surviving recession!

robsmum_2

:eek: Hi all,
I've been inspired to join the growing band of diary writers, so here goes.
A bit about me first. I am 52, nearly 53. Live with my partner. I am recovering from M.E and only able to work 12 hours a week. Love all things homemaking, arts and crafts and money saving.
Bought Martyns books last year and was doing quite well up until Christmas and things went a bit pearshaped. My hours were cut from 16 to 12 thus loosing £96 a month and its just got worse since then.:eek:
My SOA is on my first post on DFW board and if I can work out how to do it I will cut and paste to here, but am a technophobe!

Decided after support and chats from my first post that a dairy a good thing for me and good way of getting support and a smile.

Tasks for today:
Begin to get organised and start with my kitchen!
Try to work out a budget for April.

I am going to do this and will succeed, just needs will power, prodding and cajoling:rolleyes: !:rolleyes: Will power not too good today.

rubyslipper

Found it! :T

Sun_Addict

:wave: Hi and welcome

I started my diary just last week and it's really keeping me motivated.

Like you we have been affected by the recession as OH works in the building trade and his wages have gone down drastically due to not a lot going off with housebuilding at the moment. However, he's lucky that he's still got some work but just not as much as normal.

You'll find that by keeping your diary up to date it will keep you motivated. It's working for me so far. I've also picked up loads of brilliant tips from the other boards and have become a reformed character.

Keep posting and I'll keep looking in on how you're getting on.

robsmum_2

Hi all, Yesterday was a hormanal,upset, blippy day! Did get kitchen cupboards sorted(depressing as Mrs Hubbard lives here)! Did a weeks menue plans.Went to town and bought veg on market and birthday cards in cheap shop , 4 for £1 and they nice. Ciggies went up to 10 not down.
Today though is a new day. and I will:
Go to work
Do April Budget
Make a payment to catolouge
Check if there anything I can use up in freezer

My new addidiction is MSE and reading the forums, thinking about doing a challenge!

rubyslipper

Hi Robsmum

Well done on your achievements! Don't dwell on the minor things you didn't do - as you say, today is a new day!

I find the challenges a good way of keeping me focussed - the NSD (no spending day) is my favourite one. I love seeing how many NSD's I can get in a week! I am a total MSE addict now too - hey, if we're reading this we're not out there spending!

Good luck with your budget.

Ruby xx

robsmum_2

Hi all, Did a budget for April and realized ncome is below expenditure and credit card payments taking more of income than anything else! Decided to contact Consumer Credit Council, just done that and they are so helpful. Appointment with them on 20th. Not been very good weekend - working out budget and other things. Elderly dog been quite poorly also. Ciggies been about 7 day so not too bad. Onwards and upwards.Paid catologue.

savingholmes

Well done on contacting CCC - hopefully you will get something sorted soon. Keep on track in the meantime and find some low cost ways to have fun, enjoy yourself and meet up with friends.... Staying positive in my experience makes all the difference to becoming debt free!

robsmum_2

avingholmes, Thank you for your kind message,made me a bit choked. Still a bit hormanal I think! CCC made me feel much more positive and know this not insurrmountable. Going to do different budget today with their advice and then contact a creditor a day. Love crafty things but can't find the MSE craft forum can you help please?Tommorow is going to be my first NSD I like a challenge.Going to take this a day at a time a bit like giving up smoking!:rolleyes:

Lemon_Tree

do you know i don't think there is a crafts forum per se, there's quite a few of us who are crafters though (helped build up the debt total ) what crafts do you do? I like card making, scrapbooking, x stitch, knitting & crochetting.

robsmum_2

HI Lemontree,
Floristry,soft furnishings,gardening, making giftbaskets, revamping old tatty household bits. Thinking about trying to sell some baskets not sure where to start at moment!

robsmum_2

Well managed to do new budget with CCCS advice and realised I have very little money to either live on or pay my creditors. Drafted a letter to creditors and worked out pro-rata payments. Opened all those dreaded envelopes and it wasn't so bad after all. Had my first ever NSD and felt good.
This week I am going to do another menue plan.
Have at least 1 NSD.
Plant some veggie seeds. (I will save there and yummy fresh veg).
Start Spring cleaning.
Cut ciggies down from 6 to 3!
Do baking for packed lunches and Easter.

BE NICE TO MYSELF!