Starting again....3rd time lucky!

WelshWoofer

Just as a note to myself....
Paid the Next bill (think I may have paid twice this month but can't fathom the statement so better to over pay than under pay) and the CC bill so all up to date with payments until I get paid again.

Good news..... Next bill is now £222 - has been much higher in the past - this is my first bill/debt to get paid off completely.
The CC payment has taken the balance down into the next hundred pound chunk - just makes it seem less somehow

Bad news ..... after all DDs have gone out I have £270 to last until the next pay day (if I don't go overdrawn) - ordinarily this would be fine as I'm away for a week (money already budgeted for that) and then it would be 2 weeks to pay day with just some food and petrol to buy. BUT - payday has moved...... I need to make some calls to change the dates the direct debits go out.... will try to make a start tomorrow....

WelshWoofer

Been busy this morning so far - have managed to call 7 direct debits and change the date they go out of the bank on to suit my new payment date - just one to go, gave up after being on hold for 20 mins:mad: The rest were surprisingly quick and straightforward.
Feel a bit less panicky about money now I've done this - when I get paid there will be plenty to pay the bills etc but the thought of £1000 of DDs going out with no pay going in scared me.
I now just have to make what I have last as far as possible until I get paid now.
But all bills are paid and nothing will go out of the bank automatically before more money goes in...phew

Whilst rummaging through paperwork I found a cheque that was a year old (only for approx £10) - can I still bank it? Will try .... better in the bank than in the cupboard!

Also have popped to Tesco for a few last minute holiday essentials and now just have the ironing and packing to do. Everything is laid out in the spare room so it won't take long once I get going.

Right off to dice with death and try to get a suitcase out of the attic.....

WelshWoofer

Packing done (case still open for forgotten items!), ironing done, banking done.
Bath and beautifying next... eyebrow tidy, paint toenails, hair wash, defuzz etc
Then I'm off to OHs for an hour or two before coming back and waiting for the taxi (hurrah!)

pink_poppy

I thought the cheque limit was 6 months?? Not sure though because a cheque I had written was cashed just over the 6 month limit. Really mad because I thought I was going to get away with it & would have saved £15!! :rotfl:

Have a lovely holiday

maggiecon

Enjoy your holidays

WelshWoofer

I'm back! All brown and fat!
We had a lovely time - just lazing around in the sun, eating and drinking.
The diet started today :rotfl: I'd like to lose around 7lbs and see how I feel then. I'm back using My Fitnesspal as its worked for me before. Fingers crossed it will work again.

Money wise, I managed to not quite spend all of the spending money I budgeted and was pleasantly surprised about that. I changed the euros back yesterday and used the cash to fill the car with petrol today before it got frittered away. I didn't use a card at all and so my holiday has, for once, cost what I thought it would (or slightly less) .

I popped to Tesco yesterday and did a big shop costing £47 - hopefully that will last the best part of two weeks with a top up shop for fresh stuff at Aldi next weekend. I will also need to buy some laundry detergent this weekend as I seem to have generated the European washing mountain.:p

I had an unexpected refund cheque for £32 waiting for me when I arrived home so that will get banked ASAP (probably next Saturday now) - a nice little surprise that will go towards paying something off this month.

Been to pick up the dog this morning so all is now back to normal and its back to work tomorrow - new school, new chilrden, new job :eek::eek::eek:
Its a bit scary but I'm ready to start now - maybe another day of getting back to normal would have been nice but I'll just have to get on with it. Will report back to let you know how it goes.....

Just off to check the bank balance and will be back with an update to remind me of what I need to pay and how much I have left before my delayed payday.

WelshWoofer

So, once all DDs have gone out it leaves me with £150 to Sept 20th (new payday) - the best part of 3 weeks :eek:
I have plenty of food for the next 2 weeks apart from a bit of fruit and veg next week and I don't have any plans to go very far once back at work so technically its doable but it will require a bit of self control (something I lack when it comes to money).
But the good news is that all of my bills are paid and the £150 is just for a small amount of petrol, some food for week 3 and spending money.
I will try really really hard.....famous last words...

pink_poppy

Best of luck for tomorrow, WW, hope it goes well

WelshWoofer

Just as a quick reminder to myself - September Grocery challenge is £120 for the 4 weekly shops (total) from Aug 30th to Sept 28th, averaging £30 a week.
I've done a big shop of £47.13 so far and spent £2 extra on laundry detergent making a total of £49.13. Will have to reign it in a bit next week but should be able to do it if I'm inventive.

1DayAAT

I like reading your diary - welcome back from hols & Keep up the good work with your progress!