Long time lurker, made an account today. Time to get my head out of the sand.

joedenise

summerlady wrote: »

I have exactly the same problem so I now write things like my craft group subscription in my little book. I also ask for the till receipt even if I spend a small amount. Shops are obliged to provide one.

I always ask for a receipt as well. Really helps track the money.

Denise

cheel

Morning every one, thanks I will ask for the receipt now and I'm sure I've got a smaller gold notebook somewhere, which will be easier to care around and note it all down in! I'll get this!

Planning to go into the bank tomorrow morning so will have the app thing. And know where I am a little more.

Most of my earnings are in cash and very variable so I'm going to have to find a way to manage that. So any tips for that would be greatly appreciated. I think I'm hoping it will just all fall I to place!!

Thank you all so much for your warm welcome. I'm very glad I posted .

Cheek x

cheel

Oops! Auto correct! *cheel

Anne_Marie_2

Further to what Maman said about carrying a bottle of water. I always keep some small water bottles for refilling. I know it won't be hot at the moment in the UK, but in the summer, pop them in the freezer for a while to keep the drinks cooler for longer. I used to fill up with diluting juice for DD as couldn't get her to drink water after a certain age.

Susan1962

Hi. Welcome and well done for posting when it couldn't have been easy! As Maman said - definitely NOT a failure. This is very much a process and each thing you learn will take you a little closer to your goal.

The OS board is the best one on the site - not just for OS stuff but for general support and encouragement so you've come to the right place. It's great for accountability but also good when you don't feel like sharing and just want to read something to keep your spirits up.

HOWMUCH

Cheel you need to record all your spends, then you can work out where you are able to cut back. Or even know where your money goes, I deal in cash I put so much in my purse and tally it up with the receipts. I don't stick to a monthly allowance because I buy things in multiples when I see food at a good price and pop in the freezer if it's fresh food. I store food in cooler places if it veg related. We have cut down in petrol by walk if the distance allows. Good luck with addressing your spending x

maman

I've never been paid in cash so all my income goes through the bank. I'd be inclined to pay your money into the bank because then your statement shows all your spending and all you need to manage/account for is what you do with any cash withdrawals.


But I don't have experience of this so maybe someone who has can advise.


Personally I pay most things (except for a small cash float) with a credit card and sort it out once a month. This works for me but I know some people find it hard to equate a credit card with real money and can overspend.


If your money coming in is variable, all the more reason to spend as little as possible to build up a buffer for when there's not much coming in.

cheel

Hi everyone, yes my money is variable, wildly! But I di get tax credits which are fairly stable so its not impossible.

Today I've had to apply to the court (small claims) to get an order paid for. Its really upsetting and by the time I've paid for court I'm not going to gain that much (tho someone told me I might get the costs back , but I'm not counting my chickens)

Still that's life I suppose!!

I've been reading the ways to save money threads. There are so many amazing ideas
I'm sure I can do it. I've been very disengaged from my life for longer than I realised. Its only now I'm coming out of the other side that I'm realising how much

Cheel xx

meritaten

I often got paid in cash - and it is tempting to just keep it in your purse. DONT! either pay it into bank or keep a separate jar/envelope or whatever. It is also tempting to just blow the last weeks cash pay - don't even go into town! stash the excess away - it helps you through the lean weeks. If you are working with a cash system then the envelope/jar method can work for you. make sure you have ALL your outgoings covered - the excess then will cover unexpected expenses.

cheel

Good morning.

Thankyou meritat, yes that's what I've been doing. Just putting it in my purse! Will absolutely get a tin and stop doing that! I have a tin for my 'float' so will use that temporarily.

I have looked up one thing that was making me anxious already this morning! And its good news! I have been worried about the change over to universal credit, and had thought our council was doing it in October this year. But the email this morning lead me to a link of the planned months for councils to change up to the end of this year and Cornwall council are not on the list!! So that gives me more time to prepare for the delay in payments everyone is warning of, and in my opinion the later I change the smoother the transition should be as all the kinks will be out of the system.

Good drying day here by the looks of it. So washing will be on the line always makes me smile to see it out. A bit silly of me I kbow!!

Enjoy the sun
Cheel xx