Not Tiny, Not Courageous, but definitely in debt

tiny_courageous

Right, plans for next year

1) Survive on maternity leave without getting into any more debt.
2) following on from that, get the debt down to sub 3k by the end of the year (currently 6k)
3) Lose 2 stone
4) Ebay 10 things a month
5) Only buy things I need
6) Do the £100 on clothes for the year challenge

Will see by the end of the year how I do with this.

tiny_courageous

I've started my challenges already (why wait?). One thing listed on ebay and I need to get another out of the cupboard. I've thought of a few more things that can be sold too so will have more of a scout round this week.
Had a kitchen sort out yesterday, so January will be use up month. Did a big tesco shop as I had a £12 off when you spend £60 voucher, stocked up on nappies, formula and wipes, and basics for the house.

We currently have three pots that we collect change in, although I don't tend to put much in these as I keep my change in my purse and use it in shops (saves breaking into a note a lot of the time and that means I take less out of the bank). Need to get these change pots into some sort of order and actually make use of what's in them!

Need to be decluttering as well. That will link with the ebaying. I want to get the christmas decorations down now and get my house back. Some of the decluttering will have to wait as the bin is full - the council changed the collection day last week because of christmas, but didn't actually tell anyone! Very useful (not).

tiny_courageous

Starting the year with a NSD, and have just sold some baby stuff on facebook so that should be picked up tomorrow - money coming in and stuff going out! That's the plan for this year!

tiny_courageous

Of the 4 things listed on ebay, 3 have bids (yay!). Today was a spend day, but only for some drops for LO's nose. Went into the village twice and managed to avoid the coffee shops, made myself a nice coffee when I got home - cheaper and nicer.

tiny_courageous

Two more things listed on ebay, little bidding war going on for one of my items (yay!). Today will be NSD as am not leaving the house.

For Christmas my mum always buys me a cat calendar, and this year it also came with a little diary so I shall use that for my spending diary this year.

tiny_courageous

8 things now listed on ebay, bids on 4. £5 up so far as one facebook cash sale done.
NSD today as well as, again, not left the house due to the weather. Will try to pop out tomorrow just to get out of the house, if the weather's not too bad.

urg123

Hi TC
You are doing great! You have got very similar goals as me - I too need to keep costs down due to mat leave.
I'll be reading with interest.
urg x x

tiny_courageous

Hi Urg
Who'd have thought not being at work could be so expensive if you let it... a coffee here, fees for different classes... There has to be a balance I guess.

So far have done 5 NSDs this year. Been into the village a few times and managed to avoid Costa! Have got a cafetiere at home and some nice ground coffee so am treating myself to that instead. Also have got a load of hot chocolate from a previous approved food order so using that up as well - it's very nice!

Moneywise, a week and a half til payday. I need to put my gym cancellation in writing this week, and start researching phone options as my contract is up in March. I think I'll be aiming to get a new phone out of voda as I've had this one two years and I don't want to get tied into a sim only deal then have to shell out for a new handset half way through.

tiny_courageous

Made about £70 on ebay today. 2 Items paid for already, to be posted monday. Withdrew £50 from paypal to my bank account. I need to list one more thing to meet my challenge of listing 10 items a month. Am going to see if I can list more than 10 this month though, may as well make the most of free listing!

Have decided the CDs are going, so have been spending my time ripping them to the computer this week. 80 done, around 500 more to go. My brother wants to go through them and have a few before I get rid, and whatever's left I'll music magpie. Have been checking on ebay, and there are a few that are going for a few quid so will list anything that looks like it might make a bit.

Decluttering is going slowly, have got a bag for the charity shop but not much in it. Have managed to use up 2 bags of hot chocolate so far, and found some beers at the back of a cupboard so those will need drinking!

tiny_courageous

After fees etc, made about £90 on ebay so far this month. Also did a £4 survey with VO this week so that gets me another voucher.
This week has been quite spendy, not massive things but lots of little bits. Mostly essentials. Have got £150 left now til payday, and from that I've already paid off next month's credit card payment (minimum payment rounded up to £50) and all I need is petrol and nappies. I have a 5p voucher for petrol at tesco as well.

OH has man flu and is in bed. I've got earache and a sore throat so when baby's tired (he's currently happily playing on his mat) I shall go to bed as well. Am eating home made carrot cake and watching celeb bake off.