Jo_R's debt-free diary, slow and steady progress!

scrooge2008

:rolleyes: So why are you feeling disheartened when you have achieved so much!

A regular theme on these diaries is that people beat themselves up when they are making real progress. What is wrong with us all? I include myself here.

There are millions of people out there who are not facing up to their issues, but at least we are all giving it a go.

Think you deserve a massive hug and pat on the back.

beanielou

Yes, I do think we tend to focus on what we havent done instead of patting ourselves on the back for the fab progress that we have done.
So well done you:T

Jo_R_2

You lot are always right - how fab it is to have people to give me an online 'boost' as it were.

Still been feeling a bit down today. Hoping it's not the old depression tiptoeing back in. I think it may just be circumstances getting on top of me, not spent much time with OH this weekend or got much OU work done at all, and feeling a bit dejected as I have on my mind a lot the fact that despite this house is lovely, it's not ours and I so want to have somewhere where we don't have to check and double check if we want to decorate, do any DIY or anything else on the house, somewhere that's, just, well, ours :happyhear

So after referring to OH, I'm thinking about looking for a job. I/we can manage as the situation is; however if I'm being honest it's only really existing. I have worked out at least how much I need to be bringing in net to ensure we are better off with me going to work, from this I will obviously need to factor in other things such as childcare and travel, and am hoping to enlist the help of my parents with this as they used to look after DDs one day a week so one less day to pay for childcare, plus I like that it's some time for them to spend with DDs and baby.

So, I've:

• taken my current funds (Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit and child maintenance), added them all up (as on my SOA total incomings)
• subtracted fixed income (so - child maintenance and child benefit)

This leaves me with a figure which I would need to earn over in order to be better off. This doesn't factor in any Tax Credits we would then receive so there would be something up and over my wages anyway (assuming we would receive any - not sure who it would balance out with what we have been paid this year already - would def. need to check that with Tax Credits actually.)

Have I forgotten anything obvious? Then there's also factoring in as mentioned travel costs - although I do budget in a certain amount for diesel anyway, and then thedreaded childcare costs, though it is probable that we would receive some help through Tax Credits.

All a bit of a maybe until I actually have a job or annual/monthly amount in mind really but good to consider it anyway now.

EssexHebridean

Wow - look how far you've come Jo! That looks like a superb list of achievements to me - well done!

Depending on what sort of job you'd be looking for would there be a need for expenditure for new clothes do you think? If so remember to count that into your planning.

Jo_R_2

Yup that's something I hadn't thought of EH, will add that to my list of things to take into consideration.

Okay so typing super-fast here! DD1 at school, DD2 at nursery and baby napping upstairs. After he fell asleep been rushing round so already cleared table and wiped over as well as high chair, washed up, put a load of laundry on, wiped worktops and thrown rubbish in kitchen and cleaned upstairs bathroom... Whew!

Only other things really want to get done today are vacuuming upstairs and mopping floors in up and downstairs bathrooms and kitchen but that won't get done til this afternoon.

So list of things for today:

• vacuum upstairs
• mop floors that need doing
• do weekly shop - list and menu plan done
• check cupboards/fridge for anything that need using up asap and think what can make
• pay snack money for DD2 at nursery
• pay milk money for DD1
• withdraw £10 as need £5 for school trip for DD1 - and pay that

Anyway better go as need to get baby up before go and get DD2 or else I'll be late!

Jo_R_2

Not been on for a little while... A friend died at the weekend and been trying to get my head around that. Very sad and unexpected, he was only a couple of years older than me and had been friends for years.

Finding it hard to concentrate which is difficult as trying to get into my OU work, OH's mum is off work today and tomorrow and am taking baby round so hoping ot have some dedicated study time whilst DD1 is at school as DD2 is at my parents. Just wish I could concentrate more.

Hoping to get to the funeral which is next week but need to check how much train tickets would be, bit worried as know it'll be a lot but really want to go to say goodbye.

bevan840

I'm so sorry to hear that Jo and understand completely the expense but wanting to go, when I lived in Cornwall a very good friend of mine up here died and her funeral was 3 days after my birthday (not brilliant timing I'll admit) so took a coach from Liskeard, Cornwall all the way to Sunderland I was glad I made it, although ended up being comforted by one of her relatives as I couldn't help but cry while DH went to get the car, only known them a few years and loved her to bits!! Still keep in contact with her husband and pop up when I get the chance.

Lots of *hugs* for you, maybe when you have some time to yourself focus on something nice you could do in memory of your friend? The OU can wait a few more days till you've got yourself to a calm place xxxx

beanielou

Some things are more important than money so hope you can manage & its not too expensive.Not sure this has come over as I meant so please know there is no criticism involved.
Take care x

Jo_R_2

Very quick update as baby only just gone to sleep :eek:and have to go out again in 15 mins to get DD2 from nursery...

Been a bit out of routine this last week. OH's mum off work last week so has been having baby lots, DD2 been at my parents for last half of week so been quite quiet! All back to normal for this week - then half term:eek:

Good news is got a letter saying my PPI on my loan will be refunded. Bad news is that I got a letter from Halifax saying they're changing their overdraft charges to £1 a day. Hoping I can negotiate with them as my loan is with them (sort of - it's with Intelligent Finance but Halifax own them so run the show) to use some to pay off my overdraft and the rest refunded on the loan so need to run that by them. Would be great - knock one debt on the head and cut down repaymennt term on another:j

Anyway got about 10 mins to compose a half-decent shopping list - OH is keeping a beady eye on his pennies - he pays for shopping - as spent £60 last week - it keeps going up and up so doing a bit of a storecupboard challenge this week. Bye for now!

Keeping_Positive

Great news on the PPI but boooo on the od fees