Mind My Spending in May Round Up

May has been a bit of a disorganised month financially.  Although I was supposed to be Minding My Spending to pay more money off my overdraft, I did still indulge in a few very small treats here and there for both myself and Little Bird, which wasn't strictly within the rules of the challenge.

I did manage to pay an extra £100 over and above my regular £100 per month payment off my overdraft though, which was good, but it did mean I was struggling towards the end of the month, with little money to spend.  This is something that I haven't experienced for a couple of months since I paid off my credit cards and I have to say I didn't enjoy it that much.  I'm pleased that this was just a one off this month and not a regular on going challenge.  I think I prefer to take my time paying off my overdraft over the year and make it more manageable that way.  I may do another one month challenge of this kind later in the year, but not for a few months that's for sure.

I  finally sent off for Little Bird's new passport this month, which has been on my to do list since the beginning of the year, the £55 cost of which was put on my credit card and will be paid off next month.  I didn't get around to making my usual Food bank donation though this month I'm afraid,  a combination of finances being tight and also not remembering to buy the extra food when I was out shopping, so I will be donating twice as much next month instead.

I've had to spend quite a bit of money on presents this month, with three birthdays requiring presents including OH's, so this has accounted for quite a lot of any disposable income I had, but apart from this most of what I've spent money on has been food, beauty, household items, and some parking vouchers for the gym.

I'm looking forward to getting back to normal in June.  I do have some credit card purchases to pay off, but not withstanding this, it should be a slightly more comfortable month financially than this one has been, as there aren't many presents to buy (save for Father's Day, of course) or any extra things to pay out for.

With regard to no spend days, I managed to achieve 8 no spend days this month, which now brings my current total to 39, so I am not far adrift from the target I set myself of 100 for the year.  I think that my financial challenge for next month is going to be to try to get myself back on target and really try to reach 50 no spend days by the halfway point in the year.

I had a letter from the bank this month, wanting to close one of my savings accounts because I don't use it.  It got me thinking.  I don't really want to close it, so I think I might actually start putting money aside for a rainy day, which is a new departure for me.  Maybe not huge amounts to start with, just £20 or £30 per month, but it all adds up and moves me towards being in a more positive financial place.