PositiveBalance’s Diary: In Search of Positivity, Balance and a Positive Bank Balance

PositiveBalance

Cuddlyrunner wrote: »

What is the geniand us kitchen gadget you've had built?? x

Good luck with the debt payments

Hi Cuddlyrunner! :wave:

I just wrote a reply and the computer ate it. Gah! :mad:

The kitchen gadget (it probably isn't, but I didn't know what else to call it) is a cover for the halogen cooker. The trouble it, my kitchen is miniscule and there is little prep space, so inevitably things get put on the cooker as there is just nowhere else to put them. This is probably going to mean a scrape on it (I may have already done so the very first time I used it as I wasn't used to how sensitive they are ) and any damage will come out of the deposit to the flat.

As for the rest, thanks: feel free to hang around!

PositiveBalance

mooomin wrote: »

*subscribes*

Now, to go and read all that waffle

*puts kettle on*

*Pulls out enough cups for everyone and a plate of cake*

Excellent! And what's all that about waffles? My thread is a waffles-free zone.

Cake, on the other hand...:rotfl:

PositiveBalance

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

Hi PositiveBalance :wave:

I have just had a read through your diary and subscribed i think we have a few things in common - similar age, no pension or savings - something i also want to address this year!

The fact I'm not alone makes me feel slightly better, but it's still way scary!

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

I am also looking for a new job and i love learning too and a dressmaking course sounds amazing :T:T:T And i'd also love to travel round the world!!

Alas, I didn't get much job hunting done this weekend and this week is looking seriously busy...I can't afford to keep leaving it and really must find some time to do it, even if it's 20 mins / 1 application a day or something like that. I think I may need one of those routine things...and the dressmaking course is actually a course on how to make cushions and curtains etc. instead, which is a bit more practical for me at the moment (I may go back to do the dressmaking one later).

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

My head is currently fuzzy as i've been studying lots today :eek: and still have loads to do but i'm having a proper break before getting back to it :cool:

You're an absolute marvel how you manage to fit everything in your day: I barely have the discipline to do the basics. I really, desperately need to get into a good routine this week and get my life in order....it would run a lot easier and be much more productive!

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

I'll hopefully be back next week with some more useful suggestions after i've got this assignment out of the way although i think its fab how you've worked everything out and have got the energy supliers coming round to sort out your meter readings so you know its accurate :T The thing that stood out to me was your food budget which you've already identified could be cut back on - it could be higher though as you've not been in your place too long so you might not have a big stash of ingredients for things that keep for ages such as herbs etc. Mind you food shopping is so dear these days i think - i spent about £15 more than anticipated and budgeted for when i went shopping the other day - and i had already put all the treat things back

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

meal planning has been good for me to keep the bills down and i've also challenged myself to just buying 12 lunches in the year - averaging at 1 a month as i was wasting so much money on this I also try and buy reduced price items that can be frozen but haven't managed to pick any of these bargains up for weeks.

As for the food budget, compared to some people on here £200 is just a huge amount, but as you point out, I don't have quite al the herbs/spices I would like yet (although I'm not doing badly). I've got as much of a stock in of things I think I will use as I can, but one of the serious disadvantages to my flat is the teency tiny size of the kitchen, so although I have a full fridge freezer for fresh/frozen stuff (and the freezer is rammed full, imcluding whoopsies!), I only have one small cupboard and a few small drawers for dried stuff. This is not helpful, as I would love to have a huge food stash to help keep costs down, but I will just have to do my best with the space I have got.

Best of luck with your assignment! :T

PositiveBalance

Today I bought two gift bags and a card for a birthday party I was attending, totalling £3.27,but I’m cross that one of the bags has ripped before I’ve had the chance to give it! :mad:

After a day of semi-domestic bliss it’s the more expense at dentist’s tomorrow morning, and I still haven’t divided all my money between envelopes. :mad:

Also and this is truly :mad: :mad: - I think my laptop is going. It is having problems charging, and it's a recurring problem, but it will cost quite a bit to repair so I may end up financially better off in the long term to cut my losses and invest in a new one. But obviously, that's more money that I don't have at the minute. :mad:

Night night all, and here’s to more debt-busting ways tomorrow! :beer:
P.S. Managed to list 3 more items on Ebay on top of the 2 I already have on there. It's a pity that I didn't have time to make more use of the free listings, but it has been a busy weekend and any is better than none.

stacey2193

The kitchen gadget (it probably isn't, but I didn't know what else to call it) is a cover for the halogen cooker. The trouble it, my kitchen is miniscule and there is little prep space, so inevitably things get put on the cooker as there is just nowhere else to put them.

As for the rest, thanks: feel free to hang around! [/QUOTE]

This made me laugh, as I thought I had the tiniest kitchen in the universe, very little prep space too, my freezer is in my basement and the fridge in a cubby hole that used to be an oven when the house was built.

mooomin

PositiveBalance wrote: »

Food: £200 (including lunches for work): I haven’t set a budget up to now, just bought as and when so this is a potential area for good savings. I’m not a bad cook, but I need to cook more consistently and do meal plans etc, and I've noticed how easy it is to waste food when you are only cooking for one! :eek: That's definitely true! Try meal planning for a few days at a time rather than for weeks in advance. It makes it easier for days when you can't be bothered! Have you got a slow cooker?

TV Licence: £24.25 (why is it double this year - don't get it?!) I *think* you pay for the whole year in the first six months then it starts being paid in advance so your payment should drop.

