One week till payday

I've completed part one of my resolution, the budget analysis. It needs a bit of fine tuning but does show I overspend every month by about £160. No wonder I can't  get ahead with the credit card, as that's  where the money is coming from.
Part two is now making cuts in the budget it would help if I could increase the income, but I need the OH to get a job. I physically can't do anymore, not enough hours in the day.
So I've added up what bills go out each month, subtracted them from my income & I'm left with £414.64p to live on. That's food, clothes, birthdays, Christmas, repairs/replacements & those things that crop up & surprise you. ( like  the leaky pipe in the bathroom)
I've definitely got my work cut out for me.

My 2013 frugal life challenge

Christmas is over, we're  all back at work and the bank balance is very unhealthy looking. I  don't  want it to be another year of counting the days to the next paycheck. Nor do I want to dread anniversaries, invitations turning them down because I can't  afford to go. So my one resolution is this is the year I finally sort my cash flow out once & for all.

My first nasty shock was to see exactly how much I spent on public transport, I can't avoid using it for work but hopping on the bus for short trips had become a habit. £55 on the oyster card in 3 weeks. I can't blame work as that's outside the oyster zones so a different budget. It's tempting when the joints are hurting, but exercise helps I just have to be firm with myself. This week I've used the bus once, it would've been 6 times by now & my pocket and knees feel better for it!