Day 268 - mixed bag

First the good news, I was away on a work jolly so had the complete luxury of no food bill etc for over a week. Sometimes working away has it's benefits but it meant when I got back to London I went over my allotted £20 spend for September by £35. I bought a dress.

I'm really happy with the dress but not that happy I couldn't stick to the goals I set for the month. I've sorted out some clothes and put them on ebay. I've decided on a one in and one out policy, plus a sort out of clothes into using for gym, dusters and off to recycling.

It seems less is more. I can see things better.

The stupid thing is my saving on grocery bills has been used up by a clothes purchase when it should have gone against reducing my debt. Sometimes I can be a real idiot.

Day 257 - blinkers are on

So far so good with my new found resolve. I haven't even spent my £20 allocation for a quick fix. I've completely failed to go to a charity shop, I'm still saving this one as diversionary tactics.
My biggest temptation are these and at £190 with my snagging record I'm stepping away from the lure.




What's not to like - help!

Day 251 New resolve

I don't know if it is because of discovering other blogs dedicated to the same problem I face or a new found confidence but I'm doing so much better.

So far no spend on my allocation of £20 for the month. Normally I'd have blown it and be over. I've also not used the credit card which is a first as my total despite paying off a chunk had stayed the same through usage.

If only I could say something insightful but I reckon it all comes down to will power and choosing between debt and being in the black. I think also you have to lose the consumerism. I've tried all those changing energy providers and checking phone deals and you know what they are just playing with figures. Truly, you need to choose to live within your means and suffer short term hardship for long term gain.

Gulp, we'll see if I'm so chipper about it later in the week!

Day 246 - reduction

Hurrah! Today has seen a reduction of £155.87 on the old credit card bill and nothing added as yet.
My estimated interest for next month is £39.83, this is so hideous and is a big warning on the follies of credit. I haven't changed to an interest free because I'm worried I would spend on the card. This way I learn the hard way and it stays learnt.

I'm fighting the shopping urges even the its only £5.00 ones!

Day 244 - goal setting!

Goal setting is the way ahead it seems so my September goals are a follows:-
1. Do not use credit card
2. Do spend more than £20 - allocated clothes budget for month.

Both those are enough for me at the moment as to achieve them both would be a massive step in the right direction. I like that you can break it down into bite size options.

Day 243 - a salutory lesson

Immediate apologies as this is probably the most depressing blog post I'll ever make. I've been gripped by a dreadful story here in the UK that of an arson of a mansion in Oswestry, Shropshire. It is a tragedy of epic proportions as more and more information unfolds ...and it is all related to money.

photo source: BBCi

I often have arguments with friends who blah on about money is evil of which I constantly assert that the real quote is 'the love of money is the root of all evil'. And if you set your store by money, in terms of worth and status it can come to no good. This family are testament to this. No ones knows the actual truth yet but the evidence is stacking up to a)murder and b) murder of family by the husband/father whom the bailiffs were coming for.

Without discussing it further, it made me realise how money needs to be treated with caution as it can create anxiety through debt, worry, again little or no money or debt and also criminal behaviour.

I feel most dismayed by the lose of a young girl over money and it makes me think about me silly attitude to fashion and the wasting of money I haven't got on it. OK I'm not going to go and kill anyone for money, nor steal it but perhaps I need to learn to save, give it away to those less fortunate to feed themselves and hope that we all realise that our own lives are more important than monetary value.