Expensive times

singlemumofgirls

Haven’t been very good at keeping up with my diary. But after hearing Martin talking on tiktok this afternoon I am, yet again, worrying about the coming price hikes. Hopefully keeping track of my efforts to make good decisions will curb my anxiety about it all!

My income comes in dribs and drabs through the month but I have managed to get a little ahead so will be starting August with my full amount for the month. Hopefully this will make it easier to stick to budget. 

Only spend today was a small top up shop and we walked instead of using the car. Had the washing machine on but have reduced our daily washes to about one every three days. Why have I been washing so many clean clothes over the years?! 

All meals were made at home. I had brought in some apples and rhubarb from the garden so made the filling for a crumble. Will add the topping and bake when I have the fan oven on tomorrow - trying to fill it with enough that I’m only having to use it every other day. 

Have been trying to settle on a clear goal to work towards and I think an emergency fund of £800 would be a good and realistic place to start. So here goes…

Sarahwithlove

Welcome! I think in these times most people are looking for ways to cut the spending. Do you have any kind of sinking funds? I.e things you pay for annually or could save money doing so such as insurances, or annual expenses such as car MOT etc. After emergency fund you may wish to look at starting that. 

singlemumofgirls

Hello Sarah - yes I will have to get the annual expenses sorted after the emergency fund. How do they seem to crop up on you when you know they come every year?!

I did some shopping for back to school stuff this morning. Have sorted in to what is suitable and being kept and another pile to go back later in the week. Still a good lot to get. Trying to make do with a few things from last year to save even a little. 

Also needed a tank of petrol. We’ll breeze over this painful subject quickly!

Really trying to keep the food shop down but it just seems impossible. Went in for yoghurt and came out a tenner lighter!

Have a big direct debit coming out later in the week but think I can manage to start my EF off with £25 if we are careful until the end of the month. 

singlemumofgirls

Managed to get a load of washing dried outside yesterday which I always consider a major win!

Bought a first class stamp to send a card - 95p. More expensive than the card. The world is going mad. 

All meals being eaten at home and leftovers being used up. Determined that nothing goes to waste this weather. 

Have set aside another £25 for my EF so that’s 50/800. Have a little left for a few top up bits of food before the end of the month. 

Have listed a couple of bits on Vint*d to see if I have any success here. 

All a bit boring but hoping all these little efforts will help us avoid the need for the old credit card!

singlemumofgirls

Where did the last three months go?!

Spending and energy use seems to to be getting away from me a bit, what with being back at school, the winter coming and birthdays/Christmas on the approach. 

My income has now settled after some changes when I was last posting so all in all a good time to draw a line and start afresh - time to rebudget!

Going to set aside some time today to plan, will report back.