Women and cats will do as they please! :)

TheMagician

Hi all

I'm not actually in debt as such but I need this diary to keep me on track with all of my plans and for all the wonderful support people here offer

I work full time in finance and study CIMA on a side, life can get pretty hectic

Me and my son terribly want our own home and a kitty (I absolutely loooooove cats) and I am looking forward to being free of restrictions renting causes.

So, the plan is to save as much as possible every single month and to put that towards the house deposit. We are both super duper excited about this and gonna work damn hard to get the money we need so I'm going to use this diary to record our milestones and keep us focused

TheMagician

So a little background, I have realised a long time ago that if I want something I'll have to get it myself.
There's no bank of mum and dad, there's no partner's income, there's just me and my son and everything I have I have bought myself.

So now...onto our biggest purchase - the house.
It hit me last month when the landlord wanted to do an inspection (standard enough). But I thought, I don't want this! I don't want to be checked upon like a naughty school kid, don't want to be told what I can and cannot do in my own living space. And most importantly, we want a cat I adore cats, beyond words. And I really miss having one so here, we are on a mission to get our own home, our own space

My son is completely on board and helping me save. He's responsible for our entertainment budget and chooses how we spend it. It's given him responsibility, understanding how money works and how much it can buy. I'm responsible for everything else, of course

My budget is fine tuned and we have done really well this month, will get the exact figures on Friday but should have saved around £1300. It won't be quite as much every month but I'm aiming for £1000. The plan is to have £15,000 by this time next year.

Budget on the next post

TheMagician

So, budget...

Our entertainment budget is £50pcm, it buys us 2 cinema trips (no popcorn, my son brings treats from home and I get a student discount) and 1-2 meals out. I feel that's plenty.

I don't smoke, I don't consume alcohol, last time I had a drink was about 2yrs ago. I don't go to bars, clubbing etc, when we're out it's for a meal with friends or they come to ours I don't enjoy big crowds anymore. So our entertainment budget is usually in tact come end of month.

What suffers is the food one... I need to tweak it and learn to save money on that so any advice would be great. I shop in Ald* and Asd*. I allocate £300pcm but that includes all toiletries (I have braces so need special toothbrushes, floss and wax and my skin regime takes probably £30 of the budget). But we still have plenty left over, especially as there's only 2 of us but I still struggle...
Problem is, I'm against all artificial carp and sugars so our diet is mainly meat, fish, dairy, eggs, porridge and veg, I always have apples and bananas too. We don't eat bread, pasta, rice, cereals, noodles...you get the picture. I've got a slow cooker but have found the last 3 times I cooked in it food turned out awful. I'd really appreciate some flavoursome recipes that don't involve sugar/sugar substitutes.

Thank you for reading and hope you all have a peaceful night

TheMagician

TheMagician

Hope everyone is having a lovely day

I'm very excited about my upcoming exam results on 18th Dec! Why oh why do you they take so long? Feeling positive though

Anybody else awaiting exam results or any other important news? Good job I learnt to be patient many years ago

Stevie_Palimo

Seeing as nobody else bothered I thought I would, Good luck with the saving and I'm not waiting any results as a bit past that stage in life tbh.


Hope you get what you want/need with the exam results to.

TheMagician

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Seeing as nobody else bothered I thought I would, Good luck with the saving and I'm not waiting any results as a bit past that stage in life tbh.


Hope you get what you want/need with the exam results to.

Thank you for your support Stevie

It's never too late to learn, my sis has started medical studies which won't be completed until she's well into her 40s brave girl. I can't wait to get it over with but seeing as I have 8 more exams to go it'll be another 18 months or so. Oh well, keeps me on my toes

monz

Good luck Will follow x

Stevie_Palimo

TheMagician wrote: »

Thank you for your support Stevie

It's never too late to learn, my sis has started medical studies which won't be completed until she's well into her 40s brave girl. I can't wait to get it over with but seeing as I have 8 more exams to go it'll be another 18 months or so. Oh well, keeps me on my toes

Maybe but I really could not be bothered to learn anything now not that I am past it as I'm only 38 but happy enough with what I do and get at present.


8 exams what are you studying then ?

TheMagician

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Maybe but I really could not be bothered to learn anything now not that I am past it as I'm only 38 but happy enough with what I do and get at present.


8 exams what are you studying then ?

CIMA to become a chartered management accountant, now it would be ironic if an accountant couldn't manage her own money hence making myself accountable

There were 17 to start with so I'm just over half way

The thought of eventually qualifying is one of a great achievement as well as relief, it's pretty hard... But you reap as you sow so I power through

Stevie_Palimo

Well I wish you luck then.

heartbreak_star

TheMagician wrote: »

CIMA to become a chartered management accountant, now it would be ironic if an accountant couldn't manage her own money

You'd be surprised how many can't

Best of luck, sounds like you're on the right lines.

HBS x