No more overspending

alice_kate_2

Claree__x wrote: »

Hiya!
We're in a similar position in that we earn a good living but still end up with money to pay on credit cards, it's crazy.

The best thing I've done is keep a spending diary. Not as thorough as some people do but I keep a spreadsheet of my bank transactions && puts them in categories.

Have you considered combining your finances? I know it's not for everyone.

Hiya

I know I don't know how it happens, the more you earn the more you spend I guess!

We do pretty much combine our finances i.e. we get paid into own accounts but split money out but you've prompted the idea of a joint account which I hadn't considered but think would be a very good idea so thanks :rotfl:

I've set up a spreadsheet and withdrawn some cash as spending on the card means I always spend too much at least cash I can physically see how much I've got!

x

thegreenone

I'm with your OH on not spending his inheritance on debts and his bonus. £13000! Put it in a high interest account or premium bonds (anywhere!) but DON'T touch it. That is your deposit for your next property.


Please sort out the spending first. I don't know what your DH does but I have an idea so completely get that he needs to walk the walk and look the part etc. So cutbacks do need to be made by both of you but I'm guessing mainly him! I would hope the thought of you having to take on a second job might prompt him to look closer at the figures.

Kitten868

The aim for this month is to have that £1200 at the end of the month build yourself up slowly. Xxx

alice_kate_2

Morning all

I am feeling very optimistic today! I am having a NSD.

Did a shop at Aldi last night and it came to £43.69 with enough food to last at least 2 weeks which is amazing, the equivalent shop at a normal supermarket normally comes in at about £100 :eek:

I've made a very detailed spending diary in the form of a speadsheet so I know exactly what has gone where and how much I should have left, I've also included a section for outstanding debts so I can keep an eye on the exact amounts left which is so useful.

Have a fab weekend everyone x

alice_kate_2

Kitten868 wrote: »

The aim for this month is to have that £1200 at the end of the month build yourself up slowly. Xxx

I've made a spreadsheet so that if that money isn't left I'll at least be able to figure out why! xx

Kitten868

My method is to pay off what should be there at the end at the beginning - if it's not there I can't spend it. So I make all my overpayments are made on pay day.
Or there's PADing as I know most people don't agree with my way of doing things x

alice_kate_2

Kitten868 wrote: »

My method is to pay off what should be there at the end at the beginning - if it's not there I can't spend it. So I make all my overpayments are made on pay day.
Or there's PADing as I know most people don't agree with my way of doing things x

That's how I used to work for savings and all of my bills go out straight away - will be doing this for the debts too, will be starting next month when we have figured out exactly what we spend on what.

I've made £270 payment to the HP today as I had some money in my Paypal that I wasn't aware of just need to be back on top of things ASAP as there's some new build houses coming soon in the location we want so need to do all we can to not miss out on those!

alice_kate_2

Evening all

Had a good weekend. Spent nothing yesterday and had some friends over for dinner so still had a good evening.

Today we went to look at a show house of the style we want to buy when the development opens and I think it really inspired H to save and also had a nice walk.

Had some Prezzo vouchers so treated ourselves to dinner so all in all a good weekend that cost nothing other than filling up my car!

Got H to use my spreadsheet too which he got a bit stressed about but I think he sees the benefit now.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amounts now they're all on paper but I guess we've just got to get on with it and keep going

Hope you all had a good weekend x

When_the_going_gets_tough

Hi ak if it is your discretionary spending that is the issue try challenging yourself to not spend at all unless you absolutely have to. See if you can keep the cash in your purse and question yourself every time you go to buy ANYTHING just try it for a few days at first and notice how little money you can actually survive on. A bit like going on a really strict diet. Good luck!

alice_kate_2

When_the_going_gets_tough wrote: »

Hi ak if it is your discretionary spending that is the issue try challenging yourself to not spend at all unless you absolutely have to. See if you can keep the cash in your purse and question yourself every time you go to buy ANYTHING just try it for a few days at first and notice how little money you can actually survive on. A bit like going on a really strict diet. Good luck!

That is absolutely our problem. Dinners out, new clothes, holidays, Costa coffee - it's awful! So we are limiting it as much as we can and hopefully we will some improvement

I got paid my owed commission from my last job today so I'm going to ring up and pay off/cancel my CC and then that's a huge part gone. It'll mean being tight for the rest of the month but if it's not there I can't spend it .

H got paid today - a little less than a normal Feb - he recently got promoted however is getting paid less overall as less time to get commission and his increased basic doesn't cover the loss. Really annoying as he is doing more work for less money but his boss is usually reasonable so H is going to sit down today and explain the situation to him - he's in a more senior job now but got about £300 less after tax than Feb 15! He gets high tax as well due to company car so the difference before tax was probably closer to £500! Fingers crossed that all gets sorted

Have a good Monday everyone x