The October Awakening!

hollieinbloom

clippy_girl wrote: »

just done to do a donation to my local foodbank and they do it via localgiving.com and it said minimum donation is £5 :mad: will have to try and find the local drop off point and buy some stuff

Really? how terrible! you'd think they would go on a "every little helps" basis. Maybe just donate £6 then your done for next month too! ;)x

clippy_girl

kayester, if you want some guidance on what to budget for, have a go at filling out a statement of affairs.

it includes stuff you buy every month like food, petrol, gas etc... and then take things you buy yearly such as insurance, xmas and car tax, divide by 12 and enter the amount. you should then set up a separate account and transfer those amounts in each month so that when those things are due you can pay in full.

it may not work straight away e.g. if you havent started saving for xmas yet then you obv wont have enough for the first year but eventually it will mean that each time these events come round you can pay in full

http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

cottage_retreatist

hey all just a drop in to say - my first no spending day of the month! yay! And a beef and green lentil stew from freezer with mash potato for supper tonight. 1 more stew left and then I'll have to start eating plain pasta!!!!!

Signature updated.

Hoping to do an internet shop but waiting on a response for a Full and Final beforehand so I don't spend that money on grub!!!!! :rotfl: Hoping the letter comes this week or else I lost out on my 7.50 off on a tesc0 shop

Keep those fingers crossed for me people! :T
xx

Fmess

clippy_girl wrote: »

just done to do a donation to my local foodbank and they do it via localgiving.com and it said minimum donation is £5 :mad: will have to try and find the local drop off point and buy some stuff

I did mine via Trussel Trust today, you can do it via text for any amount. I found their details online but think someone recommended it on the September board

Moneymash

A quick check-in for me. I am working tonight, this is another extra shift, that will be number 7, only 1 more to do officially and my loan will be paid off, just need to do my normal rota as well, of course. I don't normally work Tuesdays, I will have to miss the Great British Bake Off, sacrifices, sacrifices!

I will go through all the points of the challenge and update my signature tomorrow.

LuckyGinger

Ok, can I join, only been on here a couple of days but will try my best......

You will aim for 20 SFD- will do my best - first one in the bag today!!! Resisted buying biscuits at work when I was hungry, need to take some bread just in case I think. ( see take lunch at work!)
Pay off debt first.- things are still up in the air, will explain at bottom. We are going to focus on paying MIL the £1000 she lent us to pay a deposit on rented house and Son( don't know abbreviation) £250 to pay for hiring van and costs towards moving, want them both paid back by Christmas.
Budget spreadsheet - in progress ( as above)
Get a small spend diary - will use my phone.
Food Budget - still up in the air I've guesstimated £100 a week, but will spend as less as poss.
Clear out your cupboards of food before buying more. - will do a inventory with OH tonight and plan around them.
£3 charity - I'm going to give to a cancer charity ( I've had 2 cancer op's this year, so is important to me, hope that's ok)
Budget for outings, birthdays, etc - nothing going on this month - going out to lunch fri, but boss is paying!!!!
Bring your lunch to work everyday. - already do.... Also talked my boss into buying me a toaster, so I can make spaghetti on toast etc....
Choose a DFD - this again is up in the air, as my debts haven't actually defaulted yet, just in the waiting game.
£10 beauty spends for the month. - just to clarify does this include deodorant ( have a 17 yr old football player, he def needs a decent one, any suggestions on good but cheap ones appreciated)
Make £100 in the month - can OH overtime be included in this?

Ok so I'm super new!! I'm ashamed to say stupidly ran up huge debts, although I am going to say most of it is OH, he went of the rails when I got cancer and had the attitude of only live once, buying me gifts treating me to holidays etc and as I was coping with cancer I kind of blanked it out!!! Well I'm back in control, I've taken back over the reins and I have to say I'm super shocked, at present I think it stands at about £35,000 (OMG, writing it down makes it seem more real) but they are only just sending us letters saying your payment is late etc, I've written to them explaining circumstances and awaiting responses, we also moved from a subsidised flat ( we paid no utilities and cheap rent etc) which makes the amount of debt even more shocking!!! Into a house, with all the bills, so still waiting to finalise the budget.
Food budget, I'm new to it as was doing slimming world before we moved, didn't consider what I bought in comparison to how much it cost (OMG, that sounds so shallow) so need to balance healthy with cheap, will need lots of tips!!
So lots going on..... Defiantly had my "light bulb moment" is that what you call it?
Here's to taking back control........ Wish me luck!!

roxy7699

Not a NSD as hoped as had to pay for parking. Had planned to do my main spending tomorrow. Need to meal plan to fill in the online shop.

LoveaDove

:j Hello! Hello! Hello!:j

Happy October one and all!! Lovely to see so much chatter it has taken me ages to read through all of the posts!

Targets for the Month:
SFD today- 1/20
Planned Spends for the month- 1 x wedding + 1 x Birthday ~ £35
Fuel £80
£3 Foodbank
I already obsess daily over my spreadsheet, I did have a spend diary as well but found this was just being replicated in my colourful/ image full spreadsheet so this is in retirement, comes out occasionally though if I have some MSE style idea for a quick doddle in.
Make £100 this month.

Oh crumbs, I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

*dashes off*

stoplurking

Hi all. It looks like everyone is raring to go. I haven't caught up with all the posts as this is a quick post while OH is out - he knows about the debt and is hugely supportive but doesn't know about posting!
SFD today. Only one debt left so paid some off that today then the DD will go out Fri/Mon.
Food budget is £200 for period 5/10 - 1/11, slashed to £180.
Food cupboards being run down until 5th and menu planning for the month almost done.
A couple of outings budgeted for. One includes a meal with a dear friend and I can't skip that, sorry Kat
£3 will go to food bank. Off to catch up now.
Massive good luck wishes to everyone, onwards and upwards and thanks, Kat for another great challenge. X

abundant1972

Evening everyone, and happy 01st October too

Today was off to a good start, with SFD number 1

Food bank donation done via text to the Trussell Fund and was able to add 25% Gift Aid for free too - 75p extra! Boom!

With my renewed enthusiasm, I have drawn up a new gym programme and started back on Sunday, and went yesterday... rest day today and back for more tomorrow.

Signatures set for this month and adjusted for amounts spent (I get paid on 27th each month so first shop done).

£375 paid off debt this month and £145 stashed (will make big one off payment when it reaches £1000) as Step Change don't like you making small incremental extra payments. This will be called my 'Money Jar' and will appear on my signature, and can also double as an Emergency Fund.

Is nice to be here, and welcome to any newbies that have joined us for October...