Diary of a "Frugal Saver"

Frugal_Saver

Did well today, only spent £10 as we ended up going to the cinema so I used up my vouchers and paid a smaller contribution towards lunch even though I said not to worry as the vouchers needed using anyway.

Undecided if I will make another payment on my credit card tomorrow. I’m on target to be able to pay an extra £100 but with 10days still to go until payday I’m paranoid something will crop up that’s I haven’t budgeted for.

Frugal_Saver

Been thinking about the overpayments on my credit card. As the interest is at 0% until the end of January I'm not going to make overpayments. Instead I will keep it in my current account which earns interest and pay it off just before the 0% deal ends. I know it won't earn that much interest but it's better than nothing. I will just keep a record of how much I am setting aside for overpayments so as long as I'm sticking to budgets it will still be there in January. Not as motivating as seeing the balance reduce but I will add this into my formula on my debt spreadsheet so I can still see the debt coming down

Frugal_Saver

First full day of holiday and DD was wide awake at 4am, couldn’t get her back to sleep so put the tv on and just as I was drifting back to sleep she demands breakfast. After that we cuddle up on the sofa and she’s fallen asleep and I’m wide awake now.

So this morning I have already checked bank accounts, updated spreadsheet to include ‘credit card overpayment pot’ in current account per last post to keep track of that.

Checked energy reading from home, we’re on a smart meter and I’ve found it motivating to keep an eye on it and try and keep it as low as possible. This year the monthly total has reduced every single month and I’m hoping to keep that trend for another month before heating and shorter daylight hours come into play. Last time we were away gas and electricity was still 66p a day with just the standing charge and things left on standby. This time I’m hoping it will be less as I made sure I switched off everything at the wall except kitchen appliances. Won’t be much of a saving but I love a challenge,

While we’re away I have plans to keep spending as minimal as possible. I meal planned lunch and dinner for all but one day and did click and collect for food shopping. I also packed a lot of things from home such as snacks, toilet roll, kitchen roll etc.

I will take coffee as tea sachets home with us as brought our own from home but these can be handy to have. Same with toiletries, there are small bottles of shower gel etc but will use our own. Those ones could be good if ever travelling abroad.

Will not pay for extortionate activities. I’ve booked two activities for DD at £7.50 each which are already paid for. The rest of the time will be spent swimming, at the park or exploring the forest.

Frugal_Saver

Awake before DD this morning, not as early as yesterday thankfully. I don’t mind waking up (slightly) early when I’m on holiday or at weekends, it gives me a chance to think about the day ahead and plan things.

Yesterday was a NSD, think I’m doing well to reach target this month, need to update and check physical diary. Might get another one today or at the very least it will be minimal spending.

Checked bank accounts this morning. Expenses from work showing in my account now but won’t be rushing to pay off this off credit card, it can stay in my current account earning (very small) interest.

I’ve seen there is TSB current account which you can earn 5% on balances up to £1,500, you just need to pay in £500 a month. This is much better than Lloyds which I use but I have no plans to switch banking. I know loyalty counts for nothing with banking but I get anxious when it comes to making changes to things and I’m not a fan of big changes. The TSB account would be useful for me so I have a bank with a branch nearby as I live in Scotland where there are no Lloyds branches. I think I would put some of my savings in the TSB account to utilise the £1,500 then set up a standing order for the £500 a month and use the account for food shopping and entertainment spending. At the end of the month I’d move everything over £1.5k back to Lloyds account and start again. Just need to find time to visit a branch as you can’t apply online.

Frugal_Saver

Just a small spend yesterday as I forgot ketchup :eek:. Gas and electricity is 1p cheaper after I turned everything off standby, oh well every penny counts. Need to get organised and meal plan for next week so I can order food delivery for the weekend.

Frugal_Saver

Argh, so after my penny saving on gas and electricity I’ve logged on to find gas was used on Wednesday. The only conclusion I can come to is that the weather was so cold the heating has come on although I thought we had it switched off completely. No electricity used and no one could have been in the flat.

Small spend yesterday for milk.

Resisted the next sale invitation, rarely order anything even when I do register for it but best to stay away and avoid temptation.

Home today but hoping to make the most of facilities here before we leave. Have to check out of accommodation by 10am but can stay on site all day so will probably go swimming as we don’t get to go that often usually.

Frugal_Saver

Back home now, time to get back into routine and organisation.

Today will be busy with housework. Need to meal plan and book food shopping for tomorrow. Timed a visit to Morrisons well last night, picked up fresh battered fish for 15p which will do for dinner one day this week and green beans for 5p.

Less than a week to payday and bank account is still looking good. Long may this continue!

enthusiasticsaver

You are doing really well with the savings and reducing debt. Getting down to £5k by January 2019 would be awesome.

Glad you enjoyed your few days away. Was it Centre Parcs you went to?

Frugal_Saver

Thanks, it's taken me a while to get to this stage but I'm optimistic that this time I can clear debts altogether even if it takes a bit more time.

Yes it was center parcs. Not very MSE but did my best to keep costs down. Spent less than £20 on activities for LO. Hoping to go again before she starts school next year so we can go during term time when it's cheapest. Will just have to see how I get on clearing this debt and saving money

Frugal_Saver

Monthly target update

Frugal_Saver wrote: »

• 10 NSDs On target (just) currently at 6/10 with a week to go
• Increase savings by £200 On target
• Get credit card debit back below £6k Done
• Take lunch to work everyday On target - just 4 days to go
• Keep heating off all month on target (not counting while we were away as I’m still confused by the gas usage, the heating hasn’t come on again since we’ve been back

I think I will add to this next month and set a target for raising additional funds from surveys etc