December didn't really happen on this blog but it did on my main blog. I completed the Advent Challenge from Bible Society (see my last post) but I changed a few of the challenges to make them more suitable for a disabled lady living in a tiny market town who says hello to everyone she meets anyway!
I think my main "frugal" achievement in 2017 was managing to track my money in some detail for the final eight months of the year. I've always been able to track my current account spending but haven't previously been so good with tracking cash expenditure. I use YNAB (You Need A Budget) for which I won free software, and I count the cash in my purse each day then try to remember where it went. I have a category called, "Money Gone Walkabout" for the mysterious disappearances but have needed to use that less and less.
This has meant that I now have very good information on which to base my 2018 budget. I've decided that I won't have a main holiday this year but will have a couple of short breaks and some special days out. I think this will cost less and bring me more joy. I've checked my 2017 food expenditure which varied wildly month to month, and have a budget slightly reduced from my average spend.
My huge expenditure this year will be to replace my car. I was in an accident (not hurt, not my fault) on 30th November and although the insurance company has made a fairly good payout, I still need to find a little extra from my savings. Oh dear.
I love having short breaks and days out, more so than a main holiday sometimes so I'm sure you'll have lots of fun planning them. I'm sorry to hear about the car accident, the main thing was that you wasn't hurt, that's all that matters really. Wishing you all the very best for 2018.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your car, the necessary evils! Mini breaks sound good. by virtue of our daughters activities, we will have one the end of January and one the beginning of April. then, we need to tuck away pennies for our big vacation. Have a Happy 2018-thank you as always for the e-cards. They make my day.
ReplyDeleteSO sorry about the car, that's a real pain. My accident in early November has all been sorted now [apart from the refund of my 250quid excess which I had to pay the repairers] I hope you are able to find an appropriate replacement at a manageable price. Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteFortunately the other party admitted total liability so will be covering my excess. However, I shall be updating my car slightly but adapted cars are much more expensive than their standard counterparts. The savings have to take a hit.
DeleteI am so sorry about the accident -- praying all goes well for a new ride and more importantly so glad you weren't hurt!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you weren't hurt in the accident but such a pain that you have to go through the inconvenience of getting a replacement. I too would enjoy a few short trips rather than one bigger one. Wishing you all the best in 2018!
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