Comfy cushion - a savings diary

lilian1977

Hi ShootForTheMoon - of course you can! I've found that before, there's either people in debt or people with masses of savings - there doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground but I think we still need something to aim for and a place to be held accountable!

So yes - please do join us, and welcome!

lilian1977

I've just joined a gym I know that isn't really in keeping with my new saving mentality but I have been getting a bit paranoid about my health recently and realised yesterday that I don't invest in myself at all. I know myself well enough to know that I won't do a DVD or anything at home (get in at 6.15, put DS to bed at 7.30, eat dinner at 8pm, bed at 9.30pm - there just isn't the time or the energy after work!) and I don't have time in the mornings as DS is such an early riser (and I have to be out by 7.15am).

So, this gym membership is £29 per month with only 1 month notice needed to cancel, it has yoga, pilates and other stretching classes at lunchtime and a lovely pool. My plan is to swim on Monday mornings before work (OH doesn't work Mondays so I can leave the house earlier) then do yoga on a Tuesday and pilates on a Thursday. If I can keep that up it works out at about £2.50 a class.

I have rejigged my spreadsheet so hopefully will be able to keep saving as well!

ShootForTheMoon

Definitely!! It's much easier to let saving slip by the wayside or spend on treats when you're not in debt - I certainly need somewhere to keep me on track with my savings goals!!

Lillian, don't feel guilty about the gym!! See it as an investment in you and your health! Fitness is so important - and you'll reap the benefits! I bet once you get into that habit you'll be going even more regularly! Good for you I say!! X

lilian1977

Thanks SFTM - that's the way I see it, definitely. Hope you're well today x

WantToBeSE

Morning everyone

This week i only managed to save £15.98. I needed extra petrol for work this week as i am being sent a bit further afield.

Lilian-well done on the gym! your health is something that you cant put a price on, so don't feel at all guilty. I have been considering a membership to the local pool, but we'll see.

his_missus

HI Lilian,

Been following you but have finally found the time to post. I too have recently become debt free and am trying to start the saving process.

Initially we were saving to move house but we've decided to stay put and do up our house instead as and when we can afford. First plan is to shut off upstairs from downstairs (openplan at the mo and freezing in winter as all the heat goes up the stairs) then new windows and doors, new kitchen, new bathroom, redo lounge then the bedrooms.

Have opened an ISA to save into and also have an old bank account I can use to save too.

Still doing lots of DFW challenges to help me keep in the right mindset.

Just need to get the holiday out of the way later this month first.

WantToBeSE

ARGH..savings already wiped out..due to a visit to the vets for my poor cat.
Back to £0 again but at least Kitty is better

ShootForTheMoon

Hi Happy Savers!!

Hope all is well - it's been a little bit quiet on the thread - has everyone else found August a looooooong month? Or is it just me?! Thankfully it's payday tomorrow, so will pop back to update some totals then!!

As for today, just swept the few remaining quid in each of our accounts into the holiday fund, so we're starting from scratch tomorrow!!

Lots of MSE love all!! xxx

WantToBeSE

HI SFTM- Yes, August has b een a long month for me too, and now the end of the summer holidays means paying out for school uniform and new school shoes. Honestly, i miss it when both of my children were in primary school and uniform was cheap. My oldest is now in secondary school and it costs £8 just for a t-shirt and £18 for a jumper!
So not sure if i'll be able to save any money this week, but we'll see

lilian1977

Yep a long month here too - Wanted to transfer almost £100 this month but bank holiday wiped me out so only my budgeted £25 will be going across on 1st of the month. Hoping for better in September.