My Savings Log - for motivational purposes

nicolula87

Well things have definitely slowed down on the saving front! Although that is mostly because I work my money out monthly so I won't put anything in savings until the 25th of the month. I have decided to keep an exact log of what I spend every day in my diary so I can better analyse it.

With Christmas coming, lots is being spent but all budgeted for so I don't feel too guilty! Haven't actually touched the £400 I had set aside for Christmas yet and I only have 4 presents left to buy. Most of it will probably go on alcohol and cheese for Christmas Day!

Didn't get everything organised by Sunday but I would say I'm 60% ready for Christmas. Going to write meal and shopping list plan this week, and work out what I can buy in advance, as I hate supermarkets at the best of times, let alone just before Christmas! An early morning shop planned for Christmas weekend I think!

Am currently in the process of setting up an ISA for my personal savings (not this £3k as it will just go straight out again). Also some of this £3k is going to be set up in direct debit so some working out with figures to do!

nicolula87

Well I opened my ISA last night. 2.5% for the first year, which I know isn't the best deal but I really wanted online access and this was the best I could find for that!

Have sent a cheque for £400 to start it off, as I only have 3 and a half months to put money in it this year I will be adding as much as possible in there!

I have some things to ebay but not sure if it's the best time as if I put them on for a decent length listing they won't be done in time for Christmas, so I think people are less likely to buy them.....

Any ebayers have any advice??

HeadAboveWater

Well done on getting the first money into your ISA :T

Funny I was thinking the same thing myself about ebay. You can list things for 3, 5, 7 or 10 days (I think!), so you could have the auction ending fairly soon if you wanted. Then the other thing to consider is postage. You'll possibly need to offer 1st class/recorded or something in case people are looking for presents in time for crimbo.

nicolula87

BOOOOOOOOO!!

Just had to wipe out the small amount of savings I have on courses for work

They aren't essential but I want to develop so I have to pay up front, then I get a partial refund on the day BUT the day is in Feb!

Oh well, I have enough money to get through Christmas and then January will be the start of serious saving! Onwards and upwards!!

Elmly

Hey good luck on the savings! How's it going so far? Do u have any target dates? I will be subscribing so please keep posting and keep us all up to date

nicolula87

Somehow managed to put £67.63 into the kitchen account after this month....which after scraping all my money together a few days ago to pay for courses is quite good. However my new month does start today so a 6 weeks January could make things a bit tough to add much into savings in the next month.

ISA set up with £400 to start, and £100 DD set up into there.

£50 DD set up to start in January for next years Christmas fund.

Overall feeling quite positive about it today, although I do have to pay for new tyres at the weekend

HeadAboveWater

You're doing really well ref your savings nicolula. And I imagine that the money for your tyres will not be going on the credit card! That's a big plus!

nicedream_2

Hello

I didn't want to read and run. It's nice to see a diary on the Saving forum, rather than the debt, as it seems much quieter over here!

Well done on your savings. I have a similar target to you in the save 13k (or not so much!) in 2013 and am looking forward to starting!

How have you paid for the rest of the kitchen? On card or is it a loan? I hope you get it paid off quickly.

Anyway, I will subscribe and encourage

HeadAboveWater

*whisper* There's a savings forum?! Missed that... Maybe I should request my diary to be moved

(in saying that, sometimes I think it should be in the relationship forum! :eek::rotfl:)

nicolula87

The 3k of the kitchen has been borrowed from my parents (0% - best loan around!) I would normally wait until I had the money but I'm a big baker and my old kitchen (from when we moved in 6 months ago) was just so badly designed - no work surface space, cupboards dotted everywhere and a rubbish oven. Plus it didn't even meet health and safety housing regulations or some such thing.

I'm hoping to really get started in the New Year as so far not had much of a chance, with Christmas and so on.

HAW you should definitely come and join us in the savings section now!!!