10k in 18 months 9 November 2012 at 5:11PM in How much have you saved? 98 replies 18.3K views

coolcats

I hope to save 10k in 18 months, a lot but I am determined to reach it. And if its just below, thats fine, if I have £5k thats a fail and I'm determind not to fail. The aim is £555 a month.

There is me and 3 children, school age so plenty of I want's and school needs. But they are gradually coming round to the saving idea. We are using the do we really need it idea or is it to keep up with the Jones.

Things we no longer need are being sold, less food waste, cheaper options.

Over the last year we have wasted a lot of money, meals out takeaways. That is to be reduced. Instead of at least 1 or 2 meals out or takeaways a week to be one a month, so it feels like a treat.

We still have treats but not every day, limited to 1 or 2 a week. When the biscuits are gone thats it till the next big shop, done monthly with top ups for essentials. There are still snacks available, but fresh fruit is the option.

I started in October, although half hearted. And have saved about £300. £30 was from bits sold and the rest cutting back on the meals out. I'm hoping November will be a lot higher.

So far November I have sold £30 of clutter and managed to stop myself from spending for the sake of it, only buying bread and milk. The big shop arrived on the 6th and aiming to get December, near to christmas and in budget. November had a few christmas bits all been put away. Hoping to carry on with the good start made.

Most of the presents have been brought ready for Christmas, hoping the last bits will be £100 or less. Less food will be brought for Christmas.

Meals will be using up things in the cupboard, meal planning and leftovers the next day.

coolcats

Today is set to be no spend as have ill child during night and this morning. On a not so good not was supposed to be meeting 2 people for sale items so had to cancel that, they say they still want items, lets hope so. Can't put othe things on as not sure when we will be back to normal.

Will need to do top up shopping tomorrow or monday at a stretch so hoping all are well again. And make it back to school, with no one else ill.

coolcats

Had a good weekend with little spending. Would normally be £30 of top up, but kept it under £10 with what we really needed.
Today has been no spending. And have managed to sell a few bits, not loads but got £15, all helps.
Some Christmas presents arrived today, all good offers and reduced so thats good. Got about £50 left to get things.
Getting easier to save and not spend. Just hope to keep this up long term.
Kids sorted out their rooms over the weekend, both came down with a bag of toys to go, they have so many still, but a few less soon.
If I can carry on the way we are we will come well under the spending budget for this month. Will be the first time ever!!!!!

gothrockchic1

Good Luck Coolcats!! I take the £10k is for a deposit? I can't wait to see your total going up x

hazoo

Hi Coolcats!

Well done on your saving thus far - reading about you selling your bits and bobs on ebay has motivated me to do some myself and earn some pennies!

Keep updating us all, great you have got your kids involved too! :rotfl:

H x

coolcats

Thanks for the support.

Selling seems to of stopped a bit the last few days. I'm sure it will pick up again soon. There is more to sort and put on so that will help a change of things and relist it in a few weeks.

Although I have picked up a few bargins. A toy dyson style hoover for £15 new. And 24 cans of 7up for £6. Ideal for Christmas drinking.

Meals have been from the freezer and a few no spend days (the above has come from separate budget so doesn't count) . Although made up a bit today. I went to Lidi to buy bread and ended up with 3 packs of chicken goulons at £2.79. Kids love them and good value so now in the freezer. They will last till next time on offer and cheaper than the big store alternatives.

I have been making sure I only take out a few pounds for what I need to buy and not loads, so I know I can't spend extra. Although I do have a little spare in separte purse just incase there is a good offer as there was today. Seems to be working. By now I would of easy spent double what I have done in a normal month. So doing well!

coolcats

I had to spend today, sent brother his birthday present, early and as cheap as possible. Brought some veg and meat, again only brought what we needed and will use. I did look at the offers for Christmas, but stopped myself. Also only just had enough to buy the bits with cash so would of gone on the card. And we really don't need 2 tins of sweets just because they are offer.

I phoned up the water, there will be a refund there and the monthly payments will go down next year. Phoned for the gas, there is a payment added which should bring in a refund as well or reduced payments next year. I'm also giving the meter readings monthly, which seem to be keeping an eye on where I am with it, currently in credit, but should even out at the end of winter.

Tea will be the meat and veg with store cupboard items. There will be enough for a few days.

Once the bills money has transfered I know what is left to save. £200 has been transfer to savings accout, hoping for more at the end of the month. Will depend what is left in there for food. Hoping to save another £100 at least. Going up slowly and steady.

coolcats

Have redone the local facebook sale page. They are changing the posting rules so not sure if it will work for or against me. I've posted the things on and had people asking for more info, but no sale as yet.

Tea was h/m curry left from yesturday, made from a jar, chicken brought to make it. The jars are going down slowly. And makes a nice change.

It has been a month now since we had a meal out or takeaway, done really well and hoping to keep up a bit longer. Although was tempted the other day. I got the menu out to work out what we could have, worked out the price and realised not getting it we would save nearly £20, that stopped me buying! It has helped using the left overs for a second meal, so not feeling I'm cooking every day. And have had a few ready meals in the freezer, ideal the odd day we have to rush about. The kids have school dinner so not so bad if they have an easy tea.

If we can keep this up I think November will come out at £150 less on normal spending. Which means £150 to save. So I'm pleased about that. Not so sure every month will be as good, but hopefully it will. Also more left in the bank as of the bits that have been sold.

I'm hoping to have a few days of no spending, as seem to have had a lot the last week. Hoping to last till thursday before we need anything. The bread,veg and milk should last till then and there is plenty of other food.

coolcats

Still people look at the selling page on FB and still no sales, getting depression now. People have been asking about things, so maybe sales wil come.They have changed the rules that only allows 10 items and you can only have them for 2 weeks and only bumping them no more than 24 hours. The items are only odd household bits, kids out grown clothes and toys.

If nothing big comes up between now and the end of the month, and we can resist the takeaway urge. It looks likely to almost reach the target for this month. What has helped is my daughter's birthday present got lost in the post, the family that sent it had put a claim in for the lost parcel, we got the claim money, that will go in the bank, I had to buy a present from them at the time or have an upset child.

The store cupboard still has plenty in it so all I need is meat and veg to go with it and we have a meal. The freezer has plenty of the chicken the kids like so they are sorted for easy meals. I do need to get some bread in there or the part baked rolls. I try to freeze the odd pint of milk so that never runs out.

Been hard a few times, but its getting easier to say no to spending. I have to keep remembering the reason why.

gothrockchic1

Don't worry Coolcats it will pick up once December hits!

coolcats

I'm sure things will pick up again. the whole page seems slow for a lot of things. And I have got over the target for November, so not really a big issue. A bit of a mix of other life issues going on as well.

I opened the loyalty saver with Nationwide, had thought about it for a while, so feels good to of done it. Not a great interest rate, but will be good to hold onto for when things need moving till I decide where to put them.

I felt the need for a cake when in the town doing it, but resisted the urge to go and buy any, so pleased about that. By the time I was home and busy the urge had gone. A few pound saved.

Its hard at times but I'm still doing really well. Just life has a way of throwing things at you that don't need money but treats are much needed.

I had to post a parcel, normally its last minute that I have to do first class, managed to get it organised early enough that its gone second, saving a few pence.

Have also ordered another case of drink from the drink man, so thats saved a few pounds and will last into christmas. Most of the snacks are gone and normally I would go and buy more but as promised there will be no more till the next online shop. Another few weeks yet. Still be bread, milk and fruit just no biscuits or cake. Expecting some complaining but they will get used to the new routine. And may make it last a little longer.