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

[Twiglett]

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?

Thats what dh has been going on about, withdrawing cash and doing it that way.

I could do with some pointers for meal planning too if anyone can help.
Dh is very fussy, likes plain stuff only and he does shifts.

I like the cash idea, when it's gone it's gone, and it's abit more rwal too. Mind you if i pay by card i have a record, i bank online so i can log in and check what i've spent where so its a difficult choice. i should try the cash thing as then i'd have to add it up as i go rpound the supermarket so as to make sure i've got enough to pay...might give it a go.

I'd like to suggest that you don't actually keep a record on here

because at the end of 2 - 4 weeks you're going to count up how much you've spent on each category and that'll give you a helluva shock (judging by the times I've done it) and an idea of where you're overspending

the categories will be relevant to you though

I choose
food
household (ie cleaning, loo roll etc)
clothes (for you / DH)
clothes (for kids)
entertainment (coffees, lunches, nights out)
travel (car, bus, train etc)
beauty
school trips / courses
treats

I need Cod to be a nice fishy and send me a new life book

I decided at the weekend, I would take £10 cash out each Sunday and that would be my weekday money - in theory if I make my lunches for work I should have to spend anything on sundries Monday-Friday. .

Am also going to fill up my car fortnightly and see if I can make it last - did this once for a while and it did work.

I'm thinking about applying for a new CC one of these that gives 'cash back' and paying for everything on that. I was reading on the Money Saving Expert that as long as you pay off the balance each month in full that it can really work for you. Just not sure I'm ready to be that disciplined yet.

Can I join? We have had a huge drop in income since I've had to stop Childminding because of the move, hope to start again soon though.
We shall be £200 a month better off rom next month as DH's loan payments are finished then, am thinking of putting at least £100 into a high interest account - can't afford much more, it's been tight the past couple of months.

twig what about presents?

I'm in (not sure I can work out the spreadsheet thingy though ).
Need to pay off Visa and save for Xms.
Will write it down.
Spend only cash.
Not buy any clothes for anyone(except winter coat for DS) til Jan.
Not buy make up skin stuff unless something runs out.
Kids comics/grazia 1xfornight.
No cafe trips (unless DH paying LOL).
NO more books (til after xmas).

Boo.

And only visit shops 2xwk (ie if we run out wait til weekly shop) this is why I'm skint. End up buying loads of food (biscuits, grapes etc).

what about presents Bozza?

you can buy what you normally buy you just need to keep a record of what you're spending and on what ..

I meant, it's not on your list.

Oh and just spent 40p on a twirl. Can I record on here just my spends on snacks and diet coke please? Would do my figure and pocket much good.

No Bozza, everything you spend must be in one place so you can look back and add it all up

if you want a presents heading, you have one

Oh hello, hello! We have been doing boot camp and we have saved a RIDICULOUS amount in 6 weeks, I looked at it in our bank ac last night and couldn't quite believe it. Will post extensively later once I've read thread!

oh excellent .. there's no plan set yet, just a precursor to starting so looking forward to this WWW

ooh WWW do tell....

WWW is going to be my role model as I KNOW she was as profligate as I am

Nbg, I have a spare pocket life book if you'd like it. CAT me if you want it.

have done budget and spent nothing yet today, but am about to buy a dress from coast for a black tie do...

can i join please?

Shit
Just spent £138 in Sainsbos (NOTE i went to sainsbos NOT to waitrose and I bought lots of cheap things which will last me and many many low energy lightbulbs as they were on special offer so thaqt will save me money in long run non?)

oh joy
a bill from the garage for £420 for Nanny's car's service

Today is looking bad

Aha Countess when I was totting up by expenditure I forgot that I had actually done an Asda order (got free delivery) which was only £53. And that is to last a fortnight - although I have meat from farm shop in freezer, milk from milkman, mini veg box ordered and will top this up from green grocer. Need to go make pack lunch for DS's school trip and will make something for me and then will come and do spreadsheet.

£95 on dress

v nice though

will be better tomorrow

you are not to worry about daily payments

the point of tracking what you're spending to the penny is to look back on it over time and work out where you're just frittering money

(my car insurance renewal came today .. shrieks)

Right spreadsheet done.

I think through looking back at bank statements I can see where we are going wrong. Its all food! Constant supermarket trips and all because we dont meal plan.