*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

The main issue I'm having with YNAB is because our monthly expenses are on the credit card, by the time I've paid that off per month, I then don't have the spare money to get ahead for the current month, so the current month's expenses end up on the credit card.
I'll either need to bite the bullet and pay the card off out of money saved so we start a month with a clean slate or shift the ratio over the coming few months. Hmmmmm, what to do

Yellow_mango

The main issue I'm having with YNAB is because our monthly expenses are on the credit card, by the time I've paid that off per month, I then don't have the spare money to get ahead for the current month, so the current month's expenses end up on the credit card.
I'll either need to bite the bullet and pay the card off out of money saved so we start a month with a clean slate or shift the ratio over the coming few months. Hmmmmm, what to do

Yes. Welcome to what YNAB calls the credit card float. This was exactly my problem too, and why I’ve decided to ditch the credit card (even though it was giving me lovely cashback).

The YNAB way to fix this is to gradually budget more to the CC until the amount budgeted always matches the total balance (not the statement amount).

Which would be fine as long as you’re making and sticking to a realistic budget to do this.

The trouble I had was that we found it really hard to control spending on a credit card. The limit was huge so there was no “stop” when you run out of money, and it never really felt like spending real money.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Yellow_mango wrote: »

Yes. Welcome to what YNAB calls the credit card float. This was exactly my problem too, and why I’ve decided to ditch the credit card (even though it was giving me lovely cashback).

The YNAB way to fix this is to gradually budget more to the CC until the amount budgeted always matches the total balance (not the statement amount).

Which would be fine as long as you’re making and sticking to a realistic budget to do this.

The trouble I had was that we found it really hard to control spending on a credit card. The limit was huge so there was no “stop” when you run out of money, and it never really felt like spending real money.

Exactly that, it's so easy to just bung things on the credit card! I'm tempted to do the same as you and just stop using it altogether. I think that's the only way of truly knowing where you are in any month and being more accountable So far, that's the sort of thing that YNAB is showing me, trying to streamline so that you're in control of where your pounds are going rather than just reacting after they've already been spent

I think, that if next month I just put food and fuel on the CC and all other expenses out of current account, then the following month I should be able to cover food and fuel out of current account. It would probably just mean no savings towards emergency fund or house fund while that transition is going on.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

First bit of gardening work starts next week, looking forward to it being done, but it's so expensive! Can't help but think of what else we could do with the money. Home ownership feels like a bit of a millstone sometimes, so much maintenance. On the other hand, we know we're lucky and eventually it'll all seem like a good investment.

I'm debating doing a month of shopping at Aldi to see how much money we can save. As part of my YNAB I went back over several months statements. I thought we were spending £600 on groceries, true figure was more like £750-850 :eek:. There are 7 of us and a hungry cat... that figure includes toiletries and alcohol and we do quite a lot of hosting (family) as no one has us over as we're too many

I'd like to get that figure down to the £600 mark, that would mean either more saving/spare money or I could drop one of my side jobs

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Have heard good things about the old style boards, so will have a nosey on there too for inspiration

Yellow_mango

Yes I also found that properly tracking spending was a bit eye opening!

I am really liking my new weekly budget plan. We have £200 a week to cover all food and entertainment. It’s a great incentive to keep the grocery bill down so we have more left in the week for fun stuff!

Even the kids are willing to downgrade / make do on the day to day stuff if it means they get a takeaway at the end of the week!

enthusiasticsaver

ohshithowdidthathappen wrote: »

Exactly that, it's so easy to just bung things on the credit card! I'm tempted to do the same as you and just stop using it altogether. I think that's the only way of truly knowing where you are in any month and being more accountable So far, that's the sort of thing that YNAB is showing me, trying to streamline so that you're in control of where your pounds are going rather than just reacting after they've already been spent

I think, that if next month I just put food and fuel on the CC and all other expenses out of current account, then the following month I should be able to cover food and fuel out of current account. It would probably just mean no savings towards emergency fund or house fund while that transition is going on.

Credit cards ruin budgets unless you are strict. We put our food and fuel spend on one and repay in full but we set a limit and don't go above it.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Heard back from work today.... it's not a 'no', but they're worried about setting precedents. They're losing staff faster than you can blink, but won't listen to feedback. We're an all female department and we all want more family friendly hours. So no slightly earlier finishes for me (for now at least), even though our clinics are booked 4 weeks in advance and it's entirely doable.
With the NHS, there's a set incremental rise in salary. So they won't increase your salary and yet they're willing to pay agency staff double your wage when your colleague leaves
They're debating letting me swap from Mon/Weds to Tues/Weds, but there's a shortage of staff on Mondays. Yes, I know, it's because of everyone knowing Mondays are a stitvh up for part timers. So frustrating :mad:

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Working today at my supermarket job. I really like it there, everyone's so nice and the work is easy and stress free. Sometimes I wonder if I should just do more hours there and not bother with my 'profession' and I think that's the issue.... I'm happy to work, but I hate feeling undervalued. I just want to do a fair job for a fair wage. Not to feel overworked and taken for granted.

Budget is going well, we used our points vouchers to pay for a weeks food shop, which is very unlike us. Definitely cut back the last few days, I think YNAB has really helped. I'm not checking on it religiously, but will definitely update it and see where we are at the end of the month

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Chilled day today. it was a family Birthday, so had the grandparents round. Made a massive stew and dumplings with meat I had in the freezer, fed 12 for £20 inc. alcohol, so was pleased. Made a rather shoddy looking cake (it tasted nice though) and we were more careful on our present purchases, although it wouldn't have been obvious. It was lovely to see you can do it all for a lower budget if you think carefully about each factor.
Gardeners start tomorrow, will be good to get this stage of renovations done as will make a big difference to the usability of the garden.
Back to work tomorrow, feeling a bit more resilient after a day off. 17 more weeks until I start in my new department, will focus on that!