Scarey !!

[ditzydoodle]

well thats a strange concept !!!

[kallis3]

You will find that you do have money left - might not be a lot but it will be there.

[ditzydoodle]

just like luke skywalker......much to learn i do !!!

[Foggy]

Yes, apart from those payments that are monthly contributions to things like car tax and the emergency fund, I sometimes make a saving on the grocery bills (mind you, that often goes the next month if I see a bulk bargain. But, pre - IVA I used to run out of money long before I ran out of month !!!

We have also managed to save some additional payments (our 50% shares), which, before, we would have spent without a second thought.

Obviously we don't go mad with the shopping (have to buy the cheap champers and caviar these days), but, with a little planning we certainly don't starve either (one look at my waistline will confirm that !).

[Foggy]

LUKE ..... put down the credit card and feel the Force

[ditzydoodle]

such a steep learning curve.......still, im up for the challenge
im already picking up tips from you chaps on here, this site is awesome !!!

[kallis3]

Foggy - that would be Lambrusco and lumpfish I take it????

Trust me ditzy, you will be able to budget.

When you do your weekly shopping, make sure you take a list with you and stick to it. I used to do a virtual shop every week and compare the prices so I knew where the cheapest things were.

Hang in there, we've all been where you are and we're always around to support and help you along the wsy.

[kazzafunk]

I bought a pukka pad with dividers in. I keep a record of our bank balance at the front (as the Co-op cashminder runs a day or two behind), then I have a section where I record the food amounts and another for fuel.

That way I keep a check on how much I am spending in Tescos each week! I do love a bargain and can still forget about the money when I see BOGOF offers!!!

I am a bit sad though and got quite excited at seeing it all written down - before I never knew where I was with the overdraft (as we always seemed to be in the red!!). Last month we had £40 left. But most months it's only about £20. The thing to remember is to squirrel away your contingency allowance and things like car tax etc so you're not caught out (as I was the 1st month our telephone and TV licence quarterly payments were due).

Good luck!!

[Foggy]

I must say, my Scrooge Gene has certainly kicked in !!!!

[ditzydoodle]

ill be scouring the internet and magazines at work for money off coupons too !!
great tips thanks so much

[lem]

I always use a spreadsheet, with lovely formulas in that work the running total out for me everytime I add something in, and I check my online banking every morning without fail to ensure it tallies, can't run the risk of ever going overdrawn obviously!

But I never have anything left at the end of the month and always end up dipping into my contingency to get me through as my bills are just exceeding my allowances lately, hopefully that should be sorted soon

[ditzydoodle]

so the order of the day is discipline and organisation then

[kallis3]

Most definitely.

You need to keep a record of your income and expenditure, either just online with a pad as I do, or via a spreadsheet and stick to it.

It will be hard not being able to resort to credit but you can do it!!!

[ditzydoodle]

well if i could afford champagne id drink a toast to new beginnings but ill do it with a cup of tea instead !!

[kallis3]

Cuppa would be cheap but you are allowed a glass of something every now and then if you can afford it!!