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Original poster

During May I will only spend money on food and petrol.

266 replies

Collision · 30/04/2011 20:54

I have decided that I spend far too much on silly bits and pieces and that after a while this really adds up.

The children do not need ANY clothes or shoes at all.

Neither do I. Or bags.

DH needs nothing.

So I have declared that May will be an eco month and i will only buy food and petrol. We are in school for the whole of the month so no trips out are necessary and if the weather is nice we can take our bikes out.

Anyone care to join me or make comments to support me!

OP posts:
HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/05/2011 22:13

OK...I have a spreadsheet with my incomings and outgoings on....and I have just been updating it with this months spends...here is my credit card spends wait for it...

1-15 April - 19 transactions totalling about £650
1-15 may - 8 transactions totalling about £280

Am Shock and very :)

Carrotsandcelery · 15/05/2011 22:19

Woo hoo! That is a massive improvement Haunted - keep it up!

HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/05/2011 22:24

TY

To be fair I had 3 DDs birthdays at teh end of last month but I can't see any of their birthday presents in the list for the first hald of April.

My second half of April spends is truely horrific though due to birthday present buying, overnight trip to Alton towers and Car service....

I am easily on to meet my credit card bill target I set earlier (£1200 I think including the £350 car service from end of April).

voodoomunkee · 16/05/2011 18:27

Pay day today, very difficult to budget when have wtc, chb, maintenance and wages all at completely different times of the month! However I have sinned and bought some baby clothes however they are kind of an investment as they will be needed! Also bought dd a magazine that I get her monthly, but have meal planned and sorted out direct debits and budgeted for absolutely everything! Should be a cheap week as ds at gp and cheap weekend as dd away!

Well done everyone, seems like this has been a really positive exercise for everyone so far!

Carrotsandcelery · 16/05/2011 20:59

I am currently harrassing dh to layout a spreadsheet for me to record our spending for the next wee while. I think it is a great idea and will give me a very clear idea where the money is going. I think Tesco is getting most of it but may be surprised.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 16/05/2011 21:37

I love my spreadhseet.

I would offer to send it on...but it has a few...erm quirks...si a bit rough round the edges.

I account for all my direct debits at the beginning of the month and that really helps me see what I have and haven't got to spend for the month.

Carrotsandcelery · 16/05/2011 22:46

Dh has made me a spreadsheet and shown me how to use it, although he may have to do that a few times.

I think it is the way forward as I can already see how much I spent just today (£101) on dog food, plant food, vegetables and fuel. I am Shock as I thought it had been a pretty good day.

Original poster
Collision · 17/05/2011 18:04

I need to go to Tesco and get some instant coffee as I ran out yesterday but I will be too tempted to buy more so will drink wine tea tonight!

Another no spend day. I am getting good at this!

OP posts:
angel1976 · 17/05/2011 20:13

I spent £9.50 today at the local butchers for a chicken and ham pie (dinner tonight), a bacon quiche, a sandwich and scotch egg for lunch. I thought that was pretty good. :)

Did pay £50 to fill up on petrol today but put it on DH's card! Grin

Original poster
Collision · 20/05/2011 17:33

How is everyone doing?

I am very pleased with myself!

OP posts:
lilibartley · 23/05/2011 10:20

You don't have to spend money on entering competitions! A friend of mine has been blogging about this great business tool and if you comment on the blog you can win one! techinstyle.tv/blogs/cool-a-transformer-is-coming-to-our-house/

Meglet · 30/05/2011 15:24

Can we just gloss over this month and pretend it never happened Blush.

In my defence I have done lots of things around the house (which needed money spending on them), tidied my kitchen cupboards and (get this) tidied my bedroom and wardrobe up. Car CAM belt to be changed this week and paperwork for new, cheaper mortgage rate is going to be posted off this week. And I started buying a few bits at Lidl.

Therefore, during June I will only spend money on food and petrol.

QuinnFabray · 01/06/2011 09:35

New thread for June? I've just been lurking, but would love to do this for June.

givemeaclue · 03/06/2011 10:01

Have only just discovered this thread - I love it! Its a window into other people's purchases - the £1.30 swimming badge, the £23 stapling gun, the £2 pea plants!

givemeaclue · 03/06/2011 10:03

As well as my 'budget' spreadsheet for monthly incomngs/outgoings, I have a spreadsheet that I do at the end of the month for:
-groceries/shopping
-household expenses
-children expenses e.g swim lesson
-petrol
-chemist
-presents
-entertainment
-eatingout/takeaways

so I can see where most of the money is going and make any adjustments

MilkNoSugarPlease · 19/06/2011 22:47

Can we do one for July...my ability to by shit is bloody apalling

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