Those ends must keep meeting

Tryingagainandagain

I've been planning to start a spending/savings diary for a while as my ability to earn has been severely curtailed through poor health and I have taken my pension early.

I don't get benefits of any description. I have some money in a savings account and can't think of anything I particularly need to buy.

This hasn't stopped me spending money in the past though.

I hope that recording what I have coming in and what is going out will help.

At the moment I'm not sure what my total income will be but I think it will be around £1100. I will know for sure at the beginning of September.

I will post a SOA as soon as I know.

1 also haven't had any winter bills here so that is another unknown factor.

I know many people must live on much less than I will have, but I'd like to be able to have a holiday and go out for occasional meals/drinks/coffees with friends.
I'm not sure yet where the trade off will come.

Tryingagainandagain

Well my initial post was a long while ago.

Some things have been clarified anyway - my total income will be around £1175 pcm - this is from a works pension plus the repayment of money I lent a relative.

I no longer have a mortgage but I still have a service charge for the flat I live in of £110pcm. I haven't had any winter bills here yet so I need to have sufficient money put aside for them.

I have sufficient capital to cope with emergencies and for a new car as and when I need one. However I really want to live within my means rather than fritter away my money (which I have done so often in the past)

Next post - my SOA - if anyone wants to comment please feel free.

Tryingagainandagain

Income £1175.00
Service charge 110.00
Council tax 85.00
Gas & electric 60.00 - a guess
Water 18.33 - metered estimate
Phone/broadband 28.00 - varies slightly each month
TV licence 12.12
Contents insurance 10.00 - paid for the year so this is savings
Washer/dryer 8.00 - this is a repair/replacement thing
Charity 9.34
Healthcare 7.80
Gym 28.00
ISA 10.00
Car insurance 25.48
Shopping 200.00
Car expenses 80.00
Fuel/public transport 100.00
Dentist/optician 50.00
Outings 100.00
Holiday 100.00
Xmas/birthdays 100.00
Courses 25.00
Books/hobbies 25.00
Hair clothes shoes 75.00

This comes to £1267.07 which means I have to reduce some of the above. As most of the later items are "saving for" I think I could easily reduce these. However this may leave me short of money for events later so I would like to reduce what I actually spend rather than what I put by.

So far the heating hasn't been on, but I have had to use the tumble dryer a couple of times through poor planning.
Later today I will be making an inventory of all the food, cleaning and toiletries I have. Again a proper plan will help me save on shopping.
As far as I can see I will need a couple of sweatshirts/jumpers to see me through the winter, and some thick tights so I hope my clothes budget is sufficient.
I am not planning to reduce the "outings" amount. This is mostly to do with taking a disabled relative out and we share the costs, but generally involves a meal so is quite expensive.

Tryingagainandagain

Just joined the grocery challenge on the Old-Style board with a maximum spend of £200 for November.

As I plan to generally avoid the supermarket I hope my grocery shopping will actually be just that - no sneaky books or CDs etc slipped in to the basket by the shopping goblin.

Food waste must also be minimised. Soup and stew weather is on the way so it will be easier.

I have a small storecupboard but I need to maintain this so as I use items I hope I will be able to replace them within the £200.

I should also be able to squeeze some extras for Christmas out of this sum.