Reality Check...

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Not sure...ask on the bank accounts or debt free wannabe main boards

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Ps. Sorry only doing quick replies at mo...surviving half term and either busy or shattered.. back on form next wk!!

reality_check

Looks like Virgin have credited my account by £250 as direct debit hasn't come off. When I called last week I was told my account had been credited rather than sending me a cheque, when I explained this wasn't to happen I was assured a cheque would come out in 35 days. I know it makes no difference in the long run as the £250 gives me just over 9 months credit, but I wanted the money to put a lump sum towards my debt. I don't know if I have the energy to call them....drives me mad!

No one has paid up their dog walking, I think I have had from my daughter once...going to ask her if she wants to set up a direct debit for me...I did feel bad, but I am teaching her to budget for the future and with minimum outgoings she has a high disposable income so don't feel too bad taking £20 a month from her....

All direct debits have come off my account now and I am left with £311.18.

I am hoping to have £250 left by the 15th.

£8.73 Virgin over payment as the balance is £3008.73 with £50 direct debit coming off a month and that odd figure will annoy me!
£20 dog walking
£15 petrol
£15 food

Fingers crossed this all goes to plan!!

milasavesmoney

I'm over here, in the States, cheering you on! :T:T:T

I have a similar problem of spending on my children (all grown and out of the house, but one) and so, this is the year I'm going to come to grips with my spending. I recognized myself when you wrote about spending too much on things for your daughter.
I think there are probably a lot of us like that, truth be known. But, spending money we don't have is not something I want my children to emulate. Thanks for being honest...it opened my eyes.

Let's do better. :beer:

reality_check

Hey Mila - My diary has gone international lol

I could do better, so I'm joining you in both doing better!

Just logged onto Quidco and transferred £4.74 to my bank that was sitting there. Then logged into Topcashback and I had £6.87 sitting there but I have been deducted £5 as an annual membership?! I didn't know this cost money!

On Topcashback I have £30.06 outstanding made up of £25.97 from Marks and Spenders from October last year!! and Ebay of £4.09 but that was just from last month. I don't know how long these things take?!

In work and brought lunch with me and some fruit so won't be spending a penny, forgot to take salmon out freezer for dinner tonight, normally I would think that's fine will go pick up xxxx and have it another day, but I am determined not to spend money today, so will make some pasta or noddles - a mini win for me being like this.

Work today then need to do a dump run, cleared out stuff from the garage at the weekend - who knows why I have kept this junk...millions of tins of paint in colours not even on my walls anymore and even if I did would be off....and boxes from when we moved nearly 3 years ago.

Went a run this morning before work and juiced some kale, carrots, lime and ginger and the sun is shining so feeling happy, plus tomorrow is Friday!! Hope everyone has a good day! xx

reality_check

I have just received my quarterly bill from Scottish Power for my Gas £198.07...I really need to get this switched over as I am on the worst standard tariff out there!

milasavesmoney

Great report today RC!!

NSD for me too. This month is going to be really tight. Our renter got layed off unexpectedly and even though he had a lease, I just could not hold him to it. He moved back to his hometown, across the country, so he's gone and no income from that property until I find another tenant.
I'm hoping to rent to a friend who is divorcing her husband. He beat her and their daughter up, which I was shocked by. No idea. Evidently he had smacked her around for years, but never their daughter. When he beat Victoria too, that was it for my friend. The thing is, she doesn't make much money and is hoping the housing athourity will give her adequate assistance. She has been approved but the home now has to pass. (Federal requirement) the good thing is the lady from housing is her good friend. So I'm hoping it all works out. We are coming down quite a bit on the rent, but she and her precious daughter needs help so we are just going to have to tighten our belts a bit more.
No idea why I told you all that, but it's weighing on my mind and so it spilled out.:o

chevalier

Hi Reality Check
Erm couple of things. I refer you to the SOA link I posted earlier. You can use this to set a budget ie for the quarterly and yearly things. Then you know what your true outgoings a month are. I would really recommend this to you, because it makes you think of what you spend in each category. You can fill it in by using the last 3 months of credit card and bank statements so you get a good idea of where you are at. Even if you don't post it on here, it might help you get a grip.

Re your daughter. You owe her this money but then she asks you for something and you pay it, but you don't say this is coming of what I owe you? Might be worth thinking about.

Good luck going forward
chev

reality_check

Mila, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, just shows you really don't know what goes on behind closed doors. I hope she gets it all sorted and she's lucky to have a great friend like you helping her out. Like you say it's a drop on your rental income, but times like this you realise money doesn't matter and getting your friend up on her feet again is far more valuable.

Chevalier I do need to do one of those SOA, I think I started one but never finished it, will have a look into it this week - thanks! With regards to the money I borrowed from my daughter, I will give me £1500 regardless of things I've bought her in between, I see your point but what I have bought her I just feel was my duty as a mother lol

I have decided to put off paying M&S this month and any other credit card when I am paid on the 15th - only the minimum amounts and will pay back £1000 to my daughter. M&S interest free is up in August so I don't want to clear and use again so I might leave for a few months and give myself a bit of pressure to make sure it is all paid back before the interest starts!

I have had a lovely but slightly spendy weekend that wasn't in my budget...it never is! I had a night in last night with my new hot date lol and I had planned to cook, but then never and spent £25 on a dominos. He did offer to pay, but he has honestly paid for mostly everything the few times we've been out I wanted to pay and didn't want to be that person....I have had the good end of the deal, a Dominos as oppose to the meals and drinks...!

I also spend £15 yesterday on a prescription, some chocolate and dog treats.

£40 spend...not the best, but not the worst and I have had a lovely weekend!

Monday tomorrow, the weekend goes too quick! Off to change my bedding, have a bath, dinner is in the oven and might get into bed about 7pm and watch The Goodwife - if you don't watch this, you should!! xx

reality_check

Another Monday! Couldn't get out my bed this morning, so no run. I def over slept last night as I am so tired today!

Nothing much to report, in work with breakfast and lunch with me so there won't be any unexpected spends.

Will need petrol for tomorrow so will get that after work. Pay day on Friday!!!