Taking control and responsibility for one's finances

I was widowed at aged 38 with a small child, so I spent the next 10 years buying one house after another and renovating them. It was very dusty and disruptive and hard work but I managed to get rid of my mortgage aged 48 and during that time had also trained as an RMN. Now retired I wouldn't be able to afford to live in my house if it was rented but because I haven't had a mortgage for many years I'm able to live quite comfortably on a smallish pension. Have always had direct debit payments for all facilities..

suninthewest

LRavenscroft thank you, I agree about the environment and ones own health, it sounds like you are really organised and that is how I want to be

You will be. I bought myself one of those Collins A5 desk diaries and I write everything down in there. Without it, I would be lost - little notes, some bookkeeping pages at the back and any daily prompts like checking the weather forecast for dry days to hang out washing. It becomes second nature but is a bit bothersome at first. Good luck and you have the spring and summer coming up so a good time to see what works for you.

I worship at the feet of spread sheets. Even before computers and excel came in, I had my sheets of whatwas then called 'Analysis Paper', A£ in size and ruled in columns of £sd, about 20 c0lumns to a page and I ran all the household spending on that. I still do.

Although, things have slipped a bit in retirement as we have been better off in retiremenment than at any time, an inheritance from my parents and DH working consistently through retirement, not full time, certainly now he is 80, but it keeps enough coming in to mean that accounting for every penny is not so needful

But if it became needful. I would have it back running at full speed within a day.

I must admit to never getting the hang of spreadsheets, but then I am not mathematically minded, so it is not just a computer thing. I am sure they are very useful.
I have numerous backs of envelopes with notes on, and various documents on my laptop which I keep up to date. There are particular dates in the month when I need to keep a careful check on ins and outs, especially the joint account for bills, but so far so good. I do wonder what might happen if I was taken ill, though most of it is automated with Standing Orders and Direct Debits.

I keep up spending/ saving/ information on purchases in a small book. Update weekly, same day to week.

I do same to my husband's business, always accountant ready.

New books yearly, all saved, we may need old information.

Bills are by debit. We keep a stash of cash, ready for all eventualities, plus it up monthly. Check on on-goings in case prices change, quarterly. We never spend our money unnecessarily.

Love my spreadsheets. Record all financial transactions on them and try to beat my previous end of month balance every month. Like a challenge.........