Back to Basics August

Burlesque_Babe

I'm now in the very fortunate position now of being debt free and also having healthy savings in the bank.

However, the reason I got into all the debt in the first place was because I spent aimlessly and foolishly. Want and need became want and want.

Over July, I've had a 'heavy' month financially. Some of it was a necessary evil - £48 for the MOT and then £180 an hour later for the car tax last weekend :eek: but some of it wasn't..........£24 for an ice cream maker....that I'm sure will make amazing icecream (hoping the Challenge Lenny girls don't read that!).....:o

Becoming debt free was a batten down the hatches military operation for about a year and I never ever want to go back there.

I've been thinking since I got up (the things you think of in bed!!!) to have a real 'back to basics' month in August. I've got a clear social diary (how sad does that make me sound?!) and I've got no known expenses.

I'm going to give myself £100 for the month. That's for food, petrol and anything else non-bills that comes up. I've got a fair bit in the freezer to get me going. I'm going to draw it out of the cashpoint later and empty what change I have in my purse into my mortgage free savings tin.

It's not a case of needing to do this, it's more a case of just wanting to re-affirm my learnt habits before I find myself 'borrowing' money from my savings for bits and pieces that aren't necessary - it's a slippery slope.

So, this might seem a bit of an indulgent way to do it, but the thread will mean I can keep tabs daily on what I am doing. It should be do-able and I just want to have a month of re-focusing on examining my spending habits just to keep me in check.

jo1972

Well done Keren for doing so well and stopping yourself from becoming complacent, it's all too easy to get back into the grips of debt.

You are an inspiration

tesuhoha

Maintaining debt freedom is just as important as getting there in the first place.

betti911

Well done. Let us know your progress.

lynzpower

I completely agree with you there Im exactly the same.

Whether Ill be on this challenge I dont know Keren, but i am with you totally, I seem to be spending rather a lot at the mo

CAFCGirl

Good Luck and well done on recognising the early signs of the slippery slope...

All the best xx

Cazzdevil

Good on you Keren, it'd be all too easy to fall back into bad habits because you know you've got no debts to pay off so I applaud your realisation of this!

Although I don't have any debts I have a habit of overspending so I could do to follow this challenge myself, however this month I have £200 to fork out for the car (tax and a repair), and I have a weeks holiday at the end of the month so I'm likely to spend a bit on that!

Very best of luck though, I'll be following this with interest

Snaggles

keren29 wrote: »

£24 for an ice cream maker....that I'm sure will make amazing icecream (hoping the Challenge Lenny girls don't read that!).....:o

As Toto would say....BUSTED!!!

Sounds like a great challenge, can't wait to see how you get on - we need to have a cheap month too (well, several cheap months actually :rolleyes: ), so I'll be coming here for a bit of inspiration I think!

Good luck xxx

Burlesque_Babe

well, I've bought the stamps I needed and popped the change into my tin which can't be opened - it's one of those tin can ones. Got £100 out of the cashpoint, so from tomorrow - here goes.

As an example of how I was starting to think - my car radio has to be key coded each time I use it and the button had fallen off. I'd moved a button from somewhere else on the front and that fell off too.

Rather than think - find the buttons in the car, I was thinking - oh stuff it, just go to halfords and get a cheap new one fitted.

I only listen to the radio so don't need a posh one (my current one is cassette not CD) but my mind had already gone 'spend, not mend'

So, I've knocked that on the head - moved another button and I'll get down on my hands and knees later and try to find where the others are in the car!!

hypno06

It's a bit like losing weight - I have no problem going on a diet and reaching goal, but staying there is the hardest bit. As a result of not getting it cracked, I have had a lifetime of yo yo dieting!

So, good on you for recognising the early signs of losing the plot (so to speak!) and for doing something about it.

I think a number of us are on for a frugal month, so we will be watching this thread with interest! Good luck x

juliapenguin

Hello keren29

I'm also having a lean month - so I'll also be checking your thread for inspiration and good ideas.

Good luck!

Julia x