Getting it together...one £ at a time!

abba1772

That sucks about the car fingers crossed it doesn't cost as mush as you anticipate xx

Homegrown0

teafor2 wrote: »

Morning HG Frustrating about hubby's car, but at least you've got the money, although I hate spending it on anything like that

Children's hobbies can be really expensive can't they, but it's great that they still enjoying going and nice that they have something to aim for with their gradings and competitions.

I get 'paid' on 1st and can't wait. I paid for a family treat which cost £40 which was budgeted for but then I also had to cover an unexpected bill of £25 due to my carelessness. That £65 is about 1/4 of my spends and has really made a difference to my money this month. Roll on Friday :rotfl:

Have a great day. xx

These unexpected spends can really make a dent in the budget, Tea. Hopefully your budget has reset nicely today without too much trouble.

The hobbies are really expensive - we spend £160 per month on just the monthly costs, not including anything they need (uniforms etc) or extras like competitions/ gradings etc. It all adds up to a lot, but I'm happy that these hobbies are good for them in many ways and i'd much rather have the expense and them do these things, above them vegetating in front of the TV etc.

Homegrown0

Pay day arrived yesterday. Money was sorted out into relevant accounts. Lists have been written on things we want to achieve this month and things we are committed to.

Just awaiting the total spend on my husband's brake bill. Then i got a reminder yesterday that my car is due an MOT before the end of February...it never ends, does it?

Anyway, we will get through all of that. Hopefully with a clear path through the finances of the month and with money to spare at the end of it.

Days until pay day: 27

monz

Homegrown0 wrote: »

We have one next Sunday then another on 29th - the scottish championships. Which is 23rd? I bet we've walked by each other loads of times and not realised!

I will be at both!! I need to wear like a bright jumper and will message you day before saying see if we can spot each other I have loads yellow hoodies
xx

Homegrown0

Haha i'll likely be in a red hoody with MBA on the front/ back and a 4 year old with matching hoody. There to watch his brother. We should have a secret signal/ code to avoid any embarassment

Homegrown0

Evening all, hope everyone is well?

Not a lot to report here, things are ticking along nicely. Did some bank reconciliation tonight and all is on budget. My husband even got paid on time this week... shocker!

Just did some sums and we are in a good position to save this month, thanks to some overtime that hubby has been doing and our loan finishing. Rather than paying extra off the credit cards, we want to bulk up the savings to put together a 15% contingency for building works and some cash to buy things like a new couch, lighting, flooring...things that won't be included in the refurb quote from the builder. Hoping we can save £3,200 this month which is a big ask but I've done my sums and if we're careful we will manage it. Hoping to save a further £2k in March so trying to make sure we have a good Feb to set us up for March.

I was hoping to have some funds left over in our spending account this month to throw into the savings pot, given that it's a short month, but the MOT on my car is due this month so it depends what happens with that. If it's just £60 and passes with no problem, then I should be in a good position to slush some money aside. But if it's more then it'll either be no extra to savings or have to use some savings (depending on the cost). Although we just spent £500 on new brakes and a couple of new tyres for this car in November so hoping it's in good shape.

A short month + lack of council tax = a positive financial month

Days until pay day: 23
Days until holiday: 143

Homegrown0

Also in good MSE/ housekeeping news, I have caught up on the washing, changed the bed sheets and did a bulk cook of bolognaise (5 portions that serve 4 each). Four of those in the freezer, one eaten for tea tonight. I had 2kg mince, so siphoned off some to make mince, onions and gravy to have with potatoes and veg for tomorrow night's dinner.

Also put £5 in coins into my sealed pot.

Feeling rather accomplished today

Homegrown0

Final lot of bedding is in the washing machine already this morning! I'm trying to keep this momentum of organisation going. Clearer house, clearer head.

I've got some to-dos today (aside from my work commitments) so trying to build in some time for those too. Point #1 was to pay off the Next account with vouchers we got at Christmas. I've spent the last hour trying to do this in amongst work and it's just not bloomin' working! Been onto live chat for ages, there's still errors and now the live chat person isn't responding... typical! Why is it when you're trying to be productive and get through things, there's so many obstacles!? Giving up for now and will try again later...

Expecting £30 from work any day now - I get £10 per night for travelling abroad with work - so when that comes in, i'll just fire it straight into the savings account.

Today is going to be a no spend day which is rather marvellous. It seems like ages since I had one of those!

Just did my daily check of the account and nothing has changed, which is positive. The next savings chunk should come on the 19th (mid-month) where i'll liberate some of the money in the current account and hurry it along to the safety of the savings account. Two weeks today - I like days where i can make these positive steps!

Days until pay day: 22

teafor2

Morning HG You sound on top of you game again this month, which is no surprise really I don't think I've ever read a diary that's so committed to paying off debt while also saving, being able to cover all the 'extra' bills, having a holiday to look forward to and still enjoying day to day living. Obviously you and OH work extremely hard to make all this happen, but even so, it's still a great achievement. :T

I need to put a load of washing in today and do a bit of housework but first a cup of tea I think. Have a great day and I hope you get the N*XT account sorted. xx

doingitanyway

Homegrown0 wrote: »

A short month + lack of council tax = a positive financial month

Days until pay day: 23
Days until holiday: 143

I also get super pleased when it is a CT free month. I wish all annual bills were like that.
You sound organised and 'on it' as usual. Keep it up