Isca’s Journey

Isca82

Happy Monday morning everyone!

Here are my to do's for the week

• Check for money in from hubby delayed train (£15) Received and paid off CC
• Check for money in from our delayed train (£50)
• Check for money in from Ziffit (£5)
• Take Kindle and old tablet into CEX and exchange for games for DD birthday
• Meal Plan and keep food shop spends under £50 Morrisons shop done. Spent £32. Will likely need to pop and get some more bits and pieces on Friday so £18 left for that
• Get check for PTA expenses and pay in (£20) Picking up the cheque tonight and will pay in later in the week
• Personal spending under £10

I'll update here as I go along. Child Benefit arrived in my account this morning and £40 of that has been allocated to new coats for the kids. I have seen the ones we want so need to nip to Morrisons and buy them today.

Also noted that my new Natwest Reward account seems to be giving me approx £9 a month in rewards (can be swapped for vouchers or paid into account in cash). It costs me £2 per month so pretty happy with that. Although saying that.... I haven't seen £2 go out of the account for it yet and its been a couple of months. Need to check what the account info says about how and when I pay that.

Have a fab moneysaving day

Isca82

So far so good on the eating from home front. We have had terrible takeaway habits in the past. Hubby has taken his lunch today instead of buying it - leftovers from Sunday lunch so its Chicken, stuffing, sausage and mayo! Looked delish :A

Last night I made up a pasta bake using some meatballs that were going out of date, plus some ricotta and spinach that needed using. Was lovely and reminded me that the best meal sometimes come from needing to use things up! I have 1/3 tub of ricotta that needs finishing off now - will need to find some ideas to use it up!

The postman brought my shop and scan kit this morning, and I have followed the instructions to do a test upload which should earn me my first £10 voucher. I think I should earn a voucher every 7/8 weeks by scanning and uploading my shopping each week which will be brilliant!

I got my first £5 Morrisons voucher too yesterday after my shopping trip, using a 2000 bonus points voucher and asking customer services to add on the points from some receipts I found in the car. Will keep the points building up and may use some for Christmas.

Isca82

Happy New Year!

Well November and December disappeared and left a bit of a mess to clear up! I've certainly learnt that planning is key and without it, our finances go crazy!

I've set up a ring binder for all my finances and hope to keep all my notes in one place. I am going to use cash a lot more to keep me mindful of where our pennies go.

We were very lucky to receive a cheque for Christmas which will help us to have a holiday this year. This morning we have booked Mon-Fri in the Lake District at Easter, with a £26 Travelodge room on the way, and a Fri-Mon at our favourite Premier Inn on the seafront in August. It all comes to £824 plus of course we will need spending money. Everything except the Travelodge is pay on arrival, and I have £500 towards its already, and am paying £80 per month into our holiday savings this year.

I've also set up a SO for £80 a month towards next Christmas. That would be £960 for the year to include food, panto tickets and diesel for travelling to see family. I'm excited to feel organised, and just hope I can stick to it all!

Isca82

Just reallised that our RAC membership is due this month, thats £115. Had a quick look and it looks an ok price for the cover we have. Do I change it to monthly DD or try to find £115 by the 20th?

My initial goal is to fund my savings to £1000 asap and then pay off debts

savingholmes

It depends on whether you get charged more for paying monthly. If you do it can be a quick win to pay annually.