Budget with me one week at a time

KeepOnKnitting

I've just binge-read, and it is really obvious to see how much your mindset has changed. I nearly cheered when you accepted that you just cannot afford the beauty treatments you were having. I hope you have adjusted to your natural beauty and can see that for yourself, now that you aren't used to always seeing fake nails and lashes on yourself. I know it can be a difficult transition for some. Can you focus on features you do like, maybe your eyes are a beautiful colour or you have a great smile or really clear skin?

Budgeting week-to-week can be so helpful. I had to do that when I was really struggling, and I definitely had envelopes in my purse. My friends were really supportive about it and would do cheap social things so that we could still get together. 

DFB35

Hi everyone. Im back from my holiday and here to confess the damage …

It was supposed to be a “cheap” type holiday as seeing family etc but still managed to spend £527. That’s on top of flights and accommodation I already had. But such as life and I think once my oldest doesn’t come on holidays anymore I would just go on this type of back home holiday and save all year for it. And then it be manageable. 

As it was I have sold some of the items just before I left and pleased to report that I’ve paid the Amex down and had enough for this holiday too. So I’m starting afresh

I have just made a shop order £104 which is coming tomorrow. And have £92 for the week ahead to get me to payday.  Also the food account does have an extra 90ish in there as I didn’t do the shop last week. But I will leave it in there as a buffer. 

Very tired will sleep most of tomorrow but all is well so wanted to pop in and update. Mental health is good. Speak soon. 

Sarahwithlove

Glad you had a good time away even if spending money didn't go to plan 

DFB35

Been paid and reallocated my categories 

Food shop - £400 plus £50 buffer 

Week 1 - £100
Week 2 - £100
Week 3 - £100
Week 4 - £100

Personal account - £400 plus £100 buffer

Week 1 - £100

Week 2 - £100
Week 3 - £100
Week 4 - £100

Starting afresh and limiting spending to £100 a week all in and £100 budget for food. 

Some confessions :
Bearing in mind this is accountability and honesty diary I can confess here to things I wouldn’t in real life. I know it’s so shallow but I have ordered a fake version of the two pieces I have sold before my holiday. I really like the style of those prices - a watch and a bag and apparently the replicas should be very good. 

So shallow I know. 

Booked myself a haircut on Saturday. 

On the nails and lashes front I’ve not had them done in a while so saving there. I need to learn to do the cheap stick on lashes rather than lash extensions. My lash extensions were £40 ish every 3 weeks which is too much. 

Another confession I really want to go clothes shopping …. I’m trying to distract myself and not give in. Since my operation I have put on so much weight especially round my middle. And also aged a lot (I’m 40). Really want to reinvent my style for my new shape. 

I want to be less shallow. 

Sarahwithlove

What about vinted? Have you considered at home lift and tint kits for lashes? Or magnetic fake lashes for special occasions? 

RelievedSheff

I can understand regular hair cuts, they are essential.

But why do you need your lashes doing at all?

DFB35

I have bought magnetic in the past but couldn’t apply them. Will try to get self adhesive ones. I have a special occasion in November so need to sort something. 

I feel like lashes make such a huge difference to my appearance. I have quite small eyes and wear glasses which make them even smaller. With larger fuller lashes I look so so much nicer! I’m a bit scared to share a pic but you would see what I mean…

This is all of course completely shallow and superficial! Maybe I am going thought a type of mid life crisis as the whole lashes/ hair
extensions obsession mostly appeared just before my 40th bday and also topped up with having hysterectomy maybe I feel like I’m looking older and older. 

But this diary is very helpful as it gets me thinking about the underlying feelings and emotions to do with my spending

DFB35

Food shop - £400 plus £50 buffer 

Week 1 - £100 - done a food shop for the week ahead £98.77

Week 2 - £100
Week 3 - £100
Week 4 - £100

Personal account - £400 plus £100 buffer

Week 1 - £100 - planned spends - haircut tbc tomorrow, travel £9.20, lunches £5.85 so far. The week will run to Wednesday

Week 2 - £100
Week 3 - £100
Week 4 - £100

DFB35

Not yet allocated spends …

I need to book travel and accommodation to go see my daughter. She and her partner used to live with us but recently moved out to a different city. Having a Quick Look it be about 100 for tickets (airplane, more if train) and 150/200 for accommodation. This is for me and son if husband wants to come he has to get his own.

Need to take my son uniform shopping this weekend. Husband paid for his football membership so won’t ask him to contribute. It’s also sons birthday in September but I have money for the gift in our mutual account. 

How on earth people don’t spend money. I seem to have it coming out left right and centre  

RelievedSheff

It's always an expensive time of year when the kids go back to school. 

Try not to panic about it.

Could you try a few weeks without the lashes and see how you get on. I'm sure most people won't even notice you are not wearing fake ones!!