Reality Check...

milasavesmoney

Reality, budgeting is a learned skill. It is step by step and month by month. As long as you don't increase your debt, you can count it as a neutral month. Just be sure to not do it too often and you will continue to be a success. You might want to post your debt repayment monthly just to keep it on the front burner.

Sad that we are spending more on the dogs grooming than our own. I do that too.

One thing I meant to ask you is if you have a lot of makeup, toiletry, lotion etc type items? Perhaps if you do and set a goal of using up what you already have, it might help you save money over the next months, year? Every bit helps and it feels good to get through something and think I have not wasted that and I've saved money. It's a very satisfying feeling.

reality_check

I've been trying to pay back £1000 a month recently since my commission has been good and still leaving money to have a life meaning my debt isn't going up for the first time in years!! Paying back £500 in August is still good, I just want more lol

My dog definetly gets more money spent on pampering himself these days than I do!!

I don't really have hoards of make up, I'm not very experimental and I use the same products every day and mix it up slightly with my eyes if it is at night so unfortunetly I don't have a big stash to use up. Same with skin care I use the same stuff until it's done then replace. What I do have a lot of is body creams/lotions and the reason this isn't going down isn't because I keep buying it's because I am so bad at using it!! I really should make more of an effort. I might try leaving it out and making sure I lather it on after every shower/bath.

This weekend I am doing absolutely nothing and I can not wait! Do a bit of housework tonight then I plan to lay on the sofa with a bottle of wine and I am making thai green curry for dinner tonight. Don't mean to blow my own trumpet but it is really, really good. We got a bit fed up of it because after I first made it I made it constantly lol but haven't made it in a while so really looking forward to it and there will be plenty left over to get about 3 lunch portions out of. I think my wine stash is coming to an end, I haven't bought any in months!! My favourite is Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc and every week in Tesco I would always add 2 bottles into the trolley, but...at £20 that is now half my weekly food shop in Lidl I won't be starting this habbit again. My purse and liver will thank me in the long run.

I am very late to this party....I have started watching Prison Break - I am addicated! I love it!! Started last Sunday and been watching a few every night I am nearly finished season 1! I am sure everyone has watched it or has much busier lives to dedicate hours to Netlfix like I do...but if like me you do, I can't recommend it enough!!

Happy Friday everyone xxx

note3

Lol ooh yes the gorgeous prison break boys. ..yum!
They have both appeared in flash a few times which has been delightful!

I said to hubby about the series power...we've just watched 3 of the series powers but aren't sure how good it is so may switch to your one!

Sorry to hear how costly the MOT was although you dipped into the money you've been saving for your dad i still think you should see that as a small victory as you didn't use a card or over draft

milasavesmoney

I too use only certain make ups etc., but have a rather large glut of lotions. I have lots of foot lotion. I bought some Ahava while in Israel and then the family started ordering it for me for various holiday events because I said I liked how it made my feet feel. Same with facial creams.

I was able to put money into my 3-6 month emergency fund for the first time in three months.

Could you please share the green Thai curry recipe? I have kefir lime leaves languishing in my crisper drawer.

reality_check

Some of the boys are a treat to look at, very easy on the eyes! :happyhear

I follow this recipe - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/greencurrypaste_67789

But I add in about triple the amount of garlic, ginger and chilli. I use chicken, onion, peppers and carrots mixed in with the paste with the juice of a lime added along with a can of coconut milk. I also basically cover it in corriander and extra chilli on top and sometimes some extra lime again. Really easy and a one pot wonder.

A successful weekend of doing nothing was had and I never spent a penny. My sister came round on Saturday with her kids but she brought dinner so that was a purse friendly Dominos.

Pay day is today!! :T I don't have much movement for anything going wrong/any extras not budgetted for. £500 replaced from what I took last month, £500 paid back towards money I owe my Dad and 2 direct debits at £100 each meaning I have reduced my debt by £700 in August

I am off to Barcelona for a few days next week and also off work! Then summer will be well and truley over and need to start thinking about........Christmas!! :eek: Sorry for saying that word in August! xxx

louby40

Hi RC

Well done on the debt busting for August!

We've just started watching The Killing on Netflix, 4 episodes in and it's quite good. Tried the Power and couldn't get into it.

Have fun in Barcelona - great city!

roomontheend

Wow, great news on your reduction for August. I haven't started thinking about Christmas yet but I will have to start in September and hopefully by that time I will know about supply work. I know there is a good chance of long term supply at a local school after Christmas but not sure about any before. So the Christmas budget could change although either way I won't be going mad.

reality_check

Thanks Louby! Never heard of The Killing but will be needing something new after Prison Break so will check it out.

I am looking forward to Barcelona, been a few times and I know it can be pricey. Well can be as expensive as you make it but my friends don't understand the word BUDGET! Not that I do much lol but I am def learning.

My plan for the remainder of the year to tackle debt is as follows -

September - £700
October - £1200
November - £1200
December - £300

Each month includes my direct debits of £200 plus an extra £100 as interest free period ends on one part of my Barclays card then.

In December whatever commission is left I will budget for Christmas, should be about £800. Not the best way by not budgeting in advance but it is the route I am going down this year.

If all goes to plan my debt should be -

Barclays £3100
Virgin £2300
Santander £2000
Loan £3000

Fingers crossed I can pull this off, means by debt will end the year on £10,400 which is a big difference from January when it was at £18,675.63. It is only August and a lot can change but this is the plan! September is a lower month because...I'm getting Botox and a lip filler and will come in about £500. I have had it before and I know a lot of people may frown (def won't be me!!) upon this in general never mind paying all that money when in debt, but oh well...looks like I'm growing old disgracefully!!!

reality_check

Just saw your post Roomontheend...good luck with the supply work! Is it primary or secondary? I would have liked to have been a teacher I think. Can't believe it is mid August already...where has the year gone?! By New Years resolutions still haven't kicked in!!!

reality_check

Forgot breakfast and lunch today!! Well I forgot breakfast and had nothing in for lunch.. Didn't fancy the greasy canteen food so skipped breakfast and survived on cups of tea so was starving come lunch. £2.85 on a Costa iced latte and then £6.25 in M&S on bottle of water, chicken salad and carrot and humous...£9 gone like that!! It was nice but by lunch anything would taste nice. This is a true reflection of the old me, I would say on average I spend £10 a day in work!! I am annoyed but I can get over it knowing it is a one off. I am more annoyed at the old me wasting £200 a month!!