Should itsthelittlethings spend less on coffee?

itsthelittlethings

weenancyinAmerica said:

You casually threw in a comment about getting a Siamese Cat. No one has asked you how you plan to support one. Remember the initial cost is only part of the cost - shots, flea meds, litter (rainy days even if usually goes outside), licenses, microchipping, vet visits, insurance, vacation catsitting or cattery, plus cat food (which will use up your coffee money very quickly) all add up. If you really do plan to get a cat, try one that needs rehoming rather than spending on a pedigreed cat of any breed. They will probably be just as loving as not more so. You may also need to consider a companion animal for the cat for when you can't be home.

Yes, I think that thought has slightly fallen by the wayside. The expense of vets plus I’m not too keen on cleaning up their mess. I thought it would be good companionship but I don’t think it’s the answer.

weenancyinAmerica

You might try fostering a dog or cat first. Sometimes vet costs and things are paid for. I have three cats living here. I'm not sure I would say they are companions though. Most of the time they ignore me. And they are one of the more expensive items in the budget. It takes me and another roommate to cover the costs. Dogs make better companions unless you get a kitty that likes to sit on your lap (mine don't). One of mine just bit me (the youngest), one doesn't like to give up my bed when I want to go to bed, and the third is on her last legs (she is at least 15, if not older, and has stopped eating). I don't think she will last the month.  

itsthelittlethings

weenancyinAmerica said:

You might try fostering a dog or cat first. Sometimes vet costs and things are paid for. I have three cats living here. I'm not sure I would say they are companions though. Most of the time they ignore me. And they are one of the more expensive items in the budget. It takes me and another roommate to cover the costs. Dogs make better companions unless you get a kitty that likes to sit on your lap (mine don't). One of mine just bit me (the youngest), one doesn't like to give up my bed when I want to go to bed, and the third is on her last legs (she is at least 15, if not older, and has stopped eating). I don't think she will last the month.  

I work full time so sadly a dog is out of the question.

itsthelittlethings

Another early morning. Have stuck a couple of things on credit card including a food shop but now inching towards payday. I have £55 and will get £16 more when I sell some wool tonight. It is the first payday in new job so I will see when payslips come through and all that stuff.

Wednesday today. Struggled getting off to sleep last night and was worrying about a lot of stuff, mainly work but everything seems much brighter this morning. I’m slowly learning stuff at my new job, I’ve just made a few mistakes but hopefully I can quickly get into the swing of things now.

Would have liked to go and see my mum this weekend but there are rail replacement buses. Need to plan my weekend, maybe I will see if anyone from my knitting group wants to meet up. Also a trip to the gym on Sunday I think.

Must cook properly tonight and not just eat snacks like last night.

itsthelittlethings

Still crawling towards payday. At least it’s Friday. Have let my weekly allowance lapse, need to start it again when I get paid.

Feeling a bit down in the dumps, not sure why. I think now the stress of new job has receded I’m just feeling a bit meh. Must do some treatey stuff this weekend, perhaps a cinema trip if I have funds or at least the gym.

I also really want to do some knitting. I have a scarf pattern, just need to wind some wool.

Lots of good stuff organised for November so hopefully should feel a bit better when that rolls around.

Spendless

Are you keeping to your budget? Have you made any inroads into repaying debt? If you work full time, then you're not earning a great deal, pretty much min wage (no shame in that) but it doesn't give you much to juggle with since youre on your own. I read your diary and I see a lot of personal spends- not just on coffee. Are you keeping track of your daily spending? 

I understand not getting your head round things to begin with. First 15 months of my diary and I dont think Id paid an additional penny back, but I perservered.

IMO its not your bills and income that need looking at, its your spending habits that need an overhaul. 

itsthelittlethings

Spendless said:

Are you keeping to your budget? Have you made any inroads into repaying debt? If you work full time, then you're not earning a great deal, pretty much min wage (no shame in that) but it doesn't give you much to juggle with since youre on your own. I read your diary and I see a lot of personal spends- not just on coffee. Are you keeping track of your daily spending? 

I understand not getting your head round things to begin with. First 15 months of my diary and I dont think Id paid an additional penny back, but I perservered.

IMO it’s not your bills and income that need looking at, it’s your spending habits that need an overhaul. 

Thanks for your comment. I was writing all my spends down but I let that go so I need to start that up again. I do have e a lot of personal spends, I am a real spender and really need to get on top of that. I’m paying £200/ month off my debt but I have been using the credit card so that is pointless and I am not paying it down. I’m determined to stop using it though.

I am really struggling to stick to my budget - I just have no willpower!

InDebtEnby

Is your budget realistic. It's great for example to say I will only spend £100 on food but if you regularly spend £150 then that needs to be the budgeted amount.

I started by not having the credit cards on me so that I didn't use them. See if you can go a couple of months not spending on them before you look at the budget to see if there are any areas you can easily cut. 

itsthelittlethings

I think my budget is more than realistic. I just spend too much!

Had a good evening, done all my chores except vacuum which I'll do tomorrow. Quiet weekend ahead, I have £40 to last until payday but barely need anything. I have food, may need to buy some bread.

I'm hankering for a roast chicken but I think I'll get that after payday.

itsthelittlethings

Had a friend stay last night so that was nice and started the weekend off well. They have left and just watching Saturday Kitchen with yet another cup of coffee. I want to vacuum and clean the bathroom in a bit but not yet. We went for a nice walk this morning when it had just got light. Going to try for a no spend day today.