Keeping afloat till I can get round to the debts!

NeverendingDMP

Got the refund which is good news. Feel relieved about that.
Clothes maiden collapsed so used food money to get another. We wash at least once a day so decided best to replace asap. 

jwil

Glad you got your refund.  Hope the procedure goes well x

NeverendingDMP

Morning everyone. Procedure went well,get the results in a few weeks but hopefully nothing to worry about. Slightly tender but fine. 
Debts terrible, e fund almost 100 pounds and weather fairly okay so no need to have gas on all day! 
I've also been trying to log my food shop with mixed results as I keep forgetting to write it down. Think I need to put it all on same card and add up once a week. I'm pretty certain it's where I overspend but foods food isn't it. Gotta eat. Just need to see if my budget is reasonable.
It used to be 100 a week 2 adults 3 primary schools. All food Inc packed lunches. That became impossible and I'm currently wondering if 120, max 140 is enough. I need to track my spends. And see if I can find an up to date average spend statistic to see what that says. 

NeverendingDMP

So I've found two websites that seem to have been updated in last few months. You can't see figures but first graph says 
130 to 140 for weekly shop then 50-60 a week eating out. Second one says 156 food shop and 60 eating out .no wonder I'm always over..ill track it a few weeks to see. We do one school dinner a week at just under 8 pound and I'm trying to spend 120-140 on everything else except pet food which dh buys.. school dinners are on my house is in carnage day so it will require a minor miracle to fix that. I'll have to log it properly for a few weeks and see.

jwil

Can you go back through your bank statements and take the card transactions from there to see how much you've spent?  It's really hard to keep on top of it all, everything is still going up each week!

NeverendingDMP

Impossible to keep track isn't it. I'll have a look at recent statements. I've bought loads of other things in supermarkets too recently so unsure how successful I will be. My other problem is things like a broken clothes maiden don't have a budget either so I'm pinching here there and everywhere. Might be easier to pop the shops for a scratch card. You never know. I don't buy them but tempted just for one ha ha

NeverendingDMP

So tracking the shopping. 140 budget this week. 35 pounds remains after my big shop. I can already see that 120 isn't realistic and 140 is still pushing my luck but a more likely target to aim for. I'll keep an eye out over the next few weeks. It just cements the idea that my job doesn't pay enough for what we need. Not looking for anything else till I get my results. I know budget wise it will be easier from July but the govt help for gas and electricity will have stopped by then so probably won't be any better off. 
Also I've messed up. Thought all my bills were on d debit. Ones slipped the net unsure how and I have been issued a late payment fee and run the risk of loosing my balance transfer 0% offer. Oh pants. I've just spoke with them and they said if I loose the offer ring them up and ask for a goodwill gesture to reinstate. Hopefully it won't come to that. My fault though, made a real whoops haven't I. 

NeverendingDMP

In better news I've renewed our broadband and got it for three pounds a month cheaper!

jwil

Well done on getting the cheaper broadband.  Hope you don't lose the 0%

NeverendingDMP

jwil said:

Well done on getting the cheaper broadband.  Hope you don't lose the 0%

Hope so too. Would be a real whoospsie on my part.