Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Blogtoberfest Day 7: I've been Finkified

I've been roadtesting one of Jay's new and fabulous Finki creations for the last week and a half.

It's the Finki Bill Book.... that cover makes me chuckle every time I take it out of my handbag.

Even though I'm a bargain hunter (some may say tightwad), I still seem to be able to spend a lot of money. If I'm bored, I usually head to the op shops, or to a cafe for lunch.
I've tried to rein in my spending on many previous occasions by listing it all on a spreadsheet, but inevitably, after a couple of days, I forget to update it and the whole plan gets thrown out the window......

.... which is why I love this simple little book that I can throw in my handbag. Each time I spend money, it only takes me 30 seconds to grab my little blue bill book and write it down. I'm absolutely amazed, but it has stopped me making random unnecessary purchases at least twice in the last week (because I knew I'd have to write it down and justify it to myself later).

After only a week and a half, I can already see that there's a distinct pattern to my spending - Groceries, Op Shopping, Maccas Drive-Thru, and Australia Post!

I'm going to buy myself another one this Saturday at the Northside Makers Market so that I can have two separate books - one for personal spending and one for business spending. It'll make it so much easier for me when it comes along to sorting out my business stuff at tax time.

My bank account says thankyou Jay.


14 comments:

Tinylovely said...

Love the blue bill book idea I think I need one too. I have a cute baby themed giveaway on my blog for blogtober ending on the 16th October. Can you add it to your list to let everyone know. Love your blog by the way very cool and creative.

Unknown said...

That cover is great ! Isn't cruel having to budget .

One Flew Over said...

I also have a spending problem. This booklet is a fantastic idea...hoping to make it on saturday!

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

That is a good idea....but I would be scared to know how much money I don't actually make from chunkychooky if I added it all up...eeek

Nikki said...

What a great idea and a real reality check. I agree that having to write things down makes you accountable, even if only to yourself. I did it once with what I was eating when I was seeing a personal trainer. It made me think twice before I ate something... hmmm.. thanks for the reminder. I should do that again. xx

PS. It's not tightwad, it's frugal. Sounds much nicer and is more honest. There is nothing wrong with being careful with your cash.

bubbachenille said...

The print machine will be running hot !!

Liesl said...

Now there's one thing I am sure Mr HB would approve of me spending our cashola on. What a good idea!

(PS. See you have some flex frames ... can't wait to see what you do with them. I bought some too!)

Ellieboo said...

Love that book, what a fantastic idea - I need some serious help, I am always frittering my money away on who knows what - this is exactly what I need!

Cathy said...

Good on you for giving a tried and true method a go. I've kept tabs on our spending for years and it works for me. Paid the bills and seen the world using this method lol

I used to work for a Dr Glaspole in Mitcham back in the late 1970s.
Wonder if he is related to yours??

Jennifer Rose said...

lol love the cover. that would come in so handy when buying supplies :)

Gypsy said...

The book looks great. I spent more than a year working out a system to keep our money under control, but since I found a system that works, I find I have so much more money! Seriously! Bugdeting pays off in the long run.

Kathleen said...

What a wonderful idea & a gorgeous wee book. Funny how it's the really simple things that make such a difference, I gave in & decided to make a menu plan for the fortnight instead of being completely random...our supermarket shop cost $40 since I wasn't buying stuff on a whim!

Corrie said...

cute! in japan they have a whole section of LOFT dedicated to housekeeping journals for little japanese housewifes so they can do their little budgets for their husbands! the cutest covers and so sweet!!!

good idea, I'm trying to be a cash girl but its hard, soooo hard, so much temptation!

good girl!
Corrie:)

planettreasures said...

the book is a great idea - much better than scraps of paper!