Thrifty and Frugal..

Another type of blog that I enjoy reading are personal finance blogs. Now I wouldn't say that I'm the best person with money. I'm not very good at being strict with myself and I'm quite good at just not thinking about money when I spend it and then avoiding bank statements. I know.. I know.. not very clever!

I'm just about to start a my first real job and so this will be the first time I'll have been paid a real salary (other than from the bank or mum and dad!). I'm really going to make an effort to be good with money and am trying to turn over a new leaf. Here are some ways that I am being or I'm going to try and be thrifty and frugal and better at managing my money. . .

From pinterest

-The other day I'd realised that I'd been subscribing to a credit rating website for TWO YEARS (!!) having not read the small print. This may not have happened if I'd been more eagle-eyed when checking my bank statements but I don't try and account for every transaction, I just looked for abnormalities. Well I cancelled this as soon as I found out about it but it really showed me that I need to check my statements more closely! Now I'll be £6.99 a month better off! Doh!

-I have made an excel spreadsheet to track my money! It has colours and code and everything :-) Now I just need to remember to use it!

-I have opened an ISA. Having a salary for the first time also means paying tax!

-I have claimed back some tax from a savings account that I shouldn't have paid last year.

-I was also majorly overcharged on my mobile bill, but after about 30 hours on the phone to orange, I think I'm one small phone call away to reclaiming my money. I had to get authoritative. It was scary!

-I have spent lots of time making greetings cards before I actually start my job and get really busy. This may save me a few pennies! Has also kept me occupied!

-Not buying clothes/ shoes/ make up. I haven't bought any in January. It was a close call with the topshop website but my conscience won. I also have a black tie dinner and I haven't bought anything new! These types of events in the past have always solicited a new purchase of some sorts!