Comfy cushion - a savings diary

atush

So not sure if i'll be able to save any money this week, but we'll see

Want To Be, why not try taking a packed lunch? It is on your list, but you're not doing it yet

WantToBeSE

atush wrote: »

Want To Be, why not try taking a packed lunch? It is on your list, but you're not doing it yet

Hehe, yes i am doing it already
Just not marking it down on my signature yet as it's not September.

dreamdreamer

Hi all - loving this thread as you all seem to saving similar amounts to me rather than tens of thousands of pounds!! :eek: May I join you please?

As laid out in my signature I cleared a lot of debt a couple of years ago and am now trying to get onto the savings train. I've separated out money I need access to into 3 savings pots for presents, holidays and the car fund (running costs, not a new one). I pay into these manually as my income can vary so I can't commit set amounts. In addition I'm saving £300 a month into a regular saver that I can't touch. I'm not saving that for anything specific, just to have a fallback.

I would think all my pots will be empty come January, next year I want to be more organised and save set amounts each month through the year rather than trying to do it all in the last 4 months!

I got paid a few days ago so I've put some money into the pots and done a food shop, hoping not to resort to raiding the pots again toward the end of the month like normal!

I look forward to saving with you all!

Dreamer x

his_missus

Hello all!

Not exactly saving as such but it means I can save more in the coming months - Just received £100 Sainsbugs voucher and £5 love2shop voucher is heading my way too. I'll use them towards Chr-you-know-what-mas meaning I can save an extra £105 of my wage in December

Whilst I'm really looking forward to my holiday next month, I'm also looking forward to being able to save for something else other than it, IYSWIM.

lilian1977

Welcome dreamdreamer and his missus - nice to have you on board!

I have just put together a spreadsheet to split out my holiday savings account into pots for 2016, 2017 and 2018. I have a seperate account for 2014 (we're going to Center Parcs) and 2015 (Disneyland Paris) but have this other pot just to stick £15 a month into so that those holidays have a little kick start! I also have pots for our anniversary break each year and for our Butlins holiday in September - once Butlins has been and gone this money will go towards an autumn break in 2014!

WantToBeSE

Lilian- which Centre Parcs are you going to stay at? We went to the Longleat Forest one a few years ago and have always wanted to go back.

dreamdreamer

lilian1977 wrote: »

Welcome dreamdreamer and his missus - nice to have you on board!

I have just put together a spreadsheet to split out my holiday savings account into pots for 2016, 2017 and 2018. I have a seperate account for 2014 (we're going to Center Parcs) and 2015 (Disneyland Paris) but have this other pot just to stick £15 a month into so that those holidays have a little kick start! I also have pots for our anniversary break each year and for our Butlins holiday in September - once Butlins has been and gone this money will go towards an autumn break in 2014!

That's a good idea. Holidays are my weakness, and one the main reasons I got into debt in the first place. We've had a naughty year this year, we went to Florida in May (wiping out all of last years savings!), we have a last-minute Center Parcs break in 3 weeks, which to be fair at £80 each and £100 spending money is a bit of a bargain, and then we have New York for 5 days in December. It's all already paid for, but again we need to find spending money.

Next year we're staying in the UK I think!! :cool:

lilian1977

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Lilian- which Centre Parcs are you going to stay at? We went to the Longleat Forest one a few years ago and have always wanted to go back.

Whinfell Forest - we went last year and loved it so booked on the 'Come Back Soon' offer for next March (the latest date possible!).

dreamdreamer wrote: »

That's a good idea. Holidays are my weakness, and one the main reasons I got into debt in the first place. We've had a naughty year this year, we went to Florida in May (wiping out all of last years savings!), we have a last-minute Center Parcs break in 3 weeks, which to be fair at £80 each and £100 spending money is a bit of a bargain, and then we have New York for 5 days in December. It's all already paid for, but again we need to find spending money.

Next year we're staying in the UK I think!! :cool:

I couldn't not have a holiday - haven't been abroad since March 2010 (well, apart from Jersey in September 2010) and I'm itching to get on a plane but I can't face it with a 2.5 year old!

dreamdreamer

lilian1977 wrote: »

Whinfell Forest - we went last year and loved it so booked on the 'Come Back Soon' offer for next March (the latest date possible!).

I forgot about the come back soon offer - might use it for a break next year to try and stop me booking something stupid! :rotfl:

ShootForTheMoon

Hi Guys!!

Nice to see some newbies on board! Welcome!! :beer:

It's payday today, and despite being paid late (!! don't ask !!) had a nice chunk of overtime - thank you Glastonbury so have managed to top up the savings pots!!

As you can see from my sig, holidays are also our weakness!! I have been lucky to travel a lot with my family as a kid and it's a bug I can't shake off!!
We are currently aiming for £5000 for Sri Lanka in April 2014!!!
Just so my signature makes sense, we've already paid £1000 for Egypt in October this year, and my lovely Ma & Pa are taking me and my DB away to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos for Christmas!!

Like I said, addicted!! :rotfl:

OH's parents have treated us all to Center Parcs for the last couple of years - we always go to Longleat too - absolutely love it!!

Also paid my regular £300 into the ISA which is for a deposit eventually - OH has a separate ISA which we will eventually combine to buy a house when we're ready!
Other than that, the usual divvied up between car fund, emergency pot, and spends... Left myself with £50 for the month personal spends!!

In one hand, out the other......... but very proud of our progress so far!! :j
What a change from this time last year when we both had Student loans, overdrafts etc!! Huge attitude shift, and really appreciate the little things now!!

Hope everyone is doing well!! Lots of MSE love xxx