You'd think I'd have learnt by now 23 October 2020 at 10:11PM in Debt free diaries 98 replies 6.1K views

Couldsavemore

Easy credit is the route of all evil for me... This time its paypal credit.

Plus I have large loan on my large caravan and another for my solar panels

I'll need to contact the loan companies for the amounts left but I pay 275 a month for my caravan and 160 a month for the solar panels.
My paypal credit is around 950.

But I'm starting with sorting 
My buget so I'm not only under spending but putting money aside for big bills such car insurance etc.

What hasn't helped me is putting the road tax and caravan insurance on 12 monthly payments as its really cut into my 'wiggle room"

First thing I've done is cancel prime unlimited music and weight watchers... thats 22 pounds back into my budget!
Aim for november will be to decrease paypal credit and increase savings. 
I don"t think I'll be making any spectacular savings as my budget is pretty tight anyway!

I've run up debts before... you'd think I'd learn but am tackling it early.

I can afford my loan repayments but I'd like to build up some savings so I can pay them off early

Jo

Couldsavemore

It's half term week.
The first half of this week, we're caravanning in the not so sunny lake district.
Have paid for my parents to come with us as part of their christmas presents. 
Been out walking so only having to pay parking.
Bought my sons winter coat (one size to big so fingers crossed it'll do next year as well). Also it was half price so came in under budget. As I've done 2 weeks isolation recently and mam did my shopping I've paid for it out of my food budget, so it's not coming out of my new november budget.
Sisters birthday next month but luckily had some pounds set aside for this.
Gruffalo walk at winlatter tomorrow... thats free!
Hoping to have a few spare pounds at the end of the month so pay off paypal credit.

Couldsavemore

So its the day before pay day.
I've looked at my spending in the lakes.
£12 on parking
£15 lunch with son at a cafe
£7 shampoo
£8 coke zero
£40 new trousers .. the reason for this was 2 fold!
1. I forgot to pack my hiking trousers. So was making do with walking in my jeans.
2. My dog literally pulled me over in the mud so couldn't wear my jeans any more. Bought some trouswrs fir walking but smart enough to wear generally so will get lots of wear.

Last spend of month...
The dog needed his yearly jabs so another £32. I prepaid for a vac for life at the vets when he was a puppy so inly had to pay for his kennel cough.

Whilst startung this mid month with no real budget. I have managed to start my big bill saving account (eg insurances / car tax etc) with £140.  Am aiming to add to this monthly at £200 a month but can take out to car tax / servicing / insurances.
Still need to find out loan balances and terms left.
Still... its pay day tomorrow!

LivingInTheBlack

Hi couldsavemore
Had a read through of your diary. Caravaning is a good, reasonably priced way of holidaying. 
Well done for working on the paypal credit!

Couldsavemore

Thanks Livingintheblack, I do love my caravan. Got some bookings already made for next year including a run down to cornwall in august!

So its payday today...
I filled up my car and cane in £20 under budget!
I've been brave and taken out the full £200 food budget... thats 40 a week for 2. I did 22 in aldi which was all food.
8.75 in Sainsbury which was cruelty free washing powder and eco washing up liquid. But that'll last more than a month. Plus 7 at BnM for cat litter to last the month. So under my 40 budget.
Cat food came in on budget at £50.
I've also paid £50 into my son's school meal account and £40 into his go henry which will cover his pocket money.
Am thinking of paddleboarding tomorrow on the sea as its going to be to flat to surf.
Have also paid myself £400 into my savings account.
Any underspends this month will go to paypal credit.
How is everyone else coping with pay day... I find it hard not to over soend at the start of the month

Sarahwithlove

Im the same with payday unless I move the money that's spare into a category or pay off the debt or becomes so easy to just buy things for sake of it. 

Couldsavemore

Sarahwithlove said:

Im the same with payday unless I move the money that's spare into a category or pay off the debt or becomes so easy to just buy things for sake of it. 

Oh definately. I'm hiding at home so not looking in shops at 'stuff' which all of a sudden i can't live without.
I read someones post about setting a fixed payment and other peoples comments about spending what had been out aside for overpayments. So I did pay an extra £50 off my credit. So hopefully be under £900 at the end of the month.
No paddleboarding yesterday due to high winds.
Today, I'll occupy myself with tidying the house before ds gets back from his dad's.

LivingInTheBlack

Couldsavemore said:

How is everyone else coping with pay day... I find it hard not to over soend at the start of the month

I have a budgeting app (YNAB) that i budget with. Every penny is accounted for. I do struggle with pay day grocery shopping though. I have no advice other that identifying your bad habits and being strict with yourself. Easier said then done.

Sarahwithlove

LivingInTheBlack said:

Couldsavemore said:

How is everyone else coping with pay day... I find it hard not to over soend at the start of the month

I have a budgeting app (YNAB) that i budget with. Every penny is accounted for. I do struggle with pay day grocery shopping though. I have no advice other that identifying your bad habits and being strict with yourself. Easier said then done.

I use YNAB as well and love it. 

Couldsavemore

Sarahwithlove said:

LivingInTheBlack said:

Couldsavemore said:

How is everyone else coping with pay day... I find it hard not to over soend at the start of the month

I have a budgeting app (YNAB) that i budget with. Every penny is accounted for. I do struggle with pay day grocery shopping though. I have no advice other that identifying your bad habits and being strict with yourself. Easier said then done.

I use YNAB as well and love it. 

Hi
I've looked at the app but it says its a free down load but you pay to use.
Could you advise?
I'm currently using an excerise book and tracking my money in pots such pets / food / miscellaneous.
How do you lovely people divide up your money?

Couldsavemore

Thought I'd update for my week.
I've used money from my big bill account to pay for a boiler service. Now waiting for a quote for thermastat repair. What he said makes sense my house does gets really hot then cold. I thought it was menopausal hot flushes 😓😭
Also doggie has had a proffesional hair doo. I do clip him myself to save costs but I aint happy clipping round his delicates! 😁😁🐩🐩
Also treated my son to a 🍔🍟plus 🍟 for me but I got change from £4
Last month I bought some fireworks but scrimpped on the food budget to buy them.
Well, I think we need some joy in these dark times.
Managed 3 NSD's so far this month!
Have a safe evening