10k in 18 months

kittycatfan

wow that sounds like a great challenge i hope you succeed i would like to do a challenge like that but for about 2k as i still have lots to buy for xmas and both my kids bdays are before xmas yes bad timing good luck let us no how your going:j

coolcats

Xmas is pretty much sorted. Have totally down scaled this year. Older 2 kids present was brought in August, most others are just bits, total each £80, youngest has just got few bits about £20. But he is too young to need much. Other family have got photo of kids, and box chocs, they will be happy with that. Few other token presents upto £6 each one. Total cost of presents £320 I guess.

Not sure what we will do about Xmas main meal, but I have budgeted for only a little over normal budget. I have brought a few nice treats already, but don't plan to buy much more than already have. We have so much waste normally determined this year we won't have so much.

Not sure I will ever reach the target, but I will aim towards it. I think it helps to have a high target, but then into smaller chunks. If in a few months I'm set on target, then great. But if not will reveiw time and target.

YoungBusinessman

Good luck with this challenge, a thread is a great way to keep motivated.

coolcats

I've been reading debt diaries and saving diary's to get me back on focused. Has been fine, till I get a text from the ex moaning he has no money cos of what he has to give me, all £5 a week!!!! As he is unemployed. Could it be the fact he smokes!!!!!

Our son is with him and I think he needs to be seen by the doctor that is about 30 minutes by car being the weekend. He can't afford the petrol. He has his mum with him, she can afford to buy food regular from M and S. I'm sure she can help. He always monas he has no money, how about you give up smoking then, get a job, walk rather than the silly car journeys you instist on doing. 5 minutes in the car, 15 minutes walking.

He gave up a perfectly good job 2 years ago. Got a job last year, after a few weeks gave it up as he had to work 6 days a week to earn enough to live off. So do plenty of other people, get over it, better to have a job than not.

He would rather smoke than look after his son properly, say so much of his prorities. And he's not a young father either, think he would prorities.

louby40

Good luck with your saving.

Have you thought about doing some baking to pad out your cakes/biscuits diminishing. Flour/butter/sugar are fairly cheap from Lidl/Aldi and you can get a lot of cookies from a bag of flour.

We're cutting down (since my partner lost his job 3 weeks ago) we normally spend about £400 a month on food (£100 a week) but probably top up each week so that figure is more likely £450 a month. We used to have a regular Tesco online shop.

We started shopping in Lidl and have spent £196 on 3 weeks worth of shopping. I've been making my own flapjacks, cookies and cakes and borrowed my brothers breadmaker and have made my own bread.

If we could spend £65 a week on food that would save us £1700 a year on food bills!

Lou

coolcats

I have been making chocolate cearal cakes from slightly out of date cereal that they have decided they don't like any more. Couple of bars of chocolate eat time, butter and sryup we already have. We did 24 cakes yesturday now theres about 4 left! Doesn't matter what it is if its there they have to eat it. thats 2 of them eatting them, third child out. Hoping a few days of no nice things they may decide to make it last a little longer.

I wish you well in your cutting back. Will be nice to save £1700 a year on food. I've been doing a mix of Lidi and coop, the local shops. And online with Asda once a month. That seem to be helping on cutting down. I think I should just come under budget, as long as there is no big spending these next few days. We don't need much. Although I do have £20 of child care to pay for which is included in the months spending. Its for one and a half hours after school club once a week. Next month I will pay off the balance for the whole year, but should be just under £20. And then look to see if it will carry on in the new year.

My friend has phoned to ask for her daughters xmas present, she has given me 3 things to pick, all about £20. Will look to see where is the cheapest place and get the cheapest item. She will expect to have a birthday present as well as her birthday is just before, won't be another £20 though!

coolcats

The kids are still asleep and should be having breakfast, or will be a rush for school, oh dear. Mind its not nice out there that we wont want to go out. Will have to wake them it seems, the weekend there are up so much earlier!!!!

Almost the end of the month. Been looking at how we have done and what is left. I'm impressed. Normally we will of spent at least £350. At the monment that comes in at under £200. There has also been an online shop at £100, cost of £80. Which was all neccesery. The £200 includes the extras not just food so total spending, except couple of things online, but they come out separte account so not included in this budget. I have got a total monthly budget including bills and that is also impressive. Not sure how much will get saved as haven't looked at that yet, but its sure to be high, but then the current account will be less than normal (no overdraft, so has a buffer kept in it). The main fact has been we have had no takeaways or meal out for the whole month. That has made a big difference with only buying whats needs for top up shops.

I still have a little spending to do till the end of the month, but hope to use just what is in my purse, will force me to think do we really need it! As we are back to using the frozen milk, so will need more milk and bread.

The first month has gone well, I hope the next few months go as well and this is the start of cutting back on wasting and it will be come part of life.

mandatory

Congratulations on your saving so far! It really is a part of life, I'd like to keep saving and spending within my means for as long as I can.

coolcats

Thats what I'm hoping it will all be part of life. It had been a few years ago, but the last few years its gone down hill. Not that I'd saved that much a few years ago! But now I have the chance to and am determind to do the best I can.

I am really please with what I have done so far this month. It certainly has helped to keep this diary and keep the records of what is saved and how I've cut back.

I had a meal at church today, £3 for main and pudding. Today was beef stew and trifle for afters. There was loads left so some had seconds. They do the meal once a month, except Dec. Its open to anyone and very good value. I'm hoping to go to as many as possible. Although not sure I always will, but will try. Following the meal is a short talk, only 15 or 20 minutes. Save me cooking, although I do for the kids its always an early tea as they have club. I had homemade soup for tea, which was made with veg looking past its best.

I also stocked up on bread, with no temptation for anything else. I have £5 left to get some milk and veg with, but have everything else. So that should last till the end of the month.

A friend did have a last minute panic that she was too later to get her child, so I got her from school and offered to give her tea. An extra mouth but she cleared the plate and encouraged mine to eat all there tea, so even better, less for the bin. They all do the club so was easier. And I know her mum will invit mine over sometime.

A letter came home from school asking for £9 for swimming lessions. They have 6 each year at the local pool. Knew it must be nearly our time!! They have said to pay by 7th dec. So that can come from Dec money.

Selling hasn't really been happening. I really need to sort out what there is and take more photos. I have taken loads of bits off as its had the 14 days allowed. Although I can relist it. Although I have still added a few bits.

coolcats

I have had a good few days. I have managed to do no spending at all again. And that included seeing the town's lights being turned on with late night shopping, burgers available and all. Although I decided if I had no money I couldn't be tempted!!! If I had money would of been easy to think the odd pound wouldn't hurt.

I have just over £5 in my purse still hoping that as much as possible stays there. We have now run out of veg and all the milk from the freezer has almost gone, so it will be spent on that tomorrow. Although only as much as we will use.

It has been a struggle at times but am nearly there and have done it. And I was going to allow more for the budget so have done even better on less. Although we haven't had much in the way of treats. I am thinking a cinema trip this weekend and maybe a takeaway. the cinema will be the budget film though and takeaway as good value as possible, if they happen. Will be aiming for £20 for both.

Normally I dread the end of the month, but I am quite looking forward to it, and seeing what has been saved.