Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Stocked up on fresh fruit and veggies from the fabulous greengrocers today. At the checkout the person next to me got out her credit card to pay but before she put it in the card machine a receipt popped out. It turns out her contactless card in her purse had already paid. She hadn't even wanted to use that card as there wasn't much money in that account. A lesson in being careful with contactless cards and it caused a right old uprising of discontent in the greengrocers from customers bemoaning modern inventions that don't actually improve things.

Franalamadingdong

If you have contactless I recommend the little sleeves you can get for them that block the signal. Mum got a pack of 100 for 20p the way she goes on and insisted I took one. Might ask her for a couple more for other cards. Anyway, they idea is that no one can steal the details etc through the contactless thingimagig - you can tell I know my technical stuff. But it certainly works. It is just a silver sleeve thing that you slot it in before chucking it in your purse. If you look up "contactless blocker sleeve" or similar words you'll find loads of sellers if it is a worry to you.
Well done for shopping local. Our greengrocers went many moons ago. It's yet another trinket/gift shop (seaside town).

savingholmes

I use a card protector too. Definitely worth it. Never had a problem. Amaz.... sell them

You sound on form Blackcats.

Blackcats

Thanks Fran and Saving Holmes for info on protecting contactless cards. There was a near revolution in the usually sleepy greengrocers yesterday with fine upstanding citizens threatening to drill holes in their contactless cards -good to know there is an easier option.:rotfl:
Still not quite at month end for my budgets but so far so good. Car MOT and service booked for Monday - I can afford the costs from this months spending but next year I'd like to have a pot of money for this.
I'm doing the £ a day Christmas savings challenge so today I changed up notes into 30 pound coins plus one from my purse and popped them ceremoniously into my sealed pot. Such a ridiculously satisfying feeling and evidence of a mature attitude to financial management (not) :money:

lucielle

We have a sealed tin for £2 coins. I raid OHs wallet to help him have less shrapnel floating about
L

savingholmes

Love the changing notes to make money box weigh heavier - LOL

Blackcats

Hi Lucille - I love £2 coins but I never seem to be able to get many to put in the pot.
Saving Holmes - I gave the money box a lovely rattle this morning and felt exonerated in my decision to turn boring old notes into lovely rattly coins.
Slow cooker is bubbling away and tonight's stew smells lovely - perfect for this cold weather.
A NSD today but yesterday I bought 4 Christmas presents. The candle company I use have got 1/2 price festive yank*e candles - bought them through quidco too. I promise I will put them away in my gift box, not use them myself and not forget that I've bought them and end up buying duplicate gifts (which I have been guilty of doing in previous years).

Blackcats

I've been playing about (or should I say working diligently) on my budget. There are a few one off expenses this month like my ridiculous phone bill - lesson learned don't assume I have overseas calls in my phone plan. Cross with myself but what's done is done and won't be done again. Also car service - affordable but I need a budget for car costs for the future. And my water bill which is quarterly - schoolgirl error - I haven't put aside money each month for this.
So, not great but at least I'm holding myself accountable and putting in place actions to improve for the future.
Unfortunately this means not much colouring in of savings grid this month.

In better news and to be a bit kinder to myself I will pay £100 into my 1 month fund, £25 into premium bonds and £300 into my regular savings. The regular savings matures in April and that money can go into a savings account and I'll start the regular saver again. I'm much better when the money is taken out of my account like a bill without me having a choice.

Franalamadingdong

Oh dear, we all make mistakes, that's why it's best we don't see our budgets as one and done, but something that can be played with - I mean readjusted, to fit whatever our current needs are. What's your "1 month" fund? I'm curious now!

savingholmes

HI Blackcats - I note presents bought on a spreadsheet against people's names... just a thought

(Admit it - were you thinking 'of course you do'?)

I'm not a nerd honest... well maybe I am when it is comes to spreadsheets... doesn't everyone have a plan that takes through from 49 to 67 and beyond? No? Really.... ? Who knew?