Joined 31.05.16

elsien

If you don't mind me saying, you do seem to be making it as you go along a bit with the budget and the socialising. Which is ok till you hit an unexpected expense or spend more than you planned.
Would you be able to turn it round a bit, work out what you've got left over after bills, emergency fund and debts payments for going out etc, then once it's gone, it's gone? And planning ahead a bit more -my hair is £60 about every 12 weeks, so I put £20 aside each month rather than take the hit out of one pay day.
Have you thought of keeping a spending diary just for a month? I was surprised how quickly my chocolate cookie habit mounted up. And I would have sworn I only spent half the amount on going out that my diary actually told me.

Poor_Single_lady

Lol OK. I have only just started so i didnt plan ahead last month no lol! About a month ago I looked at my accounts and they added up to over £15,000 and I closed my spreadsheet in a state of sheer panic and disbelief. I think I am making progress. Its a lot of going out right now which I am working hard to reign in.

The thing is this is my real spending diary. Its my real life with real life concerns and stresses. I would love to say I haven't spent any money, I never go to the beauticians and I don't need to eat anything but its not real. I am a real person and this is my real spending progress. Good and bad I have to be honest.

I have £14,800 of debt
Today I had an nsd so im happy with that.

Poor_Single_lady

elsien wrote: »

Have you thought of keeping a spending diary just for a month? .

Yes. That is what I have been doing for the last 10 days in a forum called debt free diaries.

GoingToDoIt

I've decided to meet a friend for a drink tomorrow which will be over my budget for the week...but it's sunny and I fancy going out! A few months ago we would have had dinner and drinks. I'm paying my debt off and I've made good progress but I still need to live my life and I'm sure PSLady neeeds to as well! Rome wasn't built in a day
Gonna x

Poor_Single_lady

Thank you to everyone for all the support and help. Today should be an nsd. Lunch at work, dinner in fridge. Nothing social planned.

I am loving the clydesdale? Bank advert with all the children running round. Makes me more determined.

KxMx

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

Yes. That is what I have been doing for the last 10 days in a forum called debt free diaries.

I see what you mean, and I see what the other poster means.

My spending diary is a spreadsheet, every time I spend cash, rent money, credit card, a DD goes out, it all gets put on. It has various sums to add things up, subtract from my monthly income etc.

This I think is what the other poster meant. A comprehensive numerical spending diary, rather than a casual journal which is what this forum tends to be used for.

Poor_Single_lady

Onwards and upwards. Writing everything down has really helped me. I feel like i am making brilliant progress and looking at things in a new way.

This is my second no spend day which is quite unheard of so very happy about that.

Had lovely curry for tea and ice cream so that is food I cooked before today so I haven't spent any money organizing tea or scrimped and ate something cheap.and depressing. So really happy with that.
I would normally make weekend plans but not going to this weekend. Just going to my mums on saturday and stay in sunday so should be a cheap weekend.

[Deleted User]

Good for you, I have had 2 NSD's this month too, will need to have more cos I am so skint this month.

Enjoy your weekend.

Dxxx

Poor_Single_lady

On way home. Third nsd but tommorow do need to spend money. Target £14,000 on 25.08.16. This will mean being good till payday to try and make the target. Sausages, waffles and peas for tea. Early night tonight. Very tired.

rexelpink

Hi psl
I might subscribe to your diary if u don't mind?
We've got similar levels of debt and income (although there's 4 of us in my house)
And I thought that as we're starting our journeys to being debt free at roughly the same time, it might be helpful to spur each other on xx