My Savings Log - for motivational purposes

nicolula87

Well, Christmas has been expensive!!! I was lucky enough to be spoilt by OH and my parents and they bought me a new computer - my old one was about dead. BUT it did mean I had to splash out on Microsoft Office (£110 - ouch!) But I got £15 cashback at least!

Means now that January can have only minimal spending. Will be starting to pay back my loan to parents in February, as January will be tight anyway. Have got OH on board with the grocery challenge, and am thinking of joining NSD challenge as well for January.

Have also joined BzzAgent fairly recently - doesn't make me money, but I get to try stuff for free and it gives you Tesco Clubcard points for completing activities. The current campaign I am involved in got me 2 packs of Knorr gravy pots to try, and so far 75 clubcard points for completing activities. Also some vouchers for the gravy pots to hand out - 25p off.

Currently feeling very motivated for January - hope it continues!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas by the way, and lets start setting the New Years Resolutions!!

My first one is to complete a 'Dry-athlon' in January - no alcohol!
Second is to waste less money...
Third is to lose 7lb...(Technically I don't NEED to do this, but I would like to!)

What New Years Resolutions are you guys setting??

GeorgeHowell

This is an interesting new tack, perhaps we should call it SAVEWATCHERS

Seriously though, there's only two things required :- firstly to set a realistic budget to achieve the objective and to monitor progress accurately and regularly. Secondly to be prepared to deny yourself anything that is not containable within it.

The OP appears to have got the first one taped.

Now for a 2013 of the second.

For many years my only new year's resolution has been not to make any new year's resolutions. But for the OP to set a frugal monthly alcohol spending allowance and stick to it would appear to be a very good idea on more than one level.

nicolula87

Well the January blues have hit!! And it isn't even January. Have just worked out my money and it isn't good. I have £20 spare a week until payday so going to have to cut unnecessary spending to 0! On the plus side this is without cutting into the 150 set aside for savings.

Parents have said I can start paying them back in February (I haven't technically borrowed the money yet as the kitchen isn't quite finished but will be by the end of the week!). But with a direct order of 100 to them, and 150 into savings it doesn't leave much to play with! Going to be a tight year I think.

Am thinking about getting the train to work....would cost 207 for a months ticket (a weeks ticket is 50something so would be able to play around when I had time off without losing too much). I drive 70miles a day for work currently running at 12p a mile (on average) so £8.40 a day. I also pay for parking at £26 (is 39 but on salary sacrifice) a month. So a few quick calculations:
Driving: £2220 a year (not counting extra wear and tear on car, or rising fuel price)
Train: £2328 (approx - at new prices).

Now if I can take my bike on the train this would work out at this price, if not I would have to pay for a shuttle bus at £7.50 a week taking train price up to approx £2658.

Would add about 20mins onto my journey each way if I took the train. Its the massive reduction in miles on my car that I think holds the most value as it will last me longer, need less services etc etc.

If any of that made any sense I would be interested in people's thoughts!

HeadAboveWater

That does make a lot of sense actually. The easy part is working out how much you physically hand over for a train ticket, or car fuel or parking. It's the rise if mileage in relation to the age of the car, the MOT, tyres, tax, rising fuel costs, maintenance, all that stuff, that puts the car costs up must further.
Then think about the stress factor too! Driving can be a nightmare sometimes (although I guess sometimes so can catching trains at the last minute if you're running late!! ha ha)

nicolula87

I do think I am going to do it HAW, just probably won't be till Feb or March as I need to clear out the under the stairs cupboard to turn it in to a bike cupboard and work out train times etc and get my bike here, and sort out bicycle parking at work.....

Had a bit of a depressing day so far, just worked out my finances and between increasing my SO into our joint account (we want to start overpaying the mortgage), putting 150 a month into savings and paying my parents back 100 a month I am going to have around 150 a month expendable income instead of the 450ish I was playing around with last year It's a bit depressing this responsibleness thing isn't it!!

Plus I have no money to hit the sales even though I really NEED (not want, honest) a new jacket!

Hey ho, won £15 on EuroMillions on New Yrs Day (was hoping to be one of the UK millionaires, don't usually buy a ticket) so that was nice.

HeadAboveWater

:T Every little helps!!

nicolula87

Well I haven't been about for a bit, but a few positive money saving things done! Firstly after working out I had £20 a week to play with, I found £30 in a bag I went out with NYE and managed to make that last 2 weeks, so my £80 is still in the bank. PLUS used a voucher to pay when I went shopping with my mum. My stuff cost a fiver and used a £10 voucher to pay for both of us so after she paid me back I gained £5!

Also counted out my change jar and bagged £13 ready to go in the bank, sorted some text books to trade on Amazon which will get me £27 of amazon vouchers, and I need a new book for a course I'm on next month so that's worked out well. And using various DVD/CD websites, made £30 odd quid clearing out clutter (although that's into the joint savings pot) so after I get all of those bits and pieces in I will add them to my kitchen fund, and with £17 or so sitting in Top Cashback should put me nearer £100 in the bits and bobs savings!

Not bad considering I've been manic at work and barely had time to think!

Have a little pile of stuff to put on ebay, may attack that later in the week, but I struggle to get to the post office due to working full time and commuting so it may have to wait a while!

HeadAboveWater

Wahey! Nice work on gathering up the money!! You're doing really well this month