Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

Spendywendywoo

Hello and happy Friday!

I did intend to post this morning but, after getting up early and getting ready, I read my book and worked through the budget and then..., well, work happened... 

Anyway, from a budget perspective, we are one week out from pay day and the start of the new budget. We are in a really good place yet again. The usual money (any money over my pay from my previous company) is saved into a holding pot which then covers holidays, any annual payments and maintenance funds too. I've again managed this month to save more than the basic amount as we have a couple of bills that aren't due to be paid (council tax being one of them) so the amount for this year to date stands at just under £2,700! Obviously this will fluctuate as annual bills or our holiday is paid but this is in the healthiest position it has ever been. Any monies remaining in the current account on pay day will also be moved over and allocated to a pot (i.e. an item listed on the spreadsheet). Last month this equated to £125 but we did have a few maintenance outgoings to consider. I think we will be looking at slightly more than that left over and it was a lower pay month too for us. 

Our 'spending' budget pots are looking good too.  All still within budgets (though due to a change of plans I've had to move some of the budget amounts around, all fine though as the final budget amount remains the same).  I've just organised a home delivery shop to come on Sunday morning and all meals are planned for next week which leads nicely to payday.  I may have a couple of essentials like bread and milk to pick up but I should just about meet the budget, though looking not to exceed. Doggo is going to the groomers on Monday but again this is within budget.

Date night tomorrow night, and again the budgets are looking good. Personal spend is low so will be nice to spend some time with Mr SWW, and no stress around how much we are spending either

Just a couple more tasks to complete for work and then I can finish up for the week, it's been a busy one and a chilled Sunday (other than putting the shopping away) is very much needed. 

I love how the budgeting, tracking and posting on here is keeping us on track. I had a moment this week again where I was worrying as we'd been to the shop a few times for things that were extras or needed as they'd been used up but updating the tracking spreadsheet stops this worry and makes me realise that we are still on track - it's good to have this awareness though as I used to just use my card all the time without thinking, I was in complete denial. Feeling good, feeling organised. 

Almost happy weekend all,
Wendy x

jwil

That all sounds really positive.  Have a good weekend

Suffolk_lass

I'm having that panic about what I bought as I shopped at M&S yesterday to stop me going to my regular SM and spending £120! I spent £85.27, but  I need to scrutinise it and log it to see what I did. Have a good weekend

Sun_Addict

What a lovely positive post 🙂 I love it when everything feels organised and going to plan - not that it happens that often 🤣

Spendywendywoo

Well, pay day week (Friday) and there is still over £200 in the 'spending' account. We have £3 to pay for DS to attend an additional extra-curricular activity this week, and £8.40 on school lunches as he's decided to have them this week (it has resulted in a saving on the grocery shop this weekend though). We should have enough petrol to last until the weekend, and we have no plans for this week during the week, all meals are planned and shopped for.  I'm in the office a couple of days but will make a meal prep tonight that will be for lunches, I've bought fruit and snacks too so will take them with me. 

I cancelled my prescription pre-payment this morning as I am only having to order my one lot of tablets every 2 months so £52.20 a year saved, provided I don't need another prescription over the course of the year.  If I do then I will take it out of the health and dental budget (£20 a month). 

I will look to do a budget for March payday one evening this week and run it passed DH. DH is loving that we are budgeting and is embracing it well. I plan for the month based on the events we have on, where we will be etc (once I have accounted for bills. annual expenditures and savings). We will have a little more money this month as DH gets his shift allowance (3 months worth) so this will be allocated to the various annual expenditure pots, I'm hoping to 'get ahead' by being able to record a couple of extra months of allocation to some pots (i.e. MOT, Service, Insurances) which is helpful as I am then building up the funds for 2026 payments.  The aim is to be 12 months in advance so if anything happens we have the money sat there to pay for future bills. 

Right, back to it... busy day again today but WFH so that's helpful as I can get on with my home care and meal prep as soon as I finish. 

Have a great day all,
Wendy x

badmemory

If you get a prescription that looks like beiing regular then you can buy a prepayment one at the pharmacy (seconds) before you collect the new prescription.  It doesn't need to be done before.  I let DSs expire just after the last one & do not renew it until seconds before I collect the next one.

Spendywendywoo

@badmemory, oh that's good to know - thank you. Is it still a yearly one that you would buy and let it run for the full year?

badmemory

Yes either yearly, which DS always needs, or I believe you can do 6 monthly.  But if you need as many as 11 a year then they are very good value.  It won't effect me as I am way too old, but I never ever want to be in the position a friend of mine was a few years ago when she had 3 items on a new prescription & she had to work out which one she really had to buy because it was all the money she had.  Back then I didn't have the money to help but I don't think she would have accepted it if I had.

Spendywendywoo

Thanks @badmemory, that's really good to know

Spendywendywoo

Busy week so far, though I thought it was Thursday this morning, which says it all. 

Lots of workshops and office days this week, and lots of actions being recorded so that is keeping me on my toes.

Last office day of the week tomorrow, though shorter day due to room availability so should get home at a reasonable time to make dinner etc. 

I should be going to watch DS train tonight (football), but I'm feeling tired and I also want to do a 60-90 minute home care session. I badly need to do my floors properly rather than tickling over them, and I want to sort out the utility room.  We are having a quiet weekend this weekend, which will be lovely, so I am hoping to get most of my errands, home care and jobs done before the weekend so we can truly relax, practice lots of self care, read and plan ahead for the next month. 

Still monies left in the budget and we get paid on Friday so all is still good financially too. I booked the annual service for the boiler and have been quoted £70, this isn't due until April and have enough saved for that, and more - just in case