I've been thinking a lot about making June a No Spend Month. I have two birthdays in June but I only need to get them cards so I'm sure I can make it work. This month I spent more than I had planned so I'd like to make next month a better one. Obviously if I do decide to have a NSM I'd pack 100% at work. I'm in the habit of doing that anyway and I budget £10 every four weeks for snacks/drinks etc to take to work.

I haven't spoken to DH about it yet but it is me that wants to do this, not him. The only problem I can see is the temptation at work since I work in a supermarket but I can resist, I've done it plenty of times before.

Hmm... now I'm actually thinking more about it, I think I can do it. I'll pay my bills and buy necessities (which are already budgeted for) and nothing else. Anyone want to join me?

We found out today that MIL is going to America in a few weeks with her friend. She can't remember exactly where she's going but said they will be spending three days in New York and three days in Las Vegas. They will be away for twelve days. Her friend is paying for the trip, I'm assuming she will be paying for MIL's spending money too.

I met up with my friend last week. We were talking about money when she said to me: "do you know you're meant to have 3 months pay saved for an emergency?" Yep. She was quite surprised that I knew that, she only knew cause someone had came to her work to speak to them. I told her I knew about it because I've spent a lot of time online finding tips to save. However, I haven't got an EF. I wish I had one so I could have said: "Yep and I've got one"

I tried to start one last year but it turned into Moving Out Fund. Well I spoke to hubby and told him we have to start one. So that's my new goal for 2011: start an EF.

My plans are simple today: go to my mum's and watch the Royal Wedding. I wasn't born when Charles and Diana got married so it will be nice to see William and Kate. Everywhere I look there's wedding souvenirs, not that I've bought any. Every magazine cover is all about William and Kate, particularly about how much weight she's lost. Anyway, I'm just looking forward to seeing her dress.

I'll need to wrap my mum's birthday presents later.

All in all, a no spend day planned

We're still here. I phoned the housing association and the woman said we would be waiting "a substantial amount of time" then asked me if I'd considered private let. She also said that we needed 300 more points to get to the top of the list. I'm going to make an appointment to meet with a housing officer from our local council, see if that will do any good.

Hubby decided the day after the argument that he couldn't stay at my mum's, he thinks they would argue all the time. I just want out of here so I'm trying to start being more active concerning moving out, it's like I just came to a standstill. I'll stop moaning from now on and do something about it.

It was my day off yesterday. I put the washing on. I hung ALL of the washing out. I hoovered upstairs and downstairs. I took the dogs out. Twice. I brought all of the dry washing in. I tidied. I filled and emptied the dishwasher. Do you want to know what I didn't do? I didn't thoroughly clean ONE frying pan before I put it in the dishwasher. This clogs the filter, apparently. Big no-no. The second I got in tonight with hubby MIL made it perfectly clear that we weren't following the house rules.

If you want to live here, you follow the house rules.

To be honest, I don't really want to live here. We were talking about either moving in with my mum or declaring ourselves homeless. We haven't decided anything yet. One thing's for sure: the sooner we're out of here, the better.

This is my second birthday living here. When I moved in I honestly thought I'd celebrate one birthday here and that would be it. Well I'm 26 now. Ideally I'd like to have a child before I'm 30, not in this situation though. I was on a bit of a downer last night but I've cheered up.

Lunch challenge going well. I'm hoping to keep it up for the next few weeks.

It's payday tomorrow.

I mentioned this a few months ago in one of my entries, but then I never thought about it afterwards. Until last night, that is. As usual it was one of hubby and MIL's arguments that got me thinking. When hubby came back to the room he mentioned getting a loan out. A while later I was searching for places online to rent. I found one nearby, a 3-bedroom house, £500 pcm.

It looks so good. Of course we would be struggling if we didn't get Housing Benefit.

Then I started to think about all of the things we would have to pay for:

- rent (£500, plus one month's deposit I assume?)
- council tax (not too sure of the rates)
- food
- gas
- electricity
- phone
- tv licence
- loan payment?

And that's just what I can think of. I also have my car payments and CC debt.

Hubby pointed out that it will take us ages to save up the money we would need. I know it will. But I don't want to get into more debt just so we can move out. He doesn't mind. I can see his point, his mum is annoying me now.

I know the sensible thing to do:

1) SAVE the money
2) clear debt
3) move out

After reading CJ's entry I took a few moments to reflect on what would I change about my job, my life, myself.

My job:

- I wish I had a better paying job (I earn just over the minimum wage)
-I wish I worked in a place where you weren't just a number
- I wish my hard work was acknowledged; the more I do, the more they expect me to. Others barely do anything yet nothing is said.

