Reigning it in!

fruitloop04

Someone suggested in my 'light bulb moment' post that I should write a diary on here to keep on top of my spending. After reading a few people's inspiration diary's I think it is a plan!!

So, my debt has literally come about by my spending getting out of control. Simple. I had what I wanted, whether I could afford it or not.

I have tried to delve in to why this has happened as I never used to be so frivolous. (I will try and keep the sob story to a minimum). My parents never had much money when we were growing up but we had a lovely childhood and never really went without. It never occurred to me when I was growing up my parents were struggling. My sister had to bail my parents out once when my parents card got declined for the food shop - that is when I started to understand.

My parents worked hard and got us through uni, they must have had nothing for themselves to do this. At uni I never spent anything because I realised - my family never did. Shopping was not a recreation activity for us but we had some amazing times in the local countryside Then I finished uni and got a job that was minimum wage - the frugalness continued. Then I got a promotion...and then another one..I suddenly had money and in eyes I could have what ever I wanted!!

Which leads us to my debt today (I think). I know I can get my debt under control relatively quickly. I just need to be tough with myself and say NO.

This diary is to record what I spend and to hold myself accountable.

If no one chips in that is fine but please do if you want to! I thrive on encouragement and also someone being honest with me. I am very much an all or nothing person but I am going to make myself commit to this

fruitloop04

I have already started some challenges:

Bringing your lunch to work (done this all 5 days this week whoop!)
Getting emergency savings of £6000 (£750 so far)
Spending £10 for this week - Nothing spent so far!

Happierdays

Great goals fruit loop! I too need to be tougher on myself - for me it's usually about the little things that all add up eg "little"extras in supermarket or a "little" charity shop bargain! Cheering you on!

Hiddenidenity

Amazing start

Look forward to following and cheering you on from the sidelines

Good luck x

fruitloop04

Thank you both! Here's to the start of my journey and to your journeys :beer:

glass_half_full

Welcome and good luck, stick with it, you will get there!
:beer:

Honeysucklelou2

Good start to the emergency fund...well done.

laurag89

Good luck !

Think my debt began in a very similarly way, we had nothing really growing up - but at the same time didn't really miss out on anything, but think this debt was me having that time of buying whatever I want to make up for it.
It's not an excuse just the only logical reason I can think of!

redofromstart

Good luck fruit loops!

fruitloop04

Thanks laurag89 and redofromstart I am the same laura, it is not an excuse but potentially what has triggered my over spending!

Today I had to brave going in to town without spending any money other than getting my euros. I rarely get out of town without munching on a pastie and downing a coffee...so I had a hearty breakfast and a coffee at home before I went in to town so I didn't need to eat anything It worked! Picked up my euros and did allow myself to look around a few shops as I do need to top up the holiday wardrobe. I decided to look at what I have already got and then buy things online as I can do this through topcashback and I can focus on what I need/keep an eye on what I am spending without getting distracted by other things in the shop. I need to start looking soon though as I go away on the 4th Sept!

I have got a 3rd credit card :eek: which is a travel card one that was recommended through MSE website. I have to clear this off the same month otherwise the interest outways the benefits of a good exchange rate. I have got some euros to tide us over so I don't worry about finding a fee-free cashpoint. I was really worried about having to pay the credit card off in one month at first but I have checked my holiday account (I have been piggy banking) and there is more in it than I thought and I forgot my OH was paying in to it as well towards the holiday so I think we can do it now :j! We are away for 2 weeks and have breakfast included with the hotel and have agreed that we will have pasties for lunch at hopefully 1-2 euros each and then a reasonable priced dinner, with one or two nicer dinners to celebrate our big birthdays! The OH is onboard with cutting back now which is good because we are both spenders and I tend to foot more of the cost because I earn more.

Spent the rest of the day tackling in the garden attempting to rescue all the plants I have bought this year from the towering weeds! Looks like all the plants have survived Going to re-do the herb garden in the weather is nice again tomorrow as it has all gone woody. Feeling good!

fruitloop04

Haven't managed much today yet! Had breakfast and a coffee and then sat on here reading and learning! Need to do a food shop today so I am going to plan what we are going to eat until Wednesday and buy that alone. Going to try Aldi and Lidl then pick up whatever I can't get from there in Sainsbury's as I drive past that anyway on my way home. There are slim pickings in the freezer as I have been trying to run this down to defrost it.

Looked through the bathroom cupboards last night and was horrified at what I saw...6 facial cleansers (3 unopened), 7 moisturisers (3 unopened)...and not cheap brands. These are going straight on fleabay when I get back from holiday and going straight off CC2 from whence they came! Will have a look around what else can be put on there when we get back, we (I) have accumulated quite a bit in the 3 years of living here!

From today I am going to record what I spend (I won't whilst I am away but I am coming straight back on here afterwards to say that I have kept within the budget and paying CC3 off in one month!)

Will try and get into the garden but not sure if that is going to happen!