A Ditherer's Diary (again)

Naomim

Whoknowskt89 wrote: »

I can't say I've looked into YNAB.
I think there are a fair few posts that may be able to point you in the right direction?

Eh, you can diet once the debts (or at least builders problems) are all sorted!
You've only got 1 life and you've got to have some enjoyment when times are tough!

I posted on the DFW boards about YNAB and had some great responses. It's not free but there is a free trial so I think I will give it a go. I just need to get my head around it. I just watched a youtube tutorial, it makes sense when I'm watching it, it's just making things stick in there. I have the memory of a goldfish sadly.

Naomi x

Whoknowskt89

Always worth a shot when it's free.

I'm fairly good at keeping numbers and running totals in my head (followed by a separate account for yearly bills, another for emergency fund, another for Christmas /sales /big cost fun stuff and lastly a holding account for overpaying my loan. All are with the one bank and I can rename accounts so I know exactly what they all are)
So don't think YNAB is for me.

Naomim

I've also got a separate account for things like car tax/xmas/insurances etc. I was doing really well with it. I've just started up again this month so going from 0 again but already had 3 birthday presents & a car repair so back to almost 0 already.

I keep my child benefit on a completely different bank. That way it doesn't get lost in my overdraft and I can take the kids to the cinema or swimming and don't have to constantly say no to them. I also use it for school uniform etc so it's going in the right place.;)

GeorgianaCavendish

I'm planning to sit down with YNAB this weekend and work through the tutorials and articles too. I'm in my free trial period, I don't know if I will pay for it afterwards but goodness knows I need some serious help with budgeting!

Good luck, will be interested to hear how you get on

Naomim

GeorgianaCavendish wrote: »

I'm planning to sit down with YNAB this weekend and work through the tutorials and articles too. I'm in my free trial period, I don't know if I will pay for it afterwards but goodness knows I need some serious help with budgeting!

Good luck, will be interested to hear how you get on

I'm worried I'll get caught out with miscellaneous spends. Like a the weekend MrM needed new work shoes £35.00 That wasn't accounted for. We also have a joint account and both have access so he's using his debit card on bits too.

On a positive note, it looks like it's going to be an NSD for me :T:money::j

I forgot to defrost a loaf of bread for sandwiches last night so I've brought in a tin of soup and had some panini's in the bread bin so brought one too for dipping.

On a NOT money saving note, 11yo is on after school curfew meaning Grandad has got to pick him up after school every night this week. When I got home last night 4.45pm, he wasn't there. Called him and he was at the local park. I have been over this with him time and time again that he can't just go off and I don't know where he is. So I've arranged for him to go to Nannny & Grandad's all week. If he can't do the time he shouldn't do the crime :rotfl:

Naomi

Naomim

Today is my day off. I had planned to re-organise 11yo's bedroom as I don't like the layout at the moment. When we moved back in we bought him a small double/large single bed and it takes up a fair bit or room however. MrM has been on the phone needing me to look at kitchen flooring as we have a carpenter lined up to do some bits and he's going to do the flooring too. We also had a gardener around to quote putting in a patio and some artificial grass, he's quoted about £3k so we may have to look at other options.

I was reading another diary on here and the OP was talking about "mindful spending". I certainly think I haven't truly had my LBM. I know I have debt, I know it needs sorting but I still spend money I shouldn't and tell myself it was "essential" - btw, cushions for DD's bedroom aren't.

I've watched quite a few tutorials on YNAB and think I am definitely going to take up the month's free trial and see how I get on.

Off for a cuppa and a quick dog walk before tackling 11yo's room.

Naomi x

Naomim

Well I managed to move the bedroom about. I think I'll "feel" it tomorrow. As I was going through I listed a few things on eBay. Stuff I've held onto for far too long. It's not going to make millions but every bit is worth it.

I've also claimed £52 from Quidco so that will help with the overdraft too. MrM gets paid at the end of this week so things will look better in the account. :j

Naomim

Evening All,

Today has been an NSD Mainly because I have just been at home. My back certainly felt the efforts of yesterdays move around so I took the day off. I'm still not happy with the room so will need to think about space saving.

I had planned to sort out and join YNAB but I got sidetracked searching for car insurance for MrM and putting a complaint into the electrical regulatory body about our builder.

Before I knew it the kids were home, 7yo invited over the neighbours twins and I wasted an hour looking for a console table for 11yo room. I now think I know what I can do without having to buy anything so that's :money:

Hope everybody has had a frugal, mindful spending day.

Naomi x

Naomim

Whilst 7yo was getting herself ready for bed I had a quick log onto my bank account. I was ready to sort out figures to start on YNAB. However I have found two surprises straight away. Firstly that MrM & 11yo who have a joint mobile contract have been charged £106 this month :eek: £40 was excess after 11yo broke his phone. Secondly, we spend a lot on McDonalds!! MrM is certainly having more breakfasts than he lets onto. I also spend more on Amazon - kindle books and two major coffee shops - this is a work in progress cutting down.

So all in all; it's been an interesting hour or so. :mad:

Whoknowskt89

You'll get there with it.. Rome wasn't built in a day.
I reccommend having a cuppa and some chocolate!
Bookbub may be worth looking into to help with the kindle costs.