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

Munchin

Thanks SSG - making my way home today & I’m not back to work until Wed so will probably do my holiday washing and catch up with family tomorrow.

It was the most amazing magical holiday ever and I’m making plans to go back next year. My best buddy & I had drifted apart and it was amazing to catch up and make plans to see each other more regularly (obviously when she is in the UK). I loved the country, the culture and the people and it certainly helped to be guided by family who lived there.

So plans - get money saved to go back next year. I spent approx £1800 in total and that included lots of trips. The £1800 was £700 on flights, £600 on accommodation which consisted of 1 night away in 5 star hotel (friends hubby paid for our first night), 1 night in London waiting for flights and accommodation costs to friend for meals etc (yes I was away for 3 weeks & paid mates rates ) - so accommodation costs were minimal. I took out £500 travel money and that paid for everything including trips. I’ve already looked at flights from Ireland which would cut out 1 flight and accommodation. I chose to fly via London this time as I wasn’t familiar with changes and flying from Dublin would be a change in Dubai but I’m ok with that now. So really what I’m saying is ... I’m going back & I need to get saving now.

In one breath I’m all about budgeting, saving and no frittering as I have fun plans for 2020 and the next breath is that I need to do Xmas shopping .

Xmas presents :snow_grin

Mum- £150 (she prefers cash) - done
Sister 1 - £20
Sister 2 - £20
Nephew & Nieces -£100
Brothers family -£40
Uncle - £30 - done & was £20
Miscellaneous - £30

HairyHandofDartmoor

Wow your holiday sounds amazing Munchin and quite reasonably priced for a long haul destinaton.

Do you have a lot of nephews and nieces? I do so I've stopped giving presents once they've left uni and got jobs because they all earn a lot more than I do!

Munchin

Hi HHD - I’m like you and have lots of nieces and nephews and all quite young. I actually only buy for my sisters kids as I’m not as close to my brothers kids. I just get them a box of chocolate & wine for the parents.

I’m finally over my jet lag & although I woke up at 3 I managed to fall asleep again. Busy day & week ahead - 1 Xmas dinner, 1 AGM, one 5k race followed by lunch and 1 friends b’day night out. I’m taking mum to an appt this morning and then we will brave the shops.

Yesterday was really productive - after my holiday I wanted a total clear out, so I started with my room and managed to add 2 boxes of books to ‘we buy books’ for just under £20. The rest are going to charity. Old boots (beyond repair) and clothes were donated to the recycling centre and lots of clutter was removed. Tomorrow I’m moving onto the kitchen.

I guess I better brave the cold and go for a run.

Munchin

Hi all,

Still in work but it's very quiet here at the moment so catching up on diaries. I joined the NSD challenge but the blighters are very elusive - I've managed to keep a good tight hold on the purse but even though I haven't spent loads I have spent each day. I downloaded 'Money dashboard' and it has helped keep me accountable on the money front. Today I was out for lunch with ex colleagues, tomorrow is the same and Thurs I have a dentist appointment - I might get an NSD on Firday.. Sat I'm meeting a friend for breakfast - these are all fun enjoyable things and normal for December, so I will not stress and just enjoy...within my Xmas budget.

A friend rang last night to see if I fancied an amazing trip in October with a group of girls. I know a few of them and I am planning on going back to Sri Lanka next year (saving pot started)- I told her to keep me updated with the plans and I will let her know near their booking time. I'm tempted and I know if I'm frugal I will have enough saved up for both trips...… I feel like I should have more saved up for emergencies but then I also feel that its a wonderful life experience. Anyway I've set up another savings pot on Monzo to fund it - just in case I decide to go. It means that until I'm debt free in June I'm going to have to be super frugal - and we all know how I struggle with frittering.

I have 10 mins before I can escape and head home

Munchin

Evening,

I sold my books to We Buy books and got just over £19 back today . I also went to the dentist this morning for a check up and all is good - they gave me 2 free samples of toothpaste (gone are the days when you go a lollypop ).

Spends continue to be small but daily spending. Tomorrow I promised the family Chinese and on Sat it's my turn to buy breakfast for my friend and I. I think the next NSD is Sunday. I have lots of plans for the week ahead that are not Xmas related.

I had a massive clear out of my room and house and hopefully tidy house, tidy mind. Ok time to read a good book then bed.

Seasidegal58

Well done on the decluttering!:j

And I think downloading the Money Dashboard is an excellent idea! Accounting for where your money goes is key to debt busting and budgeting.

Have a good week Munchin.
x

Munchin

Thanks SSG

The weekend was spendy but I managed to get a free Chinese for my family on Friday night. I went to an event on Friday at lunchtime and they had so much food (including Chinese) leftover and unopened that we were given food bags to take home. Saturday I met a friend for breakfast and did some shopping (final gifts and some make up for me) and Sunday - finally no spends . I think I will also manage a no spend today but I have parking to pay for tomorrow and lunch on Wed - so the NSDs are a bit scarce on the ground.

I have my budgets done for 2020 and after putting about 45% of income into savings and then paying my bill and loan I will have £420 a month to spend on fuel, groceries etc. I'm hoping to keep a tight rein on my budget during Jan - May because that will mean the loan is paid of and I can have a bit more disposable income and more into savings from June onwards. I wish I wasn't such a fritterer.

I have £221 to last me the rest of the month and that includes diesel and any other Xmas bits and at least 2 more lunches out - should be doable if I'm careful.

Munchin

Weekly spends - w/c 16 December

Mon - NSD 3
Tues - £15.65 Groceries
Wed - NSD 4
Thurs - £10 charity
Fri - £9 Tesco (2 pressies) + £12 hairdressers + £6.99 wreath
Sat - £60 Asda, Spar, McDonalds (nephew) & Beauticians

Total - £114/[STRIKE]£178[/STRIKE]

Seasidegal58

45% of income to savings is marvellous! Go Munchin!:j

Munchin

Thanks SSG

The rest of the week is spendy, today I’m at a charity event, tomorrow meeting friend for lunch and going to hairdressers. Saturday I’m at a race and then going to the beauticians. I have no spends planned for Mon onwards but there is always the last minute bits and bobs for Christmas.

My yoga teacher put up her list of classes for the new year and I contacted her to sign up to a Saturday class from January. I’ve not been for a year but I did yoga on holiday and I had forgotten how much I missed it.

I get paid tomorrow and although I plan on not touching it until 1 Jan it’s nice to have that security blanket.