2018 New year, new focus and new mission

Choccygirl123

That did include curry and cider so can't complain. I have thought about online shopping, but very rarely shop anywhere other than Aldi. There's just too much temptation :rotfl: After being stuck housebound I'm embracing getting out and enjoyed it.

Had a busy house day blitzed downstairs and feeling really pleased with myself. House looks fab did stairs and I've managed in fits and stops. Sold £15 on eBay and the guy collected within 2hours on the listing finished. I've kept the cash and moved £15 across to my sealed pot bank account. It's sat at a lovely £356.35 and the cash pot itself has a small amount of coins.

I love long weekends, it makes such a difference to have an extra day. We'd normally be sorting and prepping school and work stuff now, but I'm going to do it tomorrow whilst hubby takes kids to cinema. I really enjoyed making our Sunday roast dinner today as there was no pressure.

Need to double check banking first thing Tuesday and see where we're at.

Choccygirl123

Feeling sad the long weekend is over and everyone back to their rountine. Hubby took the teenagers to the cinema, so I had a lovely afternoon doing nothing. Hubby picked up bread and milk yesterday so today will be a nsd.

Money wise, we've had a very low spend weekend which I'm pleased. Cinema was £26 but they spent £6 on snacks at the shop.

I've got the selling bug again. Last week sold a garden pot £20, hoop £10, mixer attachments £25. We swapped my daughters room around as she needs a bigger chest of drawers. I've moved her old one into new place and have sold old for £50 being collected tomorrow.

My sealed pot bank account is looking really healthy. It's got £363.59 sat in there with £50 to come when unit collected can't believe I've made so much since January. It's all come from cashback Quidco, surveys and selling things. Money is tight at the minute but I do feel in control.its hood to know that Christmas will be covered. I'm annoying still 15p away from £25 on 1poll surveys and still nearly at £10 each on RH abd shoppix.

The rental income should arrive tomorrow and then I'll be able to set our budget for the rest of the month. Looking forward to getting some cash in the saving pots. Cash is tight and I hate not earning. The ESA has helped massively and next payment due a week today. Using this purely for food will hopefully get my budgets under control!

Choccygirl123

Yay I've finally put some money into my saving pots and it feels great planning ahead.

Dog £25.26 (needs grooming next month£50)
Car £50
Birthdays £20
Kids clothes /shoes £20.22
Activities £7.80
No cleaner savings £70 (£14 a week)
EF balance £1500
Sealed pot Christmas £363.61

The dog is groomed every 3months at £50 for stripping. He's due next month so that'll wipe out the pot, but then hopefully will be able to save a little extra to start saving for flea/tick treatments and his online food orders.

Children's birthday and clothes fund - would like to increase birthdays to £25 and unsure on clothes but £50 would certainly help. Buying adult size trainers and shoes isn't cheap.

Car - I know should be putting lot more away but trying to save for servicing to start thing. I'd love to be able to pay for our insurances and tax in one go. Currently pay 1 tax monthly and other every 6months. This pot needs to be looked at!

Activities - all the extra bits that the children do music, scouts and sport. Music is £125 x 3 terms, scouts £60 so definitely need to build this pot up. Will have next music bill to pay before June so need to review.

No cleaner savings £14 a week - this is my let's see pot. I'm hoping to use it to save up to £100/£150 a time then send half of it to our credit card. Letting it build up and using as a mini EF just in case need to shuffle pots.

Thank you to the lovely tea for the pot inspiration. I do feel more in control now for the first time in a long time.

teafor2

You've got pots :j And pretty fab they're looking as well, especially the sealed pot one. :T Even if you have to put money to for some things to start with, at least you'll have something saved up and eventually you'll get in front of yourself.

I think seeing them listed in b&w really focuses the mind and makes you think about how much you need to save. And any money that needs jiggling around seems easier to do working from a list - for me anyway

I need to look at mine later on today. They're all on track but I don't seem to have added anything much to them lately.

