Why is spending money so easy......

Snwps

Jumping on quickly to update my diary. So we've been "debt free" for just over a month now. It was a strange feeling at first which I wasn't expecting. I thought I would feel more, or even stress less about money/my budget. I knew I'd have to keep budgeting and that was a way of life but I've had some challenges. I focused so much time and effort over the last few years in getting debt free that I felt at a loose end. I can't explain it! I didn't know what to focus my time on now, I needed a project. 

I've found that we've splurged a little more than we would have this month and I need to reign that in. It's not gone on debt but it's money that could be put to better use. DH seems to "need" this and we "must have" that and I'm having to explain all the time that we don't have the money to buy unnecessary things. It's me too, I'm not going to lie, I had a wobble a couple of weeks ago when my car broke again. I applied for a car loan and was looking to get an almost new one. I did the application and got accepted but I decided I don't want to be in debt again just for a car. So I cancelled the application and feel relieved I did (and a little silly that I even considered it in the first place). Old habits and all that. 

So April begins in a couple of days and Im resetting my budget. I've spoken with DH and made some targets/aims I hope to achieve in April. We don't have much going on that month (other than easter) so it's the perfect time to reset. March has been an expensive month with many birthdays. These inc:

• Only eat out/take away once a week
• No unplanned spends on house/allotment (especially on Amazon)
• Improve grocery shop spends (I've set up a new tracking pot on YNAB to split the grocery shop & unplanned food spends. I want to see how much the normal weekly food shop is and how much is on top up shops/popping to the shop for milk etc.

I had an unexpected email from Sky earlier. My contract is expiring in April and I normally need to call them, plead poverty and ask to reduce my bill/give a discount, they've automatically emailed me and explained that they understand the cost of everything has gone up with the cost of living etc so they've agreed to keep my current discounts for another 12 months. So my DD payment will stay as they are. That saves me a job. 

However as well as gas/electricity going up, my council tax has increased by £7/month and my water has increased by £5.38. I wish I could reduce my food/grocery shop bill. I need to watch more videos/online posts on batch cooking. 

lucielle

I know a few people, myself included who feel a bit flat after it’s paid off. You do need to find something to fill the gap it leaves. 

L

Snwps

Been doing a big financial review over the weekend. Looked at each bill to see if/where we can save. First off was Vodafone. I had 2 sim-only contracts with them which were originally about £7 but have now gone up to £9.63 each for 4GB data. I found a Sim only with 02, which is apparently better coverage indoors at home for £7.99 each for 15GB data. This is a 12-month contract where as Vodafone was out of contract. Small saving. I also got one for my youngest who was with ID Mobile (£6) but only had 2 GB data which he used really quickly. This is a small increase but better value for money. I have spend limiters on all mobiles so not have additional charges.

Then there's Sky. I've bitten the bullet and cancelled my TV subscription. When I called them to haggle the other day as my contract ends next week, they wanted to put me on a new 18-month contract for more money than what my existing package is costing. No incentive to re-contract. I have other streaming services so we don't really use Sky or watch live TV and can't justify the £45/month just to have the Sky box. So it's gone. Gone with it is Netflix 

I wish I had the guts to cancel the TV Licence but I don't want the hassle of the nasty threatening letters and agents visiting my door so we'll leave that one for now. 

I'm working on reducing the gas/electricity. It's like pulling teeth with my family though. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather/summer lower usage. 

In other news, no Amazon purchases at all this month. This is a huge achievement for us as it was getting a bit ridiculous the unnecessary buying off Amazon purely for convenience. We've also limited the takeaways so far this month. 

Next to review is the food shop. I'm currently looking at YouTube/Tiktok on food planning/prep/yellow sticker finding to cut the amount we spend on grocery shop. I have cancelled my Tesco delivery saver and I'll be going back to Aldi but need to time it right as the reason I stopped going there was due to the empty shelves. So planning on early morning visits once a week, following a list after writing out a meal plan. (It never pans out like that though)