I hope I can do this

pidge04

Just checking in ... how is it going?

ftbwannabe

Helloo! Quick update: all is good.

Managed to see friends Friday, Saturday & Sunday, & go to a gig in London, all on budget with no deprivation. Felt very uncool packing my bag with foil-wrapped home-made sarnies instead of getting a Pret or pub food before the gig, but felt great not having a money-hangover the next day.

Had a hard time yest not spending money on a present for a friend who's sad, but I need to understand that strong emotions don't magically make money appear or bills disappear. And, by being strict now, if she has a real emergency later, I'll have actual cash on hand to help her out.

Another potentially spendy & very social weekend ahead, I've budgeted for it though so fingers crossed...

Also made a few small payments to my cards & savings to make the accounts end in 0s :-)

pidge04

Once my friend wrote a beautiful letter to me for my birthday and I treasured it. One of the loveliest gifts i have received. Your friendship and support and empathy are worth more than a gift x

jwil

pidge04 wrote: »

Your friendship and support and empathy are worth more than a gift x

Agree completely with this

efes_shareholder

Just checking in with you - I do love a gig haven't been to one in quite a while

in the case of your friends birthday , your presence is worth more then your presents and an ackowledgement and well wishes on the day will always suffice

bipixel

I feel really positive for you! I think your situation is very hopeful .

pidge04

How is it going?

ftbwannabe

Hello! Been meaning to update for ages but time is vanishing this month. Like my money...
Has been hard to stay on budget this month, but I've just about done it - 6 days til payday.

Budget has felt tight, & I wondered if it was too tight, but then on reflection I've been out for a meal, been to a big gig in London, + lots of other socialising, + saved £300 towards the deposit & more than £30 on the allotment. So the budget fine! I've had lots of NSDs, but lots of spendy days too + a weekend away.

The times I've wasted cash this month were - what a surprise - emotional spots where I needed a stiff drink to either recover or reward. That sounds like I drink a lot - it's not that, but I buy pints at £5+, so 3 reward/recovery pints is £15 I could have saved!

All in all though, a good month for a fun + for not-spending. It's feeling pretty normal now to think before I spend and to do what I can/must to stick to a budget. I've spent more than I meant to, but not more than I earn, & still paid my debts + savings what I planned to.

Oct should be less spendy, though I've got 1 more gig in London (on the day before payday, what bright spark scheduled that one) + I can see me sliding back into getting the train to work if we have a rainy autumn. Fingers crossed I stick with the kagoule + brolly, not public transport...

GlendaSugarbean

You are doing amazingly! Not even two months in and you are already spending within your budget.

pidge04

Absolutely fantastic!