Myself:

- I wish I had chosen a career path while at uni. I studied Psychology and now I have nothing to show for it. I didn't get any relevant work experience, in fact I never got any
- I wish I was confident
- I'd like to be laid-back to a certain extent. I worry about everything
- I'd like to be more productive when I'm not at work

Home life:

- I'd like me and hubby to have our own space. Choose our own meals. Heck, choose what time to eat.
- I'd like to look forward to going home when I finish work.
- I'd like to have a place to call my own

Basically I want control of my life.

since my last entry. Since then, things have been bad here. Hubby had a huge argument with his mum and basically told me he wants out now. Well I told him I'll need his help saving because our current method of him paying back his mum and not helping me save isn't working. It doesn't help that his mum hasn't acknowledged how much he has actually paid back. But that's not the point. The point is that we both want out. Preferably this year.

Well I didn't manage to complete my goals for this month. Or my goals for this year actually. I'm going to have another think about my 2011 goals.

So Christmas is over now. We went to my mum's. Dinner with in-laws today.

Tyre still isn't fixed. We can't get it off the car. Also I just paid my road tax today. How ironic.

I finished my Christmas shopping yesterday. I spent £98 on the last of it. It was all paid for with cash so I have met my goal of a cash-only Christmas. I budgeted £150 for it so the leftover money will probably go towards a new tyre.

We're having a lazy day today. I'm going to start wrapping some presents soon.

We've been invited to the pub tonight, although I'm not too sure if we're going, it all depends on the weather. If we do end up going we'll only have a few drinks each since we're working in the morning.

I am so stressed!! When i was driving to work this morning my steering felt a bit funny. However the roads have been icy so I just put it down to that and the snow. When I finished work i took my mum home. Well on the way home my tyres were making a noise. I could see in the wing mirror that my tyre at the back was flat and it looked as though it was coming off! It's usually a short drive home so I thought it would be ok. I got caught in a queue of traffic and there was an accident. When I got to my mum's I had a good look at the tyre and it is coming off. My mum thought someone had slashed it because of how bad it is. Hubby's mum seen the car when I went round, she said I nevaer should have drove it. I'm not sure how it happened but I think - this is my theory anyway - that while my car was sitting in the car park for two weeks during all of this bad weather, I've gotten a flat tyre. Then driving the car and having alloy wheels has made it worse. I'm going to have to get a new tyre. My spare has a leak in the alloy, which I was planning on getting fixed soon so I can't put that on the car (mechanic said something a while ago about how i can't put any weight on the tyre until the leak is fixed) So I'm going to have to order a new tyre and get the leak in my spare fixed. And I'm working tomorrow. I don't know how I'm going to do this.

Ok I'm going to calmly think about what I'm going to do. My next post should make more sense.

I found out what happened today. The company has told hubby's mum that they didn't receive the payments - either all or some of it, I'm not too sure. So, although we gave her the money, they didn't receive it. The reason for this? She has been overdrawn, gotten bank charges and the payments haven't been made. She apologised to us since it is her fault. So how am I going to finish my xmas shopping? Well when I get paid instead of giving MIL "rent" (£160) I've only to give her £10 and use the rest of the money for xmas shopping. Ideally I want to spend less than £150 so I am writing a list of what I need to get. It's not a long list either.

I was reimbursed a few days ago through my health plan for contact lenses I bought a few months ago (£22) so I added that to savings.

My Christmas high street vouchers, that is. You put money aside every month specifically for xmas and you have nothing to show for it. It's 17 days till xmas. I'd like them now. I have a list of what I still have to get yet I haven't got the money to buy it. This better not happen next year.

I'm really not in the mood this year. I haven't got my vouchers, it's freezing (it was -17 this morning) and my xmas night out is on Saturday. I really am not in the mood to go.

I hope I can increase savings next year. VAT is increasing to 20% so my phone bill and Love Film subscription will inreaase.

I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm looking at my 2010 goals and I didn't complete them all (I ADDED to the catalogue when I was meant to clear it, I'm crazy!)My savings have GOT to increase next year.

Just when I think we've got a plan...

Hubby found out last night that MIL hasn't been putting the money towards what he's been asking her to. Also she doesn't know her credit card balances. Since it's his debt hubby is going to start taking over the credit card payments. At least this way he will know how much he has paid.

We're still going to apply for a loan next year. I hate having this hanging over us.

Sometimes I feel as though she wants us here forever. The other day she found out her payday is the same as ours. She wasn't happy, she'd rather the money went in on different days. Well she won't be getting our money forever.

