May The Force Be With YOU!

NinjaSavingKat

wannabee_in_credit wrote: »

All I can say is roll on Friday - May has felt like a really long and really skint month as far as I'm concerned.

So I am not the only one to think it has DRAGGED on and on and on!!!

Siouxsie32

I've actually quite enjoyed May. I think it's because I'm getting ready to batten down the hatches in June that I'm appreciating my (somewhat limited) financial freedom! I still have £9.92 in my food budget and I'm planning how to spend it before June's padlock is on my purse!

I'm off out to the supermarket later to invest in some veg and last minute bits and bobs for the week. Also, I plan a bumper laundry filled afternoon, making use of the sun to dry it with that fresh outdoors smell

Against all the odds, I still have £26.74 in my misc budget. I have a £33 haircut/colour booked for next week though so I'll need to add the lovely £5 note that I found last week to it and get scanning the floor for extra coins to build up the shortfall. Previously I would have paid this on a credit card if I was out of money - ha, not this time! I may need a trip to the gym (posh gym, many people forget the £1 coins from the lockers!!). Incidentally, how much of a tip do you leave at the hairdressers? For the last few years I've used groupon style vouchers which I've handed over and scuttled out without leaving a tip a) because I know I'll never be back (£160 to add a few highlights? Don't think so!) and b) I've genuinely not had the cash. Yes, I've felt a bit bad about it but I'd have felt worse (and the hairdresser would probably feel bad if they knew) handing over a £5 tip (or more??) from the dregs of my food budget. This time, I've found a guy who's super cheap (for London) so if he does a good job, this'll be a relationship for life - gotta learn how to tip properly!!

32b3in2013

Morning

I have lost my way. I am not over budget (I don't think) but I have no idea how much I have spent because although I use envelopes, I keep forgetting to take them with me and using my bank card instead.

I have only had a few SFDs too, so must try harder.

I will have another go in June if that's OK?

32b3

NinjaSavingKat

Siousxie I am my own hairdresser at the moment so the odd time I go during the year ( probably twice due to an inherent fear of them chopping too much ) I would leave a £5 tip. It's a lot but I used to go home to a girl in Ireland to have it done... gonna find a college to do it next! So hmmmm I am unsure but it's 10% really - £2 / £3 max for sure if you really feel compelled!

Since you are using your last £9.92 I am going to use my last £9 exactly - you have more than me!!!! :T.. and get some bits for the kitchen to stretch my limited bits through the week..

I have just been given another 12 hour shift tomorrow ( another 0500 rising - thats the 8th day in a row now ) but CANNOT turn down OT.... but with Saturday and Sunday on overtime as well it will be at least 19 days straight without a day off...

SO between now and next Monday is my stretch until June's budget kicks in and I can use my £50.. I have three extra shifts before then including one night shift and we all know what long shifts leave you with - AN ATTACK OF THE MUNCHIES! .. So I shall have to plan really well..

Watch this space.. my panic over only having 4 hours overtime has now hit the roof and will end with a whopping 36 hours double time!!!

32b3in2013 - of course you can join in JUNE.. I expect to see you all there. I just have to think of a name for it....:rotfl:

bmma

Hi off course at moment- it has been a long month - checking spending, will probably over limit- not giving up though - after years of not budgeting - trial and error seems to be the way forward - thanks for all the positive posts.27/5/13 washing hung out, soup made , lentils soaking for making burgers . have a nice day everyone

his_missus

Hi all.
Well, I ended £10 under holiday budget after all but then I spent £10 more on the weekly shop this morning than planned, grr! Did buy a few treats as we have a friend staying over tonight, she deserves to be spoiled a bit though.

Siouxsie32

So it would appear I'm entering June with 80p left in my purse :j I did my final supermarket visit of the month and came away with enough to keep me going in fresh bits til next weekend. There weren't very many yellow stickers that I would call a bargain, but I picked up a big bag of spinach for 50p, a 29p almost mushy avocado and some broccoli for 19p. Total spend for the week: £9.12!

I've been making these all afternoon http://www.tinnedtomatoes.com/2013/05/cajun-spiced-black-bean-and-sweet.html#.UaEZ46IU9N8 With my cheap spinach they ended up costing about 30p each to make...not as cheap as Jack's 9p kidney bean burgers but my portions were bigger for start, and it's another option with yummy ingredients. Inspired by the blog photo, I'm having it with avocado mush in a wholemeal roll with half a baked sweet potato I shall report back when I'm done.

32b3 I used to get a bit muddled with my money before I carried separate purses. The main thing for you though is that you're not over budget :T You could always put the enveloped cash into the bank to cover what has been used on your card, although I know that's not always easy.

Keep on going everyone. We're on the home straight now. This time next week it'll be June!

AuntyRuby

Hi everyone, hope you are all enjoying this warm, dry spell. We've had a weekend of gardening and socialising but haven't spent too much. Combination of driving so no alcohol and a very long walk home yesterday rather than fork out for a taxi.

SFD today and have stayed well under for food budget. Having Jack Monroe's bean burgers again and leftovers from last night. But well over on fuel and car is empty again so will have to put some fuel in tomorrow.

A couple of hours at the allotment today and got loads planted. My friend gave me various salad leaf plants so they are all in and some in a pot at the back door for free salad all summer. I found an old bag of salad potatoes lying on top of the fridge and they had all sprouted so I've planted them. They probably won't come to anything but I didn't want to chuck them. This is year 2 with an allotment and it feels like we're progressing. Look forward to the fruits (and veg!) of our labour this year.

I know what everyone means, it does feel like it's been a long month. I think I'm eventually getting the hang of spending less, especially on food. I've never been a fan of clothes shopping but love a bargain so would spend my lunchtimes in charity shops or home bargains. Although I got some amazing bargains (some of which we needed), I was always bringing stuff home and spending £10 or £15 a few times a week. My new workplace is nowhere near shops and I don't miss them. I've sold some of the charity shop bargains on ebay and love clearing out. For the first time ever we are nearing the end of the month and are not overdrawn (only use our £300 interest free overdraft but always use it).

We have my student loan from 19 years ago (due to end June 2014) and a double glazing loan (end date Dec 2017) and are not at the overpaying stage yet, just pleased not to be shuffling money to pay mortgage at the end of this month.

Hope you all have a good night,
AuntyRuby

Jonesy88

Another SFD for me

Siouxsie - that recipe looks good! I have a hankering for something zesty with lime - exactly what i dont know. Its tough as it was a cheese omelette for tea today as the eggs were going off!

Tomorrow i'm off to a food fair thing with a mate - perhaps i'll be inspired!

AuntyRuby

Eventually....I have listed 7 ebay items. No income from selling in May but fingers crossed they make some money to start June off and declutter a little too. It has taken me 45 minutes though, need to get faster at it...