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Archive for June, 2011

Last day of a No Spend Month (long)

June 30th, 2011 at 04:43 pm

It's the the last day of June and I haven't spent a penny Smile I think that my NSM has been a success, despite a few setbacks - namely my windscreen and breakdown cover.

Here's what I spent this month:

£35.78 Beginning balance
- £2.78 (savings transfer)
+ £781.76 (wages)
- £13.00 (dental plan)
- £25.00 (savings transfer)
- £160.00 ("rent")
- £300.00 (hubby)
- £65.00 (credit card 2)
- £41.00 (credit card 1)
- £56.00 (catalogue)
- £70 (cash withdrawal)
- £20.00 (cash withdrawal)
+ £300.00 (cash credit - hubby)
- £2.40 (ASDA)
- £4.50 (candles)
- £45.00 (dentist)
- £70.00 (windscreen replacement)
- £50.00 (DH debt to MIL)
- £16.76 (AA)
+ £105.00 (cash credit)
- £90.75 (6 month road tax)ras
- £50.00 (savings transfer)
- £22.31 (phone bill)
+ £45.00 (dentist reimbursement)
- £98.42 (car insurance)
- £18.90 (Harry Potter tickets)
- £16.68 (AA)
+ £20.00 (money from mum for tickets)
- £49.04 (savings transfer)
= £0.00

Extra transferred to savings = £101.82


Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£2.24
= £35.36 spent/ £34.64 remaining

I decided to add everything saved apart from small change (5p, 2p and 1p) I added £20 to my car fund and £14.40 to my emergency fund. I put the small change into my money bags which I'll take to the bank soon and add to savings.

All in all, I've done better than I thought I would.If my windscreen didn't need replaced I would have saved £70 more, but that's life. Now all I need to do is think of my July goals.

Quick update

June 26th, 2011 at 06:40 am

Just posting a quick update before I have to leave for work.

These past couple of days have been no-spenders. My mum gave me money yesterday for driving her about so I used that to get petrol (£10) Therefore, my envelope balance hasn't changed.

I've decided to definetly add "fun money" to my budget next month. Hubby bought himself a t-shirt yesterday, it's been a while since I've even done that. Even if it's only £10-£20 I will allocate something for personal spending.

Fun Money?

June 22nd, 2011 at 06:45 pm

I was thinking about my no spend month today, and it occurred to me that I don't budget for personal spending. I pay for Love Film every month but that's in the entertainment category, I buy food for work and to eat at home but there's nothing for me. I'm not too sure how this happened. My husband has treated himself a few times these past few months but I haven't. I'm not too sure if I would actually spend the money but it would be nice to have the option. Even if I didn't buy myself something, if we went out for dinner, or to the cinema... I haven't budgeted for it.

Today was a no-spender. I forgot that my phone bill was due out yesterday so I've updated my balance. My car insurance is due out next, then my breakdown cover. I'm still waiting on my claim money being credited to my account. It's been a while since I made a claim so I can't remember how long it takes, hopefully before the end of the month.


£140.35 previous balance
- 22.31 (phone)
= £118.04 remaining


Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£2.24
= £35.36 spent/ £34.64 remaining

Update

June 21st, 2011 at 06:20 pm

Not much to report. Spent £2.70 yesterday on snacks meaning that its now the envelope with the lowest remaining balance. For these past few weeks I've been keeping the envelopes in my bag. This morning I put them into a drawer in my bedside table - out of sight, out of mind.

I forgot that I had sponsored a friend from work. He climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for one of his friend's. Hubby has offered to give me the money.

For another week my money for zumba has remained untouched. I think we will go next week but we'll see.

I'm really surprised that I havent had to get petrol yet. It helps that hubby had a few days off so I didnt have to take him to work and pick him up. Also I've been leaving work later to try to avoid the rush hour traffic.


Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£2.24
= £35.36 spent/ £34.64 remaining

A little spending

June 19th, 2011 at 08:20 pm

I ran out of cereal bars today. I bought an 8-pack of Rice Krispie cereal bars and a snack-pack of Oreos (only 50p)The cereal bars will last me two weeks, oreos should last this week (4 pack, 1 each shift)
Total spending: £2.25

Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£4.94
= £32.66 spent/ £37.34 remaining

Total saved = £52.78

I was talking to a woman at work this weekend, she got me thinking about joint bank accounts. We still have our own separate accounts. When we get our own place it will change but it works well for us now.

£1.01

June 17th, 2011 at 12:31 pm

Not a lot of spending to report, thankfully. My mum asked me to collect her prescription yesterday. I walked to the pharmacy. After I collected it, I went to Morrisons and bought furniture wipes for our room. I found a 24 pack for £1.01. I took it out of the "snacks" budget since it is for the room, at least that's my reasoning anyway.

This morning I transferred £50 to savings. I also sent away my claim form for the dentist.

I feel as though this is more of a spend-less month than a no-spend month. However, I've only spent money on bills and things which were budgeted for - with the exception of my windscreen, that is. I would have loved to put that £70 into savings rather than spend it, but never mind.

