Reality Check...

reality_check

Nothing much to report, just a boring Tuesday. Pouring with rain this morning, so there was no motivation to go a run before work. Last night I made a big pot of soup, enough for 8 containers to bring into work for lunch. I am so tired today, trying to stay awake with plenty coffee and chocolate...can't wait to get home!

I spent £3.24 taking cold meat and bread into my mums when I popped in after work yesterday, and also put £12.08 petrol in my car...this was the exact amount of change I had in my purse after buying the above so I am hoping will last me until Friday, doubt it though maybe Thursday at a push.

I won £10 in work on a Grand National bet that cost me £1 last week, but someone is retiring and it is £10 per person!! Excessive as it is normally just a collection that is passed round and the team with the person leaving normally do something...but she's been here 27 years so maybe why...I wouldn't mind if she was nice, but she's actually a cheeky ?!@>!# - I am just trying to tell myself it has only really cost me a £1 and not £10.

Keep checking my pay slip online to see if it has come up yet, don't know why as it is normally day before or 2 if we are lucky, just really want to know how much I am being paid as it varies!

Set up 2 sub accounts within my online banking. Decided I just need to get a grip and be a responsible adult!! I have an Emergency fund pot that current has £1 in it....Will transfer £99 on Friday with the aim of £1000 and also set up a Home and Car Insurance fund which I have put April's £50 budget into already, I need £600 by April next year to cover my car and home insurance.

Feeling in control now I have made the conscious effort to budget for the unexpected xx

note3

That's unbelievably cheeky to expect you to contribute that much. If the company or team want to spend on something big it should be their money not forcing everyone to pay!!!

milasavesmoney

:TExcellent news that you have set up these accounts. It's a very responsible and very smart money strategy. It shows you are serious about getting yourself in a much healthier money situation.:T

reality_check

I know it is cheeky, but I have reluctantly paid up...the thing is no one is happy we are all moaning about it but no one will say anything so we just need to get on with it.

I have been up since 5 am this morning!! I went home last night from work and had a bottle of wine and large bag of Doritos for dinner, how ridiculous! and then passed out early hence my early rise today. Trying to redeem myself, took the dog an early morning run and I have juiced for breakfast, brought another to have before lunch and some soup and then tonight for dinner will have some chicken, veg and sweet potato....not that this is anything to do with my debt busting.

I have allocated £30 per week for shopping for the next 4 weeks....this might be an under estimation, I am pretty sure it is, but I am going to see how far it can get me and really meal plan and budget. On Friday I am going to take out £120 and keep this money in a separate envelope.

I am also giving myself £100 spending money, it is unrealistic not to and then when I do something and use a credit card because I've put every penny towards it and have nothing so I just use the card again without thinking and end up spending more than I have paid off! This way I have money and can do with it as I please and won't feel guilty.

I have a petrol budget of £100, I am hoping will come in slightly less...but never properly measured it. Safe to say by 1st April keeping track of all spending hasn't happened, just remembered I claimed I would do that! :rotfl: Unrealistic as usual.

I need to wait until my wage slip is up tomorrow but hoping after my direct debits and budgets I will have £700/800 to pay towards debt....roll on Friday!! xxx

reality_check

Afternoon diary!

Every month in work we have a benefit where each employee gets £47.58 and it can be used towards a variety of things, health insurance, vouchers etc or you can buy a weeks holiday which is what I always do or just take the money in your wage.

You are better off using the money to buy things as oppose to taking the cash as you aren't taxed on the money, but after a few calculations I have decided to take the cash this year.

I will be up an extra £570.96 a year plus my average commission is around £185 so that week off effectively costs me approx £750. A week off is great but this year with not going on holiday i will make do with the generous 6 weeks that we are given.

Pay day tomorrow!! Pay slips in and can't wait to get paying over the weekend and organisng my budgets...I am determined to stick to food and spending budgets this month!!

milasavesmoney

:)You are really doing so well. You are remaining focused and determined. I love that you are strategizing!!:T:T:T:

reality_check

Change of plan....

Today is pay day and been paid a little more than I thought, so my new plan is:

Minimum payments on credit cards
£100 petrol budget
£120 food budget
£100 spending money
£50 car/home insurance fund
£1000 emergency fund

Having that safety net will give me peace of mind when I close down credit cards. I am going to continue with £100 a month saving into this fund.

Happy Fridayyyy! xx

reality_check

I also have a confession...

Currently I pay £27.99 to Virgin for broadband and a phone line I had a call offering my double speed broadband with a new router plus top TV package with the new Tivo with no sports or movies for £31.03...so I have justified the £3 increase. It is for 12 months with no obligation to continue....not very MSE, but I got it and think will put in my daughters bedroom as I have my TV on the wall and don't want an ugly box plus I hardly watch TV programs on TV mostly Netflix or ch4.

I don't feel guilty and can justify the £36.48 over 12 months xx

milasavesmoney

I find if I put my emergency fund savings where it's hard to get to, it will sit safely in savings. :A So it's in a savings account that I have no debit card for and I physically have to go across town to take money out. I have to be strick with myself or I'll get into it and spend it...always for a 'good' reason. Getting it far out of my reach has made a big difference.
I have started putting money in it again because I joined the 3-6 month Emergency Fund challenge. It's fun to see that number grow.

Eager_Elephant

reality_check wrote: »

Set up 2 sub accounts within my online banking. Decided I just need to get a grip and be a responsible adult!! I have an Emergency fund pot that current has £1 in it....Will transfer £99 on Friday with the aim of £1000 and also set up a Home and Car Insurance fund which I have put April's £50 budget into already, I need £600 by April next year to cover my car and home insurance.

Feeling in control now I have made the conscious effort to budget for the unexpected xx

:T Well done on setting up some savings pots - it feels great doesn't it??


And well done for putting money in on pay day rather than waiting for the end of the month only to realise you have spent all the money!!