Newbie and a spendaholic overeating carer!

Overeating-spendaholic

gfplux wrote: »

Write this list down, date it and put it on the fridge door. Check daily how you are measuring up to your own plan.

That's a great idea! I need to be able to see what I am doing to keep me going!!! Thanks

Overeating-spendaholic

Well I feel like such a fool! How technology inliterate am I??!!! Maybe I should go to the local college for some IT lessons - anyway the reason YNAB is free on App Store is because you have to have the program to then be able to use the app!! Embarrassed again!!! Well I don't have £30 at the moment well I do have but I need to try not to go any further into the overdraft so will see! But I think it will help me as I do always get caught out with the amount of time it takes for money to come out of the account!

Anyway on another note rather impressed with myself, I have downloaded and set up cash back sites! It's taken me a while and I should so be getting on with housework/food top up shop but instead I have been looking at cash back sites! I have seen that the ones I use I can get cash back from so all is good! Let's try to generate some extra cash whilst saving in many areas! Feeling very determined and positive today - I feel it's going to be a good weekend!

tlc678910

If you go to the YNAB website you can download a free trial of the software (30 days I think) to check it out before you decide to pay for it.

It is best to watch a few of their tutorials (free) to learn how to use it. Good luck

xJOJOx_2

There's lot of other free budget apps available at the moment. Just use the search tool. Download a couple and see which one suits you best. It will give you a start.

I however stick to pen and paper :-D I'm very good with technology however this is what I perfer. I do use a spending diary app though, too lazy to write all that down.

Keep up the hard work xx

rising_from_the_ashes

I've tried loads of budgeting apps and can't get to grips with them

I use an excel spreadsheet - I keep all my receipts and log them a couple of times a week

debtfreeoneday

i did the free trial and then managed to nab the software on offer for £7.50.. money well spent I reckoned!

Will subscribe.. well done for taking control.. it will get easier..

A few things I would echo is menu planning, it's revolutionised our diets and food shopping, we spend £260 a month (£60 a week) for two adults, 4 year old twins and a cat and I never spent all £60 - make it a mission not to!

The entertainment budget for your little one.. I use my child benefit, £25 of it gets saved for them, £25 gets saved by us for things they need like swimming lessons, school uniform and the rest is their clothes and outings.. £86 ish a month and again I never spend all of that.. wherever we go, I take packed lunches for them and for me.. a local park, trekking on their bikes or just running about on the beach etc and my are happy..

Definitely two areas where I think you could save a bit..

Good luck - will subscribe to follow your journey!

When_the_going_gets_tough

Hi OS - I don't think play centres had really been invented when mine were little so we didnt have a lot of choicce really! I guess free meet ups are a bit harder work but then they are free! It does require people to agree to let their houses get a bit messy or everyone get a - sometimes excess- of fresh air! Good luck with it all.

Kittycat1981

Hi x

Ive been reading through you journey so far, well done you

Im saddened to think about you loosing out on your mummy friends because of finances. Have you tried your local Sure Start children's centre, (give your local council a call or Google children centre in your area for more info) Most of their play sessions will be completely free of charge, many of them have sensory rooms you can hire free of charge too. You will meet lots of new parents and children too.

Sure Start Childrens centres are for any one with a child under 5 regardless of their income, in some areas i know there are stigmas attached to them- but take it from someone who has worked in a few for over 10 years, we see people from ALL walks of life - from wealthy "well off" families to those without 2 pennies to rub together. A massive diverse mix of people.

I am not very good with budgeting apps, i am a bit like rising from the ashes - i use an excel spreadsheet.

It does become addictive paying off debt ad saving money, not spending on non essential items and decluttering - ive paid off 16.8% of my 10K+ debt in just 6 weeks.

Good luck x Keep at it, - I look forward to reading how you progress x

Overeating-spendaholic

Hi everyone, well it's just a quickie for now as I sit down and have my cuppa and quick catch up. Will reply to all posts later.

Well it's been a crazy few days - work, family visiting and going through the new lifestyle! Been doing lots of researching and so far I have:

- will do my shop in aldi
- get other bits I can't get in there in tesco and then use the clubcard points to exchange for days out - never knew they had such a huge range.
- meal plan done - will upload later.
- partner opened ebay account to start selling some bits
- started a charity bag of bits off

Must dash for now be back later

loveka

Hello. I hope you won't think this harsh, but you are on a DMP and were still spending £300 a month on going out. A DMP is meant to get you out of debt, not facilitate you to continue to spend.

I think you really need to find out WHY you continued to overspend whilst already being in debt crisis. If you don't do that you may not solve the issue long term. How about visiting your GP and asking about counselling? It could really help you to find out why you do it, which is really the only way you can stop doing this forever. Practical steps are great,but you do need to find the emotional triggers.