Hubby is going to the cinema with his mum tonight. I'm working all weekend so it will be an early night for me.


£190.35 previous balance
- £50.00 (savings)
= £140.35 remaining

Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£5.65
snacks £10/£4.94
= £30.41 spent/ £39.59 remaining

Total saved = £52.78

A Financial Update

June 15th, 2011 at 07:16 pm

£192.86 previous balance
- £16.76 (AA)
+ £105.00 (£85 road tax, £20 hubby)
- £90.75 (6 month road tax)
= £190.35 remaining

Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£5.65
snacks £10/£5.95
= £29.40 spent/ £40.60 remaining

Also, we never went to Zumba last night so I still have my £10 put aside for that.

Upcoming expenses:

phone £22.31
insurance £98.42
AA £18.98
= £139.71

That will leave me with £50.64. I'm going to claim back the money from the dentist (£45) so that will be £95 left... hopefully. Plus, any cash left over will be saved too. I might actually do this!

Back to Normal

June 14th, 2011 at 10:31 pm

The weekend was nice while it lasted, but it's over now. Back to normal.

This morning before work I spent £1.35 on snacks for us. £1 of this was actually on a 10 pack of cappucino sachets. They're usually £2.55 so it was a good buy.

I haven't got any plans this week. Hubby is going to the cinema with his mum.

I may actually have a quiet week. I accidentally left my phone charger at my friend's house. I wrote on her FB page and let her know, who knows when she will check it though.

Speaking of friends, I found out yesterday that my other friend is pregnant again.

This entry hasn't really been finance-related, has it? I'll do a proper update later in the week.

Home Alone

June 12th, 2011 at 07:11 pm

Yes, for once I am home alone. In all fairness, it's not my home but it is nice to have some peace and quiet for a change. Hubby is at work for another few hours so I've got a couple more hours of this.

This weekend has been great. We went shopping yesterday (hubby paid) for food. Last night we had a roast dinner, today we're just using up the last of the food that we bought. I could get used to this.

I bought a few things for my packed lunch yesterday, and I got petrol. I got 15.45 litres, spent £21. I've got half a tank now.

Envelope cash balances:

petrol £50 beginning/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10 beg/ £5.65 remaining
snacks £10 beg/£10 remaining

I transferred £50 to MIL yesterday. DH gave me his £30 today. I took £10 for zumba (I'm sure I took money out last week for zumba but I spent it on bus fares) This week I will put that money into my bank, plus my road tax money.

Upcoming expenses:

road tax £90.75
phone £22.31
insurance £98.42

I almost forgot. I had to renew my breakdown cover yesterday. I'm paying it monthly now. There's a one-off payment of £16.xx coming out this week then £18.98 in two weeks. I really would rather keep the money but I can't be without breakdown cover.

Some spending

June 9th, 2011 at 09:52 pm

I had to pay for my filling today. Yesterday I bought some cold relief tablets and lozenges. My mum asked me to buy her a few candles too.

£364.76 previous balance
- £2.40 (cold medicines)
- £4.50 (candles)
- £45.00 (dentist)
= £312.86 remaining

I'm expecting to have to buy some groceries for the weekend at my friend's. Hubby wants to get a takeaway, I'd rather we made our own meals. I know it wasn't in my budget for this month. I spoke to my friend, she said we can help ourselves to food. I'm not comfortable with that, I'd rather we got our own.

My mum gave me the money back for the candles.I'll use it to buy the birthday cards for my aunties.

Due to some unexpected expenses this month, I'll declare this month a success if I'm able to save an extra £50, ideally more would be better. Normally I only save £30 monthly, sometimes I add extra but it's not a lot. If I didnt need to replace my windscreen I'd aim higher. If I claimed the money back from the dentist that would be £45 but that just seems like cheating, what do you think?

New windscreen

June 7th, 2011 at 09:17 pm

I need a new windscreen. I'll be getting it replaced on Friday. Cost: £70 (Ironically I have the exact money here it's just for other things)

I've been walking to work and getting the bus home. Only one more day of this then I'm off work. Bus fares are £2. So I've spent £4 on bus fares.

I need to put money into a collection at work. One of my colleagues has just became a gran. I met her grandson today. Adorable.

I'm trying to think positive, despite the fact that I need a new windscreen during this No Spend Month. Some No Spend Month, but I know this is a necessity. On the plus side though, I haven't spent any of my petrol budget yet

I have a dentist appointment on Thursday. £45 I'm unsure whether to claim the money back so I can put it into savings, or wait till next month to claim it back. Is that cheating?

I almost forgot - we're dogsitting this weekend. My friend and her roommates are away for the weekend so me and husband are going to stay in her flat for a few days

£84.76 previous balance
- £20.00 (our xmas savings, DH gave me his £10 back)
+ £300 (DH replaced the money I transferred)
= £364.76 remaining

This sure doesn't feel like a No Spend Month.

Cash Withdrawal

June 5th, 2011 at 06:39 pm

I withdrew £70 today. This is money for petrol, packed lunches and snacks.

