Only freedom will do

edinburgher

Ah, but no idea what's realistic in this case!

We have pots for loads of things: presents, travel, petrol, car maintenance, car insurance, pets, home maintenance, road tax, home insurance, breakdown cover and dry cleaning. Just cool like that :rotfl:

OMW, we have so many 'car' categories.

... But no 'car replacement' :think: Can't face that elephant today.

CathT

Thanks Ed.

I've realised we need far more pots! We priorities mortgage op's and 0% cc which creates a terrible vicious circle!

I predict a new plan/budget happening soon.

edinburgher

We need car replacement and medical. That's like £150/m. Sigh.

At pub getting tipsy with Mrs E sans DD. It has been a year since last time! :eek:

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Mr E, Mr T and I save £30/12 - ok not a huge amount but £360 each year sits waiting to be used for dental treatment. If push comes to shove an interest free CC can carry the burden for a short while.

Tilly x

edinburgher

Thanks Tilly. Went for £50 in the end, seemed a reasonable amount for the short term. New budget with car replacement and dental puts us into a Micawber situation

hiddenshadow

I tell myself that the enforced budget scarcity is a good thing as it prevents us from squandering away money. Not sure I'm completely successful as I bought clothes I didn't need (only £2) and yarn I don't need (but want and is on sale). All budgeted for, at least.

edinburgher

I think I've been neglecting our mis en place, some spends have been falling through the cracks. Luckily I have 18+ months of uninterrupted spending figures for almost everything, so was able to rejig our budget based on actuals (not fingers in the air). Managed to 'save' about £180 of the £250 we need to find.

In other news, DD has completely given up on the concept of uninterrupted sleep. I !!!! you not

AlexLK

Ed, I lack discipline to the point of not checking my online banking for weeks and then having to chase any music pupils not honest enough to pay on time. I hardly think I'd be disciplined enough to send regular (daily / every other day) small OPs.

Recent conversation on here about "pots" has made me realise why I have such a laissez-faire attitude to money. No real budgeting, accounting or "pots" (hypothetical, I presume) in this household, instead we have a "working capital" that should always remain at the same amount. If it goes under (due to spending), we have to pay it back. My main problem is I don't find that money ever seems very "real".

Re children's savings. We used to save for our son. "He" currently has c. £15,000 in an account but we plan to use this to pay for his first year at prep school. After that, I'm hoping my earnings will just about cover the fees. Will need to get my act together for when he goes to senior school, though. :eek: Not going to deny it would be a lot easier if I just let my parents pay the fees but I'm completely fed up with them telling me I have a child I cannot afford.

edinburgher

Not sure I understand the need for elite private (I.e. privately funded) schooling for your son. Has it made you happy or given you opportunities you wouldn't have had in any state school?

zcrat41

Hello, just stopping by to say how much I enjoy reading your diary! I aspire to be as knowledgeable about my money/spending habits as you are!