Mrs Boo Boo's Budget Bonanza

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well lost it a bit in terms of writing on here,but haven't lost it completely and am actually proud of my small efforts last year.
Just by making a note of expenditure is liberating and will serve as a baseline for expenses this year,like how much I need for Christmas and birthday pressies for the whole year and how much was the food budget last year.
Really proud of myself for not going overboard with the food and drink so not much leftover stuff. So easy to buy just because it's Christmas.Did splash out on a local free range turkey,but have been using it up all week and am disappointed that there isn't enough left for a curry! Made a pie yesterday.
Well need to crack on with adding up the receipts for November & December oops!!!! At least by stating my intentions here I will get on and do it.
Happy 2014 everyone.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well serve me right for not updating the budget for Nov & Dec. Took me most of last night to sort out. Nes Year's resolution to keep up a bit more.
Sorted out hubbie's too so can transfer some wages to our account to keep us going.
Pleased with myself for saving travel expenses every month because I have over a thou saved. Need to get a new car which is really annoying. Apparently won't pass MOT in Feb due to emissions and part will cost over £200 to fix and may not resolve the problem. they have advised to get a new car as mine is 12 years old!!!! Thought it might have gone on a bit longer especially as we spent out for hubbie to get a new van in July. Anyway car is going ok for now. Thinking of an Aygo or Yaris. Just a bit worried that the Aygo is too small,although most of the time it's only me in the car. Just thinking about tip runs and charity crafters. Mind you I would get a 4 door so the back seats could be used as the boot is very small. The economical bit really appeals. Will need to have a look around in the next couple of weeks as the MOT is due at the beginning of Feb.
Shame car purchase will eat into building money.
Time to make a meal plan and really cut down on food purchases.
Also need to allocate £50.00 odd of half price stuff bought in Boots the other day for this years birthday pressies.
Bought a cauli today so its' cauliflower cheese pasta bake for meals next week and fish pie. Here we go.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well really pleased with myself. Changed electricity tariff. Stayed with original supplier and have fixed until 2017 at roughly the same payment. Been putting it off for ages,but the comparison tool on here helped spur me on. Phew!!!!
Also sorted a new car and picking it up tomorrow. Got an Aygo in the end due to low costs,we'll see.Spent ages looking at car insurance and boy really have to read the small print,something I've learnt here. For example free breakdown,great. Not free unless you call out which costs £20-£80 depending on the age of the car and limited to 2 call outs a year and doesn't include changing a wheel etc.What!!!!
Grocery budget went over this month,but does include some vitamins so hopefully will boost my health. Got a new B&M bargain shop so there are some cheaper items available there. Haven't been able to get to community allotment field for ages to get veg.
Absolutely rubbish weather at the moment.
Glad I now have a year's budget to look back on and plan for 2014.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Ha ha how time flies. Decided to resurrect the diary to keep me on track as lost the plot a bit. Not too bad as I now have You Need a Budget to use too. Although this is currently in the red!
Been a bit stressy about Christmas so need to put by something every month or at least have things sorted, such as cards. I always make my own,but leave it too late so it needs sorting. Have also made the majority of pressies,but it just takes time. Lots of ideas too so need to get organised soon. Have a 70th and lots of 50ths next year so need to pull my finger out.
Have started to overpay mortgage and have stuck to food budget mostly. Also have saved monthly mileage expenses and have enough for car insurance, MOT and tax already and anything else that crops up. Feels good.
Anyway must finish off the last of the sweet trees before delivery on Tuesday.

Bambywamby

Hello there :hello:


I have just read your diary... well done with keeping up the small changes. Those are the one's that have the greatest effect.


Sorry to read about your losses last year; I hope time is being kind and you're back on an even keel. x


I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to reading your diary in the New Year. :xmastree:


Love Bams xx

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Thank you Bambywamby so thoughtful and decorative message.
Same to you too and thank you for spending the time to read my diary.
Well back again from a very hectic Christmas and got work tomorrow. How did that happen? Oh well.
Have been updating YNAB and it looks a bit dire. Need to update hubbies budget so that I can transfer some money in to get it on track again.
Had to buy a pair of shoes for work because mine have split. £65 but they are Clarks and the last pair lasted nearly 2 years wearing every day so not bad. Just wish it could've been a bit later on in the year. Picked up a few bits and pieces for an upcoming birthday and some next years Christmas pressies.
Have quite a bit of food in the freezer so hope to plan to spend less next month,although came in under budget even with buying a bit of booze and a free range turkey.
Have a few events to save up for during the year and my brother-in-law proposed again to my sis on Christmas Day so there is a wedding blessing in there too. Have offered to make their cake again as did their engagement and wedding one!!!
When the dust settles after the new year will get serious and concentrate a bit more. Was not paid the extra hours worked in November so a flat month this month til January 25th. Should get paid extra hours plus 15 hours a week on a contract from January. Need to allocate for different events planned. Like to feel confident with things taken care of.


1. Goal for next week- Meal plan for food already in cupboards and freezer. To include left over turkey.


2. Make 2 New Year cards (missed sending a Christmas one). Card and pressie for new baby boy born just before Christmas. Birthday card and wrap pressie for birthday on the 6th.


3. Plan to save £100 a month to cover Christmas pressies and food.


That will have to do for now.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Ha ha this is funny.
Here I am again making another fresh start.
Oh well. It's ok to do this. Part of the cycle.
Will check in later on. Must go out and hoover my car. It's a right state.
Keep on track here.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well already helped me a get a bit on track.
Mother-in-laws house finally went through and we had a lovely payment. Apart from the maximum in our existing 123 account it was just stuck there. So looked on here and have now set up another 123 account and money transferred in. Just have to set up another Direct Debit. Set up a Tesco current account tonight too. Once sorted will transfer a bit more then set up standing orders to transfer the right amounts to qualify.
Need to make and sort out birthdays cards and presents tomorrow. Brother-in-laws 50th on the 12th. He's into gardening so may splash out a bit more and get him a solar watering system. He likes gadgets. Also 3 more birthdays this month.
Need to get ready for bed as now changed locations for 3 month contract and have to get up earlier because it's further to travel.
Other goals to follow.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well have set up YNAB budget again as I was getting really confused with it all and it wouldn't balance. Hopefully it will be more user friendly now. Probably need to visit website and attend a few tutorials too.
Need to sign Tesco account details sent this week.
Have set up 2 Direct Debits. Joined two charity lotteries so am helping myself and contributing to a charity too.
Have a no pasty quiche in the oven and a chicken curry in the slow cooker. Also cold chicken for tea tonight.


Very often get stuck and lack motivation so if I put it on here am hoping it will become easier.
Need to
Make bed
Catch up on ironing if only uniforms for next week.
Make birthday cards x2 and sort out pressie for a 10 year old. May have something in my glory box so will look there first.
Need to hoover house (hate this chore).
Text a friend about another friend's birthday on the 24th. Will suggest afternoon tea at my house. Absolutely love doing this. Have some inherited china tea sets so it always looks good.
Sort out and start ticketing tombola.
That will do for now.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well keeping it real by posting.
Managed a few jobs. Wore earphones and listened to a podcast with husband's ear defenders on!!! Home made noise limiting.So much easier. Even managed to to wash the kitchen floor. Nearly sorted out 50th Birthday pressie.Cards and pressie done.
Did not manage tostart ticketing tombola.
Signed Tesco current account form.
Have just sorted out YNAB so hopefully this will now balance.
Small things and baby steps.