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Archive for June, 2010

Last day of June Lunch Challenge & 2010 goals (LONG entry)

June 30th, 2010 at 07:00 pm

I bought something at work today (a roll at breakfast) I don't feel bad though because I exceeded my goal of 16 days, only by one day though but I'm still pleased.

I'm working early tomorrow, 6am start, it's extra money though.

Getting my hair cut tomorrow, it's well overdue.

I noticed people are posting how they're getting on with their goals for this year. So how am I getting on?

-Start an Emergency Fund: it's started, just not a lot in it

- Pay MIL the rest of the money I owe her: done in May 2010

- Clear washing machine debt - have been making payments every month, in fact I need to order more payment slips

- Clear catalogue: been paying more than the minimum and I've managed to reduce my bill but it's not clear yet

- Get a used car - done in March

- Pay for Christmas with cash only: been putting £15 away every month towards high street vouchers

I'm not much further forward than I was a few months ago. And I have managed to add on some credit card debt (DH is helping to pay it off too though, it's not all mine)

One of my goals should have been for me and DH to get our own place. It is one of my goals, I just haven't written it on my sidebar. We really want to have our own place by November. We just need our own space. Honestly we are doing terrible saving and I hate to admit it. I have a savings blog, I should be doing better!! It just really annoys me. We didn't want to be here this long.

Sorry for the rant. If you managed to get this far, thanks for taking the time to read.

update

June 29th, 2010 at 08:04 pm

Packed 100% today so that is another day to add to my challenge.

I watched the new Harry Potter trailer, I can't wait until it's out. I have to wait until November to see it.

Speaking of movies, I'm hoping to go and see Eclipse soon.

Another working day over

June 27th, 2010 at 06:34 pm

and I've met my Lunch Challenge goal of 16 days! Woohoo!!

Bought yoghurts and ice lollies after work (and milk for MIL) Only spent £3 (MIL reimbursed the milk)

DH is still at work so I've got some time to myself before I go and get him later.

internet banking, lunch update

June 26th, 2010 at 04:01 pm

Packed everything today. One more day to go and I've reached my goal. I'd like to challenge myself for July too.

Another NSD today.

Came home from work to find mail from my bank. I can now check my bank details online and transfer money from my current account to my savings. This could be a good and bad thing (easy to put money in, easy to take out...)

DH and I spoke and we're going to have to try and rent somewhere. Private let is expensive though but we may be entitled to some sort of housing benefit since we are in low-paid jobs. It'd be fantastic to have our own space, I wouldn't mind struggling at first, it will be worth it.

Taking it easy

June 25th, 2010 at 07:38 pm

I'm back at work tomorrow so I've been taking it easy today. That being said though, I've done a few things today: took DH to work this morning for his 7am start, went to vets with MIL then picked DH up from work.

I haven't spent a penny today.

£180 later

June 24th, 2010 at 05:42 pm

I had to use my credit card today. On Tuesday I was driving home from work when I heard a noise. It was coming from my car. It turns out that my engine had almost fallen off and was dragging along the ground.

Wednesday I didn't use the car since I didn't have time to go to the garage.

Went to the garage today to get it fixed. £180 on my credit card. I need to get a spare tyre too, but I just decided not to get it today. I'm hoping nothing else happens with my car now. Fingers crossed.

I've had quite a busy day today:

-took car to garage
-went to the shops
-posted a birthday card and present (£2.65)
-collected car (£180)
-watched Four Christmases
-filled in tax credits form

Later I will collect DH from work.

Lunch challenge is still going well. I bought breakfast on Tuesday but yesterday I packed 100%

Update

June 21st, 2010 at 08:41 pm

Lunch challenge still going well. Packed everything. I've nearly met my goal for the month (3 more to go after today)

Gave a girl I work with the money I sponsored her for Race For Life : £5

Apart from that, nothing else to report (makes for quite a boring blog actually)

Another nice day

June 20th, 2010 at 08:08 pm

Unfortunately I spent nine hours of it at work. The sun was still shining when I finished so I sat out in the garden again, at least I got to see some of it.

Lunch challenge going well. I packed everything today. After work today I bought some snacks for this week, since I finished the other ones. Hubby wanted me to get him Pot Noodles so I got a sachet for myself to take to work since sandwiches do get boring. I'll need to update my sidebar now, only 4 more till I've reached my goal.

Wish I had some savings..

June 19th, 2010 at 02:26 pm

It was my bank appointment today. I'm switching bank accounts. It will happen within the next 7-10 days. The bank manager said that I should make sure I have money in both accounts in case direct debits come out. I haven't got any substantial savings so when she offered me an overdraft I said yes. I'm hoping I won't need to use it. I also told her I would online and telephone banking. I like being able to check my bank balance whenver I want.

