Trying to make the sensible choice

Sparkly_Purse

Haven’t been posting and although I’ve (mostly) been sticking to my mse ways, I definitely could be doing better. So I am re committing! Quick review of where things are and back to it!

Sparkly_Purse

So after a quick look through ‘the book’ - nothing quite like keeping track of things with a pen and paper! - generally going in the right direction. Could be doing a bit better which is why I am back here!

Since I last posted I have several new outgoings so it is now even more important to make the sensible choices!

Sparkly_Purse

Starting things off again with a no spend day. Only outgoing was my £5.99 phone insurance.

Food wise, used up some bits and pieces from the cupboard and fridge today. Also I have been continuing the cooking on a Friday night for my guests as opposed to ordering in. Easier than usual tonight as I simply defrosted some batch cooking.

I have also continued to keep a spending diary. Definitely going to keep this up all the time.

Been using the old if you want to buy something wait a day or two before purchasing it to see if you still need it - I keep thinking I need stuff but after a bit of ‘shopping from home’ it turns out that I don’t need half of what I think I do.

Dare I say it - Christmas. Am mostly sorted for presents, determined to keep spending low! Will have to have a tot up and see how I am doing (or not!) with this.

Venturing out to the shops tomorrow - hope I make good choices and keep my purse firmly shut! Will report back.

Sparkly_Purse

Successful shopping trip today, in that I didn’t spend too much. A planned purchase for the house which had been budgeted for and the only other thing was £1.39 on a portion of chips. Not bad for being out and about most of the day. It helped that a good bit of it was browsing and not (yet) buying.

Totted up my spends so far toward Christmas - £95! I am quite shocked at this, as a lot of what I have got so far has been through exchanging unwanted gifts and using vouchers. It just shows how quickly it all mounts up. I have a few more presents to sort (though myself and some family members have agreed not to buy each other this year which will definitely help!) and the food shop - don’t want to go over (or if possible, anywhere near!!) £200 in total for the day. I am only feeding 7 so hopefully this is doable.

Will have to start having a think about what goals I would like to set out to achieve in 2020...

[Deleted User]

Hi Sparkly Purse, well done on keeping on top of your spending. I've joined the No Spend Challenge on DFW board this month, as I was starting to lose focus and this has really helped me to get back on track.

bln x

Sparkly_Purse

Thanks bln - the challenge sounds like a good idea. No spend days are few and far between for me this weather!

Only spend today was on petrol as was running on fumes - £15.02. Oh and a £5 donation.

Nothing much else to report other than continuing to use up food stuff in the most efficient order - I hate food waste!

savingwannabe

At least you have bought some presents that is fine. Well done on buying essentials like petrol and food.

I think you are doing well. It is helping us to stay motivated too. Keep it up Madame. (Ps that is pronounced Madameeeeeee in my house when we are proud of you)

pinknsparkly

I definitely recommend one of the challenge's as suggested by BestLifeNow. Especially if you pick one that is pretty active with people posting every day - it's amazing how motivating reading about the finances of complete strangers can be!!

Sparkly_Purse

Thanks savingwannabe - that made me laugh!

Pinknsparkly I definitely agree that reading about other people’s money saving ventures is one of the best motivators!!

My budget is undergoing a bit of an overhaul and this is going to continue for a few weeks. So the plan until the new year is to make sure there is money for bills, keep making good choices and hopefully get a bit saved to the side (despite Christmas, moving house and a short holiday!!). Then it’ll be full steam ahead into money saving 2020!

Sparkly_Purse

Haven’t been posting much - too busy spending. It’s that time of year isn’t it?!

Checking in as I am going on a short holiday at the end of the week and want to be in the right mind set before I go, I.e enjoy myself but don’t go buck mad with the debit card.

Have made out a meal plan to use up the rest of my fresh stuff before I go. Should still be enough bits and pieces to make pack lunches for the journey.

Had a no spend day today which is a turn up for the books! This won’t be the case tomorrow as have a few jobs to get sorted before heading off. Will try to keep spends to a minimum though and get back in to more mse ways in good time for the new year rolling around.

Here’s hoping!