misstara's debt diary 2024

misstara

Dolly Rocker - definitely worth logging back into PA, I would reckon I make an extra £30-£40 each month from it and the surveys are usually more interesting than other surveys sites I've used.

Very quick post to say that I haven't managed to post recently as it's just been a horrible week at work due to various dramas and staff not being able to get in due to the weather.  I've worked ridiculously long hours and really just come home to sleep.  On a long shift again today (although this one was pre-planned) so hopefully can do a proper catch-up post tomorrow.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Back up to £9.84 already! 

Thanks for the reminder. 

Och that sucks - you'll be exhausted.

Boodedoo

Hope things at work have eased a bit, you must be worn out!
Weather here (West of Scotland) was Arctic - we didn't go out for almost two days, road was black ice and so were the pavements - ice has gone but now its high winds and heavy rain, lots of trees down around here so roads are blocked.

The next person who uses the phrase 'Global Warming' in my hearing is getting thumped. 'Climate Change' at least doesn't imply that Scotland is getting better temperatures :-)

misstara

Thanks Dolly and Boodedoo.  Hope things are better where you are Boodedoo.  Here the snow disappeared pretty quickly with the rain and thankfully it was never particularly icy.

So things have calmed down at work although I'm very much looking forward to 4 days off this weekend   On a late shift today so my plan is to go to the gym once I've woken up properly and then have a relaxed rest of morning before work.

Money wise - I get paid in a week's time and my bank account is looking quite bare.  Should manage to get through to payday but will have to watch what gets spent on food as there's only £23.46 left in that budget and £6.38 will be needed for the milk man.  

Have completely used what was in the presents fund as it was my mum's and niece's birthdays last week plus I bought part of OH's gift for next month.  Have also got my brother and sister-in-law's birthdays next month so better make sure I top this fund up with a good amount when I get paid.

Still no sign of my pay slip yet but hopefully it will be emailed today so I can start planning for next month.

Have cashed out £11.09 from PA and received £1.73 cashback on my ch@se account so have added both to the emergency fund.

misstara

Pay slip is now in so I can start making plans for next month.  Other than that, nothing much to report except a NSD

misstara

Made it to the day before payday with £3.30 left in the grocery budget and shouldn't need to buy anything in the next few days.  Will add it to the emergency fund if not used by Wednesday.

Review of 2024 goals since it's almost the end of month 1 (already!!)

Pay off credit card
£130 payment will be made this month so on track to pay off by end of May.

Maximise LISA
Miscalculated somewhere so only need to pay £475 to maximise this year's allowance.  £200 will be added tomorrow so on track for this too.

Increase emergency fund
I added money from the round-up account plus a few cashback amounts so the emergency fund has gone up to £1093.27.  £100 will be added tomorrow.

Celebrate
OH's birthday is next month and his 'big' present is bought so just a few little things to buy.  We are also away to Edinburgh for a few nights but plenty of money in the holiday fund for this.

Stick to the menu plan and minimise food waste
This has mostly gone really well and hopefully will continue.

Gym membership
This has gone really well.  I have been to the gym 9 times this month so far and probably will go tomorrow as well.  Just need to keep it up

Flat stuff
Hmm not a huge amount of progress on this one although I did do a clear out of toiletries that had gone a bit foosty and the bathroom has been brightened up by the new shower curtain and mat.

All looking good so far

Been on annual leave for the last few days which was sorely needed after a very emotionally draining few days at the end of last week.  Today me and OH went for a lovely walk round a park that we don't often go to and treated ourselves to a cuppa and scone in the cafe.  

beanielou

Great progress 😊

misstara

Thanks beanie

NSD today, went to the gym but had a home day other than that.

Payday today

Added the emergency fund savings to my signature to keep myself motivated. £100.32 added to it today, 32p was from ch@se account cashback.

Flat deposit will be over £10,000 next month   Had a look at a local property website just to see what was out there and found a property I love, really close to where we are now so I've walked past it heaps of times and always thought I would love to live there, however, it's almost double what we can afford and the steep staircase up to the first floor wouldn't work for OH even if we could afford it so only in my dreams!

Boodedoo

Loving the totals in your signature  and the end of month  review of the goals you set for this year is a really good way to keep on track. 

Cheering you on from the sidelines :-)

misstara

Thanks Boodedoo

It's been a tough week since I last posted as OH was very unwell and needed admitted to hospital.  He's since been discharged but needs a lot of help and monitoring.  Thankfully I have a lovely understanding manager so I will be working from home this week to keep an eye on him.

It will unfortunately have a future impact on our finances as I had to cancel planned overtime last week and this week so pay will be £600ish less at the end of next month but that's a worry for another day.

Need to go through my receipts and update YNAB as haven't been keeping an eye on spends this week.

Some good financial things 
- £51.06 bonus interest has been added to the LISA, now £9897.80
- £100 direct debit paid to credit card this morning, now £348.48
- £10.85 added to the emergency fund from PA and ch@se cashback, now £1209.57