At the end of the... erm, month.

[Sparkzz]

Hey guys,
I've been spending alot recently so thought it was time to make a little spreadsheet to work out what I can do with my cash sensibly. I keep a £1500 float in my current account and usually have around £1500-£1550 left come pay day. I was assuming that the money I earn just leaves me with nothing, as the cost of living is so high. After making this spreadsheet and totting up all my bills, including travel to work costs (petrol)

I was surprised to learn that I have £624 left to spend on 'whatever'

I'm coming to realise just how much money I spend on drinking, tinkering and god knows what. I really don't know where this £600 is going and its depressing!

So, anyone know how much they have left at the end of the month?

[98elise]

Sparkzz said:

Hey guys,
I've been spending alot recently so thought it was time to make a little spreadsheet to work out what I can do with my cash sensibly. I keep a £1500 float in my current account and usually have around £1500-£1550 left come pay day. I was assuming that the money I earn just leaves me with nothing, as the cost of living is so high. After making this spreadsheet and totting up all my bills, including travel to work costs (petrol)

I was surprised to learn that I have £624 left to spend on 'whatever'

I'm coming to realise just how much money I spend on drinking, tinkering and god knows what. I really don't know where this £600 is going and its depressing!

So, anyone know how much they have left at the end of the month?

I have a spreadsheet that tells me what money I need to pay all the bills etc. it takes into account everything thats an essential to me just living and working. According to that I have about 1k per month spare, yet I regularly have a 1k credit card bill I need to clear.

I don't seem to do anything that would use that kind of money

[gangzoom]

One of the best thing Uni did for me was teach me how to budget. It's amazing how quickly you use up money on random things without realising, but at the same time trying to stick to budget can be hard, especially if friends invite you out for food/drinks.

I've set up an standing order which takes a set amount out of my current account and into a savings account at the start of the month, that way it makes me more aware of much 'over spending' I'm doing, but still gives me the option to transfer money from my saving account into the current account should I really over do!! I'm getting better at it, not had to touch the savings account for the last 6 months, but my current account is usually £0 at the end of the months.

[Odie]

I know pretty much to the penny these days.

All you need to do is set yourself a budget for 'walking around money' I give myself £50 a week for just general food and other necessaries (and not so neccessaries). Everything else I make as a considered purchase when I have the money. I try to avoid buying 'stuff' on a whim, even though its fun to splurge.

Give it a try for a couple of months see how you get on.

[djfaulkner]

I was always -£200 at the end of each month, usually before.
Each time I sat down and work out my bills and I should have around £500 after my bills come out.

For the last 4 months I've been leaving my card at home or with the wife and been breaking even, while still being able to pay £150 each month on credit cards.
Not great, but much better than being in debt each month.

[Ki3r]

I'm terrible for it. I had around £600 left for whatever I wanted last pay day. Within 2 weeks, I had less than £200, including for fuel and what not.

The last couple of weeks have been very long!

[omgus]

I am sometimes very good and get everything paid off, save a bit and know where every penny is going.

Last year was one of those years, paid stload of, moved house, cleared CC, cleared HMRC bill and did all that after a near £10k paycut.


This year (since February) i have been living month to month, pissing money away, constantly running out before payday and my CC and overdraft are maxed out again after yesterdays party with 12 days before i get paid.

It's been fking glorious and i have had a superb year so far.

Before anyone disapproves too much after a year of sorting stuff in 2012, my maxed out overdraft and my maxed out CC total £900 so i am pretty certain i can rescue this situation quite easily if needed.