Slipping Through My Fingers

Choccygirl123

Hi tea,

You sound like you're doing really well and keeping motivated.

Hubby and I work the sane system and we have £220 each for entertainment, clothes and presents for other. It works well for us and hubby always earnt28k+ more than me. Everything is joint.

teafor2

Hi Choccygirl thanks for dropping in Yes hubby was always the bigger earner but we've always pooled our wages, paid the bills, decided about holidays/house purchases, then given ourselves the same amount of money to spend. Occasionally he would want to purchase something big and that was fine, he was never 'made' to save up for it

I think as long as finances are worked so that everybody feels it's a fair way of doing things and nobody is left struggling it doesn't really matter how it's done. I suppose back in the day when I was working it was an equal partnership, these days it's more of a traditional partnership, but still just as equal if that makes sense. We're both happy, so that's the main thing.

I do feel really motivated. I've tried to do something similar in the past just using a notebook etc. but somehow being on here makes me feel more accountable. Just hope it lasts.

teafor2

Well I did it, I've actually not spent anything today. So that makes 2 NSD's for me so far. :j

I've only been doing this diary for 6 days but I feel more in control already. The money might have gone quicker than usual but at least I can account for it - well mostly :cool:

I'm out on my calculations but in my favour. According to my daily tally of what I've spent I should have £55 left but when I looked at my bank account and counted up the cash in my purse I've got £71. I'm convinced this is all to do with the coffee money which I think I've accounted for twice along the way. I wouldn't normally be able to pinpoint something like this, so although I'm off with my accounting I'm not going to get too hung up about it. Must try harder next week though. It'll probably be easier now I've not got much left to handle.

Anyway it's all squared up so I'm working with £71.52 from now on.

enthusiasticsaver

I think you double counted the coffee as you allocated £15 to the meet ups with your friend on day 1 but when you actually met up you then deducted the actual amount spent so as you said double counted. A lot of your spends this month seem to be on gifts so budgeting for this by saving in the NY would definitely help you I think. A gifts and dog grooming budget would be sensible plus maybe don't always put your hand in your pocket and let your husband or DC pay every now and again.

teafor2

Yes, you're right ES. Have to say I'm mightily impressed you spotted that and it's not even your money :T Hopefully I'll be just as switched on as you in the future.

A big chunk has gone on gifts so I'm definitely going to put a bit aside next year. I probably don't need to save more than £10 every month because that should cover what I tend to spend so not a huge amount but it'll make a big difference next December. Same with the dogs. Better to put something aside every month than have a tight one 4 or 5 times a year.

DS needed his haircut yesterday. Hubby took him. Usually I'd have got my purse out and given him the money but I held back. Had to practically sit on my own hands though. Hubby didn't even mention the money - not that I expected him to - so it's definitely my 'guilt' that causes me to be the first to get the cash out. Going to work on that in the NY.

Do you have a diary? I've tried to find you but I'm not very good with technology and I'm still stumbling around this site.

teafor2

Day 7/31, Money in kitty £71.52 (more than I thought due to my lack of accounting skills), 2 NSD's

DS took a couple of tins into school this morning for the food bank collection they do every year. It reminded me that I've usually dropped some things off by now so I need to get a move on and do that. I'll go through my cupboards and see what I have then allocate £5 to buy a few more things. Not beans though. There's a sign on the local website saying they have plenty of them.

No spends planned for today that I can think of. Could this be NSD 3? Watch this space.

Whatever you're doing today, hope you have a good one.

enthusiasticsaver

teafor2 wrote: »

Yes, you're right ES. Have to say I'm mightily impressed you spotted that and it's not even your money :T Hopefully I'll be just as switched on as you in the future.

A big chunk has gone on gifts so I'm definitely going to put a bit aside next year. I probably don't need to save more than £10 every month because that should cover what I tend to spend so not a huge amount but it'll make a big difference next December. Same with the dogs. Better to put something aside every month than have a tight one 4 or 5 times a year.

DS needed his haircut yesterday. Hubby took him. Usually I'd have got my purse out and given him the money but I held back. Had to practically sit on my own hands though. Hubby didn't even mention the money - not that I expected him to - so it's definitely my 'guilt' that causes me to be the first to get the cash out. Going to work on that in the NY.

Do you have a diary? I've tried to find you but I'm not very good with technology and I'm still stumbling around this site.

Haha. Yes I spotted it due to many years of budgeting to the penny and having a fairly good head for figures.

I comment on the diary section as I was a debt counsellor in the past (or mortgage arrears to be strictly correct) but have never had a diary on here.

So glad you resisted the temptation to spend on DS haircut and as you say your DH never noticed. Thing to remember is DS is his son too so it is not all down to you. You sound like a nice person always thinking of others but sometimes I think we need to be a bit selfish for self survival. Nothing wrong with a bit of looking after yourself too occasionally. What date does your budget reset?

teafor2

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Haha. Yes I spotted it due to many years of budgeting to the penny and having a fairly good head for figures.

Well, knowing that makes me feel extra lucky that you pop in to see me :j

I gave myself a big pat on the back resisting the urge to open my purse - after I'd released my hands from under my bum :rotfl: Hubby is very generous but I think it's just a man thing with regards to household stuff and the DC. Some things just never cross his mind. Mind you it's swings and roundabouts, I never give a thought to things like car/house insurance etc. he just does it. It doesn't worry me though, I know if I had to do that sort of thing I could do.

My budget doesn't reset until 1st January :eek: There are just a couple of big spends ahead - a meal with friends and an appt at the hairdressers. I don't think there'll be much left over again but hopefully that'll be different next year.

teafor2

Today did turn out to be another NSD, which makes 3 so far and means I've still got the £71.52 I had this morning.

I managed to find 11 Items in the cupboard to donate to the food bank. Didn't like that number so I rounded it up to 12 by adding a packet of hubby's biscuits. Also did a shopping list which comes to just over £6 so I'll go and get the things tomorrow then I can drop it all off on Tuesday.

Apart from that it's been a day of housework, radio and TV. The excitement of it all is too much to bear sometimes!

WannabeFree

Well done on another NSD

Hope you have a lovely weekend

x