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

Jo_R_2

SAHM - DD2 actually starts school in September, so it's a very short-term issue, but appearing to be fruitful already - had family visitor and DD2's nursery key worker saying they can see the difference already in her socialising -and the other kids socialising with her - they're making efforts to encourage play between her and other kids going to her school which is working really well I am told:D

Feeling a bit down this last couple of days. Lots of things really. Have an ongoing mental list of things I need (and want) and know most of them will have to take a back seat for a few months.

Permanently tired and finding it a struggle especially in the afternoons. Worry I'm not giving enough to DDs in particular by way of quality time.

OH is really good in a 'practical' sense. He goes out and earns the money, takes over with DS when he gets in from work, will help with dinner if I'm tired, and will happily run errands, do little jobs around the house and that sort of thing.

I do feel that he doesn't always give much by way of 'emotional' support. I don't mean he's oblivious, but sometimes I can't win; like earlier, I was saying I felt exhausted but needed to make dinner for the kids, and he said I do moan a lot, and he sees pregnant women every day who don't seem to be struggling as much as I purport to:mad: He wasn't arsey about it by any means, but he has said previously how can he know how I'm feeling if I don't tell him, so I *do* tell him and he complains that I'm moaning!

He sat with me on the sofa last night, and put my feet up for me. He rubbed them absent-mindedly for a few seconds, then I asked him later if he could rub them as I was aching; apparently that makes me high-maintenance!:mad:

I think it's just not difficult sometimes to feel like part of the fixtures and fittings sometimes:(

Jo_R_2

Feeling a little better today, although the perpetual tiredness hasn't gone anywhere!:(

All money has rolled in ready for the start of the new month. Still need to complete SOA which should be done tonight all being well (it's my "have the laptop to myself as OH goes out for a couple of hours" evening so can get loads of money stuff done:D)

Priorities need to be listed but will include:

• maternity clothes - keeping a watchful eye on ebay this week and sales on Asos
• any days for DD2 to be booked into holiday club right at the end of July - this is a 'maybe' at the mo and might not be needed out of this months, will see
• new shoes - Debenhams online have some nice things on sale, as with clothes must remember to go through Quidco

Also a new set of beds for DDs but this will prob come out of savings. Looking for separating bunk beds, nothing fancy but that will last for a while, taking time this week to browse online to see what's out there.

Jo_R_2

July's SOA done. I might tweak it a bit before I print it out - though need to print it out before I can clear cookies and go through Quidco to order some maternity clothes and sale shoes online!

Had a faltering moment yesterday afternoon/evening and got OH to pick up chips for tea rather than make something. Understandable seeing as how tired I was, though OH didn't have any cash on him so lent him my bank card and just realised I don't know whether he took out cash, paid on my card and/or how much he spent:eek:

To counterbalance that today, I shall rustle up some delicious cupboard-based tea - probably pasta and cheesey sauce, nothing fancy, but know the kids will eat it:)

DDs' stepmum accidentally transferred two lots of child maintenance money for DDs this month so said to save the second for next month - need to transfer that out of my current account and keep it 'safe.'

Jo_R_2

Okay. Alternately good but sobering weekend spending.

With July's SOA done, I was able to finally go shopping for maternity clothes and other bits and pieces (a new pair of shoes, toiletries I needed.) I unfortunately only found one decent maternity piece which was a dress from Topshop, but it is very lovely and will resell well on ebay if I look after it:)

On the flipside, I ended up doing a bit of unplanned spending by way of grocery top ups/eating out. Sobering really because usually it's OH who would pay for this sort of stuff - although I am pretty much 'in the know' about how much he might spend on such things over a weekend, I almost have discounted it mentally because it would come out of 'his' money, his surplus.

And my god, handing over the money/card to pay each time really stuck in my throat:o I actually felt embarrassed with myself for thinking it had been okay for him to spend it, but not wanting to actually spend it myself, out of 'my' money.

I now need to go off and work out how much I have spent over the weekend. Some of it will come out of my planned 'personal' spends (toiletries), some will come out of the surplus to be repaid by my Health in Pregnancy grant, and the rest will be filed as unplanned spends probably out of my surplus.

Aim this month is to keep right on top of my SOA, doing updates on it at least every other day so I know exactly where I am with things. This is important because I will be spending money on maternity clothes which I need to keep track of.

beanielou

Oooh Tesco is nearly under a £1000

Jo_R_2

Yep beanielou - it's just come in under 1k now! I've just paid 1.70 from a Quidco payment just come into my current account, onto my cc, but despite that I calculate that the interest will bring it back up to slightly over 1k again by the end of the month. However next month should see it permanently under the 1k mark!:j

Still waiting to hear about my Health in Pregnancy grant coming through. I gather it can take 4-6 weeks so have put off maternity spending just in case it doesn't come through by the end of this month as it'll mean jigging money about.

Need to be strategic about tea later as have lots to use up. Had the parents round yesterday and did salady buffet so going to use leftovers as should hopefully save on waste - and me cooking much:D

Going to bite the bullet and transfer money over from savings for bunk beds for DDs. Been searching round and is looking like the detachable bunk beds Tesco do should be fine for us. Once that has cleared next week I shall go ahead and purchase said beds (at last!)

beanielou

Yah hoo Tesco is under £1000:j
Well done you:D

Jo_R_2

V.v.v.v. quick post from me as have to pick up DD2 v. shortly!

Been careful with surplus spending, although have done a couple of food top-ups. Been careful with food waste and hardly throwing anything away now.

Been ebaying like crazy for real bargain maternity clothes (I'm talking a couple of pounds-type stuff here.) No major maternity spends again until HiP grant comes through.

Have transferred money from savings for detachable bunk beds for DDs' room - kept putting it off but can't really continue with sleeping arrangements how they are (DD2 on mattress on floor) as no space for them to play.

DD2's birthday at the weekend, have bought a doll's house which parents have kindly contributed to, although need to pay in the money mum gave me to my account and also transfer my half from my birthday/Christmas account to cover it sharpish!

Will catch up with everyone's diaries later that I haven't gotten round to yet x

Keeping_Positive

I have detachable wooden bunk beds needing a new home. No materesses though. Yours for free in you want.

Hope DD loves the dools house thats what DD2 wants so need to see what I cant get that isnt too extorntionate.

Jo_R_2

Last few days have been eventful financially...

Main thing has been DD2's birthday present. The short version is I ordered a doll's house from Ebay on Monday which basically hasn't arrived (it's DD2's birthday today.) Have had no contact from the seller, nothing from the courier and planning to file an item not received dispute tomorrow. It could well be the courier's fault - I don't know - but the fact is it was supposed to be here for her birthday and it wasn't:mad:

My Health In Pregnancy grant was paid into my account and have been doing some thrifty maternity buying. As well as scouring Ebay daily, I also ordered a dress and top from Asos which arrived yesterday. The top is lovely but the dress is a linen fabric which I don't really like so need to return that as it cost £15. Also expecting sometime this week a pair of Next cropped jeans at the bargainous price of £1.20:D

I resisted the urge to be slightly frivolous and order a gorgeous dress from Topshop online, exactly the style of dress I love (tea dress style, bit 1950s) as it was £45:eek:

Had to transfer OH £50 to cover rent coming out so need to juggle money around a little.

Main thing is to organise pots of money in current account as have three lots of cash hanging about (HiP grant, money from savings for bunk beds and cupboard, and monthly surplus) and have spent from all of them but haven't totted up receipts recently so planning on doing that now.