Third Time Determined!

karmachilovething

I'm going to make a bit more of an effort to post regularly here. Without too much whittering nonsense!

So I have generally (as per the rules of NinjaSavingKat's challenges) been trying to have a high number of NSDs every month. Usual 20-25 is the target (although not always achieved). This is a very good way to get me out of the thought that says "it's normal to spend," and into "normal is not to spend."

But it does mean that when I need a spend day (be that because of needing food or petrol or some pre-arranged event) I try to add in other expenses (non-urgent necessaries, toiletries and craft supplies usually) rather than loose another NSD somewhere else.

So the paradox is, in order to have lots of days where I don't spend, I have some days when I TRY to spend. I go around thinking what elses do I need to buy? It creates a tiny spending snowball.

I don't think this is a particular problem, but I'm thinking I need to balance the no spend-spend days a little more to avoid going from over spender to spender-phrenic :rotfl:

karmachilovething

I've done my spreadsheet for the month, worked out where the money is going and what on.

Seems this month that my toiletries/beauty budget is high - £70 :eek: But I haven't restocked in a while.

I spend a fair about on the products I use, but I'd rather spend on a few things that I know work for me than try lots of cheap things that don't and then don't get used. I tried to economise my shampoo a few years ago and after several attempts I realised I'd spent as much on three things that didn't work as my old expensive brand :rotfl: so now I just pick my battles elsewhere!

karmachilovething

I have an empty weekend coming up so have been thinking how to make the most of it in terms of not spending and even making money.

I have some eBay things to do, and I was going to get out my summer clothes, which might turn up some more eBay worthy stuff, and always feels like going shopping because I find all these lovely things I already own but had forgotten about.

And then I will play dress up trying to find something to wear to my friends wedding in July. It's a ways off but if I do that now I'll know what I need budget for in terms of extras, or if want to make anything specially for it or whatever. I have a vision of what I want to look like, and I have some ideas as to what to wear from my wardrobe, but we'll see how it pans out . . .

karmachilovething

So a very quiet weekend; to more NSDs in the bag and more to come this week, fingers crossed.

The bits I put on eBay last week, all 99p starts, are doing so much better than the things I was putting on for 4.99/5.99 etc. I think people get sucked in by thinking they can get a bargain. Lots of watchers and a fair amount of bidding too, so I am hopeful.

Shopping my wardrobe for a wedding dress didn't go so great. Not bad, but not sorted either. My first thought didn't work (too casual). My second thought could work, but will need new shoes, and could be too hot (in South of France in July). So might still end up with a new dress.

That "new" dress made me wonder if it needs to be "new" maybe I should look out in charity and vintage shops for a while and see if that helps! We shall see.

karmachilovething

So on the side of reducing debt, I have been trying to reduce my stuff too. Sometime this goes hand in hand (fleabay) and sometimes not.

One of the things I've been doing is scanning all my old statements and bank letters. Getting away from ahving pile sof paper around the place . . . I'm close to the end, and so earlier this week I was scanning bank statements from 2010. And more importantly the letters that I got in between statements telling me I'd gone over my overdraft and was going to be charged.

It's been a really good reminder of how awful that always felt and that I don't want to be back there again. If I hadn't shredded them all I would have framed one to remind me daily! :rotfl:

karmachilovething

Well, I can report a good hen weekend in York was had by all. A lot of eating ot, but I was expecting that. And I found a dress for the wedding, for massively reduced price so quite pleased.

And I have made about £70 clear profit from eBay so I'm quite pleased with that.

A few errands today, but hoping for NSDs for the rest of the week.

karmachilovething

NSD today, not much planned MSE-wise. One of those quiet days which make up most of debt-busting

karmachilovething

where are we now at the end of this week?

Well a few NSDs, and a couple of spend days. Not great, but not bad.

Last night I went to see the Flaming Lips - for FREE! I was lucky enough to win the ballot for tickets for their BBC session; there were 10,000 applications so I feel very priviledged to have been there.

This weekedn I have another music event - a one day festival in London, tickets bought some time ago, so only food to worry about on the day.

Happy Weekend!
KC

karmachilovething

Two parts to todays post:

1. I've been paid, so it's totting up time. I have now paid off 16% of my debt so far
:T:T:T
I'm really pleased with this. I definitely think thining about the debt reduction as a percentage (crawling up evey month) definitely helps keep me going

2. I was in London on the weekend, and it was quite spendy in the sense that I spent every day. I was worrying that I was spending too much, I had that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach "Oh, no not again." Compounded by the fact that I bought some (much needed) new t-shirts, and spending on non-essentials make me feel like I must be spending too much. But having totted up my spreadsheet again today, I seem to have done alright . . . Another little sign that I'm learning.

catriona79

karmachilovething wrote: »

where are we now at the end of this week?

Well a few NSDs, and a couple of spend days. Not great, but not bad.

Last night I went to see the Flaming Lips - for FREE! I was lucky enough to win the ballot for tickets for their BBC session; there were 10,000 applications so I feel very priviledged to have been there.

This weekedn I have another music event - a one day festival in London, tickets bought some time ago, so only food to worry about on the day.

Happy Weekend!
KC

I'm sooo envious of you seeing the Flaming Lips! I love them!!!

I went once (in Brum) and they were recording the concert for bbc2 - was really energetic and great fun!

How have you been KC? X