3rd LBM!

postingalwaysposting

Hi Pen, I hope you are ok I have seen you posting on the 1 vs 100 thread but worried as you hav'nt updated here...

Please dont feel guilty about having that meal. Sometimes in our debt free journey we have to have some 'off' days or treats. Plus by the sounds of it you had a very nice time that is all that counts.

Hope you and everyone at Pen towers are feeling well, hugs and stuff

penelopedee_2

Hi Pap, spooky I was just thinking I'm ready to start my diary again. Sorry I've haven't been here for ages but I've had my head up my a*s a bit regarding finances and I needed to chill out.

Anyway, I am now back to being cc and clubbook free - the only debt I have is the loan (oh and the joint mortgage) At the moment I'm sharing my payments between family debt and savings so hopefully this year we can achieve a little holiday. DH is back in work this week (at last!) so I can use his wages now to start attacking the bits I don't really want to take responsibility for.

As soon as I have some saved for the holiday, I'm hitting the loan big style as I can't wait to get rid of it.

My family are brill as usual. Life in Pen Towers is its normal manic mess but I wouldn't have it any other way. The kittens are massive now and have just started going outside (saving on cat litter, very MSE!).

I do think it helps having my diary so expect some more boring updates.

Pen x

penelopedee_2

Been absent for a while again and I really do need to keep on track. My spending is starting to slip.

I have managed to book us a little break away over Easter - saved and paid for up front, so all I need to do is to put back a little spending money. Its only a short cheap break but at least it gives us something to look forward to. Even DS is working out how much pocket money he can save between now and then.

I've taken my head out of the sand regarding the family debt and have applied to move it somewhere cheaper. Hopefully that will work out, not sure - but I'll have to come up with a contingency plan just in case.

DH's work is ropey again at the moment and I really do need to stash away some emergency savings so its back to the debt busting in earnest.

Had a little light bulb moment today, realising I am spending at lunchtimes again (my worse frittering habit) so next week it will be packed lunches and a good book to read. If I go out I know I will be lured into the shops - I get this 'I must treat myself' feeling just because I'm at work. So that has to stop now because its money I can't spare.

Life is good here in Pen Towers, everyone is well and my job contract has just been renewed so I can and will keep the finances in control:D

EssexHebridean

Pleased to hear your job contract is safe Pen - that's great news!

Re the spending thing, perhaps a good time to start a spending diary again? That way at least you can see where the money is frittering?

We're also just getting ourselves sorted out for holiday spending money now - we go away for a fortnight self catering and aim to make all the spending while we're there "money neutral" by saving ahead of time. This years will be made up from cashback earnt on the credit cards through regular spending over a year, money saved on groceries which sits in the clubcard plus account and builds up, and small change that we both save over the year. The small change thing can amass a surprising amount to be honest - we usually put aside anything smaller than 50p (OH) and anything smaller than £1 (Me) so it does build up. OH also picks up and saves separately any money he finds on the street - that alone has amassed well over £8 this year - doesn't sound much until you think that is all money that has just been dropped on the street!

Where are you going for your break over Easter then?

penelopedee_2

Hi EH, just caravaning on the south coast. I've booked us into a static site with an indoor pool which should entertain DS! Its only about an hour down the road from us as well, nice and convenient.

You're right about the spending diary - this week I've spent every day and it amounts to over £100 :eek: That could of been our treat money for the holiday. But at least I'm back in focus. I know that the food money will come from our normal grocery fund as both DH and I don't mind cooking properly, but I want us to have a couple meals out or something as well. Last half term I found I spent loads on rubbish just because we were bored sitting around at home (I find it expensive entertaining a young teen). I hoping the change of scenery will shake us up a bit.

You are right about saving coins and change. I've just bagged up another £30 that I had been dropping into a jar ever since Christmas. It does start to mount up quickly.

Have a good Friday evening:beer:

penelopedee_2

Oh, madness, I've just realised £100 a week = £5200 a year! What a total waste of good money.

penelopedee_2

But your post has just reminded me I have some Tesco vouchers stashed away. Not very MSE (I know I'd get 4x in deals) but that would help get some nice treat food in for the break. Cheers EH.

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi enjoy your easter break, we are caravaning too.xx

penelopedee_2

Hi Beat The Debt, we haven't been caravaning for years but hopefully this will be a good site. The family don't mind where they go, as long as DS can go swimming - I'm sure he should have fins!

Enjoy your break too x

mrs_robinson_3

Welcome back!

Mrs R