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The revenge of the stripey socks - a DFW adventure
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Pippilongstocking
Posts: 16,336 Forumite
Well - another 'snow day' to disrupt the routine of a trying to be DFW single mum, livng her own, well with two somewhat niggling younglings, anklebitters, little darlings call them what you will. trying somehow to hold it all together with sellotape, stripey socks* and a few DFW sparkles for good measure.
(*I will explain about the significance of stripey socks later, they are as intregal to our lives as air, beaches and fish finger sandwiches*):D
So what am I up to really?? We have been on our own almost 10 years.........when we seem to have somehow *lost* the main breadwinner, you know the story - you put your husband down somewhere then forget what you have done with him.........and on valentines day too how silly of me....................;)
So this is my vague attempt at a virtual diary to try to continue to keep us ticking along, floating just slightly above water, slowly but surely try and repay some of our debts, have a bit of a laugh and raise two very MSE aware younglings.
I came across this lovely wonderful site by the recommendation of a lovely chum :A I posted my SOA last year and found lots of things on here which have/are helping on a daily basis. The 'what small things......' thread IS my daily salvation when it gets just too hard. The OS board and others are great - what an inspriation, I even stick my nose in on the gardening thread now and again as I am to heart (and for real work when not studying) a gardener - best job in the world working with flowers.
Since joining the site I have got lots of good advice - paid off 3 credit cards and have not gone over my OD limit on my accounts for a matter of several months (previoulsy unheard of).
Anyway I digress - we are three
- 2 younglings (DD and DS) and me
- 2 dogs (cairn and a collie who is being 'dog sat' whist her owner has buzzed off to antarctic for 2 and a bit years)
- the odd visit by a cat who claims to live here (Mrs Norris)
- a couple fish (names change on a daily basis but generally bob and fred)
- and two chookies who are lovely and give us eggs.........(also bob and fred a theme perhaps??)
And of course 'Darwin' our VW campervan who was a pressie from my lovely (new long suffereing) OH for my 40th birthday last year - not a cutsie old style van - he's a bit battered and rusty like the rest of us. We found him reduced on the sales boards in our local supermarket last January. So we got a whoopsied bargain!!
I guess I should mention at the outset that I have always wanted to be Felicity Kendall in 'the good life'. Self sufficiency and the idea of being at one with nature has always appealled - the reality is often me in wellies scratching my head wondering what on earth I have got myself into and what to do next :rolleyes:
We live way up north on an island - 20,000 people, couple supermarkets and ferry/plane to get off the island to Scotland and have just moved into town but live in a very very large garden so its almost like being out in the sticks. Largeish house which we rent/look after for a sort of friend. Currently we have two lodgers, various kids come crashing in and out of the house - some of which I sometimes even know.
SOA previously posted so - I have taken on board get rid of sky, change mobile contract, reduce shopping expenses - use quidco for everything possible and of course the joyous freecycle gets a daily visit. We moved into town when the opportunity to be in a larger house came up - with the potential to possibly rent a couple rooms to allow us to contribute more to our (my) debt.
Oh yeah and in case I forget - I work full time - doing a PhD - helps to pay the bills and adds to the variety of life up here.
Will post a new SOA soon - to see if anyone can offer to improve it for me - always welcomed.
If you managed to read any of this then well done!!! I live alone what can I say - too many words..........
(*I will explain about the significance of stripey socks later, they are as intregal to our lives as air, beaches and fish finger sandwiches*):D
So what am I up to really?? We have been on our own almost 10 years.........when we seem to have somehow *lost* the main breadwinner, you know the story - you put your husband down somewhere then forget what you have done with him.........and on valentines day too how silly of me....................;)
So this is my vague attempt at a virtual diary to try to continue to keep us ticking along, floating just slightly above water, slowly but surely try and repay some of our debts, have a bit of a laugh and raise two very MSE aware younglings.
I came across this lovely wonderful site by the recommendation of a lovely chum :A I posted my SOA last year and found lots of things on here which have/are helping on a daily basis. The 'what small things......' thread IS my daily salvation when it gets just too hard. The OS board and others are great - what an inspriation, I even stick my nose in on the gardening thread now and again as I am to heart (and for real work when not studying) a gardener - best job in the world working with flowers.
Since joining the site I have got lots of good advice - paid off 3 credit cards and have not gone over my OD limit on my accounts for a matter of several months (previoulsy unheard of).
Anyway I digress - we are three
- 2 younglings (DD and DS) and me
- 2 dogs (cairn and a collie who is being 'dog sat' whist her owner has buzzed off to antarctic for 2 and a bit years)
- the odd visit by a cat who claims to live here (Mrs Norris)
- a couple fish (names change on a daily basis but generally bob and fred)
- and two chookies who are lovely and give us eggs.........(also bob and fred a theme perhaps??)
And of course 'Darwin' our VW campervan who was a pressie from my lovely (new long suffereing) OH for my 40th birthday last year - not a cutsie old style van - he's a bit battered and rusty like the rest of us. We found him reduced on the sales boards in our local supermarket last January. So we got a whoopsied bargain!!
I guess I should mention at the outset that I have always wanted to be Felicity Kendall in 'the good life'. Self sufficiency and the idea of being at one with nature has always appealled - the reality is often me in wellies scratching my head wondering what on earth I have got myself into and what to do next :rolleyes:
We live way up north on an island - 20,000 people, couple supermarkets and ferry/plane to get off the island to Scotland and have just moved into town but live in a very very large garden so its almost like being out in the sticks. Largeish house which we rent/look after for a sort of friend. Currently we have two lodgers, various kids come crashing in and out of the house - some of which I sometimes even know.
