10k in 18 months

louby40

Coolcat

You're doing so well! It's so hard with kids, wanting drinks and snacks when your out. I feel really bad telling mine 'no' when we call for a loaf and they ask for a drink. We have squash, milk & water at home that costs 0p.

How much have you saved so far then?

My partner got a job on Tuesday so we have heaved a sigh of relief. It's only a 3 month contract but very well paid so we can save at least 50% of that. If he gets kept on then we will have a lovely pot of savings, if not, it will keep us afloat until he gets another job.

I'm still determined to be frugal, shopping at Lidl and planning meals.

Lou

coolcats

Hope things go well for you Louby.

Its not good the snacks required. We are lucky we don't live far from the shops so when they ask for drinks while out its just as easy to be home. The park will be a bit different, will need to take something with us then.

November is now over and all calculated. And I have done really well, much better than expected I have to say. There have been no meals out or takeaways. That has to be my biggest saving. I have also used things from stores when possible and not restocked. I have done 1 monthly big shop and a few smaller shops mainly at Lidi and top ups. Mostly have brought value and cheaper options. Which all has been fine.

Total shopping has been £323.56, still a lot but includes xmas presents, school clubs and odd bits. And much better than previous months which generally have been over £500! I'm not so sure spending will be as low all the time. Depends on the money needed for school and clubs.

Saving this month has been £800, but this includes saving extra from the current account. It means I'm well on target. I just hope it can be kept up for future months.

The diary certainly has helped keeping me focused. Also keeping a record of all spending. And seeing the savings going up.

It has also encouraged me to look at all the bills, make sure they are working. And it seems they are about on target.

coolcats

December has started!!! I have joined a few of the challenges, NSD for
December and to save £ in 2013. Can't remeber the acually titles. Hopefully with all that will keep me focused. I have also been and will keep reading other diaries for motervation and any ideas.

I have managed to spend £26 in 2 days, which is not so good, but it does include £9 for the school swimming lessons. And food very much needed. I hope to have 3 NSD now though. As I hope the bread, veg and milk will last till thursday, milk will be fine as some in the freezer. there is spare bread in the freezer so that should be ok, also have 2 part bake packets, just really the veg and there should be enough. I do have a parcel to send, needs to arrive on the 8th Dec, so that will be done as cheap as possible thursday.

The weekend is set to be expensive, we are having hair cuts, that will be about £30 for the 3 of us, although we haven't had them done since Sept, so needed now. Have also said we will see about the main Christmas food on saturday, may not happen, that is likely to be £40 form Lidi.

The only other main expences for this month will be the postage to send the xmas presents, the joys of family not being local. I'm hoping that is no more than £10. And a few small presents left to get £20.

gothrockchic1

Well Done on the saving :j

coolcats

I've had my first NSd day yesturday, hoping today will end up the same, but we have a guides thing to go to tonight. Bound to be a raffle and things going on. The good thing is I'm helping with the rainbows so very little chance of spending, I hope. I do however have 2 brownies who will be asking for money!!! I think I will just take a little change and hope it stays in the pocket!!!!!!

I had lunch with some friends today at their house, very nice it was (saves me cooking tonight, kids have school dinner). We talked about that we were going away just after christmas. Its to someone they know who lets out a self catering house. Not sure what is there, but its in the middle of no where. Its been arranged and now the finer detail of it, like the cost, and food plans. We need to pay a donation, so no idea what to pay for the 3 of us (hoping its only 3 at least). I said I will give her the donation for food and accomodation only problem is how much for a long weekend. Also will need to look at how to get there, will be either taxi (not far) or if I can get a lift. When we are there it won't cost anything as there is nothing to spend on. Thinking maybe £150 as a far price. Just not sure if thats too much, maybe £120?

coolcats

Well today I have certainly managed to have a high spend day. I had a parcel to post, needs to arrive saturday, had the time to do it today, sent second class, so cheapish. Not too bad.

Then I went to Lidi, the plan being to buy some christmas bits, I spent £30!!! Got the kids choc for the stocking, £8, but plenty of choc for a few weeks. The rest was nice choc for me, few of the christmas bsciuts and bits. Was a bit shocked that I spent so much, more than planned. although will last into January probably Feb as well. I still need to buy the savory, firdge and frozen bits. I can see the budget will not be so good this month. I will have saved at least £250 though as thats a direct debit set up to the saving account.

