Saving to move out - my savings diary

mandatory

wannaberichbtch wrote: »

Lots of good news then Mandatory, I've had a big spending month with Christmas and my annual toiletries spending, but it was planned and in budget. If your employer makes a contribution to their scheme it may be a better option than the SIPP, theres loads of good advice on the pensions board.

I've been cutting down on my toiletries spending too, although I made the mistake of going into Boots on Saturday. I spent £6 on some nail polishes (but did get one half price and a free eye palette, I don't actually own any eye makeup so I thought this would be a good offer to take up since I wanted some for the work party), as if I don't have enough already! I'm actually running out of space for nail polishes, they're one of my few indulgences.

As for the pension, it hasn't been mentioned to me specifically at work and we may not be auto-enrolled until after I plan to leave (not entirely sure I want to stay in Birmingham, a lot of my friends live down south but it's so costly there)... I'm still undecided about my job. I'd like a job with more benefits one day! I'm a bit of a dreamer, haha.

My dad's Christmas present arrived this morning! With my Swagbucks vouchers I got it down from around £33 to £6! I also got £1.65 off which I am guessing is from my NUS card discount. I didn't know it applied to appliances! My dad will be very pleased with his present when I take it over on Christmas day. I cashed in my SB for another voucher today and that will be used towards my nan's birthday present. She specifically requested two second-hand books from Amazon so all she needs to do is give me the titles. We're quite cheap in this house, always a good thing. :rotfl: I didn't spend a lot this weekend either, I paid for desserts while out for dinner with family and had a brilliant time at our concert. Here's to another low spend week! :beer:

gothrockchic1

Keep going on the saving. Just cashed out a voucher on valued opinions and they now do Amazon vouchers

I claimed a Boots one, will help with my own cosmetic addiction x

mandatory

gothrockchic1 wrote: »

Keep going on the saving. Just cashed out a voucher on valued opinions and they now do Amazon vouchers

I claimed a Boots one, will help with my own cosmetic addiction x

I do love getting Amazon vouchers from Valued Opinions, I like that I don't have to wait for them too. Oh I forgot to mention, I also claimed another 2 vouchers from my Natwest YourPoints credit card, so that's £20 on the way! I've been swimming in vouchers lately and it's covered a lot of my Christmas. Boots might be a good idea for the next time I get a nail polish urge! Although I'm not doing the no toiletries challenge I've been using up what I have before I go and buy anything else. Nail polish doesn't count, it takes forever to use!

gothrockchic1

I love Body Creams and Bath stuff. Lush is my weakness. When I moved I splashed out on a Lush Legends box so I have loads still to use!

mandatory

I love Lush! Whenever I walk past the Birmingham shop I have to try and resist but it smells so yummy. Their Ultrabland cleanser is lovely and I get a little box as one of my Christmas presents from my sister. I'm looking forward to getting through my stash of things (mostly moisturisers, shampoos and body sprays) so I can go and get more, but just things I'll actually use. What a shame survey sites don't offer Lush vouchers, I'd be in heaven.

gothrockchic1

That would be awesome I think I will use my Boots gift card for basics and buy a few things from Lush!

mandatory

I received my December payslip today so I've already planned out how I will be saving it! Payday isn't for a couple more days but, if I can keep my costs down in January, I can save £1,000. It won't be going towards my save £8k in 2013 challenge (that would be cheating!) so that will be a nice challenge. I plan to put £250 into my regular saver, £50 in my save to buy account, and the rest split between my ISA and Post Office savings in case I have anything big to buy in January.

I've also been considering getting a laptop, especially when my classes start up again in Jan/Feb (my Internet kept playing up when I had online classes so I had to skip a few, with a laptop I could hang out in the library and study) but I'll wait for big sales. It's not a necessary investment though since I can catch up with recorded lectures at any time, if I decide not to get one then I would like a Kindle Fire. Perhaps a New Year treat for me!

mandatory

Thanks JParry, I'm certainly quite determined! I like having a goal in mind, it helps me stay motivated. Today I transferred money to my various savings accounts including a cheque off for my ISA, and I've set aside some money for New Year (going to a friend's get together at her house) and train tickets, a donation to my sister's school trip, a trip to London for sightseeing and some new clothes. I have considered getting a lodger if I move to a two bedroom place but personally I'd rather live in a smaller place and not have one. I'm a quiet and shy person who probably wouldn't appreciate having a stranger around, friends are fine though.

mandatory

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

I've managed to put most of my earnings in savings but I would like to take some out of savings, maybe £50~£100 or so... for a new wardrobe! I've been living in the same clothes for a long time and my wardrobe is in desperate need of an update. I will take myself around charity shops and sales at some point and hope to make some nice savings. A new me for the new year! I am also due a haircut so it will be like having a makeover.

wannaberichbtch

Hi Mandatory, Hope you had a good Christmas, I've reached my end of year for savings and am about £300 short of my ideal, but trying to focus on how well I've done than see it as a failure. This time of year is hard for my saving head as I love a bargain, I treated myself to a few bits in M&S sale, and have justified these as "needed".
I think my mantra for 2013 will be spend a little - save a lot