Trying to stay in the black

joedenise

That sounds a good idea @PinkHairbrush to use the saved money to get rid of the overdraft and use the October money to pay for November.  It's exactly what I do as we have money coming in twice weekly (mine and DH's state pensions); small pension (a few days before end of month) and work's pension (last working day of the month).  Getting a month ahead definitely makes life easier.

You can save up the money for the work on the house again over time.

Good luck with getting a month ahead on the bills!

moneyonmymindsam

Sorry to hear you've been awake and stressing about money. Yes I think that's a good idea (If house not falling down  ) give yourself a bit of a head start now your watching your spends. 

You have got this I just know it. 
Sam x🤗

PinkHairbrush

Thanks for the encouragement joedenise and moneyonmymindsam.

The way I was doing things used to work but that obviously isn’t the case anymore - hence being in my overdraft repeatedly. So I am changing tack. I have drawn up a new monthly budget covering all categories, not only monthly but yearly as well. I’m sure it will need amended as I go along but I think it is a good start.

Taking effect from 1st October on Wednesday. Going to keep a strict spending diary and assess as I go. Hopefully this will work better for me and my family. 

joedenise

Your monthly budget needs to include a monthly amount towards the annual bills going forward otherwise you are going to end up needing to use CCs or your overdraft, neither or which are good ideas.

PinkHairbrush

Yes absolutely joedenise, I have planned for this and am hoping to get my ‘piggies’ in order! 

Well I have cleared my overdraft and my funds are in place to start the new budget tomorrow. Let’s see how October goes! Plan is to stick to budget and keep a spending diary...

moneyonmymindsam

That's brilliant news. Good luck for October 

PinkHairbrush

Thanks Sam. 

Was out shopping today and instead of being filled with guilt over spending money I was able to really enjoy buying the kids what they needed, knowing that all I had to do was log the spends in my diary when I got home, as this month’s money had been properly budgeted. Feels a lot more controlled. 

moneyonmymindsam

I think when you are single all the spending is done by you so it's like you spend everyday on essentials like bread, milk, a stamp and so on. 
October is a good budget start month and of course we have halloween coming. 🎃🦇. You can still have nice things while budgeting it's just your more considerate of your spends. Glad to hear day 1 was without money worries. At least you know that all the money you are spending is your own and not the banks. 
See how you get on and perhaps reduce the overdraft with the bank so you are not tempted to creep back in it so much in future.
Doing so well 
Sam 👍😁

PinkHairbrush

Thanks again Sam. 

Haven’t been on much lately. Just plodding on and sticking to budget. Seems to be working well so far. Let’s hope it keeps up!

moneyonmymindsam

That's amazing that you are sticking to budget that's always a hard job in itself, sometimes the month never seems to end. 
What's that saying more month than money 
Sam