Give great money saving advice but in debt myself - HELP!!

mousegirl

Onedayiwill - I guess I never thought of finding pennies in that way before - daughter wants to save them up to go to Disneyland - so may take a while to realise this goal!

I feel in an even worse position, can't seem to get a grip on what I'm spending, or what I need to be spending. Am trying to write everything down, not spend anything but am a bit muddled I think!

I've accounted for what I consider to be bills, tv licence, water, gas etc, and have one payment going from my cheque account into a bill account and all direct debits go from that. What's not accounted for is food, car insurance, b'days, christmas, and probably loads more that I can't think of at present!

Think I need to go back to the drawing board with my spreadsheet, what do you guys do about presents, I tend to buy things when I see them and put them away in a present cupboard, has worked so far as I buy things when reduced, sales etc. but this won't help me in regards budgeting so much for presents will it?

Another thought, I've always bought more than I need of things like, toiletries, washing up liquid, cleaning products. Space is a bit of an issue anyway, would I actually be better off money wise if I bought as I needed - and do I include some money for this each month in housekeeping, but maybe only spend it when I need to. I like to buy bargains but if at the time I don't need the produce is it still a bargain as the saving would be at a later date.

Not sure if all that makes sense and seems a bit jumbled up. I've always liked to have plenty of products in, but what's the point if I'm better off only buying when it's needed - would definitely be a space saver too.

Opinions gladly received!

whatatwit

Hi Mousegirl, for presents etc, try writing a list of what you expect to need and then costing each one. The hardest part is to give something that you got very cheaply without adding something else to it.

For cleaningstuff, most of us have far too much and use too much every time.
I think it should be part of your grocery budget.

Have a look at the Old Style board, there are some great cleaning tips on there.

mousegirl

hi, the problem with presents is that I see stuff at a good price and then buy it, in which case how can I factor that into a budget. I tend to be ok on the not adding to them with more, though have done that in the past.

As for cleaning - you just wouldn't believe how much washing up liquid we seem to use, I've been keeping a check lately - how sad is that?!

I've heard of using bio washing stuff on dishes etc., but don't know anyone that's tried it - so anyone out there if it works let me know, as that surely must end up being cheaper. Need to get into using the old methods then I wouldn't be buying the products at all!

On another note, walked all the way to netto today, but ended up forgetting to take list, was very good really, bought bread rolls that weren't on the list, lighters for husband as they seemed a good deal, but forgot cleaning sponges, so will have to go to wilko tomorrow, and try and remember list this time! I only had £10 with me, bought daughter an ice cream, was great knowing that I couldn't go beyond my 10 quid.

Daughter even enjoyed the walk and wants to go back as the ice cream was from the car boot market and she wants another - she's just discovered that actually she does like ice cream after all. So may lose a bit of weight as well, pushing the pram up and down the crags each week!

piglet6

Re: the presents thing, I do the same thing as you (keep an eye out and buy all year round and pop things away in the present cupboard). For budgetting, I made a list of all the presents I buy over the course of a year (roughly - just a list of people who need b'day/Christmas pressies and how much I would roughly look to spend on them, plus any extras for anniversary, easter eggs, mother's/father's days, valentines, etc). Then when I added it all up, I divided it up - you can do it by 52 or by 12, whichever you prefer. That way, you will work out how much you need to be putting away weekly or monthly to cover them.

Then, I would suggest keeping the money in a separate bank account (or piggy bank/purse if you prefer, but a bank account will allow to you make a bit of interest on the money, and I'm all for free money!;)) and it will be there to spend on bargains as and when you see them. Obviously, to start with there may be a bit of a shortfall (i.e. for the first few weeks while the "fund" is building up, there won't be a lot there to spend) but it will build up pretty quickly.

This works for me, anyway...:D

Piglet

mousegirl

Thanks Piglet, you're right, once I get going and budget for it, the money will be there when I see anything. It just needs to build up a bit first.

mousegirl

Have worked out the following:
Dancing 10
Swimming 15
Food 50
Toiletries/Housekeeping 10
Car Insurance 25
Gifts 20
Emergency 20
Holiday 10

all to come out of cheque acc, not forgetting AOL at 14.99, this would be after tax credit has been received, will probably change over time as I get used to what I need

but have also worked out that if I want to pay off my credit card in 12 mths (interest free for 13 months and 1 month gone already) I'd need to send 83 per month! Haven't a hope in hell of that! I'm only left with 47.64 and that's not including sending any payment to my cc.

This is so depressing! Of course if I don't spend all the food/toiletries etc each month, whatever is left I can send that.

Does this sound on the right track?

mousegirl

Forgot to say 8 for window cleaner - but am hoping to pursuade husband to do them instead - for free!

mousegirl

Window cleaner came today and I found out that he doesn't even clean the glass in the front door - how strange is that, he said he would because I'd asked but even then he didn't wash it, just wiped it. Told husband I was going to save for one of those extendable pole things to wash the upstairs windows and do it myself - he said he'd go up a ladder and see if it was scary or not! That would save us 8 quid a month.

Feel not too bad in general about things - but am waiting for tax credit money, it's really crap just wishing time away from one payday or tax credit day to the next.

Have started looking about for Xmas pressies already.

Anyone got any ideas for an 18th birthday present - for a boy, was hoping to get a designed watch cheap in TJ Hughes - but they haven't any.

dizzy_lizzie

Hi mousegirl
For the 18th how about a tankard engraved with his name and date of birth on or something. At least it's always something to remember you by. Or go on google or ask, and put in 'unusual 18th presents for an 18th' and see what comes up. At least it'll be different

mousegirl

It's a good idea. It if was for a girl it would be easy as I think girls tend to like items to save as a reminder, it's just with it being a boy, I'm not sure it would be as appreciated.