Starting again with debt....again!

timbstoke

I abandoned YNAB for a couple of reasons, and the lack of flexibility on mobile devices was high on the list. The other big reason was its insistence on budgeting by calendar months. That approach is great when you have enough in the bank to do the whole "living on last month's salary" thing, but when you're still living payday-to-payday, it's a little inflexible for my tastes.

I've knocked up an Excel spreadsheet this year to do my budgeting. I've borrowed heavily from YNAB in the design, the biggest change being that I budget at 4 weekly intervals instead of monthly, and rolls over each payday. I have target account balances for the day before each payday, and estimated income and fixed expenses already scheduled in for the entire year. The other bonus is that I find I'm more attached to a budget when I've put the effort into producing it myself, so I'm more likely to stick to it.

liltdiddylilt

Ah Tim, it isn't for everyone for sure. I get 4 different payments in during the month, and on different schedules so different days each month. I know there are countless blogs and help guides/videos etc on how to use it for weekly, 4 weekly etc budgeting. I have a friend who uses it from the 15th to the 15th as that is payday and she just puts her budget amount across both months.

I am just really happy that people are finding ways to manage their money effectively in whatever way works for them!

timbstoke

Oh it can be done, and I'm sure it works great for those who do that. However, I like to judge my debt busting progress on my account balances the day before payday - that way, I can 'close the book' on that period knowing exactly how much I've paid off each account. YNAB doesn't let me do that, but I can definitely see myself going back to it when I'm debt free and have a nice buffer built up.

sashybo

Hi Tim, must admit I was a bit perplexed at first with how to manage YNAB when both DH & I are paid 4-weekly.

I think I have it set up in a way that will work for us but if not there are a few different approaches to try.

I think the main thing YNAB or your own spreadsheet is doing is making us think about what/when we are spending.

My DH and I are on a decent combined income and although a lot is paying off debt there should be some surplus but it just seems to disappear - we're spending without thinking and that's what I want to stop. Anything that can help me do that is a big help.

I use the snowball calculator to keep track of what I'm paying off the debt every month as well.

sashybo

Back to work today for 7 late shifts, horrible weather and really would rather hibernate than have to leave the house. Not starting until 2pm just gives me more time to sulk about having to go to work.

Am quite stiff and sore this morning from the Yoga yesterday so just shows how unfit I am again after stopping for a couple of months. Will try and brave the cross trainer tomorrow. :eek:

Have made my daily £1 payment to the CC. Have got uniform out for work and my dinner ready to take with me, just need to make some lunch to take as well, will do that later. Need to leave a bit earlier as need to go to the bank to cash a cheque for DH and also need to post his health policy claim for the chiropractor (we both get the money back through work up to x amount).

Cats are running around mad chasing each other up and down stairs whilst I'm keeping an ear out for any deliveries and the recycling bin lorry - don't want the bin blowing away when it's been emptied. :cool:

betsycat

Having a break from yoga really creeps up on you doesn't it? I'm back to yoga classes today (we have a yoga teacher at our office once a week for £5, a bargain as she's brilliant) having not done yoga for a good few months... I'm in for a world of pain! hope you've loosened up a bit over the course of the morning.

debtfreeoneday

i've not done yoga, but always fancied it.. boo to 7 days at work!

Hope you're ok X

sashybo

Hi betsy & DFOD, my goodness I couldn't believe how sore I was this morning! Hope you're feeling better now betsy. :rotfl:

I thought Yoga was going to be easier on me than the dreaded cross-trainer (hate hate hate cardio but not going to lose fat without it).

Loosened up a bit as the day went on but can still feel the sore muscles. Just doing a DVD as I said, would like to go to a class but don't know if I would have the motivation & also find it scary to do new things - am very much a creature of habit and a worrier. Something to think about.

Yes boo to nasty shifts but only 6 more to go now then 2 days off. :j
Work was fine, managed to bank the cheque, post the claim form & then went to buy some cleaning stuff before work (only spent £3).

sashybo

Went on the cross-trainer this morning. :eek: It hurt and I only managed 10 minutes before I was too knackered to keep going.

Did manage 20 squats and 10 minutes of Pilates concentrating on my arms. Half of the arm segment is using small hand weights so of course the young cat was jumping up at me trying to get the weights and then lying on the mat underneath me when I was trying to do the plank etc. :rotfl:

I'm sure I'll feel the pain tomorrow, was certainly feeling it in my arms during the workout but hoping to do another half an hour or so of Yoga just to keep in the habit. Always find it easier to fit exercise in on late shifts, on early shifts just feel knackered when I get home and don't want to do anything.

Washing put on on a timer when I got home last night so was ready to hang on the clothes horse when I got up.

Dinner for work all ready to go, again just need to make some sandwiches to take for lunch. Need to return a couple of parcels via the Amaz0n lockers (never done that before so should be interesting) and post a couple of cards before work. Don't think I need to get anything else urgently so will wait until I do before venturing into any shops.

Weather is set to be dire over the weekend so work will probably be manic and stressful.

buddiebabe

Well done on the exercise you will be glad of the benefits later I really need to get back into some form of exercise. I really enjoy swimming but havent been for ages. I think I may have to reinstate my gym membership through hubby's work its £10 a month for gym, swimming and all classes.

Really not looking forward to the bad weather just make sure you stay safe

Buddiebabe x