New Life, My DFW Diary!

Lucy1982_2

I don't normally do the weekly shop and this is just topping up of stuff I ran out of and something so my mother can eat when she gets home tomorrow! But I intend to do a bit of bargin hunting and see if I can find anything on offer.

my big problems is lunchtime, but I think I might have managed to get that under control this week. We shall have to see this time next month!

Lucy1982_2

Ok

Top up food shop done, and only bought things that were on the list. Still havea couple of bits to bit up, but I can get them cheaper elsewhere so will get them on the way home.

Managing to get loads of work done, which is good. Starting to build up the mental power to do the house work later. Unfortunately We don't leave early on a friday :mad: So no extra time. But I have thought up an action plan. While my dinner is cooking I will be dusting and cleaning the kitchen/living room. Once I have eaten I can wash up and finish the kitchen and hoover downstairs. Which just really leaves the hallway and the bathroon to definately do before mother gets home.

Hopefully it will only take a couple of hours, but that is assuming I don't sit down to watch a bit of TV.... Hmm I'll let you know how I get on.

Will just potter around my bedroom, so long as it's tidy I will be happy. I also need to sort out my spreadsheets as I'm paid on Monday, need to get everything in place for hard budgeting and money saving.

Shineyhappy

I always go shopping after work as then there are usually reductions about. Then if I want an additional treat I let myself get something for 30p.

Not long after my LBM I accessed internet banking for the first time and I looked through the last 5 years and I saw pages and pages of transactions for HMV, Woolworths, TK Maxx, Superdrug..... and I would bet most if not all was on unneccassary spends. I didnt add any of it up as I think I would have cried. I was 2k OD and buying CDs, DVDs and general junk!!!

Since my LBM there are so many fewer transactions and all of them are either bills, supermarket shopping or I know exactly what I bought.

Lucy1982_2

It's really the first time I have looked at it like that, but it really is a good way of keeping track, download them once a month and see if there are any patterns.

Looking forward to pay day so I can put all these new ideas into place properly.

Shineyhappy

When I think about my old spending habits I could cry, how much do you spend in Sainsburys if you dont mind me asking?

Lucy1982_2

Well baring in mind that this month has been really pants. About £100. Which is well over my month spends budget.

To be fair, some is probably cash back or stuff I've got for Mum and she's given me back. But I have no really idea what I've bought!! Which is a bit worrying.

Which is why is has to stop!!

Shineyhappy

Wow! :eek:

If I were you I would be a little stricter about this and stop getting cashback there so in future when you review this again, you will know that it wasnt cash back.

I would also keep all your receipts and look through them so you know exactly what the money has been spent on.

Lucy1982_2

I'm very shamed face about this one. I'd never really thought about it. But I am going to stop cash back and I'm going to try only going to the cashpoint once a month and taking out my 'spends' money all on one go and splitting it into envelopes. Then once it's gone it's gone.

I've done this before and it works rather well, can't remember why I stopped, I would also take out my petrol money as well. So I might do that to, that what I shouldn't need to carry my debit card around with me.

Well this is the plan anyway. I need to be really strict about it and plan ahead. When I first have my LBM I kept all of my receipts but I seem to have stopped that to.

Oh well, time to start it all again and see how I get on. I think I should just move my office to the middle of a field, that way I wouldn't have any where to spend money.

skint_spice

That actually works Lucy - my office is on an industrial estate and it's too much hassle to go to the shops but previously we were in the middle of a town and I spent just about every day.
I take out the money I've budgeted for shopping + spends on a friday and when it's gone it's gone. which is depressing for the rest of the week but saves me going over.
Meant to say...is this "the weekend" when you meet the folks? if so good luck and I'm sure they'll love you.

Lucy1982_2

Hi

No that's next weekend!! Just checked online banking and I've been paid so I have done all my budgets and spreadsheets. Going to be tight this month, but I knew that.

Just going to have to pull my belt in aren't I.

Here's to the challenge.