Hope you have a lovely day. xx

Choccygirl123

Thanks tea I can't tell you how excited I am! I finally feel like I'm sorting the budget properly.

The sealed pot bank is looking good and I've got £25 from 1poll on its way, £50 from an eBay sale and £4 from fb. When I get the cash I'll put it to one side and transfer the same to bank account. Then then food budget resets will withdraw less cash and use it up, so not hoarder cash in the house.

Our joint account is looking ok too with available balance £170.86. I like knowing my food budget is seperate and it's helping focus our spending. Hubby going to Aldi tonight so I'll try and keep the list to minimum.

Choccygirl123

It always amazing how money just flies out our front door! Joint account balance £86.11 / available £78.23!

£92ish pound GONE! I'm mortified but know where it's gone. Hubby going to London for night out with friends and 'thought' his train fair would come out of joint money :eek:£32.70

Hubby did a top up shop and forgot to take the shopping wallet cash, so stuck it on the card added few extra bits to my list £40.48:eek:

Window cleaner I hadn't budgeted for (they don't ever turn up regularly, but I'm just pleased they have) £14

Hubby needed a book from amazon for his studies £5something.

Account isn't as healthy that's for sure and I am annoyed with hubby. The rule about spends is if it's joint then it comes from joint account. If on our own t like night on pop with boys then it comes from our personal spends....that was the point to them! I know why he's done it, he had a big weekend this month and I think he's skint! I'm still slogging away with saving mine and my New York fund looking great £610.

teafor2

Morning CG Oooh I'd be hopping :mad: if hubby took money for a night out from the joint account. I hope you've set up a repayment scheme for him The positive side is you can account for it :T:rotfl:

Do you mean when he went shopping he bought £40's worth of extras :eek: or am I reading that wrong.

Glad to see the NY fund is still a priority for you, I really do think having something to look forward to helps when things are a bit tough.

Window cleaners are a law unto themselves. Ours turn up regularly but whether they bother to do the back ones depends on how they feel

Hope you have a lovely weekend and you manage to un-grit your teeth at some point regarding hubby :rotfl: xx

Choccygirl123

The £32 was a train fare for next month and I don't think he's thiught it through. Normally I'd say don't worry but it annoys me especially when money has been so tight. He moans saying it's not enough. I remind him that my £40 is 4 or 5 trips for cake and coffee with girls friends. £40 is gone on drinks for a night.

The shopping total was £40 when it should have been £25 max if he'd stuck to the list. Kicking myself I should have gone with him but wasn't feeling great. It's frustrating when I'm trying to stick to the food budget. I wrote the list with remaining cash in mind and he just whacks it on the card. It's a lesson learned and I need to go with him if I'm going to keep the budget on track. I sound like I'm being harsh and I know I shouldn't complain. I'm frustrated I'm still housebound! Hopefully next op will get my independence back and I'll be allowed to drive again.

teafor2

I don't think you sound harsh at all. Rules are rules Frustrating sums it up perfectly especially when you're reliant on other people doing things. But hopefully, all that will change very soon and if you've managed to stay on top of your game while you've been dealing with everything just think how in control of it all you'll be when you're 100% back on form. Watch out hubby is all I can say xx

Choccygirl123

Haha thanks tea, I do feel better for a vent. He's amazing and has been so supportive very the last few months. He's working full time, studying for his masters and trying to keep sane.

I am going to say I think the fare should come out of his spends. If for whatever reason it doesn't I'll take same amount on pay day and move yo my account!

My ESA due on Tuesday so I'm going to only withdraw £105 to make up for the over spend and allow for cash that's still in wallet. I think it'll be tight but I'm looking at adding couple meat free nights.

I did ring pip helpline on Wednesday and they've gone back to the health assessor as they're querying review time, so hopefully it looks like I will get an award. Assessor said award for 9months, but they've suggested 12months. It's crazy it's taking so long but I'm hoping to hear soon as they've prioritised my claim as it's from November.