£154.76 previous balance
- £70.00 (cash withdrawal)
= £84.76 remaining

Cash Envelope balances:

petrol £50
packed lunch £10
snacks £10

In other news, my windscreen has a crack in it. It isn't obstructing my view. I phoned Autoglass but my insurance company doesn't deal with them. I'm going to go on my insurance company's website and see what can be done.

My spending and saving balances are the same as before:

Spending £660
Saving £2.78

Day 4

June 4th, 2011 at 09:43 pm

It's been an uneventful weekend. Last night we watched The Money Pit. It was my first time watching it. It was a dvd that I'd put on our Love Film list. I never would have put Tom Hanks and Shelly Long together. I enjoyed it.

Today I went to my mum's for a few hours. When I came back we tidied our room. Then we watched Cougar Town. We still have the new episode of Bones to watch, that probably won't be until tomorrow now.

Tomorrow I'm working till 5. I'm planning on withdrawing money to put into my cash envelopes before I start (£70) I'm going to try my best not to buy anything to take to work. I have a multipack of mini cheddars, cereal bars and portions of raisins to take with me. I usually buy portions of fruit but there's a full fruit bowl so I will be making the most of that.

Dental Plan

June 4th, 2011 at 09:39 am

Every month I pay £13 for my dental plan. I'd been going to the same dentist for years as an NHS patient when they changed the criteria. I was at university at the time, so it was more than five years ago. I can't remember the specific details but because I was over 18 I had the option of taking up the private plan, or finding another dentist. I agreed to pay £12 each month at that time. It's increased to £13 now. This plan means I am entitled to:

- 2 check-ups a year
- 2 visits to the hygienist
- one x-ray per year

My mum goes to the same dentist as me. She receives benefits so her treatment is free.

I joined a health cash plan at work a couple of years ago. I pay £8 every four weeks out of my pay, this is the basic level. I can use it to claim money back for optical and dental treatments. I haven't used it for dental yet since the last few years I haven't needed any work done. I mostly just use it for optical expenses, claiming money back when I buy my contact lenses or have a contact lense check-up. I need to book one soon, I'm a few months overdue.

I'm getting a filling next week. After the treatment I have 13 weeks to make a claim. I don't know whether to claim the money back during this No Spend Month or wait till next month.

In other news, we never went to Edinburgh yesterday. As soon as we got to the train station, an announcement went out that the train had been cancelled. We'll go next month instead.

Payday

June 3rd, 2011 at 08:20 am

It's payday. I've spent the morning paying bills. Later we're going to Edinburgh Anyway, this is what things look like so far:

£35.78 opening balance
- £2.78 (savings)
= £33.00
+ £781.76 wages = £814.76
- £13.00 (dental plan)
- £25.00 (savings)
- £160.00 ("rent")
- £300.00 (husband)
- £56.00 (catalogue)
- £65.00 (credit card 2)
- £41.00 (credit card 1)
= £154.76 remaining

Total saved = £2.78
Total spent = £660.00

This has all been on bills though, plus I'm due £300 back from hubby so it's not that bad.

No Spend Month Rules

June 2nd, 2011 at 08:34 pm

I don't usually post twice in one day, but I've been thinking about what rules I will follow for this month. Here's what I've came up with:

1) record all spending from June's pay
2) record extra savings that I make this month*
3) all leftover money in bank will go towards Moving Out Fund
4) leftover money in envelopes will be divided between my emergency fund and car fund

*this probably won't apply until the end of the month when I will see how much I've got leftover. I won't include my normal savings (£25, £5 automatic)

Day 2 of Not Spending

June 2nd, 2011 at 06:27 pm

I just checked my bank balance and the £13 for the dentist hasn't came out yet, so there's no spending to report.

£35.78 opening balance
- £2.78 (savings)
= £33.00

Total spent = £0.00*
Total saved = £2.78

Tomorrow is payday so obviously money will be spent then. I usually transfer DH's money to his mum's account too. Next week he will put the money back into my account. We've been doing this for a few months now.

I usually order from the Avon every month or so if I see something I like. I ordered mascara last month. Last night, hubby's mum gave me the book to see if I wanted anything. I took it upstairs and half-heartedly flicked through it. I gave it back to her that night. This will be one month when I'm not ordering.

Hubby's mum isn't going anywhere during her two weeks off (which starts next week) Her trip fell through.

*My car payment came out yesterday. I guess I should count that in my spending category? And my £5 transfer to savings too? I guess I will have to count that in this month's savings.



Hello June!

June 1st, 2011 at 01:55 pm

Today is the first day of my No Spend Month. I'm pleased to report that I haven't spent anything. However it's easy not to spend anything when you haven't got the money. Two days till payday and I have £35.78 in the bank, £13 is due out, £20 towards hubby's debt so that will leave me with roughly £2 left.

I worked until 1pm today so I'm having lunch just now at home. Today gave me five hours extra whih will be in July's pay. Later, I'm going to my mum's for dinner. All in all, a no-spender.