Hooray!  Yesterday, M ceremoniously snapped my credit card in half!  We’re just about to go meet his bank manager to talk about opening a high-interest savings account to start saving for a home-loan deposit, but before I can contribute to that, I need to sort out my current cash concerns.

Been reading more blogs about savings and stuff, but I’m being creeped out by percentage budgeting and the like.  I Sigh, this is so hard for me.  I haaaaaate number.  But maybe not as much as I like spending money :P I got paid today, and having done all my bills and rent for the fornight (including a set amount to repay my credit card) I keep thinking about the nice little balance left in my account.  I know that I’m supposed to live off that for the next two weeks, but I like instant gratification, dammit!

So I have decided to have a plan.  I like plans.  And having one might help me be a little more frugal.

So, presenting my 7 steps to get started on the path to financial freedom (cause I know it’ll take more than just “7 steps” to get my there) which includes paying of the credit card, getting that emergency fund up-and-running, and working up to visiting my friends in Melbourne (cause I just got an email from one of them and I REALLY WANT TO GO VISIT!!):

1. Each payday, transfer $200 to credit card.
2. Budget for the fortnight.
3. STICK TO THE DAMN BUDGET!! That means… DON’T SPEND RECKLESSLY!!
4. If money is left over at the end of the fortnight:
   (a) transfer 50% to credit card account; and
   (b) transfer 50% to emergency fund account.
5. When credit card is paid off, transfer $200 from each pay to emergency fund account.
6. When emergency fund is at $1000, open another account for Melbourne Holiday.
7. Transfer $200 from each pay to Melbourne Holiday account.

 As Bridget Jones says:  GOOD PLAN!

Hah.