WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Actually managed to get the shopping done yesterday, in Aldi. Popped into Tesco for a few bits that I couldn't get from Aldi too.

Tired today, the weekend has flown by far too quickly I cannot believe that tomorrow is Monday AGAIN!

cathybird

Great news on the savings, WantToBeSE. The weekend always goes too quickly, doesn't it

One of the many good things about your job is that I presume you could keep it up on the side while studying for your psychotherapy qualification? ...

JoJoC

Hi WantToBeSE,

I've been following your savings journey, and I must say, you're a savings inspiration!

You're doing so well and you're keeping me staying motivated in my savings goals.

I was paid on 31st January and on that day, I made my savings goal for the year. I'd like to have £8,000 saved by the end of 2014 and I'm trying so hard to stick to it!

I've currently got £643 in my saver and £80 in my huge ceramic piggy (piggy bank). Whenever my husband does a homer, the cash he earns will go into the piggy from now on.

I'm just back to work after maternity leave so it's been a struggle the last year and although I'm earning again, I've now got Childcare to pay but I know that we can save a decent amount, it's just about changing habits to make it happen!

Since the start of January, I've been meal planning and this has brought my weekly shopping down from £80ish to around £40-50 and I know I can bring it down more.

Anyway, enough about me, I just thought I'd say well done so far and I wish you many more months of successful saving!

Jo

WantToBeSE

Hiya Jo, thanks for de-lurking to say hi Now you have posted there'll be no more lurking for you young lady how old is your Little one? Do you have other children too? I remember the staggering cost of childcare, so you have my sympathy on that one!

I have had an interesting few days on the commute to work Trees in the road, mainly. Taken ages to get anywhere, flooding everywhere, and the wind has been atrocious! However, I only missed 1 days work (client called to say I wouldn't be able to get to her house due to a fallen tree), so should be able to save about £100 on Friday.

Its child benefit week this week, but I am spending that money on the kids. they both need new clothes, so will be ordering some from Next at the weekend. I really do think their quality of clothing is good, and it lasts. For example, 3 years ago I bought the kids some boxer shorts each and they are still going strong! Getting a bit tight now though I think that buying quality clothing that will last is money saving, so I always try to buy the best that I can afford, whether that's Next or Tesco clothing.

Also had to pay £8 to my younger sons school, for swimming lessons. He has coordination problems so I am convinced he'll end up drowning or something.

*sigh* the lights are flickering again here this evening. Its very cold too. I hope we don't lose power again. Have been trying to use less heating, but would rather be comfortable than worry.

how is everyone else doing? Any more lurkers out there that want to come and say Hi?

JoJoC

Oh no! I feel exposed now! Haha

My little one was a year old on December so he's growing so quickly and learning new thing every day! Especially how to be cheeky! Haha he's our first, and our only for a while, until we can afford to move house and then have another.

The weather really does sound horrendous down your way. I'm in Scotland so we're not suffering like a lot of the country right now but it is really miserable weather nonetheless.

Another £100 into your savings sounds great! I'm looking forward to husband getting paid for his homers and this weekend's overtime. There's a very real chance that we might break the £1k barrier!! Trying not to get my hopes up though.

I quite often buy my son's clothes from
Supermarkets- Tesco or Sainsburys mainly. I do love the kids clothes from H&M too- they're really trendy, great quality and really reasonably priced! Their little chinos and trousers are £5.99 and tshirts £2.99/3.99. Really can't complain at that! I buy the odd things from next but more dressy things like if he needs a shirt or a smart pair of jeans. He got so many clothes for his birthday/ Christmas that we shouldn't need much for another couple of months. It's shoes that skin me- £32 every 2-3 months. Although I think I'm going to start getting him properly measured then go to the Clark's outlet to pick a pair up cheaper.

I'm trying to save pound coins at the moment but because I'm trying to have NSDs, I've got no money in my purse! Which means I've no spare £ coins to put in! I'll need to think of a way round this. Hmm.

Husband might be working away all next week so I might just be meal planning for myself and my son. Should be cheaper!! He'll get paid more for working away too and will be saving on daily commute fuel so it'll be beneficial all round

WantToBeSE

Sounds like a frugal week ahead for you then Jo
I have just put some more money into my savings for this week. After Monday, I should be able to add another £30 to it, from a private client.

