Slipping Through My Fingers

Hi Happier Me. I love your use of the word perplexed. It sums me up perfectly. I'm laughing at your school trip story, :rotfl:it's exactly the sort of thing I'd forget about.

I can see how putting everything on a credit card works, but you've hit the nail on the head, it only works if it's paid off every month. My credit card debt stems from not doing this. I've put stuff on with the intention of paying it off, but when my cash comes in I've been reluctant to part with it for something I've already had, so I've made a payment but kept most of my cash. Which of course also disappears. In my defence I stopped this habit about 18 months ago and haven't put one thing on my credit card since. Tell a lie, I've put a birthday present on from Mum that I had to order on line but paid it off straight away with the money she'd transferred into my bank.

I can definitely do no spend days, I'm not a fan of shopping but I do go out once a week and tend to pick up a few bits here and there as I'm trundling along, which is fine, I just need to remember I've bought them.

It's interesting how people manage their money. Already suggestions of spreadsheets, keeping receipts and credit cards have been mentioned. As long as somebody finds what works for them that's the main thing. Fingers crossed I'll find what works for me sooner rather than later.

I will Pollyanna. I've noticed some of the bigger stores now ask if you want a receipt and my inner environmentally friendly self tends to say no, but it's leaving me in a pickle.

I wrote some Christmas cards today. I always buy them in the January sales and can't remember the last time I paid full price for cards, wrapping paper, ribbon etc. I need to buy some stamps and it's things like this that come out of my money. As time goes on and I can track where the cash goes I might re-look at the joint account and see if we need to change a few things but stamps definitely won't be on the list as I only buy a book of 12 once a year for Christmas.

The point of that little waffle is I'm beginning to think I could be right, and that although it's 'my' money it actually gets swallowed up on things like this over the month. If that's the case I already know what my New Years resolution is going to be

Spent a lovely couple of hours with DC1 at Uni. It's fairly local so easy enough to keep in touch every few weeks. I spent £15.85 on coffee and cakes so I've got £158.15 left.

Interestingly, and it's only because I'm on here monitoring my money, I'd say 9/10 times it's me that puts my hand in my pocket for things like this. Obviously I don't expect the Uni one to pay but I am taking a sideways glance at the husband.

So, 1st December I'm carrying forward £158.15.

Thanks for visiting WannabeFree

Before I start can anybody tell me why I have to change my password every day? Is it because I'm new or does everybody have to do it? It's a bit of a faff isn't it.

Anyway, day 2/31 and I have £158.15 in the kitty with no plans to spend anything.

I've been thinking about my CC and savings plan. In the NY I was going to start saving £50 every month which means I'd have £600 this time next year.

At the moment I pay £100 off my CC every month and according to an online calculator this means the debt will be gone in December 2020.

But I'm wondering if I should stick to £25 savings and pay the other £25 off the CC which will mean I'd be debt free in June 2020.

I really like the idea of £600 savings by this time next year even if it means the CC takes longer to clear but as I'm not saving for anything in particular maybe I should pay more off the debt and bring the date forward.

There's always a chance I could have some money left over at the end of the month which could go into the savings but I don't want to count my chickens just yet - after all, this is only day 2

Any opinions welcome. Have a great day everybody.