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

Jo_R_2

Hehe I have a stack of mini-lists in my notebook:D

Officially due on Saturday so three days to go with that... Feeling quite fed up playing the waiting game, I'm trying to take a day at a time but knowing how late DD2 and DS were, it's difficult to not think about the "what if this one's as late" scenario.

Keeping busy helps, but when things are quiet, like now, DS is napping and got majority of housework done that was needed (just tea to do in a bit), my mind wanders and I dwell, which is not good with me!

Jo_R_2

Okay so I'm getting there, SOA is provisionally done and saved, am doing my usual completing-then-coming-back-to-it-later thing so hopefully if I've forgotten anything, I can add it tomorrow then print it out.

Am having to up my Christmas savings to have anything like what I forecast I'll need. I do need to break this down to be more specific which is on my list - yes I have yet another list LOL!:D

It goes something like this:

• complete and print out October's SOA - completed and just needs printing out
• transfer any money where needed - just need to transfer some money to OH that he needs but all else done
• [STRIKE]go through receipts from end of last month and check final totals from pots in current account[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]go through pots and ascertain what money needs to go in what account, and transfer accordingly[/STRIKE]

One of the reasons some of this desperately needs doing is because due to various circumstances, I moved all the savings we had into the current account (in the main to pay for the minibus.) It's playi9ng on my mind not having anything in there so I want to rectify that and get everything else back to where it should be.

Pinky15

I love it after payday and feel better once all money is transferred and sorted - at least I then know everything is paid. We are trying to build up the savings too and I have reduced the amount I am paying off my credit cards to pay more into the online saver just in case.
I have done the little ones xmas lists but the older they get the more expensive the things they want - so am really hoping DH gets enough overtime to pay for oil and I will have enough for the big presents within the budget otherwise I think we will struggle the following month. Luckily I have about £100 worth of vouchers coming in Nov which should sort family gifts out. I am sooo gonna start saving in Jan next year - please remind me too!
Hope you not feeling too tired -x

Jo_R_2

This month's money is all sorted just about. Have started from zero for October, having separated out all the pots of money within my current account and transferred most of the surplus back to the savings (where it originally came from, in preparation for buying the minibus.)

The remainder is from the Sure Start grant which is being split between me and OH minus the cost of the double pushchair which has already been bought, and my half will stay in the account to pay for a baby swing and play mat and a handful of other bits and bobs.

Christmas savings currently forecast at the £300 mark.

Jo_R_2

For those of you that don't know, I am now the proud mum of a baby boy, a week old, born at home in a lovely waterbirth, weighing 9lb 7oz, so you must excuse my absence for a few days:D

OH been at home on two weeks paternity leave. He goes back next Wednesday; apparently he has about four days' holiday leftover for the year but in some kind of oddness, he can put in for holiday but then work it, so effectively get paid twice. He's keen to do this; I can understand as we're short somewhat as he only gets his statutory paternity pay, it'd just be nice if he could stretch the week out and go back a week on Monday instead... Still, can't have everything I suppose:(

Money stuff is, well, under control but not being actively controlled IYSWIM... I know what's in the bank, what I can/can't spend, but it's safe to say I won't be overpaying anything this month, or saving - I forgot to set up the standing order to my monthly account so not sure what's going on with that.

DDs are onto their Christmas lists so can get thinking about that, planning on lots of bargainous finds if I can get started asap.

Other thing is I have a stack of maternity clothes to ebay but the camera has broken:eek: May purchase a new one soonish, I really need to get the clothes shifted as I am in desperate need of some 'normal' size clothes:)

OH has got some overtime on Saturday, it's a weekend when DDs are with us so did have an initial panic at looking after the four all by myself, but the money is not to be sniffed at so hoping to get over to the parents for a bit of a hand:) It's also Mum's birthday so would be going over anyway, need to buy her a card and present tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well x

[Deleted User]

Hi Jo,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! on the birth of your son

Good news about DH and the holiday situation and the overtime.

I'm sure you'll be fine with the four of them on Saturday, it might take some getting used to but you'll do it.

Tea
x

Keeping_Positive

Congrats JoR

Glad birth was ok.

Olliegami

Congratulations~

It must be easy to get side tracked much worse than you have done when you're going through something like having a baby! I think you've done pretty well, myself. =P

I hope the weekend isn't too difficult for you. =D

beanielou

Congratulations:D

Jo_R_2

Today started off with a list:D It's going to be a slow burner depending on how busy the kids keep me but a handful of things that need/want doing, which are as follows:

• [STRIKE]wash coat [/STRIKE] and sew new button on[STRIKE] (need red cotton)[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]look at Virgin cc balance transfer offer[/STRIKE] - offer is 0.9% until October 2011, thought it would be am incentive to get back on board so have applied
• make list of things need/want for house (soft furnishings/lamps/etc)
• iron maternity clothes and take photos ready to ebay
• [STRIKE]dye hair[/STRIKE]
• move food back into big fridge freezer and see if we can sell smaller one to OH's friend

Just debating whether I can fit in the dyeing hair one before baby wakes up as desperate to get it done!