SOA previously posted so - I have taken on board get rid of sky, change mobile contract, reduce shopping expenses - use quidco for everything possible and of course the joyous freecycle gets a daily visit. We moved into town when the opportunity to be in a larger house came up - with the potential to possibly rent a couple rooms to allow us to contribute more to our (my) debt.
Oh yeah and in case I forget - I work full time - doing a PhD - helps to pay the bills and adds to the variety of life up here.
Will post a new SOA soon - to see if anyone can offer to improve it for me - always welcomed.
If you managed to read any of this then well done!!! I live alone what can I say - too many words..........
Total debt 26/4/18 <£1925 we were getting there. :beer:
Total debt as of 28/4/19 £7867.38:eek:
minus 112.06 = £7755.32:money:
:money:Sleeves up folks.:money:
Total debt as of 28/4/19 £7867.38:eek:
minus 112.06 = £7755.32:money:
:money:Sleeves up folks.:money:
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Comments
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Oh Wow!!! A bright shiny exciting diary!! Welcome to diary land Fay:j
As I thought, your life is interesting and funny, can't wait to read the next installment.
Paying off 3 credit cards already is one heck of an achievement - well done you :T
...I've subscribed, so carry on posting!Total debt at October 2008: £67,213.30
Total debt today: £0 - debt and mortgage free 29th November 2013 :T
Sealed Pot Challenge member 14
Save £12K in 2014 - £6,521.90/£6K member 138
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.........when we seem to have somehow *lost* the main breadwinner, you know the story - you put your husband down somewhere then forget what you have done with him.........and on valentines day too how silly of me....................;)
How very careless of you :rotfl::rotfl:I'm guessing you didn't get the roses first!Total debt at October 2008: £67,213.30
Total debt today: £0 - debt and mortgage free 29th November 2013 :T
Sealed Pot Challenge member 14
Save £12K in 2014 - £6,521.90/£6K member 138
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Awwww bless Piq _ you managed to read all my nonsense. Thanks for that. 3 cards were not 'huge' - and one I paid off with an interest free loan from a pal. So now its trying to tick it all over somehow.
All my debts are from my marriage or getting myself back into employment ie University expenses - student loan, masters loan and of course ticking the kids and I over. Not complaining - but having taken the brush myself off route and got myself semi-back into employability - I am now hugely in debt.
They don't tell you that one do they? But - I have had the past 10 years semi 'at home' working around the kids school etc. Studying and then often working from home (growing plants etc) has been more flexible for me I guess. So I could be here if needed - up until now ish I have just swept the financial consequences of my choices to be around the kids under the table.
Waving thanks so much for being around!! Much appreciated.......xxTotal debt 26/4/18 <£1925 we were getting there. :beer:
Total debt as of 28/4/19 £7867.38:eek:
minus 112.06 = £7755.32:money:
:money:Sleeves up folks.:money:0 -
Looking forward to reading your diary! Bring on the stripey socks!
CC2 = £8687.86 ([STRIKE]£10000[/STRIKE] )CC1 = £0 ([STRIKE]£9983[/STRIKE] ); Reusing shopping bags savings =£5.80 vs spent £1.05.Wine is like opera. You can enjoy it even if you don't understand it and too much can give you a headache the next day J0 -
How very careless of you :rotfl::rotfl:I'm guessing you didn't get the roses first!
That's when I first twigged something was up - when he took our vet out for dinner on valentines eve and bought her flowers - how dumb am I - I even BABYSAT her kids and my kids ????!!!!
No offfence to female vets, but I now have an aversion to vets - I think I am allergic or something:D
Needless to say we up and left on valentines day - at least it saved me a pressie?!!Total debt 26/4/18 <£1925 we were getting there. :beer:
Total debt as of 28/4/19 £7867.38:eek:
minus 112.06 = £7755.32:money:
:money:Sleeves up folks.:money:0 -
unixgirluk wrote: »Looking forward to reading your diary! Bring on the stripey socks!
Thank you - we have stripey socks for all occasions.........mostly for courage!!Total debt 26/4/18 <£1925 we were getting there. :beer:
Total debt as of 28/4/19 £7867.38:eek:
minus 112.06 = £7755.32:money:
:money:Sleeves up folks.:money:0 -
Just wanted to hi and good luck!!!!!
i try to lose my fella sometimes, unfortuantly he always seems to find his way home....... lol!!
will be reading with interest.
love rags
xxxxxxxx
December 2018: £20,850.24. Now: £18,333.02 Total paid in 2019: £2517.22
Weight loss: 1.5lbs0 -
my 3 yr old has a great collection of stripey socks, in a variety of colours to match most of his clothes. He loves them!!
I'm looking forward to following your story.
We too are home from school today and by the looks of the forecast it's another day off tomorrow. If so that'll be 4 this week!!
Best of luck with all your money saving/making efforts.
Liz
x0 -
Weeeeeeeeeee :j
Another fun diary to subscribe to
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That's when I first twigged something was up - when he took our vet out for dinner on valentines eve and bought her flowers - how dumb am I - I even BABYSAT her kids and my kids ????!!!!
No offfence to female vets, but I now have an aversion to vets - I think I am allergic or something:D
Needless to say we up and left on valentines day - at least it saved me a pressie?!!
Not dumb at all, we've all been there and DIDN'T want to see the wood for the trees. Been there too although mine (the first one) was an IT consultant (the other man's partner got her own back and plastered lots of details about this nasty piece of work all over the net, yes thats right the nasty piece of work was seeing my then bloke and another one!!!!!) and the second .... a con artist! Go figure
CC2 = £8687.86 ([STRIKE]£10000[/STRIKE] )CC1 = £0 ([STRIKE]£9983[/STRIKE] ); Reusing shopping bags savings =£5.80 vs spent £1.05.Wine is like opera. You can enjoy it even if you don't understand it and too much can give you a headache the next day J0
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