Munchin's moseying out of debt diary....again

Munchin

Morning all,

I'm still chasing the elusive NSDs . So last night (and partly during work) I printed fund charts eg debt fund, holiday funds x 4 (as well as big holidays it includes 2 trips to see sis in England). I put them all in a binder so that I can colour in the progress each month. Look at me being all organised for 2020...or just wishing my life away. Being honest I think I will be debt free in July now and not June as I may have 2 flights to book in February and need the money for that.

I'm also taking part in the frugal challenge and for the year I will keep my spends under £5,000 - I'm not counting my monthly bills (£505) or my loan or savings. It is just groceries, fuel etc but that for me is quite tight. I have also read about spending fasts but my challenge is to not spend money Mon - Friday. I'm not planning on going mad at the weekends but hoping that will curtail the frittering.

I got paid today and I want to see my money going to my savings and debt but that isn't happening until 1st Jan. I am so hoping this motivation lasts - on my fantasy budget for 2020 - I will fund 3 holidays & 2 trips to see sister. I will be debt free on 1st July & by the end of the year I will have £3,000 added to my savings. It's all very aspirational

Munchin

Budget plans for 2020

Groceries - £960
Fuel & Transport - £1,800 (I live in the country - no buses etc)
Eating out & Fun - £720
Beauties & Toiletries - £360
Clothing & Footwear - £200
Pup - £200
Gifts - £240
Misc - £520

TOTAL - £5,000.00

Munchin

Wow what a busy but great day.

I did a race in the morning & felt good during the full race. Cleaned bathroom and kitchen. Popped into Asda, & then picked up nephew & we shared a mcdonalds. Got nails done & popped to friends house for tea & got a pressie. Had cheap pizza with family, played Monopoly and then watched football with nephew. I have no interest but he is currently praying hard for the desired result .

I got an amazing pressie from my sis - a budget book which is compact, budgets by the month & keeps my receipts for the year. She knows me too well .

Plans now - celebrate or console nephew in about 10 mins. Tomorrow - meet friends for fizz & then cinema. 2 more days of work ahead and then the fun begins

Munchin

Weekly spends - w/c 22 December

Sun - £37.29 (groceries & cinema)
Mon - £36.99 (Iceland & work breakfast)
Tues - NSD
Wed - NSD
Thurs - NSD
Fri - NSD
Sat - NSD

Total - £74.28/[STRIKE]£64[/STRIKE] over budget

HairyHandofDartmoor

Your budgeting plans sound good . Why not aim high?

Seasidegal58

The budget book sounds an excellent pressie!:T

Franalamadingdong

What a great gift. I had a budget book that sounds similar a few years back and it was so handy. Have a good week

Munchin

Thanks HHD, SSG & FD,

You are right HHD - ‘aim high’ is now my plan for 2020 .

I’ve been invited to a job interview and I’m not sure if I want it (good chance I will not get it) but if you are not in you can’t win. I’m kind of conflicted because the money would be great but I love what I’m doing at the moment. If I have my debts paid it would be almost like a pay increase straight away. I will do the interview and see what happens.

Today, apart from cinema, I have the shower panel to clean & the front of the kitchen cupboards - exciting I know. I would also hope to spend less than £20 for my trip to Belfast ... I’m an optimistic person but reality might be different:)

HairyHandofDartmoor

Just popping in to say Happy Christmas :xmastree: :xmassign: :santa2:.

Munchin

Morning,

Xmas was just lovely. It was a beautiful frosty morning and Santa was good. Still cuddled up in new pjs & I have to say it wasn’t just the fact I got gifts but that they were so thoughtful. Nephew got me a beautiful bracelet that wasn’t expensive but was so me.

I looked back at the start of my diary and my goals were -

- clear my debt by July 2020
- start building my nest egg with £650 per month from Aug 2020.

I was also in a different place emotionally and it feels amazing to be a much happier and healthier person and my family and friends can see that.

Ok so on reflection the debt clearance ended up being a bit ambitious. The nest egg will start at end of the year but I have holidays to pay for first .

Goals 2020

• Debt free July 2020
• Lose 2 stone (1.5 done in 2019)
• Save for holidays (Las Vegas & maybe Rome)
• Save Glasgow & England trips
• Start ambitious emergency pot (£20,000)
• Say Yes more to fun things