26, no savings feel stuck

Houseplant26

I've just been naughty and bought a luxury I really didn't need because it's something I will enjoy using and came with freebies. Feeling a bit guilty though and means to be overdraft free this month I need to live off more like £40 a week for food and anything else non bill related. Doable as lots of food in house etc but I shouldn't really have bought it. Can't take it back but also wouldn't really want to. Seemed good value.

Houseplant26

I've relapsed. Quite badly.

I've just blown just over £100 on luxury items I didn't really need but wanted because it seemed like the perfect time to buy them as there is a huge freebie deal with them. This seems to be a slight trap I am falling into. If I have to spend money to get it it doesn't make sense but I've been kind of justifying it by saying I'd spend that money potentially anyway and at least this way I am getting so much more for it.

Argh. I've completely blown budgeting this month in many ways. I've been good with food budgets (ish) and done no spendy socialising apart from one drink with a friend and my trip away with partner that was booked a while ago. I was on track to only be say £50 overdrawn at day before next pay date and be easily out and on way to saving.

I instantly felt guilty and whacked something on gumtree. I'm back visiting family and had a pocession in my old room that was given to me by a family friend years and years ago but I've never used. I'm hoping to get at least £30-£40.

I've also made £20 selling some clothes.

Even with those they don't pay off my splurge.

I've lost my way with this a bit. It's that attitude I have of I can't afford to save plenty I will never afford a house I will never afford to travel I might as well feel a bit better in the here and now.

But that's silly really. I've been a bit silly.

Houseplant26

Oh my god I've just seen the post above this one. What is wrong with me!!

Houseplant26

Right, so I have been majorly lax at keeping this diary. I'm also looking like I will finish my pay date to pay date month about £120-£150 overdrawn which obviously wasn't the plan!

I'm going to relook at my budget for next month and try to be completely out of it and maybe put just a token something into a savings account. Even if it is just £25.

Have a day off today and a mountain of chores to do. Trying not to get angry at OH for not doing much lately - I worked all weekend and he didn't and I'm a bit unimpressed by the fact he didn't do the washing up or any 'jobs'. I also need to do a good shop. Without his help and car I need to go to shops nearby which are more expensive, but then without him I can plan exactly what I want and make sure we cook and eat cheaply. Not sure which is option is better. I'll probably just get it down today and make sure I tell him to sort the bathroom or something else! He's usually pretty good at doing his fair share. I hate when the flat is a mess!

I had to spend some money going to London yesterday for work but I should be able to claim my coach and tube back. I was annoyed as I got delayed and this meant I had to buy lunch at an event I was attending and it was extortionate.

Houseplant26

Right. Let's give this another go.

I've just been paid. I ended up being about £180 overdrawn at end of last pay month. So once essential bills money had gone out to joint account, also today I had £330. Of this I had to pay BF £50 cash as he got me some cash out the other day (waiting on new bank card).

So that leaves me with £280 for the month plus about £30 of that £50 in cash.

Leaving the cash for second my phone bill will be £27 but should be only DD now. So about £250 to last a whole month for food, socialising, any essentials. Ain't great is it!!

I'm thinking if I can budget for £50 a week again inc food and then have rest for any other spends I want or crop up I'll be ok. However I wanted to try to start saving. Might put £25 across to at least try.

Feeling a bit demoralised. I have more overtime this month I think so hopefully next pay check will be slightly better.

nanny_beach

What was the luxury item you spent £100, shown on your post 5.9? Are you paying attention to what Martin says, can you afford it (no) do you need it (I assume not, s its a luxury item) no such thing as a free lunch. Does your other half earn good money.£120 for hair! DONT even think about buying anything you dont need, (apart from essentials food, bills) while you are overdrawn each month you need to get your heating sorted out, asap though, does your landlord hold any responsibility for this? I have economy 7, (cheap night electricity) do all my baking, washing drying during this period), dont think about saving yet either. What is the point in putting money in a saving account when you are overdrawn, presumably the overdraft costs you money, I expect more than you would get interest on your savings.Aim to be in control by the New year. Forget Christmas, again Martin, - dont buy presents for adults, then they buy for you yadda yadda, stuff you dont want,like,need usually. Take a deep breath and tell folk you are skint, pease dont buy me any presents, because I cannot buy for you. Specs Glasses Direct love, often on Martin site at the mo, 2 pairs for £19. I have just treated myself to 2 pairs (new script) funky (Gok wan) style sunnies and normal pair TV/driving for about fifty quid, for the two. always deals there, bogoffs.You can have 2 pairs with different prescritpions, so go in with a friend who wears specs. No going till you get stuff sorted. Batch bake, visit discount supermarkets, visit big chains when they discount, ie, just before closing on a Sunday. Most use by dates can be discounted, I sniff, then taste, cream 10 days after the use by date is fine.Dont go for boggoffs if you arent going to use them, false economy. Downloan Greg Wallace, - How to eat well for less" I dont wast anything, overripe bananas go in a cake, soggy veg stew,soup, bread I keep in the freeze, just get out a couple of slices a day for use.Your last post you put "the rest for any spends I want", no you cannot have what you "want". clothes, bored with them, charity shops, swap clothes party with friends. Hope his helps, keep me posted.