Today was a NSD.

Day 6 of Frugal Fast

June 18th, 2010 at 08:18 pm

It is day 6, isn't it?

I had a lazy day off, yet I got a few things done. I replied to DH's grandparents letter and I sent my auntie's present. They live in England so I'm hoping they get it soon. I know, these things cost money - under £3 in total so that wasn't too bad. I guess I made it to day 6 of the fast.

The weather here was lovely today, although nowhere near as nice as some of the weather you guys have been having. We were sitting out in the garden for most of the day, in fact I've only just come in now and it's after 8pm.

My MIL made cocktails earlier, we were sitting in the garden drinking them. Felt like I was on holiday.

Bank appointment tomorrow. DH is coming with me.

Bank appointment

June 17th, 2010 at 01:05 pm

I took DH to work today. He bought me lunch so today is a NSD.

I went to the bank today. I've got an appointment to switch accounts on Saturday. DH needs ID to switch accounts, and to get a loan so the loan will not be happening anytime soon. I'll start looking at properties to rent online today.

I'm meant to be going to visit my friend tomorrow. My other friend got in touch and invited me. We'd be going on Friday night, and I don't want to stay (she lives over an hour and a half away) Hmm... they want to see wedding photos. I'll see what happens. I'll explain I can't stay cos of bank appointment the next morning.

a few days off

June 16th, 2010 at 06:32 pm

I'm off work for the next few days. I haven't got any plans as such. I'd like to have some productive days off. What I really need to do is make an appointment at the bank.

DH and I were talking about trying to get a loan. We would use the money to help us put towards getting a house. I was against it at first but I've now had some time to think about it. Basically we are on the list for a government scheme for first-time buyers. We have a deadline to put an offer on a house... and we don't have enough money saved. The deadline is mid-August. We haven't been telling people since we don't know if we will get a loan. If we don't get the loan we are just going to have to private let. We are both tired of living here, we would like our own space. Honestly, neither one of us expected to be here this long. I'm going to phone the bank tomorrow to try and get an appointment.

Got the money back

June 15th, 2010 at 07:48 pm

I've just been paid back for buying the dog food. I think I was being too hard on myself. Now I actually feel like I haven't spent anything.

Does this count as spending?

June 15th, 2010 at 06:12 pm

I think I've miserably failed the Frugal Fast. When I finished work yesterday I had a missed call from DH. He asked me to pick up some veg for MIL. Today I had to pick up dog food for a neighbour. I got the money back from MIL yesterday, just waiting on getting the money back for today's purchase.

Lunch challenge going well. I've packed 100% all this week.

Lunch challenge & Frugal Fast Update

June 13th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

I didn't forget about the Frugal Fast. I didn't spend anything today. I picked up DH's glasses from the opticians today after work. On the way there I spotted bags of chocolate but I resisted. I already know that you shouldn't shop while you're hungry - although I was just going to collect DH's glasses.

For the lunch challenge I packed 100%. Breakfast was the usual - cereal, plus I had a banana and a cup of water. Lunch - ham and cheese sandwich, yoghurt, apple, bottle of water, Snack - packet of mini crackers and a cup of water. I've got three more shifts to work this week.

I noticed some cheap DVD's last week, some of them were only £3. They can wait, I don't need them.

I've started reading the final Twilight novel, Breaking Dawn.

Car's fixed

June 11th, 2010 at 06:24 pm

I can drive my car again! My brother-in-law fixed it last night. It felt so good to be driving to work again.

On my break I checked my phone and I had a missed call from the garage. Apparently the key's in. DH is going to pick it up tomorrow for me.

I took my own lunch today but I bought a bacon roll for breakfast. I'll redeem myself the next six days that I'm working.

I need to work out how much money I'll be spending for the rest of the month. I've got two birthday presents to buy but they shouldn't be too much. Sponsored at girl at work £5 for Race For Life, and I've got Avon to pay, although that is under ten pounds. Hmm, shouldn't be too bad.

extra hours

June 10th, 2010 at 11:16 am

I'm off today. I'm working the next six days after that. I can't complain, I could do with the extra money. I'm covering a woman's shift on Saturday, otherwise I wouldn't be in. I couldn't say no, her daughter's in a fashion show.

My car should be fixed soon. My uncle has a key that works so he dropped it off yesterday, just need to replace the tyre.

Lunch challenge going well. Yesterday was another day that I packed everthing I needed. I've packed everything for 6 days so it's going well.

