Need some help/support & advice

OberonSH

lol, it's a pain to start, but I have so much going on I'd not survive if I didn't have my diary with everything in, my budget sheet telling me when to pay stuff when.

The diary's a great thing. I have to do lists, when to take stuff out the freezer, when money comes in, and the days blls are due. PLus appointments, meal plans and birthdays. I couldn't live without it.

Dots - the Fran Plan is on it's way, for God's sake use it. The tools are only as good as the user. Get your ducks in a row, and stuff will fall into place. It'll get easier.

dottyanne

Thanks Obi - i plan on using it - will have a look through later when i get in from work.

I seem to have a mad spurt of tryingot be really organised then a relapse ( more relapses than organisation!!).

Any help/advice/tips anything most appreciated.

x

hayley_jayne

On my diary a member suggested keeping a spending diary so you can start getting to grips with exactly what you do with your money. I have only been doing it for a couple of days in an old notebook and it is quite eye opening. A bit like doing a spending audit LOL. Maybe worth a go? I understand it must make it harder for you having a fluctuating income. I struggle enough with it being consistent! Absolute best of luck

dottyanne

Thanks hayley - i need to ge tto grips and try to be more organised but weve all been inthe boat where we know what needs tobe paid but havent got the money to do so - wish id not made the mistakes in the past, never becake S/E etc but i did and im paying for it - just never ever seem to get in front thats all :-(

dottyanne

Really could kick myself - opay day for hubby in 8 days but all thats spoke for already and so's mine a few days later - why oh why cant i get organised and stop spending what we havent got?

ZTD

dottyanne wrote: »

Really could kick myself - opay day for hubby in 8 days but all thats spoke for already and so's mine a few days later - why oh why cant i get organised and stop spending what we havent got?

*Why* are you spending?

That's what you need to focus on. Kicking yourself doesn't help, and may make things worse.

LilacPixie

I think you need to start at the begining. Look at your basic bills plus minimum debt payments and living expenses and compare them to your basic wages pre commision. Then have a look at last months bank statements and see what you actually spent and earned.

It is often not pleasent viewing but until you know the exact level of your overspending then you cant really focus on attacking it.

dottyanne

its not that im spending on extravagances - just day t day living - but one thing is that because i dont have the spare cash to do a weekly shop im going every day/other day and probabaly spending more that way ! Kids on lunches so need to keep stuff in for that and mostly trying run round in my lunch hour to get everything done.

Feel like all the plans and organising in the world never work coz i dont seem to be able to stick to them.

doodledo_2

Hi Dotty just wanted to pop and say hello in your new diary.

I have the same problem with spending far too much in Tescos. I used to do a monthly shop on payday and then find I still went once or twice a week and inevitably came out spending £20 or more quid.

My plan for next month is to meal plan and do one weekly shop. Maybe a meal plan could help you too?

dottyanne

hi doodledo - we did a weekly shop for a while and that was ok - tended to spend about £90 one week then about £60 the week after so ddnt doo too bad - but with me skinning us beyond belief for last month or two i cant even get that amount together - false bidgeting perhaps but its not like i can leave it a week and save up coz i need things daily for the kids lunches and dinner in the evening etc.

Should try the mealplans - let me know how you get on too hun
x