Alas! At the end of August I checked my bank balance (a rarity) only to see a very, very scary minus number! This is not that abnormal if I am honest (still sorting out student loans etc) but unfortunately I had gone beyond my interest free limit! Oops.. panic ensued and after some stern words and loan (!) from a friend about daily charges on unagreed overdrafts I was back within the limits of my OD. Cue also setting up Natwest weekly text alerts to tell me my balance every Friday (a really useful service!).
Payday was just around the corner so within a few days I was OK again but I decided the time had come to budget else things were going to get out of control and you know Christmas is approaching. I really do not know why I am so rubbish with money - but I don't say no an awful lot and my attitude is to (within reason) do what I want. Plus I moved to Edinburgh 6 weeks ago which is more expensive and there was the small matter of several Commonwealth Games tickets and the Fringe over the summer.
Excuses aside here is how week 1 of September has been money wise (I'm a work in progress).
Last weekend -
Saturday - I played badminton and squash with a friend on Saturday which was cheap and fun, we also had lunch. Cost £12
Sunday - My food shop day. Cost £22. I cooked for a friend and we went to the End of the Fringe Fireworks buying a couple of drinks. Cost £15.
Not too bad for the weekend I don't think (I have a £40 allowance for social per week). Maybe could have made a packed lunch rather than a cafe lunch Saturday. Pleased with a £20 food shop as I've allowed £30 a week.
Monday - Friday
Petrol - £53
Extra food shop - £9
Gin Tasting (prepaid) and dinner- £17
Debt to Tracy - £20
Gym membership - £180
Snacks Friday eve - £3
Saturday to Friday total (before bills) - £331
Bills gone out - £182
Total - £513
So not a great start. How is it possible to spend £500+ in one week (when that doesn't include rent)! Obviously dinner on Thursday wasn't budgeted for however, it was necessary at the time to soak up copious amounts of gin (see Gin-Tastic post). Another spanner in the works the gym membership. No option to pay monthly so I had to suck it up but it does mean I am able to train at work now which will be really useful. It does however mean my 'social' budget no longer exists :(.
This weekend
Saturday - spent £0
Sunday - food shop £31
Better :) however, most of my friends are away so it has been an enforced quiet weekend which has meant no spending. Good for the purse but I am so bored! I have work this week then I am sneaking down to Loughborough at the weekend for a housewarming (driving not flying - cheaper!). I really shouldn't go but I haven't been back for a visit since May and am really missing people.
Plan for Loughborough (reliving the student life) - total allowance £90-100
1. I am driving down and splitting the cost with a friend.
2. Hopefully we eat in not out
3. Pre-drinks at the party so minimal spend out
4. Breakfast/lunch eat in and buy snacks at supermarket for journey home - no services
5. Fuel from the Edinburgh and Loughborough - no services
Anyone got any more tips? Luckily most of my bills are out for the month - just the phone bill now. For me fuel for the car and to an extent food are non-negotiable. I can't suddenly go all Iceland because I don't want to eat rubbish. But I'd love some ideas for cheap or free weekend ideas! I have a lot to learn...my interest free OD is also getting halved in October so the time is nigh!
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