woah... are those MY finances??

Fmess

Glad you answered back to the witch, good on you!

And congratulations on going on the course and becoming the link person My friend is a geriatric specialist doctor and loves it.

I'm counting down until the Christmas break, 4 more work days or 15 hours teaching

The dress shopping went very well, we found lots of possibles, but not The One! My friend is stupidly excited about getting married but I am very pleased for her.

Hope your night shift goes well today. I'm going to have a night off from working/tutoring The tutoring is going well and the extra money is lovely. It means I can overpay towards my debts and still have the odd takeaway/lunch out

stewby

So... is there more dress shopping planned for the new year then??


It's great to be able to treat yourself.
My extra money will be going in a "savings pot" (kept in the account well away from me). The plan is that I am going to pay £400 a month off the credit card and save the rest for unexpected expenses such as roof tiles and christmas pressies (not quite unexpected but something I never actually budget for).


I think you deserve a day off... I hope you are going to relax on xmas day as well.

Fmess

Yes more dress shopping soon I imagine. I'm also bridesmaid to another friend but I think she's found her dress now, so no hunting required for her

I'm going to try having a savings account too; my bank accounts are getting a bit complicated but I need a savings pot for tax to pay from tutoring, a pot for annual expenses/emergency fund and eventually when I'm debt free I'd like a saving for a rainy day fund

One of my friends is saving for a house deposit (she's always rented and currently has a lovely 2 bed flat to herself) and when we met up the other day she informed me that if she keeps saving for another 5 years, she'll have enough to buy a house in cash! I was flabbergasted as she has a lovely lifestyle (3 or 4 holidays a year, lots of socialising etc) I'm very proud of her but it made me a little sad to have got into so much debt.

stewby

I struggle with stuff being too complicated. I do like simplicity.


So I have no idea how you can manage so many different accounts. I think I only have three and a pot.

* Billing account:
(all important money goes in and out of this. I have no access).

* Savings account
(self-explanitory but this has no card so I have to actually physically go into the bank to get at it. very useful for saving).

* Budget account: This is my account that I get to play with.


So any more than that and I think I would be very confused.
:huh:

I must admit, I still think about that house. Especially now when I drive past and see the lights on. That is a massive regret as if I had looked after my money and focussed on paying of my mortgage as soon as I could, I would probably have been able to buy it. (not outright but I would have had a massive chunk of a deposit).
It's not something that is likely to come up ever again which is quite sad. (well, within my budget anyways).


Not to worry, I have future plans anyways... must remain positive.


Good news!! it is our " xmas us day" so we are busy putting up the xmas tree and listening to xmassy songs. It's a great day!! Well, what I have seen of it anyways as I was sleeping off a nightshift this morning. I love xmas!!!!
:j

Oh, and it's my works xmas party tonight so need to get all prepared for it too.

Fmess

Loving that you are having a Christmassy day

Hope you have a lovely time at your works Xmas party. I'm looking forward to a night on the sofa, writing Christmas cards and watching the X-factor final

stewby

Xmas party was amazingly brilliant. They were all so welcoming and I haven't laughed so much in ages.


Danced the dashing white sargeant then followed that up with 5, 6, 7, 8 by steps and finished up with the YMCA by the village people. (did dance to more but those are the ones I remember).
:j

Total spend day was £10 but I am hoping to have built up some solid working relationships. Hopefully.

sas79

Hi Long time lurker getting inspiration from you, I now have 3 bank accounts, bills, savings, and spending and managing alot better don't think I'm ready for Kats challenges though! Got the book the money secret ppl mentioned on here, have you read of it? if not pm me you address I'll send it you as a well done for inspiring me :T

stewby

Hi sas79.
As much as I appreciate the offer, I think I am going to hang fire on the book in case it just confuses me more.
I quite like the idea of focussing on NSK's challenges each month and just looking after my £400.
But thank you very much for the offer. Please don't go back to lurking and do consider joining in with NSK's challenges. They are really good for helping you focus (well I think so anyways).


I have been a bit MIA just due to embarassment really. My good planning and budgetting has all gone down the tubes which has disappointed me a lot to be honest.
:embarasse

We are now in full planning mode for January. We shall be successful.
OH has started up his bank transfer thing so I am now going to get an extra £50 a week. (all going towards the credit card).


OH is leaving tomorrow morning to go down south for xmas so the plan is that I am moving back home to live with my parents. This will stop me from going further into debt (always a good thing).


OH comes back on the 29th which means we get to enjoy new year together and start afresh in the new year.


Diet starts on the3rd of January as we have a "fake xmas" on the 2nd which basically involves us having my family over (about 9 of us in total) and we have a massive xmas dinner and open pressies. (I do these pressies every year although I have cut back this year, it used to be a stocking).

stewby

so... based on our december disaster, I have rethought my aims of 2014. eight goals that I plan to achieve...

1) clear debt by end 2014.

2) budget better!!

3) save £60 a month for a contingency fund.

4) take part in challenges to keep foccussed.

5) lose 72lbs in weight.

6) OH to get his dream flying job.

7) Plan a dream holiday to New York.

8) get a nice picture of me and OH to go on display.

Fmess

hey stewby

I don't think you need to stay away out of embarrassment! This is your thread, doesn't matter if you have a disastrous month, we are here to share them with you

I love your renewed enthusiasm for 2014 and the eight goals! I think a contingency is really sensible as it can prevent unexpected costs from running your week/month.

I am planning 2 emergency funds/saving pots (one for the joint money and one for my money) and 2 contingency funds (for the same reasons). I'm so excited to get paid and shuffle the money around tomorrow. Plus I'm hoping to get to over 10% debt free with my payments tomorrow

Hope you've had a good day