3rd LBM!

penelopedee_2

Ok then, 2010 has arrived - Doctor Who was good but I'm gutted about DT leaving.

Moneywise, spent a little on groceries today. We'd run out of vegetables and cat food, so I didn't have much choice. I did have a browse through the next directory but persuaded myself that my wardrobe is overflowing and I could do with de-cluttering instead.

I'm having a bit of a tizzy over debt overpayments at the moment. My heart wants me to clear my last little bits and then start hitting the loan and some savings (our stair carpet is terrible with rips all over it).

But my financial head is telling me one of the 'family' debts is getting to crisis stage and I should be throwing money at that instead. Its very very annoying as its not really mine but if I don't do something about it, nobody else will. Its pants - I'm trying really hard to keep us on the straight and narrow and trying to make our life nicer but its like wading through mud.

Still, having a nice evening in with DH. DS is with the grandparents for the weekend to give me a break before we go back to work and school, which is lovely of them but its weird not having him here on a Friday night.

Right, time to cheer up a bit I think and thank my lucky stars for everything good in my life.

penelopedee_2

Positive head back on today ...

I had a letter from my energy supplier to say I'd finished my repayment plan and my bill will be dropping £10 per month (didn't realise I was on one - must read my post better in future).

My broadband package runs out in Feb so I should be able to knock £20 monthly off that and my mortgage fixed rate finishes this month which will free up another £100 or so. Also I pay council tax over 10 months and not 12 so that now gives me 2 months free from paying.

So, all in all I don't have much to moan about money wise. Everything is gradually easing up and if I make the effort to hide the above savings I can put it into the holiday pot for us.

I had alot of bills to cover over Christmas, new car tyre, car tax, new central heating pump etc which I used savings and cash for which is why I feel so skint now. I have enough cash to cover food and petrol until payday so I know I'm luckier than some.

Will run out of cigs tonight and I'm not going to buy anymore. Should be quite a testing day tomorrow! Then back to work on Monday - packed lunches should be covered for the next 3 months with the amount of food we have left over from Christmas!

Christmas tree came down yesterday so I'm about to do a mamouth session of clearing out the decs and then putting the good stuff back into the roof. Anything to keep busy and off the xmas chocs.

postingalwaysposting

Afternoon Pen...

Great to see some of your monthly bills are getting reduced. Small amounts soon add up, as you know. I love the idea of squirrelling away the 'spare' though as its not like you wil miss it anyway. Have you got an idea of where you would like to go on holiday? So you can see how much you would need to save

Even though you have had bills to pay over the christmas period, and large bills at that you have still managed to pay over £500 of your debt. That and keeping your family fed, heated, clothed is a major achievement. I know the feeling of 'being' skint isnt a nice one but its wont be long now untill payday. As you say you have enough food and packed lunches for a few weeks/months so you arnt desperate, which is no dobut down to your grocery planning

Good luck with the quitting smoking. I havent been through it myself but know others who have and its along journey. However if you can get out the other side think of the health/finacial benifits. However please do it for you :A

Regarding you post yesterday what state are the family debts in? I guess they are family credit cards/loans as opposed to your own personal spending Are thy on good apr's or are they just floating along? Would it be wise to try and do f&f's if you save up a lump sum? Are they debts you can easily overpay?

Have a fab weekend Pen and I hope work is good when you return on Monday

Pap

penelopedee_2

Hi Pap, thanks for the support, it is much appreciated.

Haven't decided where to go on holiday. DS really wants to go somewhere he can spend all day in the pool but I'm not too keen on these new scanners the airports are meant to be introducing! Don't fancy somebody leering at me in that manner. So I may look into centre parks or something - not sure yet.

Have a good weekend Pap.

penelopedee_2

Nice quiet Sunday - managed to not spend anything and haven't smoked so far. I knocked up a stroganof out of left over meat and cream from Christmas which seemed to go down quite well. Now I just need to magic up a couple pack lunches and I'm done for the evening. Roll on work / school and normality tomorrow.

penelopedee_2

I doing fine without the cigs tonight - not even bothered about it. But I have given in and had a glass of wine. I can't cut both out at the same time.

Oh well, giving up smoking will save me more money in the long run.:beer:

beanielou

My problem that I really struggle with the wine without a cig.

penelopedee_2

According to DH I smoke less when I'm drinking cos I get too lazy to go outside!

I wheeze so bad at the moment I must do it, I don't really have a choice.

EssexHebridean

Well done with the giving up smoking thing Pen - you're right about the sheer amount you can save in the long run, plus of course the improvement to your health too. Good luck with it.

penelopedee_2

Cheers EH, I'm going to really make an effort this time.