This isn't going to ruin my goals. I'm still going to save for the things I said. I'll still clear my debt.

It started to snow on Friday night. I last used my car on Friday afternoon. My car has been sitting in the car park for three days. I looked at it today, completely covered in snow. I know I wanted to save on petrol but I didn't ask for all this snow. It was snowing again today, in fact I think we've got it all week.

I was going to do overtime this week but I'm rethinking it. I haven't agreed to any. Plus it is taking me longer to get to work on the days that I'm meant to be there. I was late to work yesterday and today. When I got to work this morning there was only me and another woman. Tomorrow I'm walking to work with hubby since the buses and taxis aren't on. It'll mean walking back home though.

I've completely failed my lunch challenge this month. A hot breakfast is so much more appealing in this weather.

I've also not done well with NaNoWriMo. I'll try again next year.

I've been thinking a lot about next year, goals etc. We're talking about taking out a loan to clear hubby's credit card debt. We could pay her back then focus on saving since hubby would be able to help me. Then we could build up our savings then move out. Of course this all depends on if I would actually get approved for a loan (my credit rating is better than DH's) I really don't want more debt but I'm trying to think about the bigger picture.

I have £2.63 left in my bank account till payday (Friday) I could be wrong but I think this is the least amount I've had left in a while.

I still haven't received my xmas savings vouchers yet. MIL said she is waiting on hubby giving her the rest of his. Everyone at work that is doing them has them and has spent them already. I just want to get my xmas shopping done!

We've started watching the Harry Potter movies from the beginning.

I've finally thought of a plot for NaNoWriMo - with hubby's help.

I'll be picking up an extra shift this week at work.

That's about it, I think. Hope everyone else is having a good day. I need to get ready for work now.

My manager has been trying - poorly, I might add - to get me to work extra this week. She included me in her To-Do List ("SG o/t?), pointed out that I can write whatever shifts I want this week, I just have to add it to the rota. Finally today she said that she hadn't got me down for extra this week. That's because I'm not doing it. I explained to her that I wanted a break this week, and pointed out that I have been working six days for the past few weeks. I told her I would pick up extra next week - but not when I'm going to see Harry Potter.

I know I shouldn't complain. But this week I just want to have a break.

HB invited me to his house for his birthday. Through FB. Two days before his birthday. I'm not going.

Still not wrote anything for NaNoWriMo however that should change this week now that I have some time.

After reading on here about fellow bloggers writing a novel for NaNoWriMo, I googled it this morning (about half an hour ago actually) I didn't realise that anyone in the world could join, I thought it was only for Americans. Anyway I registered this morning. Right now I'm browsing the site.

I used to love writing stories in High School. However, that was the last time I wrote anything!

I came home from work today to find a letter from my credit card company (CC1). I opened it and found a card for 2 for 1 dining. I've just checked online and I can use it at a few restaurants nearby. I haven't got the money right now, but it's nice that they sent me it anyway. They said it was to thank me for being a loyal customer.

We checked hubby's bank balance today. He still has money left in his account for a game that's due out this week, thankfully, otherwise I would have had to transfer money to his account - and guess where that money would have had to come from? Savings. I'm so glad I don't have to. Hubby's not bothered that his mum borrowed money but I am. He said that he might say to her instead of giving him the money back she can use it for her birthday meal. I wish he wouldn't but he will.

Well tomorrow is the first of November, already, can't believe how quick this year's gone! I managed to only complete one out of three of my October goals (get overtime) I bought things at work a couple of times, so didn't manage to pack everything for the whole month.

The good news is that I just counted and I put £29.04 to savings.Bit of an usual figure but at least it's savings.

Overtime is flowing in at work so I'm taking it while I can get it. It's extra money going towards debt or savings, the way I see it. I'm working six days this week (45.5hrs) This is extra towards my November pay (19 days to go)

I've written down my basic expenses for November. £635.16 This includes getting rid of my washing machine debt. It's the lowest debt there, it has to go. Extra expenses (roughly) are £115. This includes 2 birthday presents, paying for rest of xmas night out,money for the actual night and three xmas presents. I think I will use the envelope method for these extra expenses - obviously not the online ones though. Total: £750.16 If I can find any of the presents cheaper, great!

My goals for November are:
-clear washing machine debt
-add extra to savings*
-pack 100%

* I'd love to add more than what I did in October. However, that was unplanned and I enjoyed it. I know if I want them to increase I have to add to it I just don't want the added pressure of having to put in a specific amount. I would love to beat what i added this month.

hope everyone's having a great weekend!

