Making a start... new mfw

teabody

Well done! I am currently looking through all the accounts and so on trying to find any spare pennies to make an overpayment but it just is not going to happen today! However from tomorrow I should be busy with all my savings challenges so at least I can hope for spare cash to build. My mortgage statement arrives in January so will be please to see it. I have joined adpoints but yes it is not fun, however I have to say it could be worse so i will endeavor to do this too! Not sure my house will be the hoped for cleanliness that i expected today but it will still be there tomorrow....HNY to you x

ixia

Happy new year everyone :beer:

Hi Teabody good luck with your challenges for the new year.

My new year plans are going to be split into different categories and different amounts put to them each month if possible.

Categories are:

- mortgage overpayments- I think balance will be about £39 500 so can overpay by 10% which works out about £76 a week however I can only make OPs of £500 so if all goes to plan should hopefully make OP roughly every 7 weeks.

- grocery budget~ I am going to budget for £400 per month I have struggled to keep to this in the past but I must try harder!!

- DD2 school trip in June have pAid deposit so I think there is about £400 left to pay

- Xmas 2014- as much as possible going to try and make it as little cash outlay as possible will use surveys,cash back sites, money back cards etc and any other way to bring down costs.

- put money away each month for annual expenses cars etc used to do this but it fell by the wayside last year.

Windows- start a fund towards new windows will probably take a while but will give it a bash

- trip to london in February still to work out what I think will be a reasonable budget will update.

Finally Summer holiday won't be anything near as exciting as last years but need to make plans and work out a budget.

Well I've started new year with a lot of big plans I hope they work out lol, don't know how I will get on as money will be tighter this year but I will give it a bash

Good luck to everyone for the new year ahead.

ixia

I've added up grocery spends for the last few days this will be the stàrt of my January budget of £400.

I have taken off the money Mr T refunded off the total spend just going to work it like that any any coupons etc will just be counted in my GC I used to transfer amounts to OP pot but I think I will just see if there is anything left at the end of the month and put it to whatever pot.

So spends are Mr T -£32.14
F foods £23.02 used £2.50 moc

Total spend so far £55.16
Money left in budget £344.84

NSD hopefully today.

teabody

Hi Ixia,
I think I am going to attempt a £400 budget too....this usually ends up more as I slack in watching the small shop buys but I am going to account for everything! Spreadsheet alert! NSD today!

ixia

Hi TB- we will try and both stick to the £400 and see who does best lol.

I have to add some spends £7.77 spent today on various bits grocery wise. I also bought some wallets to keep my vouchers in etc and a shiny new diary from £shop so I will update in that later today.

I returned an unwanted gift today and got new slippers and socks instead as I need then so I am happy with that. I also bought a money tin from HB's for 79p which i am going to use for xmas 2014 savings.

My cashback from my credit card was paid today £73.50 :j so that is going into my new tin and I will try not to open it this year. I have a terrible habit of opening them round about April.

Grocery running total:

spends to date: £62.93
money left : £337.07

teabody

Hiya,
I am doing well so far....no spending on food again today....perhaps tomorrow so not into my Jan budget yet!
Spent a grand total of 77p today on birthday pressies for my niece....i used nectar points for the rest! Pleased with that!
I earn't £21.90 with my 123 account and £5.25 on the credit card so adding to my savings
Yes, i never go long with a sealed tin in the house....the electric can opener is too tempting!!!

ixia

We'll done Teabody think you might win this challenge, I've been spending again today at mr T and marks did get some YS in T's and had vouchers for marks will update totals later. Freezer is full to bursting so hopefully won't need to buy much more this month other than fruit and veg, stuff for work,school etc.

I also went yo CS After my marks shop as they didn't take one of the multi buys off, assistant said she would refund amount onto gift card. It should have been £1.50ish however checked receipts etc when I got home and it is for £6.37 :T don't know how she got that but I'm not complaining.

Put petrol in car, filled it up and I will see how long it lasts. All spends went on Amex as I am trying to spend the £2000 target before 2nd march to get £100 gift card bonus. Think I am about halfway there.

Dinner tonight will be prawn pad Thai and chicken for DS and DDs bf as they won't eat the pad Thai.

ixia

morning

I have completed a YG survey this moning 50p, so account sitting at £40.50, no adpoints today so this weeks total sitting at 60 points.

I am just going to move money to OP account for this week and money towards the annual expenses. I have also put £50 away towards DD2's school trip. I have decided if there is anything left in the grocery budget at the end of the month that will go to the windows fund.

yesterday's grocery spends:
marks £11.95
Mr T £12.37

Total spends: £87.25
Money left: £312.75

I know I have spent a lot so far, it's only the 4th of jan :eek: however I have bought a lot in that should last the month so hopefully the spends will be less as the month goes on.

teabody

Had a Mr T delivery today.....trying to keep topped up and keep the expenditure down! £56.18,tracked by quidco aswell so not sure if I will get any cashback but its worth a try!
Took back some Jeans I ordered over xmas so £9.00 back!
Did some adpoints last night and will try a few more tonight if i get chance.

Total spent: 56.18
Remaining: 343.82

ixia

Well done Teabody on your shop!! You don't get any cashback on your grocery shop but it is worthwhile registering for the clicksnap online as if you look at the offers before you shop each week they automatically redeem any you qualify for.

I have collected 40 adpoints this week, no surveys yet but I have joined greeredeem and have received £5 off £25 marks vouchers in the post for doing a couple of quizzes etc I am hoping I will be able to use them alongside the marks store booket with the £5 off £25.

I took some old clothes to recycling plant yesterday £6 and got £13 for an unwanted gift I returned. I have put that into the xmas tin.

In the last few days I have been to a few shops and got some more bits and bobs that were needed.


Grocery shop:£41.32

Total to date: £128.57
budget remaining:£271.43