Real Life, Dating and Money!

Littlebirdie

Hello,

So had a thread on here before and well updating it or not it kept me focused. That's what I'm lacking at the minute - focus. I'm in the train of thought that if I overspend here and there, it will all work out. Yeah so turns out it hasn't for the last two months and now I'm in well and truely in my overdraft! I've just spent many years since graduating from Uni to get out of my £4000 overdraft and I do not want to go through that again.

So what are my plans?
Good question as even I don't have a clue. I'm single, living in the big city and well don't really know what the future holds so let's see the road takes me. What I do know is I'm in my mid 20's and I want to enjoy them. What I dont want is to have to pay for it in my 30's! I wan to enjoy the dating world, create happy memoies with my friends, look good, go on holiday, eat out, eat well, give gifts, save for a house, save for christmas, have emergency savings and also accept that I cant do everything.

I hoping this diary helps me reflect on my spending and create a good a comfortable life.

Lets go....

Littlebirdie

So I started this and then thought:

'I'm good with money, I track all that I spend so I'm good with making money decisions'.

Yup turns out I'm not.

I think:

'I know I cant affort this but I'll just pay for it next month and it will all work out.

The reality is I'm now living in a busier place, more opportunities. I'm also closer to my friends so meet up with them lots. I'm also single so I guess less of a drive for life. Currently the only thing I'm working towards is month traveling next year....it seems to be not enough to give me that determined feeling.

I'm also putting on weight, this happens when I dont have drive.

So here gos to finding my buzz again and creating boundries!

Sorry about the splling mistakes - my laptop is german and apparentl every word is incorect!

Littlebirdie

So the average I've spent in the last three months:

Eating out restaurants: £71.85 Budget: £20
Alcohol: £71.83 Budget: £ 50
Birthdays + Gifts: £38.13 Buget: £20
Cleaning and toilet roll: £5.77 Budget: £0
Clothes and shoes: £63.90 Budget:30
Coffee shops: £32.96 Budget: £25
Eating on the go: £41.63 Budget £25
Expensive + Random travel: 50.52 Budget: £0
Food W1: £32 Budget: 30
Food week 2: £32.15 Budget £30
Food week 3: 29.13 Budget: £30
Food week 4: £16.99 Budet: 30
Then the months:
Month 1£103,52 Budget: £120
Month 2: £124.07 Budget £120
Month 3: 116.29 Budget: £120

Work lunch: £19.51 Budget: £10

Urgh this is a harsh reality. Also this month I have over spend already and it is only the 5th....argh. Right going to have to say no to a few things this month!

This has been really helpful to helping me face reality....

VelvetFreak

I think you and I might actually be the same person I can relate on all levels, especially the weight thing. Best of luck with your all of your plans.

Starlighthappiness

I'm in my mid-20s too and it IS really difficult to find the balance between having fun and watching the pennies. I also do the 'oh well if I go over this month I'll take it out of next month's budget' thing but I'm really trying to work on that at the moment. Best of luck!

dottydebts

I've had exactly the same mindset as you over the past couple of years! Also in my mid-20s and I still haven't managed to get rid of my student overdraft.

I've started only using cash to pay for things, and keep the cash in separate little plastic wallets so I know what I'm spending from each budget if that makes sense. It's definitely made me think more about how much I'm spending on food/eating out/clothing as I can't buy it if the cash isn't there!

Littlebirdie

Ahh thank you all for replying - makes me feel so much better! I've feeling really stupid and silly about it all. I still feel silly but less lonely about it ��

Littlebirdie

I've decided that I'm going to delete my spending app next month and restart. I need to encorporate my new overdraft which I have no clue what it is. A few days before pay day I'm going to do what I used to do and stop spending on my card so that I can see what my overdraft is. Only 26 days to go......

Jacko_amz

Hey lilbirdie,

I am exactly like you, i think 'i will just pay for it next month it'll be ok!', I'm also single (newly) and late twenties now (28 in june!) and getting to grips with all this saving money.

I too also have the same goals as you, sounds like you have some good friends. Unfortunately all my friends are tied down, i need to find some single friends to enjoy holidays with etc.

I have subscribed Good luck x

Littlebirdie

Hey,

Thanks for stopping by. Wowsers seema like loads of people are in our position! Right girlie, let's do this!

Littlebirdie

So today I have spent the day trying to chill and watch tv. Usually I would pop out for a coffee but I have resisted today.
I went for a 5k run and whilst o feel good for it my legs felt awful heavy!

So spending today:

£4.84 on soda bread (current love), bananas, milk, mini cakes and yogurt. I was tempted to buy the ingredients to make soda bread but it would have made the shop more expensive so didn't bother! Proud of myself as I was very very tempted!

£1.99 Birthday card

£2.50 on deodorant. Was going to get my usual one then realized this was £0.10 cheaper - every little helps :rotfl:

£5.00 moisturizer
I have started using anti aging one and found an own brand one for £5 but sometimes the shops do the expensive ones for the same price so bought a well known brand. I just hope I don't like it too much! That's their idea though - I will stay strong and only spend £5 on a moisturizer! :A

All recipes uploaded onto recipt h0g and written in my money tracker.

Got chillie for dinner which I made last week and then I think I have a lentil and aubergine stew in the freezer - I don't like it but to save a few quid I'm just gonna gulp it down

That's it from me - think I'm going to try and write what I spend everyday - we'll see though!

Week off this week and lots planned so I'm going to try and keep my money savvy head on!