Should itsthelittlethings spend less on coffee?

itsthelittlethings

No time for YouTube yoga this morning. Will do a couple of stretches. I will perhaps try and gradually increment Sunday’s session to an hour.

Had a lovely lovely time yesterday at a Christmas craft market. I like it because it’s sold as an “eco” market, I am a sucker for greenwashing. I got a glass made out of an old bottle, a pair of earrings made out of old coke cans (I think) and last but by no means least a book on digital photography from the honestly table (the market was at a library). Also some natural soap and deodorant but I don’t count them as spends as they some out of the necessity luxuries pot. Such as I manage to have pots.

We walked all the way back to town rather than get the bus back so saved £3 and saw some beautiful nature on the way. All in all it was a real adventure and worth the £30 I spent. My new Clark’s boots held up to the walking very well and I have zero blisters.

Need to study one unit tonight before doing my next assignment for the Open University Access at the weekend. Also want to knit myself another hat as my current one is starting to look a bit sad.

Right! Another week working for The Man awaits. It’s out work Christmas party on Thursday but I may miss it. My great niece is 2 months old and time with her and my niece is very precious at the moment. My sister, at least, is free to come over for dinner that night. You can’t do everything.

itsthelittlethings

Saver73 said:

Hi again @itsthelittlethings

Payday for me today (hurrah!) and it feels good on a Friday, a reason why a payday treat is a good idea or having saved for something you really want. 

I thought I'd share my spending with you and as well as reading other threads/posts too to see how others budget and spend their money, you might get some ideas or be inspired to adapt your own budgeting and spending.

All my regular/fixed bills are set up by direct debit or standing order to leave my bank account on the first of each month.  This includes transfer amounts to savings and my emergency fund, as well as accounting for my monthly travel ticket which I renewed today ready for Monday, my existing ticket runs out on Sunday.

From the money left I budget

£150 for groceries/cleaning
£40 for toiletries including a home hair colour kit and £15 towards haircuts (£45 each four times a year)
£40 for coffees/lunches out (this usually covers a pub lunch, two takeaway coffees and one coffee and cake)

Today I've spent

£4 on shampoo and conditioner and £5.25 on hair colour (I don't need any other toiletries this month and I have money budgeted for my last hair cut this year)
£7.50 on coffee and cake 
£14 on a purple jumper (non essential spend)

I'm not planning on any other non essential spends this month, and my other upcoming spends coffee/cake and pub lunch are budgeted for already.  I have a small balance in my toiletries pot if I needed anything else.

I usually have a small balance at the end of the month which rolls over to the next month or I transfer to savings or to a holiday/weekend away fund. Sometimes I have additional travel costs which aren't covered by my monthly ticket.

I don't have a car or related costs , no pets, children, so no big costs or things that might cost money unexpectedly but I still have an emergency fund in case, for example, the fridge or telly breaks, or something happens to my job, or I'm sick and don't get paid or am paid less.

I don't spend much money on socialising or entertainment, I use the gym/classes frequently, have friends over for lunch or dinner and vice versa, go for walks etc.  I often make coffee at home to take with me on walks.

I know this type of budgeting doesn't suit everyone, I am used to it, I like having fixed costs and planned spending with the occassional usually once a month on payday spend on something I want...

Thank you for letting me see your budget.  How do you keep groceries and cleaning so cheap? Any tips?

itsthelittlethings

My experiment with the £4 shampoo and conditioner is going very well. My hair looks lovely and just as good as with the £20 stuff. Once all the expensive stuff in glass jars is used up I will switch back. I don’t know if we’re allowed to mention brands but the good shampoo and conditioner is called Monday and it’s available in Superdrug and Asda.

I will keep the Upcircle moisturiser as it smells absolutely incredible and I do love a glass jar.

itsthelittlethings

It’s also £20.

itsthelittlethings

Probably a no-spend day today (yay). Making Anna Jones’ Breakfast eggs today which is a riff on Shakshuka. I got it off the Guardian Feast app. I’m keeping that subscription as it is only £2.99. I’m making 3 days worth. I’ll be sick of it by the third day! Not sure what my carb will be. Maybe I’ll pick up something baguette style on the way home (not a no spend day then!) That just made me think of Mr Unsuitable and smile as he hates eggs. Hopefully I’ll see him in January. I may go to London so we might catch up for a coffee. Also a good thrift store shop although there is nothing I need and a trip to a gallery. Maybe the Photographers Gallery as I am really into photography at the moment.

Can’t wait for next weekend as I am going to my mum’s for four days. I’ve already got the train ticket. Lucky there are no engineering works.

itsthelittlethings

Just watching Game of Wool before work. Stressed as I have to go to the main site today for our Christmas meal. I’m not really getting on with people. We have a temp and she’s desperate to be kept on. She has me firmly in her sights as the newest member of the team and therefore the weakest link! It’s making me a bit miserable. Ah well, que sera, sera. Luckily I’m going to the training site afterwards so will have a nice afternoon hopefully.

Managed to study this week’s unit, about branding. It’s pretty interesting and there’s a lot to it. Assignment next week! Am also starting to knit a new hat for myself.

Have zero in the emergency fund. I am hoping nothing happens this month as I don’t have much wiggle room.

itsthelittlethings

I am also miserable because there’s a lot of customer service in my new job. That’s really not my favourite element at work. Having to put on a face and smile 7 hours a day isn’t exactly me!

jwil

Anything involving working with the general public is challenging.  Hope it goes ok today.  Just be pleasant to your colleagues and ignore the office politics!

itsthelittlethings

Up early again. We had our Christmas lunch at work yesterday which was very nice - other people complained about the dessert but I thought it was all fantastic. A real treat. Two more days of work this week as I have a day off for an appointment tomorrow. I’m also having my new camera delivered so hoping it doesn’t arrive while I’m out. I also have a few other things to do so really, I’m hoping it comes first thing.

My sister and my niece and her boyfriend are coming round to dinner. I’m doing a roast chicken. I need to shop for it this evening. I’m looking forward to it. Also my day off in general.

I wore my new coat at work yesterday. It’s good I’ve bought it as the heating isn’t working. It looks like a jumper so it doesn’t look too much like I’m sitting there in my coat. I prefer wearing a coat to having fan heaters on full blast as they are very drying.

Am so skint it’s untrue. All my own fault. I need to note down what I’ve bought since payday and see exactly where my money has gone. I’m selling a lens I bought a long time ago that never fitted my camera so that will help.

Right. Gonna record my spending and then do some knitting. Have a great day, all.

itsthelittlethings

Day off today. I have an appointment in the middle of the day and quite a bit to be getting on with. Hopefully I’ll get the couple of DPD deliveries I’ve been waiting for.

I recorded all my spending since payday. I can see where I’ve splurged! I have enough money for food and a few other small spends until December payday.

Yesterday went well. I worked on my own in the afternoon at the new site that I’m training at and I think I did ok. Plus it was quite relaxing being there.

My sister, niece, boyfriend and the new baby are coming round for dinner so I’m making a roast chicken. Looking forward to it. I would like to get to the butchers to get a chicken but it may be Tescos depending how busy I am.

Last but not least Mr Unsuitable is coming to stay on Friday night. Despite the name I have given him he is actually very kind and nice. Can’t believe we met a year ago after chatting on an app for around 3 months. Seems to be going ok. I hope he doesn’t get me a Christmas present as I haven’t got him anything. I don’t know whether to get something small. Neither of us drink so the obvious present is out. I really don’t think he will. Then I have three nights at my mum's and then the weekend after is our family Christmas gathering although one household has Covid at the moment so that’s a tiny bit up in the air.