Can definitely do better!

Hollyboll

Belated welcome nm ... sounds like you've done really well to buy out so much already, and I'm sure you'll manage the target.
Like you I live by myself and I find that when I plan food (even a few days in advance; there are many on here who do amazing months of mealplans and batches and freezers etc) and take packed lunches when I'm out it makes a massive difference ... saves money and also makes me eat properly which in turn makes me want to keep eating properly which saves money etc .. when I don't it all slips together

I've not got into Swaggbucks, but have found P1necone good ....

Best of luck on your journey!

new_mortgageeee

Thanks Hollyboll! Haha yes, sounds very similar just have to try and keep organised and keep planning I guess... Some peoples diaries on here are really amazing - lots to learn!!

new_mortgageeee

Nearly a NSD until the very end!!

Still surprisingly well within budget though: £29.21/£40.00. So should have thought about this sooner...

Couple of surveys this evening, aaand relax :j

turtlemoose

Ref the notice period, it is the statutory amount - link

The difference is only 3 weeks. If it is playing on your mind but the new job is so much better, why not take it, save up 3 weeks wages....voila now you have the same protection and 3 extra weeks of job hunting instead of working notice.

MoneyEM

Hii, I've been reading your thread and noticed you said you were using a spending diary app. I was just wondering which one you use? I use "My Budgets" and I think it's great!

gallygirl

new_mortgageeee wrote: »

Interestingly, I've done a couple of spreadsheets and a detailed SOA calculation, and these tell me I should have in the region of £650 leftover at the end of the month - for OP/saving. I know for a fact that this is a lie!

Of course if your SOA says you have £650 spare then you could overpay it at the start of the month and then you wouldn't be able to spend it . It's known as 'pay yourself first' and works great, maybe the whole £650 is extreme but possibly £500 once you've seen what you've learnt from this month?

turtlemoose wrote: »

Ref the notice period, it is the statutory amount - link

The difference is only 3 weeks. If it is playing on your mind but the new job is so much better, why not take it, save up 3 weeks wages....voila now you have the same protection and 3 extra weeks of job hunting instead of working notice.

Seconded :T.

Hollyboll

Thirded. Life and employment are unpredictable and notice periods don't mean that much. Three weeks' difference (for something you think very unlikely) over the first two years not a good reason not to take a job if it's otherwise better.
Whether it (statutory minimum) is standard depends on the sector and level, but it's likely to be standard for that employer so not open to negotation.
I'd be more interested in making sure your notice is reciprocal ... if you get a great job offer or win the lottery in 3 years, can you give them 2 weeks' notice before naffing off to a carribean island? Or at most a month ...

new_mortgageeee

MoneyEM wrote: »

Hii, I've been reading your thread and noticed you said you were using a spending diary app. I was just wondering which one you use? I use "My Budgets" and I think it's great!

Hi EM, I use Moni currently - I like how simple it is. Just put in a budget, and it keeps a running total against this (it probably does heaps more). There seem to be loads and loads; I'll probably be playing with a few for some time! Will check out My Budgets too thanks!

new_mortgageeee

Thanks all for the notice advice... You're right of course - I'll just make sure a months salary is in an easy access savings account. Looks like I'll be off to pastures new in June! Well, across the border into Devon at least. Eep!

And thanks gallygirl... I might give that "pay yourself first", sounds like a great way to curb spending!

MoneyEM

new_mortgageeee wrote: »

Hi EM, I use Moni currently - I like how simple it is. Just put in a budget, and it keeps a running total against this (it probably does heaps more). There seem to be loads and loads; I'll probably be playing with a few for some time! Will check out My Budgets too thanks!

I downloaded a load when i was first looking for an app to keep a record of my spending.

My Budgets works perfectly for me because it allows you to set up budgets for categories and then log your spending so you can see how much you have left in your various categories... Also if you have an iPad then it gives you access to see some pie charts and graphs so you can see what categories you are spending the most money on, which can help identify areas which you could make savings I like looking at the yearly cash flow one because it makes me feel proud of how much I have been saving It's a shame this function isn't available on the phone version though