Diary of my new life !!!

benbenandme

Well, I hope you guys don't mind if I start yet another diary, but having read loads of others I think it would help me stay on track. Firstly I will explain my situation ... I'm not actually in debt but if I don't watch every penny I know I could be quite easily. I did wonder whether to do this on another board but I read this board more than any other and I think of myself as a dfw.

Okay, well I'm a single parent and have recently moved to a new area, I am starting a new job in September. I will post my soa for you all in a minute, I am able to live off the money I have coming in but I want better than that for my little 'un and so I am always looking for extra ways to make money / save money etc. Part of the reaon I am wanting to do this diary is so I can see how I've managed since I moved, which I never thought would be possible when my ex left me.

So, anyhow, my soa:

Income:
My wages: £580
Maintenance:£280
Child Ben £72
Tax Credits £198

Total = £1130

Outgoings:
Mortgage £340
Contents £9
Life Ins £28
Elec £50
Water £20
TV Licence £10
Phone/B.band £30
Mobile £25
Council tax £70
Ground rent £15
Service charge £25

Food £150
Petrol £60
Car tax £10
Car insurance £28
Car maintenance £30

Total £900

This leaves me with £230 a month for anything else. Some of this will be changing next month as ds starts school and childcare costs will be approx £150 per month. I should get more tax credits to cover some of this but this isn't sorted yet :mad:

My plans (see signature) are to save £200 a month for mortgage overpayments - so far this year I have managed to find the money. This has come from overtime / mystery shopping / quidco etc.

Thats the baics, I'll explain Augusts aims in the next post

benbenandme

I finish my current job on 6th August and don't start my new one until 1st September. I have holiday pay / overtime to come from my old job though so I should still get a normal pay at th end of the month. However it does mean I have a few weeks to concentrate on sorting out a few bits before I start work and ds starts school. I am aiming to make £500 by 1st September from car booting and ebay. I have tonnes of stuf in my garage that was supposed to be car-booted before we moved but it didn't happen, so that needs to go in the next month!
I'm also going to try and get the matched betting started too. I'm off to figure out where my bank account is up to at the moment and will post again in a bit when I have got August budget finalised ....

racer256

Just dropping a line to say good luck. xx

sophiesmum_2

Good Luck with everything. I am now debt free too but still keep coming to this site as it helps keep me focused on finances.
sounds like you have achieved lots already on your own and made a good life for you and Ben.

sophiesmum:D

spud30

Hi love, I've been wondering how you were getting on in your new life.

Good luck with the new job :beer:

hypno06

Good luck with everything! A diary will be a great way to keep you focussed x

benbenandme

Hmmm .... well, having checked the bank accounts I am actually £509 overdrawn :eek: :eek: :eek: I know its not a huge amount but normally I am on top of it but with the move and everything all my payments have gone a bit skew-whiff (sp?) , well now I have even more reason to make that £500 in August!! :rolleyes:

benbenandme

Spud .... I still have the breadmaker !!! I'm so sorry, I forgot all about it !!!

spud30

benbenandme wrote: »

Spud .... I still have the breadmaker !!! I'm so sorry, I forgot all about it !!!

Dont worry about it :rolleyes:

I bought a new one.

It cooked the first batch of pizza dough I made into a loaf so I sent it back and got a replacement. The second one arrived while I was at school, and my hubby worked out I was pressing rapid bake instead of start and had been working perfectly all along

millionaire_in_training

Good luck to you. A diary is a great way to stay focussed. x

benbenandme

Today was my birthday so I have acquired more money !!! Yay !!!:beer: I have booked an appointment to have my hair done tomorrow so I have something to show for it !! Today I have spent £7.40 on ice-creams and drinks, and have had a lovely day with ds down the beach :beer:
On the money side of stuff I have "earned" £14 with quidco although only £9 has tracked so far.