Round and round the overdraft....soon to be no more

louby40

Birthday wise my son will not commit to anything. I’ve suggested a big family meal (including his dads side who I still get on with) or a little family tea, a meal out just us.

He won’t commit! So I’ve bought some banners and balloons and will buy some Prosecco and cake for anyone that calls round.

He’s having a car (paid and insured by me and his dad) so that’s his present really.

louby40

Well today is payday. All money has been assigned in YNAB and it will certainly be a tight month - that’s with a Christmas budget too!

Worryingly I get paid again on the 13th December and then have to wait until the 31st January to be paid. Nightmare! I shall have to be very strong to resist touching Decembers pay.

I will also lose £100 a month from January because my ex husband will stop paying maintenance for my eldest son. I knew it was coming but it still stings.

Ahh well. This is life. Luckily I’m more financially stable than I was 2/3 years ago so I will cut my cloth.

louby40

At last I’ve just cashed out £25 from Opinium - it was pretty good time wise.

I’m still £4 off a £40 payout from OnePoll - it really is a slow survey site but stuck with it because it’s consistent and you don’t get kicked off. After this initial £40 it will be £25 payout which may be better.

louby40

Oooo it’s the weekend!! Tomorrow we’re putting the tree up and finishing off the Christmas shopping!

Nearly there!

Honeysucklelou2

Wow, you get paid before Christmas? Payday for me is always last day of the month with no changes for December. Interesting to see how things vary around the country.

louby40

We usually get paid the last Wednesday of the month but Decembers pay is always the Wednesday of the week before we finish.

Before I was more MS I would spend loads of it then use my overdraft in January, now I transfer it to my savings then move it back on my ‘official’ payday. It’s worked well the past couple of years.

But January will be tight.

louby40

Of course a spendy weekend and my Christmas budget hasn't stretched as far as i would like so I've had to dip into my savings.

17 NSD for November which i think is my BEST month ever!!

Monday NSD (15)
Tuesday £47 - hair (colour & cut)
£7.50 scarf (Sainsburys 25% off) christmas gift
Weds NSD (16)
Thur NSD (17)
Fri £39 Aldi (DP did the meal plan and list ! )
Sat £39 Tesco, wine, beer and cake for sons birthday next Sun
£7 BM balloons, selection boxes
£12 Next Christmas gift
£27 B & Q - lampshade and toilet seat
Sun NSD (1)

TOTAL : £152 inc Christmas £171.50

I still have a few things to get. But nearly there.

Have set up a regular saver with First Direct - £50 a month, can't touch it otheriwse I don't get the interest. 5% - it won't be much but it stops me spending it. It will be paid on the 1st Dec 2018.

SpekySquarehead

That's a great idea Louby with the savings account. Will that be your Xmas spending money next year?

Huge well done on the November NSD. And a great month to break your own record too!

louby40

Christmas savings will be £600. I didn’t quite get to that this year, I dipped into it with doing my kitchen.

Next year I shall be more saving savvy! At the end of December I will have paid 25% of my kitchen debt off! Amazing really.

I still need blinds and a new table & chairs but I want to save for them and my savings pot needs a boost first.

louby40

Surveys are looking good.

Waiting on £25 from Opinium Outpost, £6 from PineCone and £10 fromQuotas postal surveys.

I’m £1.75 away from a £40 payout from OnePoll - hopefully I might get that before the end of the month.

All of my surveys have gone towards my only credit card which now stands at about £140. Hoping to get that to £0 by the end of the month.