Thistlewhistle 2014 - A Fresh Start

Thistlewhistle

I have £43.79 in my pocket. How long can I keep that going before I have to dip into the petty cash tin?

Thistlewhistle

Morning all!

It's the weekend and I'm still here. Had a tough day yesterday, right from the offset but pulled it round and the day finished strongly with a fantastic a Team Meeting. Fortunately the cause of my bad day, didn't front up at the meeting.
Today I've to carry out a group visit this morning and then the day is mine. I'm going to spend it tidying up my laptop and finishing off my business Facebook page as this has needed some work for ages.

Then about 1700, I've got an hour of Bellringing tuition planned in, and then a nice evening in.

OH is speaking in front of 100 people this morning and is really worried and nervous. He'll be absolutely fine but I having a job convincing him of this fact. Cup of tea required I think!!

Have a lovely Saturday!!

T:D

Thistlewhistle

Ps,

I dried a whole load of washing on the line in glorious sunshine yesterday. How much do you reckon I saved on not using the tumble for 2 hours?

Tx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Have a lovely Saturday Thistle.

You'll be feeling great when your laptop is tidy - I always get the first day of school feeling when I've done jobs like that. Neat and tidy

Probably makes me sound like a nutter.

Tilly x x

Thistlewhistle

[QUOTE=Tilly MFW in 6 YRS;

Probably makes me sound like a nutter.

Tilly x x[/QUOTE]

We're all guilty of sounding like that, Tilly!!!:D

Thistlewhistle

I watched a yootube video yesterday about Zero Budgeting and Enveloping and I think this is what I'm going to do as it seems to fit my circumstances well and is akin to what I'm trying to do. I know what the Envelope System is but this adds an extra bit.

Basically you calculate what your monthly earnings are, and then allocate all the money to various Envelopes. Any money that's left over can be used to save, pay off debts, give away:eek: or do whatever.

All you have to do then, is stick to the budget by only spending what's in the envelope for each category!!

I'm finding it's taking too much time to analyse every spend. I know it's important to see where the money is going but I think it's going to work better for me to know I have £x for eating out (because I've budgeted for it) and not worry about how I spend it, but rather that when I have spent it, there's no more eating out that month!!!

Then I can make a conscious effort to not spend the entire amount in the envelope, thereby saving a bit more to throw at the credit cards.

I think this is definitely going to work for me. I've got to do something else because my current approach is not working for me. I'm too busy with work.

T:D

Thistlewhistle

Yesterday I went through my entire earnings for 2013 and have based my monthly income on an average (I'm self employed and my earnings fluctuate quite erratically' my worst months being August and December (dire!!). My best months are January (obviously), April, June & September (no surprises really as these are the months my colleagues and I really promote our businesses).

I know my average earnings, so now I can allocate all the money to the various envelopes and see how much I have left. I'll do that over a coffee later on.

I'm excited - I think this is really going to work for me.

T:D

gallygirl

Thistlewhistle wrote: »

I think this is definitely going to work for me. I've got to do something else because my current approach is not working for me. I'm too busy with work.

Great minds think alike Thistle :T, hope it works for you.

ljaneyr

Hi Thistle!

I've just finished reading your whole diary and popped in to say hi :hello: I'm a long term lurker and MFW-wannabe if that makes sense!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I sort of use the envelope method as you described it although it is just what has evolved over time and it seems to work. Some 'envelopes' are virtual ones and are actually columns on the spreadsheet e.g. I put £x in each month to pay for hair appointments, but I also have actual envelopes for some things that I need to pay for in cash e.g yoga classes and general spending money. Food and petrol goes on the cashback credit card. You just need to find what works for you, then change it again...and again... I find it really motivating seeing actual money rather than just putting things on a card.

I've subscribed to your diary now so will try to pop in on occasion

Janey x

Thistlewhistle

Hi Janey,

Thanks for popping by and reading my ramblings! Great to have you on boarb and thanks for your insights too. It's really helped me to sort out a few things.

I'll be along in the next couple of days to reopen my progress!!!
If work doesn't get in the way.

Tx