As I sit here and mull over September as a month, there have been some definite highs and lows, both financial and personal. As my day job begins to get more pressured, I’m learning the hard way how to keep myself organised and get tasks done before they become overwhelming.
September marks the fourth month of blogging and I’m still really enjoying it. I like reading financial blogs and I’m also enjoying the process of coming up with blog posts and then writing and posting them. I love reading comments that people take time to leave and they often conjure up other thoughts to do with how people manage their money. I now have 208 followers on Twitter and I have had 8,481 views on the blog at the time of writing this post. Thank you if you follow me on Twitter and read my blog – it really does mean a lot to me!
Our Financial aims for September were:
– Have 20 No Spend Days (or NSDs)
– Overpay our mortgage by the interest added on only
– Put £600 into savings
I seem to have lost my way a bit with NSDs. I don’t know if I’m trying to aim for too many, or I’m just not trying hard enough, but I haven’t met my aim for this month. For September, I have managed 17 NSDs, which is less that what I aimed for. We’ve had some unexpected expenses which mean spending on days we normally wouldn’t, but even so, I’m slightly disappointed. Must do better! We made an overpayment of £301.40 which is exactly what the interest added was this month, so aim met. The savings one is worst of all – it even hurts me to type this – as we only managed to save £127.20 this month. This is due to unexpected plumbing and electrician works needed in our home. We decided not to dip into our Emergency Fund but use funds in our current account instead, hence the lower savings. I think we made the right decision here, but it doesn’t look good.
Our Personal Aims for September were:
– make a tea loaf
– lose 4 lbs
– drink more water
I haven’t baked a tea loaf this month (I can’t find my recipe?) but I have baked some chocolate chip cookies and an apple crumble. I need to find the tea loaf recipe though – it’s really good. But, aim not met. I’ve also found healthy eating a chore this month. Whenever I get stressed I turn to fatty, unhealthy comforting food which doesn’t help my weight. I have lost 2 lbs this month, which is better than nothing. Must try harder! Finally, I have drunk more water as I tried really hard to make sure I did this. I’ve got a sports bottle that I re-fill at work and make sure I drink two lots during the day. Pleased with this as hopefully it’ll make a difference in the long run.
So, September has definitely had ups and downs; lots of aims not met really. Here’s to October being much better!
How was your September? Have you hit your aims? I would love to hear about it!
P.S do you have twitter? Follow me here!
17 isn’t too far off from 20! Especially with the unexpected expenses. They get the best of everyone at some point. I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. =) I need to get better at drinking more water. It’s all I ever drink, but I hardly ever get thirsty, and I find it a chore to “remember” to drink.
This is true – 17 isn’t too far from 20, I just don’t like failing!
I wish I could get a NSD. 17 is amazing. In the world we live in, it is so difficult to not use money every day. Good job.
Robert the DividendDreamer
It does take a bit more planning! Thanks for stopping by 🙂