Reeling from the Reality Check

Historybuff

Thanks all. I certainly don't think I will go back to my credit abusing ways again. I'm keeping careful account of what I have available to spend this month and am doing things slightly different. Instead of allocating the available money to different categories, I've put it all together, so I know exactly how much there is. It's not a lot. It averages out to about £100 a week to include food and fuel. People on benefits get more than that!
I'm rummaging around between now and sun, so I can do a carboot to get a bit of extra cash in. Water bill and car insurance haven't helped either this month. So frugality rules and I have to try to have a holiday on less than £100 per week! Wish me luck!

Historybuff

So, I've just worked out I have £15 per day to spend until next payday. Today will be a no spend day...

Historybuff

Just deferred the water bill by going back on DD, so total to spend per day has gone up to £19.46. Not much, but in the right direction. Relying on the car boot to come up trumps with at least £50.
Total towards the £1000 buffer so far - a big fat zero. But I am going to stay on it. Determined.

Historybuff

Just done the car insurance. Saved £100 on the renewal quote, but paid £20 extra to pay by instalments, so saved £80. Spend per day now up to £22.53. That's a bit better.

Seasidegal58

Hi HB - well done on getting the daily spends up and I hope you enjoy your holiday - you deserve it after the tough time you've had lately!

Historybuff

Thanks, seaside! First NSD down...I can do this. Getting stuff together for the weekend carboot today and two bags of clothes and a box of books going to the charity shop this morning on the way to hairdressers. Couldn't get in last week when I wanted to go. Spend already accounted for in budget.
This week I'm experimenting with keeping available money all together in one lump to see if I can hang on to some by the end of the month. I think that when I allocate it to the different areas I spend it more easily, thinking I have that much available for that thing. Anyway, might all go wrong, but I'm having a go. I think that trying to hang on to the larger total might spur me on more. I currently have £616 available in the bank and £20 cash. A couple of things I need to buy, but will stick to the list and use the cash. Todays positives...having hair done...will finish organising household paperwork...don't have to go to work!

in_need_of_direction

Of course you can do this. I love that you're trying new ways to find the one that works best for you. Lucky you not working today. Enjoy.

Historybuff

Bought food yesterday, baking today. Also loading up van for tomorrow's carboot. Busy day today. Son and gf leaving to go away on holidays, so cleaning up for when daughter and bf come to stay next week. Spending today and tomorrow cleaning, getting sorted out and organised, so we can go away on Mon till Friday. So looking forward to it. Definitely a NSD!

Historybuff

I was wrong about the NSD...I had to go get a bottle of wine for post cleaning relaxation in the garden while the sun's still out.

giblet1979

I think the wine is totally justified after all that hard work! x