New total = £1278.28

So after Monday I should have £1308.28, breaking the £1300 mark. I am getting closer to that £1500...its so close that I can almost smell it

Spent almost £200 in Next...:eek: But the boys really desperately needed it and that'll be it until summer now

JoJoC

That's brilliant news! Your total is coming along so well. Is nice to set yourself mini goals as part of a larger goal because I think it helps with motivation

It's amazing how quickly you've managed to save this amount already! It just shows how hard you've been working.

I had a terrible spending day yesterday my husband is working away (outdoors) next week and his waterproof is way past it's best. It's not waterproof anymore! So we went out last night to get one for him and spent £90 on it! This was un budgeted money so although there's still money in the current account, I might need to dip into the savings a wee bit to cover it. I'm also getting my hair done today, probably for the last time in a while, so that's another £50. The only other spend this weekend will be groceries.

In good news though, husband is working this weekend so that'll be another £230 for the savings when he gets paid on Tuesday. He's still waiting to be paid from two homers too so I'm hoping that our total will be £1000 by the end of the month.

Fingers crossed!

I'm glad you got your boys kitted out- sometimes it's better to just get it all done in one go! There's some lovely things in Next right now so I bet they look great!

Have you got many plans for this weekend? Will it be a spending-free weekend?

WantToBeSE

Thanks Jo You are right, I have been working really hard at saving and am actually really pleased with myself.
I started this diary on 9th November and in 3 months I have saved almost £1300. And I had Christmas and my sons 14th Birthday in that time frame too. Yes, I am actually very pleased with myself Thanks for reminding me!

What job does your husband do? Very good idea to replace the waterproofs. Sometimes money HAS to be spent. No point having money or savings if your poor hubby is going to suffer whilst doing his part to earn it, bless him. I bet he'll be really pleased (and dry)

How have you settled back to work after ML? I went back to work after 9 months with my youngest and remember the hectic mornings very well! I had a 4 year old too and everything took so long! Gosh, those years have gone so fast, they are now almost 10 and 14! It flies by so quickly.

This weekend I am hoping to do some food shopping. Its the 1 household thing that I HATE doing and I put it off too much. The nearest supermarket is Tesco, a 2 min drive from me, but its a small 1. Normally I drive the 20mins to Morrisons, but I am not sure what the roads are like this morning. Judging by the wind last night, I am sure that there will be trees in the road. I'll listen to the local radio and see what they say. Its still blowing a hoolie out there, but we need food! If the worst comes to the worst, i'll just go to Tesco.

Apart from the food shop, yes it'll be a spend free weekend. No plans apart from relaxing at home, catching up on some reading, doing housework etc.

How about you, what are you up to?

JoJoC

You're welcome it's nice to be reminded that you're awesome sometimes!

My husband is an electrician but he does do a lot of outdoor work and, particularly in this weather, it's grim. He used his new jacket today and came home dry and cosy so he's delighted.

I've actually found it ok going back to work after ML. We're in a good routine and my wee boy is a good sleeper so I can't complain! The thought if doing it with two is really daunting which is why we're waiting a couple of years before having another one. I'm enjoying being at work too- I think I need the stimulation and adult conversation. It makes my three full days with my son more precious.

I don't mind doing the food shopping- it's funny how people are different that way!

I'm doing the food shopping tomorrow, then seeing my parents for a bit. Monday, we're meeting a friend and her little boy at the soft play so that'll be good. I've got Tuesday off work as I need to take the holiday and my son is at the childminder anyway so I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my baby-free time! I can't decide!

Xx

MissOptimistic

Hi WTBSE - another one here popping out to say Hi :wave: and well done.
I set a New Year Goal to save a decent fund of about £3k this year, I've suffered nothing but setbacks so far but have still managed to squirrel away £300 so I reckon if I can do it now, I can carry on - I'm determined not to dip into the savings!
I also have a Terramundi savings pot which I have been popping all the takings from my Facebook sales into too - I don't know how much is inside, but I reckon it must be £30-£40 on top of the £300.
I have 3 children and today alone I have had to fork out for new school shoes for DS1 (£30 from Clarks - he wore out & outgrew his last ones & is now a size 8 :eek:) - also had to get 2 x jogging bottoms for him & other DS(14) for outdoor PE - another £14 in Sports Direct. Of course DD couldn't be left out (she's 7) so she bought a fashion design drawing pad with her own money and I topped it up by £3.
OH & I started a spending diary on 1st Feb (excluding bills etc) and we've already spent over £400 - although this covers 2 weeks food & fuel & there shouldn't be too much more spending in the coming week.
Sorry if I've hijacked your thread
Keep it up - it helps motivate me x