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Original poster

Money Management Boot Camp ..... anyone interested?

390 replies

Twiglett · 18/09/2007 13:33

OK the house of twig has been overspending drastically in recent months, so I'm about to start sorting it out again (took my eye off the ball you see)

I know we do style and healthy living makeovers on here

Anybody want to join my Money Boot Camp? Get control of your money and stay in control?

NB this may be well over my head though but I'm pretty good at this normally

sign-up if you wanna try .. we could start next month?

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglett · 25/09/2007 11:16

Bugger .. DH had to go back to Ireland at short notice .. strike £250 off the budget

OP posts:
MascaraOHara · 25/09/2007 11:20

How come Twig?

SleeplessInTheStaceym11House · 25/09/2007 11:23

oh twig, hope everything is ok!

Original poster
Twiglett · 25/09/2007 11:24

his nephew died at the weekend, funeral is tomorrow .. he's really cut up about it .. don't know what happened there was talk of an inquest but as that hasn't happened and funeral is going ahead we assume nothing suspicious .. I really don't know any more than that (he was in his late 20s .. I've never met him I don't think)

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglett · 25/09/2007 11:25

ryanair cheap flights totally disappear at short notice

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglett · 25/09/2007 11:26

this is one thing that isn't about the money though .. and this is why generally we need to make sure we're living within in our means so if things happen we have the spare cash to sort it out .. its not that we're strapped just that we could be (see how I'm staying on topic here? )

OP posts:
MascaraOHara · 25/09/2007 11:39

Oh Twig, sorry to hear that. IKWYM about having a bit of excess cash.

SleeplessInTheStaceym11House · 25/09/2007 11:49

Oh twig, hope your dh is ok!

If anything like that happened id be b*ggered, we have no spare money, cue money management!

LadySnotAlot · 25/09/2007 11:51

Yes Purleeeeaase. Help me, help me!!

puffylovett · 25/09/2007 14:57

v true re spare cash ! sorry to hear that twiglett, hope funeral goes well for dh.

right - so far, i have re-organised savings accounts so that i have £500 per yr going into car fund for service etc. reduced mobile phone bill by £30pm AND included free broadband with orange. haven't hardly spent anything over the last few days except £34 on a library fine with self.

even did an ocado shop following meal planner and stayed within our budget of £60 (except delivery)

just about to spend a fortune on college books though [sad emoticon]

chocolateteapot · 25/09/2007 17:19

So sorry to hear about your DH's nephew Twiglett. Hope your DH is as well as can be in the circumstances.

I am struggling a bit with Scottish Power and our new tarif and have had to ring them again as they rebilled us on the old one. I now apparently have to wait for a few days until I can see online that we have been changed over, then contact them to amend payments. Bit of a pain but worth it in the end.

Am I the only one who finds they get much slacker with the purse strings when they have PMT ? I have noticed this month that I get really bad urges to buy things that I don't generally have. So am going to anticipate this for next month and have a small amount of money put aside so I can buy a guilt free magazine etc.

Friday morning I am going to Germany with my Mum for a couple of nights. First time away properly since I had DD nearly 9 years ago and I am really looking forward to it. It has been paid for and I have saved spending money which I am determined to stick to. DD is quizzing me hopefully about the type of toys they have over there (sizing up what she might get as a present). I have told her the children don't have them and have to play with sticks, strangely she seems to not believe me !

ScoobyDooooo · 25/09/2007 17:25

Can i join in please? where do i start?

popsycal · 25/09/2007 17:39

paid childcare today
but also looked into paying it direct from my salary - have filled in the form and ready to send off

bought a nice sandwich and caramel slice at lunchtime but i bloody deserved it considering yhe night and morning at work that I had today

CountessDracula · 25/09/2007 17:46

Still doing well

Managed to get taken out for a long lunch today, ate loads so won't need dinner

puffylovett · 25/09/2007 20:57

45p on a Picnic bar and £142 on college course books

me too chocolatepeanut !!! copious amounts of chocolate, donuts and junk mags ! it's opne of the many reasons i'm intending to BF for as long as poss

unknownrebelbang · 25/09/2007 21:40

What are you studying puffy? PITA cost but needs must.

We've both managed not to spend anything today , and through unforeseen circumstances have cancelled a lunchdate tomorrow.

Plus, I've managed to get £10 for DS1 for a new a/c as there was a bit of a mix-up. Ok, so it doesn't benefit me, but it's made him very happy.

unknownrebelbang · 25/09/2007 21:40

Sorry to hear about DH's nephew Twiglett.

MascaraOHara · 26/09/2007 09:34

Got to pick up my dry cleaning today - don't want to as I know that means I'll spend money!

AND I have a friend coming over for dinner tonight so will probably spend about £20 in M&S buying nice food

I reckon I'll be £50 down by the end of the day which is frustrating. On the upside, I have loads of dinner stuff in the freezer so only need household and fresh stuff when I shop this weekend. Going to aim for less than £35 including delivery charge.

..Continuing to look for a cheaper mortgage..

SleeplessInTheStaceym11House · 26/09/2007 09:45

well me and dh are mealplanning and online shopping tonight, so all i need for the rest of this week (till next tus, when delivery is cheaper) is fruit and veg from the market tomorrow which is around £10 altogether and lasts a week!

dh wants a new computer game so hes asked me to take some of his old ones for trade in! hes getting the jist!!

MrsPuddleduck · 26/09/2007 09:59

I have just received a letter from Cheltenham and Gloucester saying that they owe us £191.00 for overpaying a mortgage closing fee.

This is definitely worth doing - it has only taken them a week as well!

puffylovett · 26/09/2007 11:01

naturopathy, unknownrebel - short term sacrifice and all that ! Needs must.

ah mascara, does it have to be M&S ? couldn't you whip something up thats cheap and cheerful but that makes your friend think your a culinary genius ?

MascaraOHara · 26/09/2007 11:22

Willmouse - that's great news.. do you need to spend it or can you tuck it away to make Christmas easier?

Puufy - I want to make a good impression without spending all evening in the kitchen. So thought I could grab some stuff rom the Cook range.

If you can think of anything fantastic that a not so hot cook can rustle up on the cheap in half an hour or so then I'm all ears

scattyspice · 26/09/2007 12:38

Popsycal, can you do salary sacrifice or virtual vouchers for child care? Saves me loads (or it would except I used the extra income to drop my hrs instead!).

Did well last week only spent £123, including food and plumber.

Am trying to only visit shops 2x week as always end up buying things I didn't go in for.

Not doing well so far this week as DH did weekly shop and forgot loads (incld nappies!).

puffylovett · 26/09/2007 12:40

try this mascara - i kid you not, if you like fish its fg gorgeous

www.gastroshark.com/cod-sweet-potato-stew/

MascaraOHara · 26/09/2007 12:41

I need a virtual severe slap on the wrist please...

Just went to M&S for a notepad and ended up buying DD a new coat, hat and poncho. I'm rubbish at not spending money but honestly I a, loving the kids 'Boutique range' at the minute.. I could have spent much much more.