Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

Irenadler

@ Swan
Thanks Swan, just trawled backwards and saw you had suggested the cash in envelope budget! I do have envelopes, so, next week I will withdraw cash and start budgeting! It will be interesting to see if I can leave the plastic at home, and not have it in my bag as a prop to lean on..... 'just in case!'

savingwannabe

I go away for 12 days and you have done sooooo much. OMG. Well done Ren.

Irenadler

Ha! Ta very much... it's actually over a bit longer time than that Swan... 

Erm, for example, I mean to finish hemming the curtains about 5 years ago, and only just got round to it! I had cut them to length, tack-stitched, and re-hung.... (the shame)....   although the other stuff has been over the last couple of months!

MovingForwards

Ok Ren, straight talking now! 
Look at it this way.
If you do not put £21.55 away each month. How will you pay the B&C next year? Instalments? In that case it's now going to cost you £10 a month or an extra £22.56 a year for the privilege.

Paying the extra £4.45 into savings per pay date will cover the cost of a pair of shoes each year, a kettle and slightly cheaper shoes. 

I would shelve the idea of paying family back for this year, you still need to keep your books in the black. If you really want to put an extra £10pm away and then when it gets to £50 hand that over, repeat the process for 5 months and hand it over again.

Instead of getting into a panic about what ifs, try and work out the positive side. If you go into a spending spree, your savings are safe.

Don't try and run before walking, stick small and realistic. Feel comfortable that you are able to save and yet have money for food. Only once you have done it for a while do you think about increasing your savings. 

savingwannabe

Ren listen to MF she knows. I hope you are having a good night im watching Real Housewives recordings. 

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Ok Ren, straight talking now! 
Look at it this way.
If you do not put £21.55 away each month. How will you pay the B&C next year? Instalments? In that case it's now going to cost you £10 a month or an extra £22.56 a year for the privilege.

Paying the extra £4.45 into savings per pay date will cover the cost of a pair of shoes each year, a kettle and slightly cheaper shoes. 
Thanks Babs, you are right, this is going to be the priority savings...
I would shelve the idea of paying family back for this year, you still need to keep your books in the black. If you really want to put an extra £10pm away and then when it gets to £50 hand that over, repeat the process for 5 months and hand it over again.
That sounds more doable, I would feel stupid if something broke down and needed the money again! 
Instead of getting into a panic about what ifs, try and work out the positive side. If you go into a spending spree, your savings are safe.
True, I do my headless chicken thinking, it's the fear of tipping into debt kicking in...
Don't try and run before walking, stick small and realistic. Feel comfortable that you are able to save and yet have money for food. Only once you have done it for a while do you think about increasing your savings. 

Hey Babs, thank you, that's calmed me down....
I hear you - plunging into trying to save everything means I am more likely to get discouraged and give up.  Whereas doing it slowly and building it up gradually, kind of sneaking up on my saving, I will learn to first - budget, then second - save a little, then a little more, and before you know it I will be sitting on heaps of savings, and, er, rolling around on it! 

Irenadler

savingwannabe said:

Ren listen to MF she knows. I hope you are having a good night im watching Real Housewives recordings. 

Thanks Swan, will do... I know Babs has been through a lot and worked her way out of it, her experience and common sense makes me feel a lot better about things... 

I have been at the Scrabble with a family member (in my social bubble), and I won! Usually get thrashed at it... Getting bored of T.V. now, somehow it doesn't relax me, it winds me up...  , think I will attempt reading, got a book from charity which isn't new, but, new to me 'Affluenza'. Hoping that it helps me move away from the consumerist mindset!

Have a good night with your 'Real wives'....  

MovingForwards

Start small with your savings and save your annual bill money for next year. Master that 'small' savings pot for the rest of this year as it gives you enough time to see it works and doesn't leave you short each week.
Next year you can think about increasing your savings by 25p a week, £1 a month. The year after increase again.

As long as you do a 'financial audit' each year, may be every 6 months, you can see how things are progressing.

Once you get into the swing of it, it will become second nature 🤗

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Start small with your savings and save your annual bill money for next year. Master that 'small' savings pot for the rest of this year as it gives you enough time to see it works and doesn't leave you short each week.
Next year you can think about increasing your savings by 25p a week, £1 a month. The year after increase again.

As long as you do a 'financial audit' each year, may be every 6 months, you can see how things are progressing.

Once you get into the swing of it, it will become second nature 🤗

Thanks again, Babs, this is what I am hoping, that it becomes an ingrained habit.... rather than the one that involves retail therapy!

Irenadler

Hey all
Been helping a family member with real life problems, they have had their card details hacked, and a real headache for them. New card ordered, banks notified, and fortunately, bank checked with them on phone before accepting an unusual transaction which is now refunded thankfully...

At least they had the sense to stop using card or buying anything on-line in the meantime. Times they had said to me that they used the same password for everything and the times I had said that is not a good idea but they took no notice.... Finally that's been taken on board! We are still not sure how they got at the details, but, are taking advice, warning retailers, etc about what's happened in case they have been hacked too.....

Anyway, the panic over sanctioning didn't occur, I did get paid. Attended some actual social things, fully masked, etc. and even went on public transport, weirdest experience ever.... 

So, actually been researching banks and interest rates and settled on the one that I want, then, as it's only on-line accessible had a huge wobble because of what happened to relative ... I am now going to my own bank to start a savings account with them... doh!

So, no extra savings sorted yet as waiting to see what's left after bills come out... But nearly there!