Balancing the books

Blackcats

thanks for the cute squirrel photo @Afdaff - we saw some red squirrels last time we were on the Isle of Wight and I think that might be tge only time I've seen one in real life.

Thanks PIP - being deliberate with spending certainly helps me curb impulse buying. I still have an Amazon habit and I can see that it's so quick and easy to buy this and that so I think that's my next focus. Sometimes parcels arrive and I have to try to recall what I've bought 🤦‍♀️

@triple_choc_chip - good question! There's a back story about a particular branch of my in-laws who have used us for loans that have never been paid back and have then been stroppy when we have politely said we can't lend any more. That's a sanitised version of events but they absolutely are not included in any pixie dust sprinkles.

The recipients of our big spends do know - we explained that we wanted to help create memories through experiences and gave them some suggestions so they could have an indication of roughly how much to spend on their experience. I'm super excited for the grandchildren to start enjoying their activities next month.

The smaller pot that I add to every month is only known about by me and MrBC. We try to listen and observe our families and friends and pop up with things that seem appropriate. We recently took littlest grandkids to their school summer fair and gave them £5 each to spend which we would have done anyway but this is stress free, guilt free gifting. We like the gifting to be pertinent but unexpected such as "I thought you might like this book" or "here's a couple of cinema tickets".

I like INODs idea of giving unwanted items from home away too. I took a couple of nice books to the community centre book exchange today and hope that someone else enjoys them.

Blackcats

to stooze or not to stooze?

I was interested in Martin's recent blog about stoozing and despite the merits of potentially accruing interest I think I've concluded it's not for me.

I did 2 stoozes last year and have never felt comfortable with a credit card balance despite knowing I have the funds to repay in full. I don't like paying the minimum payment each month either!

The first stooze ends on 31st and I'm itching to pay it off but I'm holding my nerve until 24th to make the payment to eek out the interest as I've come this blooming far with it. It's an online payment so my payment will clear in plenty of time.

Stooze 2 has another 12 months to go - once that's gone it will be the end of my stoozing career.

I find it interesting that I used to have numerous credit cards which all hovered around their credit limit and I never batted an eye unless I couldn't access enough credit, I suppose I've been getting money sensible over the last few years and understanding my relationship with money - better late than never 😇

PennysIntoPounds

I think stoozing is a great thing to do if its the only mse thing one is doing or if one is in a position that their finances are their day job, but if you have a busy life enjoying being here and there and pots that are more important to you, like you do, or if like me you have to remortgage soon and have a million financial things going on with build, it's a good idea that is best steered clear of. It only takes one missed payment to b*gger up one's less exciting but more solid plans

EssexHebridean

I'm someone who isn't comfortable with stoozing - unless you do it at a high level, it just feels to me like too little return for the headspace it takes up.

Blackcats

I completely agree PIP and EH. I'm glad it's not just me that isn't a natural stoozer.
anyway, first stooze has been repaid which prompted a hurumph from me as a savings pot was emptied. I know, I know it was always destined to pay off the credit card but it still hacked me off. I've checked that the credit card balance is showing as £0 so that's a good thing.

I've got good prices for home and car insurance renewals and fingers crossed some cashback will eventually come through.

Our grocery budget is looking very healthy - shh I don't want to speak too soon but I think there will be a nice underspend and as @Greying_Pilgrim wisely says "we'll not starve" as we have most things we need. I'm budgeting £20 for any bits we might need before Saturday when the new budget period starts.

foxgloves

Same here re stoozing. I was trying to explain it to Mr F the other day & we both concluded it feels too faffy for us. Most of my money saving activity comes from old-style resourcefulness, good planning & treating savings as a regular 'bill' (paying ourselves) rather than a 'nice to have but whoops, we've already spent it all' - the latter having certainly been my approach for far, far too many years.

Honeysucklelou2

I read on another diary about the pixie dust fund so had to come and read more! What a wonderful idea!

Blackcats

@foxgloves - you are so right and you are the embodiment of all of the money saving techniques you describe in your post.

Thank you @Honeysucklelou2. Pixie dust is my favourite spending pot.

I thought it would be nice to document how my pixie dust was sprinkled during July

Dad's carers are not allowed gifts from him but I checked and it's ok for me to buy them a token of appreciation for £10 or less. I found a summer themed yan key candle gift set for half price ( £8 ) on my favourite online candle shop. I was able to shop from home for thank you cards.

6 x candles = £48 and 6 x carers feeling appreciated

My elderly neighbour was not able to go to our village market because her arthritis was bad so I nipped to the market and bought her a jar of local honey and a slice of cake. She was so happy. £10 very well spent.

Sponsored our local posties who were doing a sponsored cycle ride for our local cancer hospital £20

Took a grandchild out for bubble tea 🤢. Just me and them which was nice as they are usually lumped in with siblings. £15,00

I rounded the balance up to empty the £100 in the pot and gave it to the cat rescue where our blackcat came from many years ago.

I genuinely feel so much joy from my £100 e penditure.

Time to listen out for ideas for August now.

beanielou

That’s amazing.

EssexHebridean

Oh BC that is lovely - and I really like the joy you're getting from it too!