Medical bills: £15.30 (ongoing, but not exactly every month so I will save the difference the months that I don’t spend all that and that’s not including dental or eye check ups) Do you have a prepayment thingie for prescriptions?


Car repairs/maintenance: not sure how much to save for this. I normally get away with it pretty cheaply as my brother is very good with cars, but mine is getting on a bit so I could do with putting a little to one side for it. [Not currently included as I have no idea how much to budget.] When I was working in a job with a real salary (currently temping) I put away £100 per month which was to cover everything - MOT, insurance and repairs.


I have seen that many people have found doing cash only has worked well for them, and I am tempted, but I like the ease of making online payments which you can’t do if you have all your money in envelopes/pots in front of you. I’ll have to give this strategy some thought, though, and after the shock I have just had writing this all down in black and white and totting it all up, perhaps I can take the food, hobby and prescription (as well as anything else that isn’t automated) money out of the account to teach me to be more frugal with it…once it’s gone, it’s gone. I used to have all my food money in cash in a separate purse. If I didn't have my food purse with me, I couldn't have an impulse trip to the shops

Just read through the first page, suggestions above! Now, to read the rest of it

mooomin

PositiveBalance wrote: »

Well, the first post shows my initial finances, but I must admit to not having or knowing how to efficiently budget for the following on top. Advice welcome please...

Cleaning products:I think should possibly put £10 aside per month for the minute. I’m going as green as possible and hope to make my own, so I will have to do some calculations at some point. I don't budget for this - it comes under my food budget as it's stuff I buy in the supermarket I bet if you looked at how many products you have you'll be amazed!

Hair: Not had a haircut for a while (much-needed now - it's getting looong!) and keep changing hairdresser, so no idea how much at the minute. £30 every 3 months (so £10/month average) is probably slightly overgenerous round these parts, unless I go to a Tony & Guy style place next. That could easily be taken out on payday and put in an envelope until you have enough there for the next haircut. Groupon is also your friend.

Toiletries: I currently have a fairly large stash I am working my way through, so I don’t buy much, but I do need a budget for things like foundation that I only ever have one of as it’s too expensive. Perhaps £10 a month just to be on the safe side? See the suggestion above for haircuts! Which foundation are you using?

Presents: need to calculate a rough figure for this. Perhaps £20 a month including all the little people's birthdays I will have to fit in. This is a decent amount to save. You can also do things like Swagbucks/surveys to earn Amazon vouchers which can come in handy. Be prepared to use any spare spending money for Christmas gifts you can stash away too - I have already building my stash for this year


Rainy day savings: After all the above? :rotfl: Your savings to repay the credit card are essentially your rainy day savings at the moment. If you're in the habit of saving there then once your debts are repaid you will be able to keep this going, plus adding on your minimum payment too. Don't worry too much about it for now.

Medium-term savings: my car may be coming to the end of its days. I hope not, cos I love it and can't afford another one! The £100 per month (whatever you choose) car fund can be your medium term savings pot too.

Long-term savings/pensions: Definitely trying to run before I can walk here! Need to have a look at it ASAP, though.Most people are getting auto-enrolled in a pension now aren't they? It's a good thing to think about, but debts should come first for now

Holidays: Everyone I know goes on nice holidays and I never quite seem to get it right! I have given up on this one - I can't bear the thought of saving all year for £1000 to then "waste" it on a weeks holiday somewhere! Myself and Mr Mooo tend to do cheapish UK holidays using Premier Inn/Travelodge sales and driving round in our wee car.

PositiveBalance wrote: »

Also and this is truly :mad: :mad: - I think my laptop is going. It is having problems charging, and it's a recurring problem, but it will cost quite a bit to repair so I may end up financially better off in the long term to cut my losses and invest in a new one. But obviously, that's more money that I don't have at the minute. :mad: That happened with my last laptop and is happening with this one too Last time it cost about £150 to get a new battery and power pack. This time I'm just keeping it plugged in until I have funds to replace it.

I think you're doing a lot better than you think! I've been a DFW (now debt-free) for years and still don't even try and budget for some of the things on your list And occasionally have mega-splurges (which I'm just off to confess on my diary...)

DedicatedDFW

Hey everyone

Just quickly popping in - fab advice there from moomin :T I did mean to say thay I only buy my cleaning products out of grocery budget - and tend to stock up on things like washing liquid, bleach when they are on a half price or less offer. Its difficult being in a small space - i'm the same here.

Well done on bay of e listings - hope you enjoyed a good weekend :T

I am in a complete panic over my assignment :eek: Exhausted now though so will set my alarm for early and crack on with it then *positive vibes* please

PositiveBalance

stacey2193 wrote: »

This made me laugh, as I thought I had the tiniest kitchen in the universe, very little prep space too, my freezer is in my basement and the fridge in a cubby hole that used to be an oven when the house was built.

I'm glad someone else feels my pain! I have quite a lot of tins of food at the minute which isn't helping but I plan on eating my way through them to make some space.

And I still have two jars of mincemeat to meak mincemeat for Christmas with...:rotfl:

PositiveBalance

Positive vibes for your assignment Dedicated!

Thanks for all the advice, especially mooomin. What's the prepaid prescription thingie?

I've had a long day with an unexpected (but hopefully good) ending, so I have to go to bed and come back and post properly, hopefully tomorrow (I'm off to the theatre tomorrow night, so not sure what time I will be back.)

Speak soon and sleep tight all!