Confessions of this Shopaholic

Saving_Pots

I had to pick up my bridesmaid dress today which is finally finished, for a wedding in two weeks, it took forever the alterations it just wasn't quite right so I expected the price to change a bit from what was originally quoted but happy days it didn't!  So that cost £100.  It's a lot of money really although I did budget for it and I feel its a bit unfair to ask the bride to cover it when the dress didn't fit and it was quite unflattering on my body shape. Glad to see the back of it also as the journey to the shop is 35mins each way and this was my forth time going over there!  This is the second wedding i've been involved in this year and I'm not sure i'd accept being a bridesmaid again, it is a privilege for sure, but it also costs so much particularly with all the hen dos. 

My appointment was at lunchtime and normally i'd be tempted to stop for something but I was ever so good and came home and cooked a frozen pizza pesto baguette thing in the air fryer.  

Been studying this afternoon, I'm off work today on a summer shut down day and the house is empty and quiet so thought its a good opportunity to work on my next exam.  I'm studying a professional qualification for my industry and really want to bang out some of these exams.  I have 7 left, after this next one i'll be half way through.  I'm self funding so it is really important to get them done.  

We are out for a meal tonight, but we helped at a festival in the summer and it's a thank you treat so I don't expect it will cost us much, if anything at all.  I haven't withdrawn my £10 notes yet - although I have spent today's as I brought a groupon spa deal for myself and a friend for her 40th birthday and because I booked it in on a Saturday they charged me a weekend surcharge of £5 each.  Something nice (and already paid for) to look forward to later in the year.

Saving_Pots

I was quite good this weekend - I spent £9 on a bottle of wine for the meal on Friday and then Sunday I treated my friend to lunch which was using Saturday and Sunday's 'budget' of £10 per day.  Went slightly over, it was £24 but we used her 20% off discount voucher.  

I've updated mine and the joint account's monthly budget and everything is OK.  Paid £100 to MBNA credit card for now (it's an expensive month with the wedding and the return to school for the kids) and my Lloyds payment of £304 will go out Thursday.  

Went through the freezers today to do a stock check - we've already shopped for this week but I'm confident that besides a couple of fresh items we will eat from the stores next week.  

Gave the house a bit of a tidy, changed the bedding and got on top of alot of work today.  I've been having work anxiety and barely slept last night.  It's not my busy time of the year and so i've taken quite a lot of leave over the summer which is now having an effect on my workload.  Feel like although i've not made really any progress to the debt I am much more conscious of  my spending and by not having my 'head in the sand' across the board I'm feeling more in control if that makes sense.  

Quiet weekend planned - the kids are going away with their dad and my husband is out for the football.  I'm going to catch up on a load of study and make myself a thai curry from the stores!  

Saving_Pots

Withdrew £50 this morning for my £10 per day budget which takes me up until Sunday.  I was working in the office today alongside one of my favourite colleagues who very kindly treated me to lunch so I haven't spent a penny today!  I even brought in some porridge from home in a flask for breakfast!  Quite proud of myself.

I have a fairly quiet rest of the week planned so I'm hoping to clock up some no spend days and then what I have left from my tenner budget will transfer to my credit card at the end of the week.  Hubby is happy to spend Friday evening at home, says he will cook a nice dinner from the things we have in the freezer and watch a film, plus I can get some proper study done over the weekend too and a walk with the dog. 

It seems like a really expensive month at the moment with various bits and bobs plus this wedding next week, desperate to properly get into September and back in a routine. We've had a few things come up at home I've had to contribute from my own account to this month but some of that are are items that the Joint Account will pay me back next month so I can put that on my credit card also. 

I'm really worried at the moment about the cost of living and what that means for us all.  I would like to simultaneously save as well as clear the credit card, just in case something goes wrong at work and I have a bit of a buffer to keep me going and reduce the impact to our household.  So I will add savings to my signature also.

The credit card APR is 22.31% and I've got a direct debit set up for £100 per month (the minimum is £25 so it is already being overpaid).  I've worked out about 1k of the credit card debt is from our family holiday abroad where we put some expenditure so I will mention this to hubby and send a payment from the joint account a month also.  

Chased Amazon last night for an item that never arrived about 10 days ago, I needed it for my friend's party which is long gone so they have refunded me.  Only £3.99 but every little helps.

Lloyds loan payment goes out tomorrow so I can update that!  

Saving_Pots

Happy 1st of September!  Autumn is here, although you absolutely wouldn't know it. It's been hot today!
My favourite time of year.  I love all the autumn colours, and the cosiness, nights drawing in and all the autumn clothing.  Give me a scarf and a pair of boots any day.  Although we've had a fabulous summer weather wise, we have been lucky this year!

Working from home today, popped out on my lunchbreak to sort the stationery out for the kids return to school.  That was already budgeted for and in the joint spends.  Tried to educate my 16yr old daughter a bit and we made some swaps for cheaper, and just as good, items.  Kitted them out for £32.90

I didn't spend yesterday but today I picked up a wedding card, bow and wrapping paper for next week's wedding as well as a new home card for my friend and a bottle of red (£6!) also grabbed one for myself for my quiet weekend in.  Spent £19.98 but as I didn't spend yesterday I am going to say I'm within my spending budget!  Wooo!! 

We were heading up north to the wedding next Friday but hubby works all around the country and he needs to basically go to the same exact place next Thursday so I'm going to flexi my day (work Thurs afternoon & Fri morning - I had booked Friday off completely) and go up with him.  As its quite a journey his work will pay for a hotel overnight and because it's a work trip the whole round trip mileage can be claimed back and his evening meal.  Happy days!  

Last night I used up a load of vege we had knocking about and made a big lentil curry. It made seven lunch portions so I had that today and I've frozen the rest.  Even if I forget to get them out of the freezer the night before they don't take too long to microwave from frozen.  I'm hoping this helps with the weight loss also!  On my stock take of our freezers I noticed quite a lot of fish in there we have frozen salmon, smoked haddock and some king prawns so I'm going to batch cook a fish pie over the weekend and freeze - quick tea when hubby is here because he hates fish unless it is battered and deep fried, or a hearty warming lunch when the weather turns...  

I'm logging off for the day, going to do a bit of revision, shower and get cosy for the night.  

rigare11a

How are you finding the cash budgeting? I have started doing it recently too after being inspired by cash stuffing videos on tiktok. I have found it much easier than I thought I would and really motivating to see the actual cash rather than online shopping or tapping the card