misstara's debt diary 2020

misstara

I think you 'may' have meant to say:

"I am doing really well as Car fund was in a position to pay the car insurance and parking permit without having to worry about where the money would come from"

Thanks for your posts Boodedoo and beanie.  You're totally right, just need to look at it from another perspective

Was on a double shift today so tired but had a good day.  On an early shift tomorrow so need to get off to bed.

misstara

Oops haven't posted for ages.  Off to bed but will do a proper post and the budget tomorrow.

misstara

Budget - £1801.58
- £1050 usual bills
- £250 food
- £70 petrol
- £100 car fund
- £100 new glasses
- £10 emergency fund
- £30 home
- £56.58 social
- £10 clothes
- £25 flat deposit
- £100 presents

Had an eye appointment on Monday, needed new glasses as it's been 6 years since my last pair.  Also needed to buy 2 different types of eye drops as my eyes are really dry.

Not much else to report, working a lot as usual but now on holiday for a week.  Need to get some things today to drop off to one of my residents who's currently in hospital so thought I'd pop into town to get those and do some Christmas shopping at the same time.

misstara

Wow I haven't posted for ages.  It's not been a good month so far.  Struggling with low mood and work has been very stressful so haven't really had any motivation.  I have seriously overspent but don't actually know by how much as I haven't been keeping ynab up to date.  Day off tomorrow so will look through my bank statement and try to get ynab up to date and then do damage control for the rest of the month.

Not the best day today, ended up crying in the supermarket carpark as my car wouldn't start and just had a bit of a meltdown over it.  Cost me £30 for someone to come out and jumpstart it then I took it to the garage where they said the battery was ok so they're not sure why it had happened.  Got the Christmas food shop done today, spent a lot as we go into lockdown again on boxing day so also stocked up on a variety of things.

Got my covid vaccine on Friday and will go back in the new year for the 2nd dose.

Will try to post more regularly even if I don't feel like it as it does keep me focused and on track.

in_need_of_direction

You’re doing so well staying focused on finance while juggling other challenges.  Hang in there and take care

Boodedoo

Sending good thoughts and wishes your way.  Its been an awful year for everyone, but you have done so well financially whilst working in what must be a very stressful job, especially just now. Try to not be so hard on yourself, from the outside looking in I see so much to admire. Do your best to concentrate on the positives (even in this awful time there 'are' lots of those) . The things that are within your control you do really, really well :-)
Very pleased that you have had your first jab and are set to have the followup one.
Take care.

beanielou

Positive vibes your way.

misstara

Thanks INOD, Boodedoo and beanie

I do feel much more positive today.  Slept really well which always helps, my sleeping habits have been atrocious recently so need to try to get into better habits.  I met a friend for lunch which was lovely and definitely has contributed to me feeling more positive about things - it was great to speak to someone face to face other than OH or work colleagues.  £18 spent on lunch.

I've also been through my bank account, receipts and ynab so everything now matches up.  I've overspent by around £230 £35 on a tree, stand and tree topper, £40 on postage, £60 lent to OH to cover presents for his family, £50 overspend on presents and the rest on food.  We usually have an artificial tree but decided to go for a real one this year, bit of a spur of the moment decision so not budgeted for.  Forgot that I would have to post all my presents this year so again not budgeted for.  OH will pay me back £30 in January and £30 in February, he's planning to join the credit union to save for next year.  I guess I bought slightly more expensive presents than usual to compensate for not seeing family this year and the food overspend came from not being organised enough/continually working late and grabbing something quick from the supermarket on the way home.  So at least I know now where the money went!

Don't think work will let up any time soon, if anything the opposite so getting on top of the food spends and being more organised is a good thing to focus on.  This evening I've made a veg packed pasta sauce and veg green Thai curry so once it's cooled down, I'll portion them up to stick in the freezer for easy meals after work.

Finally beginning to feel a bit festive - got the tree lights on, a gingerbread candle lit and a Bailey's in hand while watching a Christmas film.

in_need_of_direction

Glad you’re a bit happier 

misstara

Thanks INOD

No spends yesterday and £5.24 spent today on a couple of last minute bits.  On a late shift today so hopefully will be a nice shift.

I got paid today - thankfully more than usual due to lots of overtime so have covered the overspends and transferred £1900 to a different account to then budget at the end of the month.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone 🌲⛄