Blinkers are off

Eyes_wide_open

Well pay day has been and I wasn't desperate for it to arrive as I wasn't living on my credit cards. I didn't save as much as I originally intended doing at the beginning of the month but I still saved a respectable £600.

Black Friday - on pay day would have been shopping heaven for me in the past. I did nearly succumb to a set of ghds and hair dryer - half price john lewis. I've changed though, realised - current hair dryer is perfect and my straighteners have been in a drawer all year. So although they went in the basket - I never checked out!

It is true what people have said that it's harder to spend when you money compared to when I had significant debt. Maybe it's because in my mind I thought sod it what's another, £30, £40 etc, whereas now I think that's £30 off my savings!!

So although it's probably the most expensive month of the year I am confident the lour of the flash sales won't grab me.

Looking forward to a brighter financial future in 2014 xx

LittleMissDetermined

Hi honey, glad you've managed to stay on track! I picked up the PS4 yesterday morning and was so pleased to pay cash for it ��

I've done all my Xmas shopping now so I'm hoping for a spend-free December... Just need to get more wrapping done.

Hmmm new GHD's would have won me over I'm afraid but I use mine every day so they would be worth it... A
Shame I missed out lol

Hope you're doing ok xx

LMD x

Eyes_wide_open

Had a very lazy day at home, mainly sitting on my hands trying to stop myself from buying things in the sale.

Instead I have been considering my financial plans for next year.

1) consider top cash back before all purchases,
2) adpoints ... All helps,
3) save £2 coins for next Christmas / sales
4) would like to save £8,000 in 2014.
5) purchase £75 / month in premium bonds (£50 contribution from mum and dad) - long term the money is for parents funeral costs.
6) save £1000 for a holiday in October next year.

Now I just need to calculate what I have to save each month to achieve my goals and whether it's feasible.

Ax

Eyes_wide_open

Have just seen whether it's all a pipe dream, however with determination I can do it. I will have to be conscience of all my spending so diary will need to come back out but it's possible.

I will have around £300 per month for food, b'day gifts, going out, clothes etc , not lavish but not totally frugal either.

I can do it and I will do it xxx

Eyes_wide_open

Today has been a post christmas shopping day with my sister.

I got a couple of perfume sets half price from boots ( paid with my boots points) but other than that just a few bits and bobs.

I was tempted by a mulberry handbag in the sale, but a) they are still silly money (even with hundreds off) b) I have plenty of handbags and c) which is the big one - I just couldn't do it. Previously I would have concentrated on how much I had saved now it just seems ridiculous to spend a months salary on a handbag.

In fact I'm struggling to spend money on anything -except stuff I need. I experience more joy seeing the bank balance increase than I do spending.

I am incredibly thankful for this site as without it I would still be juggling debt payments, unconsciously spending money and burying my head in the sand and going into 2014 feeling more desperate.

Instead Im debt free have money in the bank ( thank you ppi claims) and feeling financial secure.

Ax

Eyes_wide_open

I have just done a recalculation and I have £65 / week for food and any other expenses. It's not a massive amount but with food planning and a dfw mentality I can make it work.

I intend on shopping mainly at aldi and planning on eating healthier so I am going to spend the rest of the day looking at the net for cheap healthy recipies that I can make.

X

Eyes_wide_open

Not money related but decided today that I'm a sugar addict. I have about 10 stone to lose and decided that from Wednesday I'm giving up the sugar.

I have a friend whose partner is fighting the demons of alcohol and if he can do that then I can give up sugar. So tomorrow I shall spend clearing the remains of chocolates etc, any un opened I shall take to the food bank along with tinned soups and all the other things in my cupboard with hidden sugar.

Not only will it be better for me but it will also help financially, as take always, ready meals are a no no so cooking from scratch. Will need more fruit and veg so another trip out but as it's pay day I was expecting a shop.

Eyes_wide_open

Happy new year.

I like the new year as it's a new start. Last year wasn't the best for you but determined to make 2014 the best I can.

Financially I've never been in a better position however I'm not sitting on an ivory tower as you never know what's around the corner.

Lots of challenges signed up for to keep me on track.

X

LittleMissDetermined

Hi hun,

Hope your new year is going well and continues to do so

LMD x

Eyes_wide_open

Well seems ages ago since i updated my diary and I'm afraid its all gone a bit pete tong!!
My spending is spiralling again and i need to get a handle on it before i end up in debt again so I am back.
I very nearly brought myself an expensive ring last week. I have had two miscarriages in recent years and each time I wanted to buy something significant to mark each one. I decided a three stone ring was an idea. My sister works in a jewellers and i asked her to look out for one - next thing i know I am sat with a £3000 ring on my finger !!!

I know stupid! totally stupid. Anyway common sense got the better of me and I sent it back to her.

So felling virtuous I then ordered a Bamix blender for £150. Why why why am i on self destruct. I have been buying myself and family / friends treats (in my mind because I haven't been able to do it in the past so I'm enjoying doing it now) but there seems to be no stopping me. Oh I forgot thats on top of buying a new set of drawers for the bedroom.

I am still paying my laptop off ( an apple and a treat for being debt free) so I know I'm not in a position to be buying loads of other stuff.

Being a fairly intelligent person I know there is no logic to my spending and if i continue I will end up back to where i was and this time there will be no PPI compensation to get me out of a whole.

Its pay day next week so the budget is coming out again - i intend sticking to it and getting back into more controlled habits again.

Now just got to prevent myself from spending from now till then xx