Learning to live within my means

GeorgianaCavendish

PS. I'm jealous of your spider hunting cat Every time I walk into a room, spiders seem to materialise from nowhere! 

astrocytic_kitten

savingholmes said: if

Glad you had a relaxing day...

Although I worked hard in the garden it was therapeutic as I was let the bushes experience my pent up aggression LOL so I feel more chilled tonight... whatever works

Sounds like a win-win situation - garden gets work done on it, you get some therapeutic exercise, and you feel the benefit later!

astrocytic_kitten

GeorgianaCavendish said:

I really identify with your struggles over spending even though it is "ok" to do so. I'm having a spendy month (I used some of the bank holiday offers to get a head start on Christmas shopping, and I had to replace some makeup - first cosmetics shop in about 18 months!) I'm finding it quite difficult to reconcile this spending with my MSE habits.

I think we just need to let our brains process the idea that we're in a new stage of the MSE journey, where spending is ok but we need to watch out for the danger signs and maybe adapt to some brand new MSE habits.

I find that sometimes I get the urge to spend money just because - it doesn't really matter what I'm buying, I just want to buy something. Sometimes I can redirect or reevaluate my thinking, and other times I catch myself finding excuses like "stocking up" or "getting organised early" (and the catching phase might come much later!) At the moment keeping a spreadsheet of my  spends is helpful, as is always allocating the money to budget categories right away so I know exactly what each decision is costing me.
In fact now I think about it, maybe I'm having a bit of a rebellious reaction to the last few months of add saving for driving lessons into the mix along with deposit savings. Even though I've got the budget available for this month's spends, something about it feels "off". 

You could have pulled this right out of my brain @GeorgianaCavendish - the compost spending felt off, and it’s absolutely that I was hiding a spending urge behind a ‘stocking up’ purchase. I’m finding myself defaulting to online shop browsing when bored a bit too much lately. Old habits die hard! I guess it’s a time of change too, and I tend to slip onto old habits more at those times too. 

Watching out for the danger signs is a good way to put it. Last week I created a Pinterest board with birthday / Christmas ideas for me where I’ve been sticking all the stuff I want to buy. It’s a secret board for now, but means I’ll have some things to suggest when my mum asks for ideas. This year I’ve also been keeping a running list in OneNote of ‘wants’ purchases so when I feel like I haven’t bought myself anything in ages I’m reminded that isn’t actually the case, and use YNAB religiously to keep categories up to date, similar to your spreadsheets.

You’re doing brilliantly with the driving lessons on top of the deposit saving! Makes sense to get a big expense like that out of the way before buying a house too. Well done on getting ahead with Christmas too! I might try to channel some shopping urges in that direction…

savingholmes

Love your strategies for delaying purchases

girlatplay

Hey, hope you're doing ok x

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks GAP, I’m still here and lurking, I just don’t seem to have much to say. Coherent thought and holding a conversation is being a bit lost through massive amounts of brain fog, my health tends to take a bit of a dip in the colder weather, but I’m doing ok - just hibernating and getting through the essentials. You’re doing brilliantly, and I was totally planning to comment on your diary to say that but then must have got distracted 🤦‍♀️

Some news - I’ll hopefully be moving house in a couple of months…don’t want to jinx it but it’s looking hopeful. Will involve doubling mortgage but hopefully for the best long term 🤞

girlatplay

I'm glad you're ok.  Winter is not my best time of year either.

Ooh, that sounds exciting!  Keep us posted when everything is sorted.

savingholmes

I too am glad you are ok. Good luck with the house move and hope that your health improves soon.

redofromstart

ooh exciting, fluffy paws crossed that things turn out right for you

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks all! I’ve spent a while over the past week investigating ynab alternatives as my subscription doubles from the end of the month, but not a massive fan of most of the other options. I kind of want to flounce off on principle, but it is the main thing keeping me in control of my money and spending so maybe not just yet!