Aligning the Stars

Suffolk_lass

That trip sounds great - I love autumn walking. Have you used the Stingy Nomads website to help keep your costs down?

Starmummy

Hi Suffolk :j

I've not even heard of that website...off to check it out now.

Thank you

SM

EDIT To SAY: that website was fantastic as they had a detailed breakdown of the trip we plan to take. thank you- i have emailed a link to Mr S

Starmummy

The trip is super cheap anyway- our trips usually are.
Our week in Slovenia at the end of August was £1100 all in (flights, accomodation, food, activities, car hire, airport parking)

This trip so far is at £659, that's £342 on flights and £317 on accomodation- with one night left to book. We've hired AirBNB type places or private rooms in hostels. The bus from the airport to the start of the walk will be £20ish for the 3 of us, the same from where we stop walking in to Lisbon.
Food will be about £250 I think, then £100ish on things to do in Lisbon. I think this trip will end up being a similar £1100 to Slovenia.

Suffolk_lass

I remember going to Lisbon on business a few years ago and we took a local train from Lisbon to Cascais (to the west of Lisbon) - there were lots of returning commuters when we travelled out on a late afternoon/early evening in March I recall how lovely the journey was as the rail line hugs the coast (about 45 minutes and very cheap). We went for dinner and it was lovely, if you fancy something a bit different - even for a drink it was like a proper old-fashioned seaside resort. Of course that is a few years ago.

Not sure if you explored the rest of the Stingy Nomads site but they have been all over the place

enthusiasticsaver

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I remember going to Lisbon on business a few years ago and we took a local train from Lisbon to Cascais (to the west of Lisbon) - there were lots of returning commuters when we travelled out on a late afternoon/early evening in March I recall how lovely the journey was as the rail line hugs the coast (about 45 minutes and very cheap). We went for dinner and it was lovely, if you fancy something a bit different - even for a drink it was like a proper old-fashioned seaside resort. Of course that is a few years ago.

Not sure if you explored the rest of the Stingy Nomads site but they have been all over the place

We love Lisbon too and stayed 10 days in Cascais after really liking it on a cruise day trip we did. Very convenient for Lisbon and as you say a real old fashioned seaside resort. The trains are great out there too.

Starmummy

Thanks for the tip. This trip is mainly for the walk but we are flying to Portugal (flights for the 3 of us £235 in half term) again in February 2020 so I shall suggest to Mr S that we check out Cascais then, maybe split the week 3 nights Lisbon, 4 nights Cascais- it does look beautiful.

Starmummy

Actual Money news.

All debt payments have been made for the month. The figures are coming down slowly and next month the loan will start with a "7" :j
I must keep my spending in check.

I have had a letter from School about SC's first residential trip in March, the deposit is £50 and the whole trip is £179 so nowhere near as expensive as some of the ones I see on here.
I need to pay my exam fee (£155 ouch) by the end of the month and SC's dance fees for next term (£31.50) by the 18th.
I plan to spend no money on personal stuff this month. To be honest after the above I have none left.

I don't think I'll be able to pay myself back anything from the joint account next month and SC's "dad" seems to have fallen off the face of the planet again so no maintenance expected at all (recurring theme).
I have only managed to do my 'basic' savings so far this month (some to LISA some to regular saver) I hope to add more to EF but I will wait until towards the end of the month just incase anything pops up...it shouldn't.

Grocery budget...well I'm not too sure. I spent £12.74 in Asd4 yesterday on lunches for me for the next 2 weeks. I walk to work so leave soup and stuff at my desk so I don't have to carry the extra weight along side my laptop etc.
There's about £70 pending in the Joint account, Mr S did the weekly shop in Ald1 while SC and I had swim sessions last night- I'm assuming he has put fuel in the car too as it was empty at the weekend. He did by meal stuff, bread, milk,, cheese etc but I know I'm going to have to top up on veg before the weekend. Peppers, 2x broccoli and some green beans is definitely not enough in a veggie household.

It shouldn't be too bad sticking to no spending the next couple of months, Studying should keep me busy most evenings and I can run and swim for free (swim as much as I like covered under the DD for my weekly coaching sessions- as can SC)
I had topped up skin care last month- I do need to buy contact lenses for holiday but will root around my dressing table to see how many pairs I have left.
The only social costs will be the holiday but I'm determined this WILL come from the joint account, I'm not funding 3 holidays in a row.

Starmummy

The £50 deposit for SC residential trip has been paid from my account today.

I feel so possessive over every penny when I'm on a spending ban. I'm not sure it's 100% a good thing.

I feel like I just need to keep everything in check until the end of the year, keep a close eye on everything, try not to spend anything and then see how it all looks in January.
I cannot wait until my regular saver matures in February 2020 and I can take a big chunk off the loan.

I cashed out the £3.55 that was in TCB yesterday so I will pay that off my CC when that appears in my bank. every penny counts right?

Starmummy

I've spent a lot of time fiddling with my king of spreadsheets today.
Currently my outgoings are 75% of my salary :eek:- This is debt payments, contribution towards bills, my share of the joint account for living expenses and all the other bits like swimming lessons and contact lenses etc.
Once my debts are gone my outgoings will only be 47% of my salary.

If that isn't motivation to get rid of it I don't know what is!

Suffolk_lass

Ooh! you should track that in your signature - what percentage goes to debt, savings, spending etc