tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post3299523469671419187..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: How I keep on trackMeanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-85704619628246197162013-10-21T10:31:19.264+01:002013-10-21T10:31:19.264+01:00Very inspiring Ilona.Really a useful post-JP from ...Very inspiring Ilona.Really a useful post-JP from IndiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-57654636645869218042013-10-18T22:46:50.508+01:002013-10-18T22:46:50.508+01:00Hi Debbie, yes spreadsheets are a good idea. I don...Hi Debbie, yes spreadsheets are a good idea. I don't have one, I have a paper chart month by month which I write things on.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-21671347681812874822013-10-18T11:13:55.410+01:002013-10-18T11:13:55.410+01:00Good morning Ilona from House fairy. Good post. I ...Good morning Ilona from House fairy. Good post. I often try and use what I have before splashing out. Things have to be thought about before opening the safe!<br /><br />I did have an idea for you today... What about splashing out and buying yourself an apple ipad mini for Christmas? Then when you go on your walks without laptop and camera you will have less weight to carry?<br /><br />As the days get colder and darker sooner, I find I am using my slow cooker more. Shutting some curtains soon after 6pm and wearing more layers. You too! I should think.<br /><br />Best seasonal wishes....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-88758146611927486282013-10-18T09:41:02.072+01:002013-10-18T09:41:02.072+01:00Hi Ilona, I know this suggestion wouldn't suit...Hi Ilona, I know this suggestion wouldn't suit everyone but we really found spreadsheets really keep us on track. In December or January me and DH sit down with the calendar and write the spreadsheet out for the year. Absolutely everything is budgeted for - for the whole year, so I can for instance click on May and know I will have car insurance to pay, or August is Dentist month, all birthdays are included, I am reminded that new school uniforms and shoes need to be paid for in august. No surprises or forgotten expenses. I check the spread sheet everyday when I turn the computer on to make sure we are on track, I pay for everything I can with a cash back CCard (paid off in full). I check this everyday to make sure all is well and we are within budget. Saying that my mum still swears by the pen and notebook method - I guess it's a generation thing! Off to £land to find some Crest (that is a bargain!). DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-83631776177608870932013-10-18T07:48:08.487+01:002013-10-18T07:48:08.487+01:00Its the only way to live. We tend to buy stuff whe...Its the only way to live. We tend to buy stuff when its on offer, so by the time we need some more its usually on offer again.<br />The gas and electric are worst, direct debit is reckoned to be one of the cheaper tarrifs but strangely pre-pay cards is the most expensive. I'm not sure how the quarterly bill tarriff works out.<br />Also, fuel prices are set to go up by a horrendous amount and the current advice is to change suppliers but surely they're all going to increase their prices. <br />Being the skinflint that i am is getting more and more challenging.<br />Dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-47831152714477811612013-10-18T03:14:19.935+01:002013-10-18T03:14:19.935+01:00A good tip I will now follow:- Go through the shop...A good tip I will now follow:- Go through the shopping receipt and with black marker write price on items bought so that any increase in price can be noted next time item is purchased.<br />Some very sensible advice and tips posted today Ilona, thanks.Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11449333427131539070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-6319938185142218682013-10-18T02:12:21.219+01:002013-10-18T02:12:21.219+01:00Thanks Ilona for such a detailed answer to my ques...Thanks Ilona for such a detailed answer to my question!<br />Nancy from Northern CaliforniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-29946106391525607852013-10-18T01:32:48.299+01:002013-10-18T01:32:48.299+01:00terrific post!terrific post!anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269208573774815462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-85929380250269826402013-10-17T23:25:52.908+01:002013-10-17T23:25:52.908+01:0060p on chocolate !! - We ll have to rein you in !...60p on chocolate !! - We ll have to rein you in ! Seriously, very sage advice - keep things as simple as possible.<br />I have two credit cards just in case I lose one (never happened yet) I dont go to the ATM, I draw cash out of the bank when I need it and that is not very <br /><br />often as I use my cc for everything I can and pay it off every month. I do go<br /> through my statement carefully though and then pay on line. I do buy the freshest best food I can afford but not luxury stuff. I bake a cake if I want something nice. <br />lizziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345707661431587475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-60876410205641524942013-10-17T20:28:26.770+01:002013-10-17T20:28:26.770+01:00Wonderful post Ilona! You described your plan so ...Wonderful post Ilona! You described your plan so well. Thank you. You are an inspiration!JanFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16408602791221401067noreply@blogger.com