I've managed to get my breakdown cover sorted. £28 for the whole year. I took it out through my cashback website so once it has been validated it will go into my bank account, but that will take a while.

Nothing planned today. I got a text about this month's phone bill. £38. I really need to get on the phone to them and cancel my web browsing pack. I've been saying that for a while, I know. I have tried to though, it just takes ages getting through to them.

Might get the car back sooner than I thought

June 8th, 2010 at 07:33 pm

I just spoke to my uncle. He thinks he has the key that I need to get the wheel off. He's going to come up tomorrow and check. I hope it is, I don't want to get my hopes up though.

challenge going well

June 8th, 2010 at 06:11 pm

I packed breakfast, lunch and snacks 100% today so the challenge is going well.

Just went and paid the credit card bill online. Next on the list is road tax.

Uneventful day, got a lift home from work so that saved me bus fare (£2)

Hubby went to the bank and paid the washing machine payment for me (I was going to go during my lunch)

Lunch update

June 7th, 2010 at 07:10 pm

Today went well. Packed 100%. Before work I bought cappucino sachets that I can have instead of drinking tea all the time. £1 for 8 sachets, I thought that was a good deal. Instead of having cereal this morning I had a pain au chocolat (I think that's what it's called) with my cappucino, it was nice for a change. There's no more left so will probably be back to having cereal tomorrow unless I think of something else.

Lunch challenge: day 3

June 6th, 2010 at 06:41 pm

I had to get the bus to work this morning. Before I started I picked up some crackers and cereal bars to snack on during the week when I'm at work.

Today was my third day of the lunch challenge and I took all my snacks and lunch with me. For my afternoon tea I had the crackers that I had bought this morning with some tea. I drank a lot of tea today, but at least it was all free.

I was wondering today if people notice that I'm not spending anything. The woman that I took my break with bought a big breakfast then she bought her lunch, and her snacks too. In fact, she rarely brings in her own lunch. I actually thought I might just end up buying something since her cooked breakfast usually looks more appealing than my cereal. Luckily, I didn't. I'm so pleased with myself.

Two weeks

June 5th, 2010 at 12:24 pm

I went to the garage this morning to order the replacement key that I will need. It's going to take two weeks (ten working days). The guy can't order it until Monday so it's really two weeks from Monday. It cost me £38.19

Came home to find a letter from the DVLA, a reminder about road tax. It will cost £85 for six months. Thankfully I have some money put aside for it.

Once I get the tyre changed I'll need to look into getting the exhaust fixed, but that will have to wait.

I'll need to get the bus to work for the next two weeks. Tomorrow will be the worst since it's a Sunday, I'll be at work earlier than I'm meant to but it's either that or I'll be late if I get the bus that's due after that. I'll need to get a weekly bus ticket too...

Before I start work tomorrow I will buy some snacks for the Lunch Challenge. I get bored eating the same things all the time.

June Goals

June 4th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

I don't know if I will accomplish all of this but this is what I would like to achieve:

1. pack breakfast, lunch and snacks at work for 16 days
2. track spending
3. add to savings (it's been a while)

Car problems

June 4th, 2010 at 06:28 pm

Today was going well until I was on my way home. I must have went over a blade or something because my front tyre is flat. I tried to take it off but I need to get the replacement key for the wheel. Also, I think I will need to get my exhaust fixed, it's making a noise. Not good at all. I've found a dealer online that I can go to so I will go there tomorrow to try and get the key for it.

Overtime

June 3rd, 2010 at 01:33 pm

I worked 5 hours today, so in total that's only 9 hours extra in this pay. I get paid tomorrow. Next week I am working 8 and a half hours extra so July's pay should be better.

I didn't have lunch at work today since I finished at 11am.

Hubby worked 5 hours extra today too.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Lunch challenge: day 2

June 2nd, 2010 at 11:11 pm

Breakfast: cereal and a cup of tea
Lunch: tuna roll, yoghurt, apple, bottle of water
Snacks: snickers

That's two days in a row I have brought everything in. I like the feeling knowing that I haven't spent anything.

I'm going to have to buy something else for next week's snacks though, as much as I like chocolate I can't have it all the time.

Lunch challenge

June 1st, 2010 at 06:20 pm

For the June Lunch Challenge I have set these rules for myself:

1. bring own breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack
2. no additional spending

I will do this for 16 days since my week is a 4-day week.

Today was the first day of it. Before I started work this morning I bought a pack of 80 teabags for 28p. I'll keep them in my locker. For breakfast I brought in cereal, and had tea with that. For lunch I had a sandwich, yoghurt and a sweet. For my afternoon break I had a cup of tea and a packet of sweets that I had bought a few days ago.