2017 - Spend less, live more

Progress on 2017

I managed to meet my challenge of ‘saving’ £800 on purchases. So, I’ve decided to up it to £1000 in 2018, which is going to be more challenging.

What do I want to do in 2018? Actually reduce my overdraft. I’m now in a position where I should be able to save, so want to use some of the money I save to reduce my overdraft.
I also need to buy a new car in 2018, which I’m going to have to pay off out of savings and pay myself back. My car is 15+ years old and it’s getting to the point now where things are going majorly wrong with it. I’m not a car type of person, so it won’t be an expensive car. OHs car is older and we were going to change his first, but our mechanic advised we do my car first. I have thought about whether we could cope with one car. Now that both children are at school, we could, but our lives are so busy and having two cars does make it that much easier for us.

Technically, I’ve been paid my January salary, so any savings I make now are for January. So far:
2 pairs of trousers, saving £14.
2 discounted cinema tickets, saving about £6

Once Xmas is over and done with, I’m going to pop this into my savings

I bought another couple of Christmas 2018 gifts today from Sainsbury’s. I bought insulated cups, water bottles and a toy, reduced from £28 to £8.

I popped into Sainsbury’s this morning and grabbed a load of reduced sale items, but something told me to put them back, so I did and left. On my way to work, I stated to think about all the unsuitable gifts we have at home which we were given for Christmas. I really don’t want to waste my money on unwanted clutter for other people, so I do try and get good gifts and if that’s not possible, something that’s useful. So, I had a little think about which items may work for various people. I left feeling very much in control and pleased with my purchases.