The Plan

Emperor2014

MotiMoo wrote: »

Hi Emperor,

I am able to keep track of my spending very easily because I have so few outlets. For example, my Direct Debit amounts never vary from month to month as they are all set amounts, I am having work done on my house but it is all paid by cheque so I am able to keep track of those by the numbers and lastly I withdraw £60 each week for my grocery and petrol money.

The last point has been my eureka moment, when I have that money in my hand I see what I have got each week and what I can or cannot afford. My grocery/petrol umbrella is pretty broad though. Anything I buy from a supermarket comes under that so it includes toiletries, household products, food and treats.

I go shopping on a Sunday at Lidl and get 90% of what I need for the week from there, if I require anything else I do a little research online to find the cheapest place and I go there and get it (all the major supermarkets are within walking distance of my home, apart from Asda so I combine it with another trip). On Sunday night I take all money left in my purse out and put it into a jar, ready for Monday's payout. After 3 weeks I take what is in the jar on that Sunday and I fill my car up 3/4 full at the cheapest petrol station near me.

Other than those payments out of my account there isn't really much other activity so its easy to pick up on other things (like the new year meal out and my charity donation). So no having to keep a spreadsheet, no keeping reciepts and no looking at my statement thinking "what on earth was that for?".

It could also be because I'm quite boring and don't do much!

Thanks Motimoo. And congrats on getting the bathroom done, sounds like quite a large job! I'm looking forward to the pictures.

MotiMoo

Hi all,

I did make a post earlier on in the week (another mighty long one) but for some reason it didn't post :mad:.

I thought I would just make a diary round up of the week.

So I have finally been staying back at my own flat properly this week, and also using my new bathroom, the shower is great . I've been slowly cleaning up all the dust which has just got everywhere! I will be painting on Monday and then getting the tiler in at some point.

The cat was really pleased to be home as well, but he took sick in the middle of the week and I have been a bit worried about him. He has been eating now though so hopefully he is bouncing back.

I haven't been doing so great with keeping up with my budget I think, I've been doing bits and bobs of random food shopping. Nothing over £5 but it all adds up! I will see what I have left at the end of the month I'm a bit all over the place.

I applied for the First Direct current account, I will hopefully be hearing on Monday whether I have been accepted or not. Lets see what they say .

MotiMoo

Hello all! How are we all doing in our saving for 2014?

I have had a reasonably busy week but still haven't sat down and got a handle on my budget for the month (I think a bit of sticking my head in the sand is happening this month).

OH came home finally and we got to spend out first ever valentines together! He bought me Pitch Perfect as a gift which I LOVE!!!! Deffinitely a keeper

I finally got my First Direct account set up, there was a little bit of a faff because I had previously had a First Direct account in 2003 (technically it was my flatmates which he set up as a joint account for us to pay bills, it was open for a WHOLE month). So I don't get the £100 for switching . They have given me the overdraft so I might make use of that. I also don't have £300 to save at the moment so I am holding off on setting up the regular saver.

The bathroom has been painted and I am going to get two quotes for my tiling, hopefully that will be done this week and the flooring next week, then it will be all done!

bugslet

Had the first Direct account been shut down? Seems a bit rough if it had and they don't give you the £100 switch..

I've no idea what Pitch Perfect is....:o, could be something to do with golf, or singing, or maybe you have a hobby of maintaing the local rugby club grounds:rotfl:, ah well, as long as he got it right! Mr bugslet used to buy me flowers regularly, never told him I was the only woman on the planet that doesn't like flowers - it's the thought that counts and all that.

Hoping for some before and after photos of the bathroom when it's done. What flooring did you decide on?

MotiMoo

Hi bugslet,

Yeah the account had been shut down, it was only open for a month . I guess when they mean new customers they really do mean shiny brand new ones!

I like your conjectures on what Pitch Perfect could be it is in fact a movie, one of my favourites! It has comedy, singing and love, what more can a girl ask for!

I also dislike cut flowers! Mine is for environmental and human rights issues but none the less I am much more of a useful gift kind of gal :rotfl:.

Well I am going to call the tilers tonight and see if they can come round at some point this week and give me quotes. I can't wait till its all done. The flooring is just a nice plain vinyl, it has a grey linen kind of print.

Zver

Ohhhh £600 each month, nice.