I've been saving for a cash-only Christmas since January. As soon as I get my £150 worth of vouchers I will get some more xmas shopping in. Hopefully I wil get them soon. Anyway here's what I will have to spend:

£100 high street vouchers
£50 ASDA vouchers
£20 ASDA gift card (thank-you gift from work)
£10 high street voucher (reward for completing a follow-up survey, received today)

Total: £180

I've already started xmas shopping. This is what else I want to get:

Hubby: White Collar First series (£26.99), spiderman socks (£5), Iron Man 2 (£9.99) Bought: The Ugly Truth (£7.99)
Mum: housecoat (£16), slippers (£6), wine rack (£10)Bought a few dvds already
MIL: pyjamas (£10) Bought: disney mug (£4.99)
BIL: golf book (£6.09) possibly a dvd too
Friend's son: toys (£10-£15 max)
Cousin1: clothes (£10)
Cousin2: same
pets: bones from Poundland
Friend: £10 (pamper set?)

I had a frugal customer today. The first thing she said to me was: "i've got three coupons" I thought, oh so nice to see someone using coupons! I sctually had a nice conversation with her about using coupons, mostly about her using coupons since I hardly ever use them. She said she got them in our store magazine, so I said I would look out for them. One of the things she did say though is that she's become frugal as she's gotten older. Hmm, probably not compared to fellow SA bloggers.

I don't usually post twice in one day but I received an email requesting that I phone my insurance company as a claim had been made. I phoned. The woman I spoke to just wanted me to confirm that I had been in an accident and she wanted to hear my version of the events. She said that my insurance company will deal with the third party and, it sounds like, I won't be affected until I renew my insurance next year because I am a risk now. I'm hoping that my insurance won't go up too much next year.

I also got some other news today. My mum is going to England soon so she has asked if me and Hubby can house sit and dogsit. We're looking forward to it: our own space! It will only be for a week, and we will both be working, but it will be nice to come home from work and make our own meals and basically just have time together.

I'm on Facebook a lot, probably too much if I'm honest. Anyway tonight I noticed one of my friends had posted this as their status:

YOUR PHONE NUMBER IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!! NO JOKE... Go to the top right
of your screen, click Account then Edit Friends. Go to the left side of
your screen and click Phonebook. Everyone's phone numbers are now being
published. Please repost to let your friends know this is happening so
they can remove their number!

I checked my friendslist and I could see everyone's mobile numbers. Just thought I'd post and warn you guys too.

I'm working 6 hours extra this week, and, if I'm lucky, I'll get a shift next week too. DH sat down with me tonight to work out how much I'll need next month and it's not as bad as I thought. There are a few things I can tweak like the Christmas savings, I could pay half this month and half next month, if need be, as long as I get it cleared by next month.

Dh now owes MIL just over £600. Back in June he owed £1400 so he's slowly getting there. We worked it out tonight how much he owes, although we haven't got the official number off MIL but it should match ours. If she disagrees we have it written down in a notebook to show her.

I'm working 6 hours extra this week, and, if I'm lucky, I'll get a shift next week too. DH sat down with me tonight to work out how much I'll need next month and it's not as bad as I thought. There are a few things I can tweak like the Christmas savings, I could pay half this month and half next month, if need be, as long as I get it cleared by next month.

Dh now owes MIL just over £600. Back in June he owed £1400 so he's slowly getting there. We worked it out tonight how much he owes, although we haven't got the official number off MIL but it should match ours. If she disagrees we have it written down in a notebook to show her.

I crashed my car today. I've been on the phone to DH, crying. The worst thing is it was all my fault. I was leaving a junction and I thought it was safe to go. I crashed sttraight into a car that I hadn't seen. The car belonged to a lovely old man who took my details. The left side of my car is dented. I know my insurance will go up now but it is all my fault. I should have been paying more attention.

The last four weeks at work I didn't do as much overtime as I had wanted to, getting sent home two hours into my shift didn't help either. I got paid less than I did last month. When i'm back at work after my holiday I'm going to get some overtime. I'm just going to have to work with what I've got, it's the only thing I can do.

This morning I have paid money to MIL ("rent"), paid catalogue and my high-interest CC. Still to pay the lower interest one. I'm trying to decide how much money to put aside for my friend's wedding. I'm getting their present today too (£20 budgeted) The place that they're having their reception is really cheap so we shouldn't need too much. their wedding is in three weeks (the week before payday for us)

Tonight I am going out with my mum. She is buying the drinks while we're there since I got the tickets. I think it will be a good night.

Today I have to:

- buy their wedding present
- get petrol
- put money aside for wedding (can't see it, can't spend it)
- pay washing machine
- pay other CC