I did also get bread so it does mean no spending tomorrow and friday, although I am thinking I may go back to Lidi to get the other bits. Been keeping an eye on the christmas stock level, these last few weeks it seems to be going down, so maybe time to think about getting it. Although if its gone we can't buy it. But it could be a normal dinner if I don't get something.

I also need to get back on with trying to sell bits, just so cold to be hanging about meeting people.

coolcats

Not such a good day today as have been. Although mostly present buying, and the envelopes to send them in. Also a chocolate cake, that has been a long time since and hopefully will take the chocolate urge away for some time.

I did managed to walk away from coop without buying anything. That was after I'd brought the other things though.

Today is one day I'm glad I have a direct debit straight to saving account. Even if I spend all the rest at least £250 is saved this month!!!! Thats the most the regular saver can take each month. The rest I managed to save is done by going in branch. I'm wondering if setting a second direct debit is the way to go. Problem is that extra saving does depend how much is left after bills etc. There will be some months that could be £100 others it could be £200. On a bad month nothing.

I have had a bonus though. My phone bill has been messed up. Its supposed to be monthly but the last bill has been oct. I've phoned a few times to get it sorted and been told it will come out Dec. So after being told phone today, and today it won't happen till January. I complained. Thats 3 months I'll have to pay, I keep getting told phone next week its sorted etc. So now they have said they will credit the account with a month free. And from January it will be monthly. All being well this will happen. If not another phone call will happen and a complaint. Also a look at changing service provider.

Tomorrow will be a high spend as hair cuts and hoping to get more things from Lidi for Christmas. Also want to get kids to finish the crafts to send family presents. Will get posted next week, so plenty of time.

coolcats

Saw a friend who we are away with she has given me an idea of costing, so I have now decided to give £60 for the weekend away, not till after new year but want to pay now and its done. there are 4 adults going so cost of house is between all of us and then the food on top. £60 should cover it. house is £120.

I have been looking at bank account, the bank I'm with have just started doing a current account with interest on it. So I'm going to look at that to see if I can have it. There are restrictions but it looks like I cover them all. The only thing I lose is travel insurance, which is a small loss for what I gain.

Also been looking at monthly savers, I've found one that I need to find more out about as looks a good deal. But they aren't someone I have banked with so need to see if I need any other account for it.

Need to make the money work as hard as possible. I think if I can get the monthly saver up with the other one I have it will force me to save. I have slipped up this month. I need to work out if I can save the amounts and still have a bit, how much I can save. Also if I can take it out if I really need to in an emergancy. I will reach my target. I figure if its not in the current account I can't spend it. Problrm is I get money in so many different times, its having it set at the right time to go out. I get weekly, 4 weekly and monthly payments.

Yesturday was a real high spend.The hair cut wasn't as bad as expected. But we did go out for lunch with friend. And we haven't had takeaway or lunch out since the middle of Oct, so I have saved there as before it was weekly. I also did as cheap as possible. Followed by Lidi and then it was just general food brought. Glad I had brought the bits when I did in the week as the stock is getting low. There are loads of some things others hardly any. Really need to do the frozen bits now.

louby40

I think December is a really tough month for saving! So you shouldn't beat yourself up about it! Well done!

Lou

coolcats

I am doing well and determined to do better!! I have now set up the second monthly saving. Its for a year then goes to a instant acces, note made to change it. Once that has finished I can start a new one. And I don't have to have any other accounts with them. I've set up for the maxium to save. I can take it out if I need to but only get a lower interest rate. I think it may make things tight at times, but I home to not spend when the extra is there. At least this way with the savings going out I can't touch it when its gone. At least I know thats how I will see it.

I have also got an appiontment planned to see if the other current account is any good for me. Not sure if it will be but worth a look. It maybe that it is but may have to put it on hold for a few months. The current account is at the lowest its ever been as I've saved so much these last few weeks, with opening new accounts. Will pick up.

My family have said rather than pay for postage for presents they may just send cheques. For us that will be better as the kids always want something they see and must have. The things family send are often not what they want now. Having just sent there presents (all in one parcel as they all live close enough to see each other) at a cost of £10 will be better for us all.

Pleased with it all. And glad how I've worked things. The target is getting closer.