Improve my finances

I have done the best budget for Jan and I am sticking to it really well and should survive well this month. I tweaked an excel spreadsheet and added some formulas so that I can include how much of the budget is already paid/spent and then a cell to compare this to my actual bank balance to make sure it is all on track. Feeling much more secure now i know what I can spend the $ on. Eg dont have to worry if I will run out of money for groceries etc..much better peace of mind yay..dont have to stress every time I get the wallet out bc i know I have enough for the things on the budget.

Today I did an online budget planner to see my situation more clearly.
January only and also a generic monthly one to use, with all expenses for the year split by the month, as I am paid monthly.

This hopefully will help me have money for the things that need to be paid as a priority and then be able to track how much i need to put aside for bigger bills. and general expenses..
Next task-Increase the income!!
Need to organise that boarder ad.

This year i really need to improve things on the finance front.
ways to do this

• find a boarder
  *Speak with Manager at work about progressing-and challenging myself more
  *Do more teaching work on the weekends/continue to learn to help with this
  *Prioritise spending, only spend on things I really enjoy (besides bills hehe)

I’m trying!

I opened a savings account with my bank with an beginning balance of $100. That’s a positive first step. I plan to put $200 in with each paycheck, but that won’t always be possible. I’ve decided that if I can manage $100 with each paycheck, that would do just as well. The main purpose for this account is in case I run into financial emergencies and I can’t work. I’m still trying to pay off my credit card debt, but that will take sometime.

Last night, the girl and I blew too much money away on a night out with friends. I’ve got to watch myself on this, and budget my excessively fun nights so that they are few and far between. I don’t want to get caught wasting money like that again. We are spending more time at home cooking, though, and that is a healthy way to offset those fun nights out.

I want to improve my finances by a) saving more, b)gaining more work skills, c)career changing, and d) just being better with money in general.

goal specifics:
keep a spending/saving journal
open a savings account
ask for a raise or get second job
take the steps to go back to school/ switch careers
eating/cooking at home more often
spend less/save more/ do more with less
pay off car
pay off credit card

I will consider this goal “completed” when I see myself retaining a healthy portion of my income every month for a period of six months.

I want to have better control of my expenses and save more!

So good to feel in control and not ostrich like. I can keep on top of finances – as long as I make them part of my life.

Pretty much on target – have slipped a few days with bills, but thats still so much better!

I need to get a grip as I can’t keep burying my head in the sand. Even ostriches come up for air! Ok so this is what I’ll do:
Do one small thing each week;
Week 1: Do the MOT, and pay Council Tax.
Week 2 Go to the bank and change details to maiden name so I can pay in some cheques.
Week 3 Fill in CB form and contact the insurance company about my claim.
Week 4 close old married account.

The main thing is to NOT use the phone so much. Restrict to one expensive call/week.