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Archive for January, 2016

Goals

January 28th, 2016 at 10:53 am

I've decided I'd like to get my emergency fund to 520 by December. With automatic deposits it will be at 487 so I'll need to find extra at some point.

I'd also like to get rid of credit card one and get the catalogue to 2k.

Lofty goals? Maybe. It'll be a challenge.

I cashed a cheque for 4.96 that's been in my bag. Using this for expenses and I have ten pounds of mum survey rewards that should be in my account soon.

2016 Goals

January 24th, 2016 at 07:06 am

I'm actually still working on what I want my goals to be this year. I know I work better when I have something I want to achieve. I will probably only make one or two financial goals to make it manageable. I'd ideally like to come up with some ideas before the end of the month.

Last year I was so focused on building up my emergency fund and paying down debt, so I don't want to lose momentum this year. My goals will probably be pretty similar to last year I think. As long as I'm aiming towards something, which I think is the point. I definitely know my Big Picture Goal: be debt free. I'm years away from this though. Also have a hefty emergency fund. One step at a time though.

Plodding Along

January 19th, 2016 at 03:13 pm

I never mentioned it earlier but when I paid the catalogues I had to take money out of savings. It hasn't been replaced yet.

It's crystal clear that the majority of our money goes to debt repayments.

Trying to be more frugal. I think I lost my way a bit there.

That's all for now.

Blogging Anniversary Tomorrow: 10 Years

January 13th, 2016 at 03:32 pm

I won't have time to update tomorrow so thought I would post now. Tomorrow it has been a whole decade since I started my blog. Wow, that's a third of my life.

When husband quit in December I was considering not blogging anymore, but I was just feeling down then. I'm glad I didn't stop. Even if there's not much to write about I still enjoy having a blog.

I'm pleased with my progress over the last few years.

Thank you for all of your support guys, and of course for reading!

Vague meal planning

January 11th, 2016 at 12:56 pm

I can't remember the last time I posted a meal plan. This is roughly what we're having this week:

-Gammon pineapple, chips/leftover mash and peas (tonight)
-one pot ratatouille with chips or potatoes
-chilli con Carne with rice
-leftover chilli with baked potatoes or pasta
-hamburger pasta (Husband's request)

I'm using leftover gammon for sandwiches.

Day ten of 2016

January 10th, 2016 at 07:10 am

It's my aim to track spending. So far we've spent:

Debt repayment: 537.42 (366.26 hubby's catalogues)
Shopping:should be 60,can confirm later when shopping arrives
Misc: 10.80 on slippers for the kids
4.00 bus fare
1.00 on card at work
Utilities:20


I'd love to spend as little as possible if I can get away with it.

Payday blues

January 8th, 2016 at 02:36 pm

I never thought I'd ever use that as a title. It's payday, husband's first unemployed.

It's been a strange morning, signing in to hubby's catalogues to pay them. Then asking him dates for the direct debits that come out of his bank so I can prepare for them.

Then ordering shopping online and making myself pick value brand. I'm determined not to waste money, so getting more food for my money seemed sensible. I have a rough meal plan too.

I've just been feeling deflated all day.

I'm trying to think positive. We have food and a roof over our heads, what else do we need?

This & That

January 4th, 2016 at 10:55 am

I still have no actual plan for this year. However, this is what I do know:

- Minimum spending here. I'm trying to only buy necessities
-I will have to take over Husband's debt payments (two credit cards and catalogues)
-I really don't want to touch our savings
-we will be, at our worst, three hundred pounds in negative as of Feb. This is before any help though because I'm not sure what we're getting. No overdraft or anything like that so I'm preparing myself mentally
-Sell, sell, sell!! We have some baby stuff to sell. If we have any luck I want to put that money aside for later
-we still have high Street vouchers left from Christmas. These can be used to do food shopping if need be, but only in Iceland
-I just spent fifteen minutes there on Swagbucks, I may have to do this occasionally
-we're saving less for Christmas until I know where we are (100 vs 300 last year)

I think that's it.

Dear January,

January 3rd, 2016 at 10:40 am

We have to talk.

I wanted to bring it up now sooner rather than later so we can fix this. Don't worry,it's me not you.

We are three days in and you keep reminding me I haven't set any financial goals. While I appreciate the concern it is driving me crazy.

Also,the days are long. Now the nights may be too. With 28 days left I'd like to nip this in the bud.

As you can see,I'm the problem. If we could remain friends I'd be happy to see you next year.


yours

Scottish Girl