Finding the right balance...

Rainbow_brite

So after almost a month going AWOL I've decided it's time for an update and restarting in earnest!

Since my last post I've managed to pay off Catalogue 1 and Loan 1 ahead of schedule which I'm massively pleased about. I've still not smoked and managed to stick with the e-cig (double yay!), my debt to my parents has increased (signature updated accordingly) due to the second summer holiday not being able to be cancelled. I'm not planning on needing much spending money for this one as it's an apartment so can eat as I would at home and take any spends here out of my normal grocery budget.There's also a restaurant within walking distance which accepts Tesco Clubcard vouchers so, as we're away for my birthday I can have a meal there as a low spend treat. The holiday abroad is now booked, paid for by my OH on the agreement I get the spending money together. Passports were indeed covered by my overtime last month for me and DD so now it's really just a race to get spends together. I've been selling on fleabay where possible which has pulled in some money as well as being as frugal as possible with other budgets. I've scraped about £150 together so far and providing I can stick to my plans it's doable. I'm going to continue generating a little extra where possible and have started a mini challenge for myself this month to try and generate additional money every single day where possible. This includes my ebay sales, surveys, cash back etc. I've pocketed about £70 so far which I don't think is bad for 10 days effort however this includes cash back which I won't receive until after both holidays so really need to have a big push on this over the coming weeks.

I guess it feels slightly strange to be posting a debt free diary when I'm not actively overpaying debt and instead saving all my spare cash for a holiday abroad but I'm determined to do it without adding to my debt and my original plan to start paying things down from August onwards still stands. I can firm up my plans and budgets once I know what my new basic take home pay will be at the end of this month. I'm estimating around £1950 and hoping I'm not too far off the mark....

So basically in the same position I was in last time I posted - down to my last few quid and waiting for the 21st for my child support payment to come in so I can transfer a chunk to my holiday savings, pay a little more off catalogue 2 and tide myself over until my proper pay day. Only difference is this time I'm determined to stick to posting my progress to keep me on the straight and narrow. Will probably add my extra income figures and holiday savings progress on as well so I can see it grow and keep myself motivated

Rainbow_brite

Not much to report on the money front. Got free tickets to go and see a TV show being filmed last night which should've been a cheap night out with only parking to pay for. Still managed to spend £20 which I didnt have so dipped into my holiday savings. They now stand at £142.72/£1500. Think I had better get ebaying today. Close to a cash out on VO too so might have a push on there later. Also planning some batch cooking so I know my lunches at work are covered too. Really must organise myself to get through to pay day without pillaging the savings more!

Rainbow_brite

Ok so savings have been totally decimated but... Euro Disney passes are bought and paid for. So now just need to start getting the spending money together. 11 weeks of frugality in order to save £1500. Really must motivate myself to get ebaying and generate some extra funds. Got a day off next week to blitz the house and get everything listed. Fingers crossed it'll prove profitable!

Other than that meal plan is done for the rest of the month and just counting down the days until pay day