Reality Check...

enthusiasticsaver

I aim for Nsds for last few days before payday and ideally 1 or 2 after so I don't get tempted to blow the budgets. Almost like a fast before lent

reality_check

That's a good way to look at it, I'm def not as bad as I used to be in the past, it was as if it was a challenge to get the money out the bank asap as soon as I was paid! I always look around me in work on payday, everyone has websites up buying things, takeaway lunches, full weekends planned that cost an arm and a leg and then complain they have no money a week later!

I have no money to spend other than food, petrol and dog walking and they are all planned spends. I do have a few suvrey payouts coming in, and I might try find something to sell and see if I can bring in anything extra between now and payday...

Everything seems to be going all too well...the last time this happened my boiler broke down!! Hopefully this is just a sign of good times ahead and not something coming in my way to sabbotage me! July I hope to get the credit card down to £1,000 and August pay I am hoping to clear it off + my MOT. September to November I think I will start a 50/50 debt repayment/emergency fund, this money is for my Dad and will be in the bank, so need to practice strict self control! I have cracked the not using my overdraft, I am about 90% there with not using a credit card, but I have never had to deal with money in the bank and not spending it! Might open another bank account, but I am getting too far ahead, will deal with that when the time comes! xx

louby40

I'm panicking about not having an emergency fund now. Once I've paid my builder for my kitchen I'm poor and if anything goes wrong I'll be in trouble.

You've done well for paying so much off! Life is so bloomin expensive!

reality_check

I think having an overdraft and credit card is still my backup emergency fund that makes it hard to actually save for one. I am down to ONE credit card for the first time in my life!! I don't think once I pay it off I will ever be credit card free as it is handy for booking holidays, large purchases etc for peace of mind, but I hope to never ever live beyond my means again.

I can’t wait to get this debt gone and continue living like this for a few years to get money in the bank. In an ideal world I would like about £10,000 savings in my bank that I don’t touch and another £5,000 in my bank that my wages are added to each month so I am not living month to month and having money in the bank to actually buy things if and when I want them. But yeah, def getting carried away with myself right now!! :rotfl:

Where has the sun gone?! Grey skies, clouds and rain is the forecast for the week. I only have a 4 day week this week as have a hospital appointment on Friday. I can’t wait for maternity leave, I am working right up until a week before my due date, would rather the time at the other end, but of course this is subject to change if I get too tired. Been looking at hotels in Brighton, can’t believe how expensive they are, could have a week in the sun!!

Can’t be bothered with work at all right now, but not long left…we had theee most boring meeting for 3 hours today so has made my day drag in, the only positive was it was taken by our new bosses boss boss and he was very easy on the eye, but my gaydar never lets me down so all the giggling females in the room are sure to be disappointed! xxx

reality_check

Some survey money cleared from paypal, so rounded it up and made another £50 payment to Barclays, I think this will be the last of the £50 chunks unless I can make more money...hope I don't regret this, as I still have 17 days until pay day........xx

reality_check

I need to buy some chicken and sour cream today for tonights dinner, and other than that don't plan to spend another penny. Having a night in with my daughter watching the Pretty Little Liar's finale, so making her favourite requested chicken fajitas. We have watched this for years and I will be so annoyed if I find out anything before tonight!! Having a day off social media! I don't really go on things like Facebook anymore, but addicted to Instagram - I check this more than Facebook these days!! Hope you all have a good day! xxx

reality_check

I had to put petrol in the car last night, and I know I shouldn't....but I always buy a scracthcard and some chocolate and include it in my petrol spends! So....I put £43 in, £1 bag of Buttons and then £1 scratchcard and won £20!! This weekend we have a football charity race night that Mr Marine’s friends are putting on, so I will be the designated driver and can use my £20 for that, I had planned to spend the change in my purse which was about £12 so this will be handy. Other than that, another boring non spend weekend. I am loving these lazy weekends though.

I have been on looking at Coast for dresses for the wedding, but I refuse to spend that money on a dress I will never wear again! I doubt I can squeeze into my current size 10 dresses days after giving birth, but refuse to buy so who knows what I will be looking like!! Apart from the work clothes my friends gave me, I basically live in leggings...are leggings def not wedding wear acceptable?! xxx

Cherryfudge

You should start a trend .

I got a gorgeous dress in the sale at Coast, but I've had time to practice getting into it! I wonder if there's anywhere that hires suitable attire? There must be a market for that.

Ah, yes. Google says there is.

How nice to have an unexpected £20, and well done for not immediately turning it into more tickets!

reality_check

I could look into hiring, or maybe at a push squeeze myself into a floaty dress that I have that can be quite forgiving...only 5 and a bit weeks left until due date!!

Nothing much to update on the spending front, still have no money, but also not spending money! Possibly going to have to put Brighton onto a credit card if we book before payday....I am going to pay for one or two nights in a nice place for the wedding and OH is going to book somewhere else for a few days since we have went so far may aswell make the most of it. I would probably just rather come home plus I dont think OH has really any idea of how much stuff a baby needs! We are going to have a packed up car as if we are leaving for a month!!

Speaking of cars, I think I am going to keep my car for now....it might seem very impractical since I have a little tiny convertible MINI…but realistically we are hardly going to be in my car with the pram, at a push the pram can go on the back seat and 2 adults and a baby can squeeze in, but during the week will only be me and we can use OH’s car at the weekend. Mr Marine is all for me taking his car and selling mine all because he wants a new car! I have said no….for now anyway.

Have a good week everyone xxx

reality_check

Had a bit of drama last night! My daughters bf's flat was broken into, he has just moved in a few weeks ago after moving out from living with his grandparents and now this has happened. They have taken my daughters laptop and ipad, his laptop, playstation and xbox. He didn't have contents insurrance as never knew anything about it and assumed his landlord would have things for this happening?! I kept going on about how they should have had insurrance, which I know wasn't helpful, but I suppose if you don't know something why would he have taken it out?!

I feel really bad for them. They had the police out but they have said it is very unlikely they will see anything again. Both laptops are Apple and cost approx £1,300 each to replace. None of them have any savings to replace them.

My daughter does need her laptop for uni in September, and she does use it every day just for personal use, same with her bf. I think I am going to have to fork out on a new one for her, but then I feel bad for her bf, so think it is going to cost me £2,600!! Money I really don't have, but how can I buy one and not the other?! He doesn't have anyone he can ask, her nan and grandad just don't have that kind of money to lend him....

What would you all do?!

I did consider maybe telling them I can buy them and they can pay me back...but they really don't have any extra money to do that. I know it is a luxuary and not an essential, but they are just 20 year olds who use the above stolen things every day. I called my home insurrance to see if I had cover outwith the home - I don't. xxx