Lily's diary...here's hoping all in the garden is rosy!!

giblet1979

Hi,

I'm exactly the same re: expenses such as dentist, car etc (in fact, I'm sure I actually missed out the dentist on my budget and I'm going on Tuesday )

I'm currently doing the free YNAB (you need a budget) trial, and it's excellent. Definitely makes you think about putting extra in for once yearly expenses, and I've just broken those down into 12 (the ones I've remembered anyway, lol) so that this should be left at the end of each month if I stick to the overall budget, and I'll transfer the balance into my ISA / savings account ready for when it's needed.

The temptation is definitely to OP as much as possible, but I guess the budget bit has to come first or the overdraft starts coming back into play, and I've only just got rid of it!

It sounds like you've a lot of expense with the lovely children but that you're doing great with keeping everything under control, money wise.

Hope you have a lovely day - I'm off out curtain pole shopping x

Lily_rose_2

Ok.....well I've started looking at my budget....:eek:can't really afford to save what we need to!!

giblet1979

Every little helps - even a very small amount begins to add up over time e.g. I started doing a challenge that I'd seen on the forum where I'd put anything I was going to spend, but then decided not to, into a jar e.g. coffee when out and about, extra treats in the supermarket etc... At the end of 3 months I had nearly £70 :eek:
Also, I've seen some people round budgets up / down and put the difference in savings e.g. if TV license is £12.12 a month then allocate £13 and put the 88p in savings. Sounds like nothing, but doing this with lots of things is actually quite a lot, and with even a little bit of interest, you can see it grow over time x

killerpeaty

I agree with giblet, the very small steps will all add up.

Have you popped into the old style board? They're top notch at offering little steps. Remember that at the moment, the best interest is sitting with current accounts as long as you don't go overdrawn so just dedicate that account to be your savings account.

(5% with nationwide AND TSB- no DDs needed)

Lily_rose_2

Thanks for the replies! Just got a bit despondent when I worked out what I need to save, and what I can actually afford to save!! I did work it out on basic salary though, DH is due a pay rise in April...as am I (although bring an NHS employee it's not going to be amounting to much!) plus I get mileage...so that's normally extra too!

Have been having a good think about my grocery shopping, and am going to review the last couple of receipts to see what 'extras' we could have done without! I've already started thinking of alternatives and what I can try to do differently....just need to have a chat with the family to let them know how things are going to change! I've been lurking on Old Style forum for a while...just need to get organised! I've joined the grocery challenge for May....setting it at £360. Might be a bit optimistic...but am going to give it a go!!

Have also decided to cut down on my trips to the shops generally....I have a day off on a Friday and tend to go to the shops for something I do..... And end up spending, even if it's just a coffee!! So I shall limit my trips & try to use my day off more productively...going to Aldi, getting house cleaned to free up my weekend!

Had a NSD today so that's good.....should be the same tomorrow as I'm caching up with a friend and her children (she's skint at the moment too) so it'll be lots of chat, cups of tea & a bit of lunch whilst kids play!!

I'm going to look into some payments that have been coming out of our account for years....as I can't remember what a lot of them are even for!! I know some are things like critical illness cover etc....but am going to see of there's anything we can stop!

Keep any thoughts and ideas coming guys....am very grateful x

Lily_rose_2

Great news....just been accepted for a Lloyds Bank 24 month balance transfer card:j. Am transferring my credit card balance to it as I think my 0% purchase rate will end pretty soon! However, forgot that there was still a bit of spending to show up on my card...so for now I'll still have approximately £100 on my Tesco card! Might try & give Lloyds a call tomorrow and change the amount of the balance transfer.....how stupid am I...totally forgetting about my recent spends.

However, I appreciate I am very fortunate to have been accepted - apart from the balance transfer fee, I will now pay no interest at all!!

Oh & I'm going to close my accounts once the balance is zero.....I'll keep one card for emergencies...but will give it to a family member to keep safe! If I've not got easy access, then hopefully I won't use it!

Am kind of looking forward to pay day now.....can finally begin to get cracking!!

Lily_rose_2

Well I've had a great day....both my DSs went for their annual asthma check-up....and it would appear that they may have outgrown it (for the time being anyway....)

Have spent the day with my friend & her children. My 2 lads went to the cinema with their mates (cost me around £7) and DD happily played with my friend's daughter (they get on really well!)

I sat around drinking tea & chatting about lots of ideas for cutting back on my shopping;) Am yet to phone about the balance transfer - it'll go on my To Do list for tomorrow.

Have done all my ironing....just hoping the weather is good tomorrow so I can dry the next few loads that are waiting!! It's neverending:(

Night all x

themarsbargirl

Well done! I'm so happy you got a balance transfer card-without the interest it'll all go to your debt and speed up paying it all off.
Endless cups of tea with friends while the kids play are the best days i think!
Keep plodding along and keep that chin up! x

Lily_rose_2

Hi marsbargirl - Have received the email confirming the balance transfer has been agreed....forgot to phone the about the extra £98 though....but I'll aim to pay that off as soon as I can!

NSD today....day spent with a housefull of kids...am worn out now but pleased that my children have some really great friends!

We have approximately £40 to last until payday (officially Monday but hits the bank on Saturday;)) not sure if I can make it last....DH has an urgent dental appointment tomorrow & he'll need some petrol. I also need to get a couple of bits for meals until I can go food shopping at the weekend....may 'dip'into my car account to borrow £10.....really want to avoid going overdrawn & I'm almost there!!!

Tomorrow should be another low spend day...off to see friends, so no spends required:T.

Have started planning school packed lunches for next week....can see a cake baking session on the agenda for the weekend!!

themarsbargirl

Can you manage without a couple of bits for meals by adapting your meal plan? if you post what you have in and how many to feed i can give you some suggestions if you like?