Financial update

Last night I asked my BF to put some body lotion on this very small patch of dry skin at the bottom of my back. I handed him a tube of body lotion which I had cut the top off to get to the lotion which just will not squeeze out the tube no matter how hard you try. And he says to me 'Are you on some kind of super-saving spree?' So I replied, 'I just don't like waste' hehe. He's only just noticed.

On another note at the weekend my mum gave me cash for my Bluewater Christmas vouchers, despite protesting slightly. I have also re-ordered a new card and pin number for my personal Barclays account which I haven't used in years. When it arrives, and payday is finally here I plan to work out my disposable income for the month after putting any money into my ISA and putting the spare money into the account so I know exactly how much I have to play with. I have been having to account for the weekly direct debits which leave and go into our joint account as well as taking into account the regular standing orders which are going out such as rent and mobile phone bill. This way should be much easier. I am also intending to start my pension plan through work but am a little concerned that people have lost thier money when companies go bust...what to doo? I have to decide by the end of the week.

I have also set up a saving account which £20 per month goes into from our joint account. Its flexible so if there is more fundage available I/we? can just transfer this in as and when to put some money aside for our holiday towards the end of the year (hopefully!).

Finally, I was reading a blog earlier and saw that one blogger recommended placing a dishwasher tablet into the toilet cistern so that every time you flush it cleans the loo. Does anyone else do this? After sitting on our downstairs loo seat and cracking it in half (eek! didn't realise they were sooo flimsy and yet so expensive to replace!) I don't want to break anything else in the house that I would have to replace if I were to damage it. We have a whole bag of dishwasher tablets sitting underneath our sink not doing anything as our last flat had a dishwasher, and this one sadly doesn't.

Oh, while we are on the subject I have been reading everywhere that landlords are not renewing rental contracts in the months running up to the Olympics and are planning on doubling rents in some parts to cash in on the games. Our contract is up for renewal at the end of May, and so the seed of worry has started growing in my mind that we may have to move yet again....*sign*.

Besides the financial cost of having to cough up yet more money to cover estate agent fees our furniture has tripled in the space of a year and the location is so good for me, just a three minute walk from the station with a direct link taking 35 minutes into London Waterloo. I'm seriously hoping we can stay put, even if the rent does go up just a little bit.

 In an ideal world myself and my BF would just move back to my parents to save for our own place, but this would involve some major disruption to our lives as he would have to transfer his place of work and I have no idea where all our furniture would go as I have fitted wardrobes in my bedroom and no place for a double bed. I seriously hope it doesn't come to that. Watch this space folks.

Friday the 13th....

Happy Friday the 13th readers- does anyone have anything nice planned for the weekend?

This week has gone by quite a lot quicker than last week, even though I've been at work an extra day. I stumbled across this interesting article on one of my favourite websites about money management and shopping which makes for some interesting reading.

http://www.handbag.com/relationship/your-life/sheconomics-how-to-manage-your-finances

And this is also worth a quick skim http://www.studentbeans.com/student101/channels/99-ways-to-beat-the-january-blues2191.html

I have also been pondering some New Year's resolutions, and better late than never here they are as well as some commentary on the last few weeks.

1. Save and reach target of £10,000 in my ISA account and look into putting this money into a fixed account with a higher interest rate. I want to achieve this by around July time ideally.

2. This year I want to go on a 'proper' holiday towards the end of the year. In our four years together we have never been on holiday on our own either so I want to make sure this happens, which means regular stashing of joint account money as and when to take the financial edge off when we come to book.

3. I want to keep my job for at least a year. I passed my probation period this week too (helloooo private healthcare, but sadly no contribution pension scheme for new entrants :(). Last year I had three different jobs which messed up my stability and my pay somewhat as it was just too tempting to take a week off between jobs unpaid (one week wasn't my fault though!) Finally I am in a job where I can actually see myself staying all being well so I hope this one happens this year.

4. I wanted to include Zumba dancing into my exercise routine this year, however there is only one class on at the weekend and it seems everyone is getting up at the crack of dawn come Friday morning to clamour for a place. Two weeks into the new year and I'm yet to secure a place. Note to self, call the gym as soon as I open my eyes next week.

5. This one is a little odd but I want to get my hair cut asymmetrically properly. I had this done once by a bit of an inexperienced hairdresser and it just looked a bit wonky. My hair appointment is already booked at a salon I went to once before and was really pleased with it for the end of the month.

6. Another one which seems to be going okay so far, cutting down on cans of coke. I've substituted the fizz for sparkling water but treated myself today as a little Friday treat.

7. I want to start drinking more water again, which I have been trying to do whilst at work.

8. I want to make the most of my annual train ticket and see more of London and make the most of it. I wanted to go to a fashion photography exhibition today at Somerset House but it closes at 6pm and I won't make it in time. May have to be shelved until a day off. I do intend to be in town to experience the Chinese New Year celebrations at the end of the month which I haven't seen since I was little.

9. I want to go on a short break to Bath as I have never been before.

10. And finally I want to keep my blog up over the next twelve months as its a great way to learn from others, practice my writing regularly and reflect over the year.