2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

alt80

Looking good on all fronts - how often do you number crunch and do you try to stick to the budget every month or if under one month set spends higher for next month?

mark55man

I don't really budget, as me and OH do much the same every month - like I said a few times, we have taken the scenic route.  Also I have a couple of magic money pots - performance bonuses, allowances and a share scheme that I use as an Emergency Fund.

There is absolutely no doubt about it, that I would have been far better off and have spent less money and less time by being stricter with forward looking budgets - I basically look back at what I spent and try to learn lessons.  However, on the other had budgeting is very controlling (that's the point) so I just use Copernicus' principle (Basically assume that this month will be the same as last month) which work OK-ish but erratically 

alt80

I would like to not have to budget can deal with the scenic route I think if it means I don’t have to give anything up but getting on for £3.5-4k/m In over spending think I’ve going to have to budget. 

mark55man

I'm not saying we don't budget in big picture terms - its just I don't literally track the pennies as I spend them.  The last few years have been about gradually stripping out stuff that was costing too much, and then I check half way through the month and again at the end of the month - but the secret is just being pretty boring really - and getting our pleasures through work or community and not through spends 

mark55man

Weekly Focus (Long Standing)
Weight:- Weighed in today - 2kilos down so now at 229lbs or under 16 1/2 stone.
Money:- Going well 58 days not overdrawn

New Focus (Since 19/09) 

• Steps / Keep fit - Walk round lake - 4000 - didn't make it round twice as just so lovely to sit and watch the water

• Restart and maintain an outdoor hobby - Walking (Ha ha) - not yet but will count cycling when I do it

• Improve house environment - (clean/fixed) - normal chores done early - planned out incremental approach, identified new mattresses to buy - just need to find best deal

• less procrastination - eat more frogs more - (save/make) - reorganised my DDs and cancelled 2 for £20 a month (which and a magazine)

mark55man

* Day 5 - Brunch: Blueberry Muffins and Bacon - Supper: Chicken Tikka Massala

* Day 6 - Breakfast: Continental Meat & Cheese - Lunch: Tomato Soup - Supper: Roast Chicken & Roasted Carrots

* Day 7 - Breakfast: Tomato Soup (!!) - Lunch: Smoked Salmon Salad - Supper: Chicken Tagine in Chickpea Gravy

Day 7 was today.

New Focus (Since 19/09) 

• Steps / Keep fit - Walk at work - 3500
• Improve house environment - (clean/fixed) - normal chores done early - decluttered the car a little (yes really!)
• less procrastination - eat more frogs more - (save/make) - more lists and spreadsheets (I'm such a junkie)

(Observant readers will note I am not reporting that I haven't started cycling every weekday that I don't do it.  But will get a mention at Weekends!!) 

alt80

Declutter car?! What's there to declutter in a car? intrigued lol. 

savingholmes

Nice to read more about your back story

mark55man

Ha - I thought you might pick that up.  My OH does charity work for a food bank type organisation an they have temporarily lost their storage space.  so my car (the largest estate in the village) is now a mobile dispensary as we don;t want to unload the stuff into the car.  Yesterday we got rid of a few boxes while the management are trying to find new storage - but they are a bit slow as they aren't faced with the inconvenience, which if often but not always the way of the world

alt80

That makes a bit more sense thought you were one of the dirty people with McDonald’s etc cartons in the car for a moment. 

Tbf the boot of my Range Rover is always full of my work stuff. Not a mess like others in my industry though think I’ve just admitted to a bit of ocd. 🤣