Here goes!

willing2learn_3

I've decided it's probably a good idea for me to keep an account of my efforts to become more efficient in managing my finances. If it's okay with everyone here i'd like to keep a thread online. That way i can record my activities and receive feedback from any readers. It might also be a source of inspiration for those in a similar position to me.

I will post up my basic financial position soon. For now (as it's late) i'm going to list some short term goals that will help me to get more organised:

• check pay slips ( i think i'm being charged for something that i didn't buy at work)
• check up on an old savings account, there may only be £1.26 in it, but that was 3 years ago, so there might be a bit more and it should be taken out if i'm not using the account
• check to see whether i am entitled for working tax credit (i won't be entitled to very much, but i should at least check)
• apply to do mystery shopping (and look into other ways of making extra income)
• continue planning for car boot sale in august
• sell books on amazon (i've got LOADS of books that are still on sale in bookshops)
• sell items on ebay (this and selling on amazon is completely alien to me, i've never done this....and yet some people are doing it all the time, so it must be fairly easy)
• order new driving licence, it'll cost me but i can't find mine and it's causing problems when trying to sort my finances (as it's a source of ID, also need to renew passport)
• check credit files (can't do online for various reasons.....there's always something to stop things being easy isn't there!)

Ok these are all basic things that most people do routinely. I'm a late starter, but i'm on the case now.

Any support, or just idle chatter would be appreciated!

thanks for listening

willing2learn_3

One afterthought

I DID try to register online to pay utility bills, to make me more efficient, but i was told i'd forgotten my password (i hadn't i'd only just created one!) and now i have to wait til tomorrow before they send a new one by email! :mad:

Just one of the many frustrations i experience when attempting to manage my finances!

I'm not really cross, just....well it's typical! A bit like the difficulty i had trying to access my credit files!

clearmydebts

Just wanted to say hello and welcome. Everyone is very friendly and helpful on this board. I also find it good to have my thoughts and figures written down as it helps motivate me.

I look forward to seeing how you get on!

willing2learn_3

Thanks ClearMyDebts

Well today has been spent trying to work out what i stand to lose if i reduce my hours (ever so slightly) on my current rota at work.

I've used an online calculator to try and calculate my pay after tax..it's a challenge deciding if i want to lose the hours, but we are only talking of about 8 in a month. Amazing the difference in pay though.

The reduction in hours was suggested by my doctor and i would still be working full time, it would just make life easier with the rota as it is structured.

anyone else done this? how do you weigh it all up?

I guess i would gain as regards parking and petrol on that one day lost....

willing2learn_3

well just a quick update, i've spent my time after work trying to calculate what my income would be if i reduced my hours down to 33/week on average.

Also received my credit file password, so i will check that. Got really busy time at work coming up, and i work weekends, so exhausted. never mind, slowly but surely i will sort out my finances and with it my ability to handle this stuff better in the future :-)