Carpe Diem

Penny Wise And Pound Foolish

That's me to a 'T'. I always spend my wages within a couple of days after they're paid into my bank account, unless I have something like a theme park trip or meal out planned, and then I have to *force* myself to not spend too much. I really want to get my finances sorted out though, so here's what I'm doing.

• I've opened an e-savings account with my current bank, and plan on saving little and often.
• I shall pay for as much as possible with my debit card, only each day I shall round up any card purchases to the nearest pound and transfer the 'change' from my current account into my savings account. An electronic change jar, if you will.
• Where possible I shall spend notes only when I have to use cash, and any change I accumulate will go into my change jar - a 5 litre water bottle with a slit in the lid.
• I'm going to *try* and work my way up to saving 10% of my wages each week, which is only about £15, but that may take some working up to!
  

I want to pay off my £300 overdraft and save enough for a mini-break to New York, as well as a major holiday in a couple of years. Watch this space for how I'm doing!