Looking forward - my diary!

marc.faulkner

Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the read

I like to think that I've always been relatively good with money - I setup in business whilst in high school and started tucking a bit away 'for a rainy day' then. It's a good thing I did really, as I went through an extremely rough period earlier this year and without my saings to fall back on I would have been well and truly up that well known creek, without so much as a flippin teaspoon never mind a paddle!

Unfortunately, the rough patch lasted quite a bit longer than anticipated and my savings dwindled to nothing

Things ae back on track now, I just need to learn a bit of self discipline. I guess spending a good six months living literally hand to mouth means that I then started splurging when I finally got my hands on some money again.

I'm determined to keep on track this time.

marc.faulkner

Apologies for the lack of update yesterday - Works Xmas night out!

'twas a good night, although a little more costly than I had anticipated - Glad I've had a relatively LS week so far.

Today has been relatively LS. I didn't surface until early afternoon so couldn't spend anything this morning and when I did go out, all I bought was some petrol and a bottle of pop. (And I earned a free takeaway dinner by fitting some electric sockets for my uncle :cool: )

Anyway, off to email AQA now - I need the extra cash at the moment (will be so glad when the 'season of high spending' is over :rolleyes:).

notanothergreyhair

Hi marc,

Really love the diary so far - am looking forward to reading it as you go on.

Regarding the phone calls - have you checked out the article on MSE for using things like 18185 etc?

mariagti

hi marc,

I too am a young one on here im 24. I'm enjoying reading your diary! not many young people care about getting bargins collecting points etc. So good to see im not the only one on here addicted to it all!

Im a sucker for spending on my car:rolleyes: Keep up the good work!:D

Savvy_sewing

:T Been trying to read your diary most days. Keep it up. Its quite a good motivator knowing that others are doing the same as you. That your not the only one struggling in the consumer world!. At least your still young and have a good future if you found out that you need to rule the money not the money rule you.! Until I ran the last pub I was always what I thought was good with money. But I borrowed too much and lost when I had to close the pub down. I may not have many "debts" now, but I still have to learn not to overspend. No longer have the dubious safety net of a credit card, or the ability to put money into savings yet.
Take heart and keep posting.

marc.faulkner

Thanks for all of the positive feedback guys

Today I've spent £8.90 on some christmas bits and a newspaper, however I've also earned a fiver putting a curtain rail up, so only £3.90 down. What's more, the £8 was spent in Poundland, so I got bags full of stuff


I'm supposed to be putting the afternoon to some constructive use - wrapping and labelling presents and listing a few bits on eBay, but don't seem to have got far. And the flat's an absolute tip!

Oh well, back to the grindstone...In a minute

marc.faulkner

I did make some progress earlier today though - I have setup a standing order to start paying my aunty back the money that I owe her. I've set it at £100 month for now, so will see how I manage.

Another step closer to DFD

firesidemaid

hi there

enjoying reading your diary so far.

do you have an asda near you? i find they are cheaper than tesco and have many random really good offers if you take a good look at the shelf labels. also, they will take (tescos also) any coupons off your bill up to 10% - you don't have to buy the item as long as they sell it! i take the coupons out of the mags at work.

also, have you thought about actually giving yourself a weekly/monthly budget for food and spending and then sticking to it?

good luck x

marc.faulkner

I do have an Asda, however I tend to prefer Tesco. To me, Tesoc seems cheaper :cool:

I've just spent £17.80 in tesco, and now my cupboards are bulging! This should be enough food to last me right over the Xmas period and through to the new year (when my new budget kicks in - 01/01/08! )

I've slightly amended my goals for savings - Rather than aiming for 3k per year, I'm going to go for slightly more - my cash ISA allowance Although I'm going for slightly more in 2008, as I want to build a £500 buffer in a deposit account too, in case of emergency.

So, I'm aiming for £11,300 by 31/12/10, as well as being clear of my few debts :T

marc.faulkner

I need a christmas costume, and fast!

I'm going out tomorrow night with a group of colleagues, for a christmas themed night in town (Warrington), however the person I was borrowing a costume from has let me down at the last minute :mad:

I urgently need a christmas costume - really not bothered what kind (I was going as a 'female' elf :rotfl: ) does anybody have any idea's in the Warrington area?

I've tried google and found a couple of Hire places which I can call first thing, however I'm really quite limited as I only have 1hr maximum at lunchtime to go and pick something up, and not much more than an hour or so after work.

Tesco Extra did have some in 2 days ago, but have now sold out