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

Jo_R_2

Bit annoyed about my ebay buyer who bought the pushchair I sold. I put to contact me about a delivery price, they haven't so I've just arranged it, I've had no word from them except a payment that is clearing, no 'that's fine', or even let me know that they actually WANT it delivered rather than picking it up. Call me old-fashioned but surely it's basic courtesy, even more so seeing as I requested it on the listing? Ah well...

Need to parcel up a bundle of clothes to post on the way to picking up DD2 from nursery which I will do once baby wakes up as the envelope is under the pushchair where he is sleeping soundly:D Also need to pick up today's paper with the jobs pages in it so need to make sure I bring enough pennies with me.

Just going to pop the kettle on, then get on with the couple of phone calls on my list and a bit of tidying up before I pick up DD2.

Jo_R_2

So everything done on the list from the other day APART from the job application. I had to be brutally honest with myself that full-time isn't right for me right now, much as I'd like to go for it, I don't feel confident I can manage it. Although I'm out of the pits of depression, I think I'm still affected by how depression affected me in my last job and I do still have moments where I wake up and think, I can't do this...

Of course I *do* do it, and I don't want to stop myself unnecessarily, but I will talk to my psych who I'm seeing soon and see what he says. My original plan was to wait until DD2 starts school in Sept, as it will save a lot of messing about with childcare with her going to nursery just mornings, so I might stick to that unless something appropriate part-time comes up.

Open Uni payments due up til June, then finished - until I restart my course in Sept:D Need to check when I can enrol again for the course so can do that shortly.

Online shopping slot booked for tomorrow morning, need to update later with any additions, have found this is the best way as inevitably if I do it in just one go I end up forgetting stuff:o

Planning on decorating baby's room this weekend, OH is getting really into it bless him, it'll be nice actually because since we moved, baby's room hasn't been up to much, it's usable and clean but there's not much to it. So we're wallpapering, hopefully will get some drawers to go in, lampshade, rug, and maybe might splash out on some reasonably-priced bedding which have been browsing online. I should point out OH is bearing the cost of most of this, not that I think it'll end up costing that much tbh with the way of the DFW:D

Jo_R_2

Forget what I said about updating the shopping - fell asleep on the sofa last night so we're short a few things, although nothing major fortunately:o:rotfl: Ah well, try harder next week!

I explained to OH last night I was desperate to get some furniture for our living/dining room. I keep looking at it and thinking it looks like we've just moved our things in for the interim until we go somewhere else:D I've been going on about this for aaaaaaaaages so at last I'm going to do something about it and tonight I need to work out how much exactly I have 'spare' with my Tax Credits update to hand, then I shall be looking for a brand new shiny (?) sideboard. I'm going to splash out a tiny bit, I don't want something cheap and tacky but not so expensive that I'll have a breakdown if DDs draw on it:rotfl:

OH also owes me a bookcase which I nicely reminded him of - the response unfortunately wasn't so nice but I think was slightly tongue-in-cheek so will let him off;)

Hmm, not much else to report for today. Things I need to do:

• pick up 'missing' bits from shopping delivery:o
• withdraw cash to pay for DD2's meal and snacks at nursery and DD1's milk money at school
• [as above] work out 'spare' money from Tax Credits payments
• look at presents for baby's first birthday next week:eek::D

Jo_R_2

Well... It seems there may be some more good news on the horizon. I don't want to say too much right now as it's "pending" shall we say, but potentially as well as being able to cross off my Housing Benefit debt as of March, I may be able to cross off another...

As I said I don't want to mention too much, mainly in case it doesn't end up happening and I look like a right plank, but I shall update when I know more fairly soon...

Worked out my finances for the month and what needs moving where in regard to the funds in my current account. Aside from my monthly budget of 903.62, I can transfer out the remainder of my PPI money, and also the extra Tax Credits amount which I have worked out to be 492.51. However this will remian until I have ordered my new furniture:D

Just need to work on finalising my March SOA which will do tomorrow.

bevan840

Hope it works out for you Jo xx

beanielou

Hope it happens

EssexHebridean

Ooh - intriguing stuff. Will cross my fingers.

Re the job thing, cut yourself some slack here eh?! If you're not ready, you're not ready, in due course you WILL be ready and then you will be in a far better place with yourself to tackle it and do what's needed. It sounds like it's better to wait anyway as by the time you've sorted out the childcare aspect it won't be such good value to you in any case. See - "Simples!"

Jo_R_2

Thanks guys - had a little bit of progress today with the debt in question so shall post more as I know.

And EH - yes what you are saying is right, we are managing as we are, it's not what I want long-term - to "manage" - and I have more than financial motivation for wanting to get back into work, my brain needs to be stimulated! But both logistically and financially it makes sense to wait until DD2 starts school.

Just off to look at furniture!

Jo_R_2

A little more news about the debt-that-may-be-paid-off arrived today. I can tentatively say that come Wednesday, the debt in question should be paid off, in full, plus some extra that should be coming directly to me.

Still very mysterious I know, but as I said I'd hate to spill all the beans then it not happen for whatever reason and feel rather disappointed and silly:o

I think (she says hesitantly) I have found what furniture I am going to buy. I did MILES (LOL) of browsing last night, and basically after starting at Argos and going through many different furniture retailers, I have come back around to a range at Argos. I'm going to have another look shortly and run it by OH, if he's happy (I suspect he's not bothered either way knowing him!) I'll order it later.

I'm very tempted to order some bits for the conservatory but don't want to go crazy so have been looking online at Wilkos as they have some nice tables and chairs, nothing fancy but do the job and look nice so may purchase a couple of bargain items from there too.

Jo_R_2

OH is off from today for the rest of the week which is nice. Don't think we'll see much of him as he's supposed to be helping out at his mum's with some jobs but will have him around a bit extra which is nice anyway

Did the usual start-of-the-month transferring money about last night. I keep having panics about not paying the council tax but then remember it's a council-tax-free month:j

Not ordered my furniture yet - showed OH the stuff I liked which he said was okay (that's enthusiastic for him LOL) but then said if you get furniture it "has" to be matching, and this particular range doesn't have a bookcase which I really need.

I'd be happy to get one that is the same kind of wood if not from the same range but don't want moany chops to moan about it:D So gonna have another look later.