The Marching Minimalist

angelpye

It's been over a month since my last full review but as its the start of a shiny new month I thought a review was due

I am learning a lot about myself, this journey is definitely a hard slog at times but it is also really positive too. I am slowly sorting out my bad budgeting habits and learning about my triggers. I really didn't realise how much my mother and the childhood I had still informs my behaviours but I acknowledge it now and think over time I can decrease the impact.

The black dog has bitten hard this month but I have started my AD's and, although the side effects are horrid, I feel this is the right decision for me for the time being.

April is the last month of a super tight budget but I feel this time has enabled me to put many things in place so the extra won't be frittered away. I am slowly learning to be in control of my money rather than my money to be in control of me.

Trials this month:
*Missed the BT deal so no power to switch or bring costs down.
*Grocery challenge ended with £126 spent - but plenty of food in and includes treat night for DD.

Wins:
*Switched energy supplier saving £177.60 off my current bill but that would have gone up by £60 so saved my future self £237.60.
*Surveys going well and £45.42 is making its way to me as I type. Plus have passed £25 voucher threshold on another.
*Managed small extra payments to CC so debt now sits at £2,410 - still going in right direction.
*Realised mobile is due to be renewed this month rather than next year so hoping to save £23.99 a month on this for a contract that meets my needs - saving my future self £287.88 over the 12 month contract. Plus should get a £70 Amazon voucher.
*I also got free soap and lip balm that I would use anyway, worth £8.95 - every little helps right?
*Mortgage is showing as £110,271 on my last updated credit report (Jan) so thats very nice too to see that slowly going down - even though I am not putting anything extra into that.

Things identified:
*Life Assurance - really need to sort this!
*Experian miss selling claim
*Ebay

All in all not a bad month! I have a tough one ahead as I make it to the finish line, YNAB is updated so just need to set grocery budget and get on with it.

Marching on...

Treadingonplaymobil

A good review - I've definitely found that March has been full of ups and downs for me too, budget-wise, I think it's good to acknowledge them and move on.

ljj1986

angelpye wrote: »

Thanks EH, really appreciate all the info, I have made a decision which is a minor miracle given where my head is at. I have exhausted my poor little brain!

I can get out of my contract for free on the 3rd of April - funny how they don't tell you that unless you directly ask. Twice now they have encouraged me to pay to either upgrade (£31.17) or leave early (£7.80) when in a few days I can do either for free. I have to give 30 days notice.

BT's offer at £12 a month for 6GB, unlimited calls and texts with ability to tether and its 4G plus I get free access to BT wi-fi hotspots. Would have to buy a bolt on for using abroad but unlikely I will go more than once in 12 months, if at all. Debt needs clearing before I can really start travelling regularly. If I order in the next 7 days I get a £70 Amazon voucher but this would cause an overlap of a few weeks. The £12 deal ends in 13 days which again if I order will cause an overlap.

Hmmm... thought I had made a decision. Now can't decide if the overlap is worth it for the £70 voucher. The voucher could be useful for the xmas presents pot.

Glad I stopped by, I have been considering paying off my balance and moving to sim only, this voucher deal is very tempting! Thank you for sharing it. £180 balance which has 12 months left at 36.50 per month which if paid off I could move over to £17 p/m. I need to look into this later today. £438 vs £384 and a £70 voucher.

EssexHebridean

angelpye wrote: »

Thanks EH, really appreciate all the info, I have made a decision which is a minor miracle given where my head is at. I have exhausted my poor little brain!

I can get out of my contract for free on the 3rd of April - funny how they don't tell you that unless you directly ask. Twice now they have encouraged me to pay to either upgrade (£31.17) or leave early (£7.80) when in a few days I can do either for free. I have to give 30 days notice.

BT's offer at £12 a month for 6GB, unlimited calls and texts with ability to tether and its 4G plus I get free access to BT wi-fi hotspots. Would have to buy a bolt on for using abroad but unlikely I will go more than once in 12 months, if at all. Debt needs clearing before I can really start travelling regularly. If I order in the next 7 days I get a £70 Amazon voucher but this would cause an overlap of a few weeks. The £12 deal ends in 13 days which again if I order will cause an overlap.

Hmmm... thought I had made a decision. Now can't decide if the overlap is worth it for the £70 voucher. The voucher could be useful for the xmas presents pot.

Future savings plus voucher outweighs the overlap - go for it. Just make sure the voucher is spent on essentials.