The Diary of a reformed Ostrich! (no more head in the sand!)

petrafyde

Hey Naomi,

Thanks very much - I hadn't realised I had to have the link 'approved' before placing it in my signature. So many others seem to use it?! But never mind.

I've taken a few days off and feel a bit better now

How are you?

Naomim

Hi Petra,

I'm ok if you don't count the cold I've caught and the [STRIKE]miserable[/STRIKE] tired 3year old. I have had a no spend day as I've not been out. The ironing has taken precedence and then cooked a roast (whole chicken £1.99 in Tesco! ). Although said 3 year old not eaten dinner and now crying as I have said no to biscuits.

I'm glad you had a breather. I think especially in your circumstances, you really have challenged yourself to tackle everything head on and whilst you are doing things little by little, it is all a major shift even just thinking about it.

Hope your ebay/amazon stuff is going well. I sorted DS's clothes out yesterday and got another bag of winter bits to get on. When I get the energy that is

Naomi x

petrafyde

Hey Naomi,

How are you doing? Hoping the cold is better!

Well I've had a good few days 'off'..well not off, but off from here.

Still doing my clicks, and will know in the next week if I've managed to complete my first month of coping with bank charges without going over the overdraft!

Have cut spending down by a LOT! Aldi for mainstream groceries now, and tesco online for bread/milk/cheese etc so have more of an idea of what we actually spend. The latest cutback is cigarettes which we've gone down from 30ea per day (I know!) to 40 between us.

Have made payment arrangements with a few creditors as teething suggestions until I have complete control of our money and can make offers based upon our true income.

EBay has paid off, but I gave in and bought some storage (kids bedroom furniture was falling to pieces!) On the plus side though there is a lot more space, the garage is emptier than ever and most of my Wedgwood is winging it's way to America...

Amazon is proving to be quite profitable, although I must admit I don't like the huge slice of profit they take from me! It worked out at practically 50% on one book... and I owned the product! Definitely not as cheap as eBay when it comes down to the nitty gritty, and the more expensive books - well I'm sure you can imagine just how much they'll get from 'me' for each one? But at least I'm getting rid!!

lucielle

Glad things are moving in the right direction for you.
L

petrafyde

Thanks Lucielle,

I noticed your target is ginormous too - how are you doing with it?

Naomim

Hi PF,

Well done with the ebay. I can't comment on Amazon as I've never sold on there. I have some old books but mainly chick-lit and not in great condition. I think I'm going to have to donate to the charity shop or freecycle them.

I still haven't managed to list on ebay. I work in the week and I'm just too shattered to get up any energy after DS gone to bed. I'm also glad I'm not the only one who is still smoking.. although I desperately want to stop, I just can't find the willpower and have tried lots of different things this year alone.

Well done to you though :T Heading in the right direction. How is your DH with everything? Is he all aboard?

Naomi x

lucielle

petrafyde wrote: »

Thanks Lucielle,

I noticed your target is ginormous too - how are you doing with it?

We are just chipping away at it. Going to up date in December when we have been debt busting for 1 year.
L

petrafyde

DH is good thanks, he's 'putting up!' with me I think in a lot of aspects, he can see now I'm saving money when I shop etcetera, so it's just a case of him getting into the routine himself too I think - fingers crossed!

Ciggies.. damn I'm so bad with them. I'm trying really hard to cut down so that when the time comes and I'm 'ready' to go cold turkey it won't be so hard (theoretically haha) plus it will save some money in the interim - why dont you try cutting back a bit too? Go clean the toilet when you want one or something! That's what I've been doing and the house is a lot tidier *blush* Mind you, I'm saying that but I haven't worked for ages now Really missing it in a way to be honest, will be glad when all three are at school full time (Zoe is 4 in Dec).

I just wish this month would hurry up and be over. Desperate not to go over the OD and its a real close run thing even though I've been depositing extra into the bank whenever I can. My trouble is forgetfulness. I forget to put reminders when I need to do something, then forget I had to do it and it goes on - vicious circle.

eBay had a free listing thingy over last weekend Sat&Sun - free list for items 99p and below. I took advantage and have 98 running auctions Am hoping they don't all sell

petrafyde

lucielle wrote: »

We are just chipping away at it. Going to up date in December when we have been debt busting for 1 year.
L

I bet you've paid a LOT off then.. I'm going to keep an eye on your signature now

lucielle

I have a calendar above my computer with all dd and SO listed on it so whenever I am on internet banking I know where everything is going. For cc bills OH is paid weekly so they have a friday date before they are due, then I know what needs to be paid. HTH
L