Managed to maintain regular saving. BUT. Paying these debts. It’s OWNING my ass at the moment. Totally owning me. I need alternative ways out. 5 days ago

So far I’ve managed to stick to this and NOT put any of my accounts into overdraft. Just. Because I have been really slack in paying things on time I spent a fair amount of the last pay check throwing a lot of money at stuff so that the people who I’m paying are happy. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve had the phone calls and the letters about ‘please pay ASAP’ and I’m glad to say that I’m now off the pay ASAP list and just on the ‘monitor that woman’ list. Whew! In the meantime, my over commitment to paying stuff has meant that I have been living right down to the wire. This did make me surly about life. Until I remembered I did this to myself. In which case I went about attempting to make it look like I actually can still support myself and that I’m NOT on the verge of starvation [which I’m not]. The upside to this is that I’m now on an accidental diet. Or at least accidental sensible plan. No buying food that’s unnecessary. Or else expect to walk to work. Upsides. Gotta see them! So this one as well, so far so good! 1 week ago

And I’m surprised! Guess it’s because I HAVE NO money to spend so I can’t go outside the budget anyway. Hurray! The penny pinching continues. 4 weeks ago

I stuck to the budget today. With the exception of having to get health related things I walked out of the mall with nothing. NOTHING. World record for the likes of idiot me. I let the following song sing in my head “it’s not in the budget, it’s not in the BUDGET”. So I left the mall and the supermarket and other places with only the things that were in THE BUDGET. Well done to me. I’m not enjoying saying no to myself. But I know I need to and in the long run, I’ll be thankful. 4 weeks ago

Did my budget today. I will HAVE to stick to making sure that I eat at home every day till the next pay to ensure that I stay ON TRACK. Here goes nothing! 1 month ago