The 'Save 12k in 2013' Thread!

Twiggy_34

Disappointingly I wasn't able to register any savings for April My sister and I have been working our socks off trying to get dad's house ready for the tenants to move in at the end of this week, and that meant having to fork out for various things, including gas inspections, building work, carpets etc. It's left me slightly short on what I'd saved so far this year (I've £200 left in the relevant savings account), but I intend to make that up in due course. Actually, I know I've got the better part of £100 in my £2 jar from the £2 savers challenge, so it's not all bad

My biggest problem is that I've had a huge dental bill come up (I have private treatment after so many bad NHS experiences), so that will have an inevitable effect on my progress for the rest of the year. I paid up front on the c/card as that gave me a 5% discount, and will do an interest free transfer which will buy me time to pay off at a reasonable rate. I think my goal is still achievable, in fact what I might do is pay the minimum payment each month and aim to save more than my goal was set at, which at at the end of the year should leave me with more than enough to clear the balance on the card...

girlatplay

cydney65 wrote: »

Know where you're coming from girlatplay, I was paying back my debt for 4 years, which is not long when you look at some others, but I still get a bit sick of saying no to myself, to my OH and to my girls...

Whenever I get CSA money I use it for LMG. She doesn't need stuff all the time so she doesn't usually go without. She is used to me saying no anyway (I have been doing it since before she was born!) and since I started giving her a decent amount of pocket money she thinks twice before she decides if she "needs" something or not as she hates spending her own money :rotfl:

Twiggy_34 wrote: »

My biggest problem is that I've had a huge dental bill come up (I have private treatment after so many bad NHS experiences)...

I do the same. I completely sympathise with you. I save a little bit separately, specifically for the purpose of covering any unforeseen dental bills. I have my regular yearly payment and a little on the side. It doesn't happen very often, my dentist does preventative dentistry (I think it is called) so a little amount away every month adds up for when there is something. Ooooh check me talking about dentists! 2 years ago I wouldn't have even been able to read your post because my phobia was so bad! Stupid really, I get that now :)

Twiggy_34

girlatplay wrote: »

I do the same. I completely sympathise with you. I save a little bit separately, specifically for the purpose of covering any unforeseen dental bills. I have my regular yearly payment and a little on the side. It doesn't happen very often, my dentist does preventative dentistry (I think it is called) so a little amount away every month adds up for when there is something. Ooooh check me talking about dentists! 2 years ago I wouldn't have even been able to read your post because my phobia was so bad! Stupid really, I get that now :)

Thanks, I always keep meaning to tuck some money to one side, but things spiralled out of control last year when I had to cancel an appointment for a crown as my dad fell ill and I had to take him to hospital. 8 weeks and one funeral later, the tooth broke and they couldn't save it. I opted to have an implant and that really wasn't cheap. A similar thing happened this time, we knew I need to have 2 replacement fillings done for heavily (and badly) filled teeth, but I'd been so busy dealing with probate, clearing and decorating the house etc, that I put my dental care on hold. 2 more broken teeth later I have to have 2 root canals as well as crowns. One of the root canals is to replace a badly performed root canal done on the NHS. I'm not shying way from all responsibility regarding my oral state mind you, I drank far to much brown fizzy sugar water when I was younger and am paying (literally) for it now. It's a good job I at least am not afraid of the dentist... just the bills! :rotfl:

On the bright side, once these have been sorted it's only small jobs left to be done. Once I've squared things up for this year I intend to do the same as you and put aside a sum of money monthly for this sort of thing. The same pot of money will also be cover for things I might normally pay insurance premiums for, e.g. mobile phone, pet, contents. This way, provided nothing goes horrifically wrong <touches wood> I won't be throwing money away on premiums only to get nothing back, but will always have the cash to cover unforeseen circumstances... at least that's the plan!

girlatplay

Twiggy_34 wrote: »

On the bright side, once these have been sorted it's only small jobs left to be done. Once I've squared things up for this year I intend to do the same as you and put aside a sum of money monthly for this sort of thing. The same pot of money will also be cover for things I might normally pay insurance premiums for, e.g. mobile phone, pet, contents. This way, provided nothing goes horrifically wrong <touches wood> I won't be throwing money away on premiums only to get nothing back, but will always have the cash to cover unforeseen circumstances... at least that's the plan!

Yes, that is a good plan and similar to mine which is in progress. It really does work. Keeps me right with the budgets too. I'm sorry to hear about your dad (((hugs)))

Wentthedaywell?

Hello Twiggy and Girlatplay, I'm another who had to go for private dentistry, and I have a £25 p.m. separate pot for it. I spent £2500 :eek: last year on an implant and a couple of replacement crowns. So I was expecting another big bill looming when I had a checkup this week. A thorough examination, polish, 2 Xrays - £10! Cheaper than the NHS! Maybe he knows I'll be a good lucrative customer in the future .

It's obviously more expensive to go private (no choice as there are hardly any NHS dentists here), but I feel so much more confident my current one is very skilled. I had so many bad experiences and cr*p work with my last NHS one that I'm happiy to pay (not saying they are all like that but my particular one was dire).

stavromueller

I've had loads of overtime in April and the beginning of May which is really helping my savings!

Transferred £550 over today to take the total to £1950 saved for May.

nat21luv

Waiting on £130 cash, £42 cheque and £35 in other revenues next week, with any luck this will see my sail through the £3k barrier I'm still £1165 behind target for the year but most of my income comes from students throughout the summer.

alja

I feel really boring on this thread, I have nothing to say until my pay day comes! (Not a bad thing really though I guess!)

I still live at home so I don't really have many bills, just my phone bill and a small amount of rent I pay to my parents. I can't do overtime in my job etc.

The most exciting mse things I do really is just saying "no" to things whilst out shopping and buying cheaper items that are the equivalent of their more expensive friends! I worked out I saved myself at least £10 on little things last weekend just by saying "no I don't need it!" ..at least that's something though I guess!

Keep up the great work everyone, that total amount saved by us all is brilliant!

slowlyfading

1stTimer wrote: »

Hi slowly fading

I think I may have registered wrong as I'm not showing up on the first page with a number??

Can I still hijack please? Just need somewhere where I can vent and praise myself when I do anything

Sorry - you're on the spreadsheet but not the front page - I shall add you now!

slowlyfading

Spreadsheet and front page updated