Houseplant26

nanny_beach wrote: »

What was the luxury item you spent £100, shown on your post 5.9? Are you paying attention to what Martin says, can you afford it (no) do you need it (I assume not, s its a luxury item) no such thing as a free lunch. Does your other half earn good money.£120 for hair! DONT even think about buying anything you dont need, (apart from essentials food, bills) while you are overdrawn each month you need to get your heating sorted out, asap though, does your landlord hold any responsibility for this? I have economy 7, (cheap night electricity) do all my baking, washing drying during this period), dont think about saving yet either. What is the point in putting money in a saving account when you are overdrawn, presumably the overdraft costs you money, I expect more than you would get interest on your savings.Aim to be in control by the New year. Forget Christmas, again Martin, - dont buy presents for adults, then they buy for you yadda yadda, stuff you dont want,like,need usually. Take a deep breath and tell folk you are skint, pease dont buy me any presents, because I cannot buy for you. Specs Glasses Direct love, often on Martin site at the mo, 2 pairs for £19. I have just treated myself to 2 pairs (new script) funky (Gok wan) style sunnies and normal pair TV/driving for about fifty quid, for the two. always deals there, bogoffs.You can have 2 pairs with different prescritpions, so go in with a friend who wears specs. No going till you get stuff sorted. Batch bake, visit discount supermarkets, visit big chains when they discount, ie, just before closing on a Sunday. Most use by dates can be discounted, I sniff, then taste, cream 10 days after the use by date is fine.Dont go for boggoffs if you arent going to use them, false economy. Downloan Greg Wallace, - How to eat well for less" I dont wast anything, overripe bananas go in a cake, soggy veg stew,soup, bread I keep in the freeze, just get out a couple of slices a day for use.Your last post you put "the rest for any spends I want", no you cannot have what you "want". clothes, bored with them, charity shops, swap clothes party with friends. Hope his helps, keep me posted.

Hi Nannybeach

Thanks for your reply, some good points made. The luxury item was actually three items that also came with a very generous range of free gifts. I do use all of the three and they make me feel a lot better about myself. My 'vice' tends to be buying nice skincare or makeup - I don't smoke, I don't drink often sometimes not at all and I guess I'd allowed myself this luxury.

With regards to hair I actually went about 8years only ever cutting and colour only own hair. Then I decided for my birthday last year I would spend birthday money, and some of my wages on a haircut and colour. I earnt more back then and I felt so good after but I agree entirely it is a hell of a lot of money for what I earn now. Before you posted id actually just cut my hair myself and it is fine, it will do. I plan to keep the glasses I bought as long as possible and I know I can't afford contacts. When I need a new pair I will definitely buy online and I've found a website with some lovely glasses really cheap.

I'm already pretty good with batch cooking now and we don't waste food in my household, I would hate to do that and on the very rare occasion I've had to I've felt awful both for environmental and cost reasons.

I'm doing ok(ish) so far this month by I have, unusually for me, had two social evenings with friends I hadn't seen in months, one for years. I spent at one of these on a dinner out. I also went for work drinks but tried to keep my spend down. I'm lucky my work place is full of people earning relatively little so we don't do this often at all!

I've decide to try and save £25 even if I am still overdrawn at end of this Month. I can see how this doesn't make sense due to overdraft charges but as mine are low (last months was £1 something) I think the moral boost of feeling like I've at least started, and starting is the hardest part may outweigh not putting anything into savings this month.

Very much noted about presents I am going to tell adult friends I can't afford it. I usually send grandparents something very small and then same for parents and my sister I will get something cheap. I've actually already bought some of the above very, very cheaply and I got some nice things. I can be very resourceful when o do want to be! Anyone else I won't gift or If necessary I will suggest we make something. I have resources already for this.

Heating j agree about. I'm actually genuinely very worried about being absolutely miserable in my flat in winter. It has as I've said only one inefficient wall mounted electric heater, nothing else apart from an oil radiator we have borrowed but not used yet. I'm aware electric and such appliances aren't economical. Out windows are old sash Windows and you can feel the draft. We don't have curtains only he cheapest of metal blinds installed my landlord and wooden shutters which have gaping gaps. I need to get thinking about how to insulate us. I feel a fool for not spotting these issues but renting where I am is difficult and expensive and the flat had many other pros.

Upsidedown_Bear

Houseplant26 wrote: »

Heating j agree about. I'm actually genuinely very worried about being absolutely miserable in my flat in winter. It has as I've said only one inefficient wall mounted electric heater, nothing else apart from an oil radiator we have borrowed but not used yet. I'm aware electric and such appliances aren't economical. Out windows are old sash Windows and you can feel the draft. We don't have curtains only he cheapest of metal blinds installed my landlord and wooden shutters which have gaping gaps. I need to get thinking about how to insulate us. I feel a fool for not spotting these issues but renting where I am is difficult and expensive and the flat had many other pros.

Hello and apologies for dropping in :hello:

Do have a look at the Old Style board if you don't already.

There's a really good thread called Preparing for winter that you might find particularly useful

Houseplant26

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

Hello and apologies for dropping in :hello:

Do have a look at the Old Style board if you don't already.

There's a really good thread called Preparing for winter that you might find particularly useful

Thank you and don't apologise I appreciate you taking the time!

Thanks for suggestion I had a slight gander at that thread the other day but I got a little bit anxious and overwhelmed as everyone seemed soooo organised and I'm so not currently. For the third time my flat is flooding as well when it rains, was pouring down walls last night in bedroom and coming in from window surround. So frustrating aNd worrying as if water gets on wind and cold definitely will be!

Upsidedown_Bear

Houseplant26 wrote: »

Thank you and don't apologise I appreciate you taking the time!

Thanks for suggestion I had a slight gander at that thread the other day but I got a little bit anxious and overwhelmed as everyone seemed soooo organised and I'm so not currently. For the third time my flat is flooding as well when it rains, was pouring down walls last night in bedroom and coming in from window surround. So frustrating aNd worrying as if water gets on wind and cold definitely will be!

That's not good about your flat. I hope your landlord will fix it.

I understand entirely about getting anxious and overwhelmed. The people on the OS board are lovely and helpful and would be the first to admit they are not organised all the time.
Don't be afraid to join in or ask for help from them