I have a dream...to be a money magnet! 3 April 2013 at 9:44AM in Mortgage-free wannabe 180 replies 26.1K views

Miss_Money_Magnet

A NSD today. Chicken curry and rice for tea, chicken curry rice and chips tomorrow. Always seems taste even nicer on second day. Cook once eat twice is much more economical- in terms of money but also in terms of time.
Starting to make my May shopping lists and need to plan my budget.

Money Magnet activities: buy mirror on thurs for Ald* voucher £5 off. Depending on dates might be worth me buying 2 papers.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Finally managed to set up my online banking for tesco cc. Have had a look at spending for may and itll be a tight one due to birthdays but if Im realllllly careful I might just do it!
Im not going to do big shops as soon as I get paid. Going to try and last it out a bit as we have some cleaning stuff/toiletries/ food left so far. My target is to make the food budget last for this 5 week month.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Pay day at last. Have directed my money to the different pots. Decided the car maintenance fund was looking ok so paid the £40 to the mortgage instead...a good start!
Went to £land tonight and was quite pleased with what I got (not somewhere I normally go, but happened to be passing). 3 for £2 on foxs mini pack biscuits which I normally pay £1 for each bagful at Ald*, grass seed- bought 2 boxes (was going to say £1 but guess I don't need to as the superintelligent MFW's will be able to figure out the price!!!!!), gardening gloves, 'stocking filler' type bday toys, maltesers. Last year I paid £9 for a bag of grass seed! (I'm learning!)
I was a bit cross with myself because I spent about £7 on some goggles for son at swimming this week and they were...well...you guessed it...much cheaper in £land!
Then popped in T*sco for some bits I can't get elsewhere.. beefsteak tomatoes, fresh bread, etc.
Paid for everything, incl 2 weeks petrol on my clubcard cc and Ive now transferred the money to the cc pot. Still a bit nervous about this plan but as long as I keep putting the money aside it should be ok.
I have tried hard lately to think 'how much can I afford to spend..on bdays etc', as advised by Martin Lewis...rather than...I need to spend this much/buy this. It does work!

Money Magnet Activities: Go through cupboards/freezer and meal plan for next week, use Aldi £5 off voucher and other vouchers from paper this week, hang out washing, go to JTF tomorrow and see if I can bulk buy rice and other basics...haven't tried this before. All savings now nicely tucked away in leading rate ISAs.

Trying to see how little I can spend on groceries this month without compromising on the quality of meals. £27/£320 so far.

brummiebabe

All sounding good Miss Money Magnet....I'm trying to stick to a cash only weekly budget....am hoping it works to keep my spending in order!!:rotfl:

Miss_Money_Magnet

Hi BB
Last month my cash only budget worked really well! If this months 'collect loadsa t*sco points is a disaster Ill revert to cash only too. We shall see!!!!
Today... Going out for lunch with an old friend to a place with lots of nice shops.... There may be trouble ahead.. I will try to stay strong!

brummiebabe

Know what you mean about the Tesco points......I paid for this weeks shop with my Clubcard Credit card, and have moved the money into a separate account.....but do worry that I'll "forget" and use it for something else:eek: I'm just going to pay it off, as soon as this months statement is produced;)

Miss_Money_Magnet

A cheap day yesterday overall. Went a bit over on groceries but nothing major and all necessary. Really want to increase my regular overpayment but can't at mo, not if I want to still pay into ISA. I can see over the next few months I may have the opportunity to increase it, just need to be patient for now!
Part of me sometimes thinks I should move house sooner... But my sensible head thinks Im better getting mortgage down a bit over next 4 years then borrowing less. Plus need to get some jobs done on house first.
Today should be cheap... Nice walk somewhere then cook a sunday roast.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Not much to report. Watching the pennies, 2 NSDs so far this week. Waiting for all DDs to go off and then I can see where I am!
Sent off for a T*sco gold bag and put in an old ring and old necklace to post off tomorrow. Any money earned will be OPd.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Just been trying not to overspend but already wondering where the money went!! Been offered £103 for that little bit of gold...was hoping for £30 so a pleasant surprise. Plan to o/p at least £50.
Mortgage now under the £114,000 mark.. Need to update my signature.
Not going to be a great month for o/ps but main target is to stay in the black !!

ajmoney

Finally got round to reading new diaries and thought I should start with yours seeing as you have already been to mine. You have made a great start so keep going.