Not Tiny, Not Courageous, but definitely in debt

tiny_courageous

10/21 on NSDs and 10/21 on AFDs so nearly back up to half, which is not so bad. Payday tomorrow, and have £200 in saving account and £100 in the bank so that's a good start. Plan is to save about £300 a month if possible, although car insurance will be due soon.
Still doing well with work lunches as well. Touch wood, I have taken in my work lunch every day so far this year and have plenty of supplies in to ensure it continues - even emergency ones like noodles in my desk drawer.

tiny_courageous

So up to yesterday 12/23 NSDs and 11/23 AFDs, am off into the village in a bit though so today will be a spend day I would imagine. There are a few bits and bobs I need but not much though.

Need to book hotels for a couple of days out as well today, there's a new travelodge opening to nearby where I'm going so that reduces the cost I was expecting to pay.

There are about 3 more DDs to go out of my account, and I need to budget £130 for petrol for the month and £150 for food, which leaves around £500. I'd love to get the savings account up to £800 this month. Basically, what I'm doing is now paying the minimum payments plus a bit on my credit card and monthly payment on my loan, and where I would have previously made overpayments, I am now saving so that if I get pregnant I'll have enough saved to live on and continue making payments throughout maternity leave. I know, planning ahead here. I've only been off the pill for a month, it could be months/years or never, but either way I'm trying to budget as best I can.

tiny_courageous

12/25 on NSDs now as have spent yesterday and today, 12/25 on AFDs too. Plan is for Mon-Wed to be NSD and AFD which should bring me back to target.
Yesterday had to buy a few little things, booked some hotels (travelodge and hotels.com plus quidco, so not bad at all) and then today I've done an approved food order (£36 and free delivery) and ordered a new TV stand from argos (which is needed). It's the first time I've used approved food but I've ordered lots of stuff that will come in useful for work lunches, like packs of flavoured couscous and mini biscuit packs, so that will make lunch planning even easier - I'm the type of person that doesn't mind eating the same thing a few times in a row. Have got a beef brisket joint in the slow cooker at the moment, as am trying to sort the freezer so I can re-stock and organise. I think the fridge freezer is on the way out to be honest. I have vouchers put aside to buy a new one when it's finally needed though.
It's a beautiful day so washing's on the line - will need to do a hell of a lot of ironing later though. Was going to go to the park and feed the ducks but my chest is so tight I can barely breathe so that's not happening - need to make an appointment at the doc's tomorrow. I'm inhaling steam every hour to hopefully clear my chest a bit, it does help (and I do love a good old style remedy).
Have just put another £30 odd quid into the savings account to make it a round £500. Going to sit and do some surveys this afternoon.

tiny_courageous

14/28 NSDs and 15/28 AFDs. Plans were somewhat messed up by a costly prescription but at least as I'm on antibiotics I can't drink!

Approved food order arrived today. I'm so excited, not only by all the lovely food but also by the boxes it came in - perfect for storage. I got loads of stuff for work lunches so have absolutely no excuses for not taking lunch to work. Now I just need to find somewhere to put it all!

sch3ll

Hi Tiny,

I've only just discovered the diaries on here so not read many but spent some time reading yours from start to finish tonight, lol. Not a weird stalker I was just interested and there's nothing on TV

Its great to see how far you've come since you started your diary aswell as living a real life aswell. There aren't many people who are totally debt free but you are closer than you were then. You are right too about there never being a good time for children (financially I mean) sometimes you have to take the plunge and just wing it. Its surprisingly cheap initially (I have a 3 year old) as you will find you are gifted so many lovely things which mean you don't have to buy them yourself. Other than a pram and cot and a few bits and bobs they don't need a great deal to start with. Maternity pay is a !!!!! though, haha.

Best of luck with everything and I might come and have a nosey now and then and see how you are getting on

Sch3ll xx

tiny_courageous

Thanks Sch3ll! I daren't read back sometimes but when I think about how much has changed the last few years, I think it can't be bad!

Moneysaving has somewhat been on the back burner recently as I've been pretty ill, but I have managed to sort out an NHS prepaid cert for my prescriptions and have sorted out some stuff with my pension as well. We do, at least, have cupboards full of food, so we'll not starve this month!

It's so nice having four days off, I appreciate it beyond words!

tiny_courageous

Haven't posted in ages, it's been a somewhat manic few months (fun, but manic). Car insurance has been renewed (same price as last year), had to buy a new laptop but got a bargain, done a lot of travelling but now am settled back down for another few months hard slog of saving.

tiny_courageous

Hello all! It's been a while, again. Been mad busy as per usual. Have had some good days/nights out and am pretty much back on track with the debtbusting. Spending the weekend sat in the back yard doing my TOIL, mileage and surveys, I think.

tiny_courageous

The sun is shining but I don't trust it as it's kind of shining through a big black cloud! I think it's one of those "if I put the washing out it'll rain, but if I don't put it out it'll stay sunny" kind of days.

Have done a lot of tidying over the last few days which I'm quite pleased with. The place was a state, and although it's not brilliant it's getting better. I have at least managed to organise all the bedding, and my shoe and bag collection.

I have also made another order with Approved Food - it's an addiction I think! Some proper bargains though. Tidied out the freezer and there's a ridiculous amount of yellow sticker chicken, beef and mince so guess what we'll be living on for the next few months.

Got some plants growing - I don't know if they're growing as they should but they're green and getting bigger so that's a start. I've also forgotten what some of them should be so I might get a nice surprise.

Debt wise it's trickling down, slowly but surely. Still managing to indulge a few luxuries - I know the debt would go down more quickly if we didn't but there's got to be a balance.

tiny_courageous

It's been an interesting few months. Had a holiday (which has been fully paid for), am awaiting a tax rebate that should be a few hundred and a savings policy matures next month which will be another £1000. I am going to put the 1k in my savings account and pay the rest off the debts. I think I may get the barclaycard paid off by Christmas if I try really hard.