Coffee and chocolate

miggy

Hello Shiney New Diary!

I'm not strictly a debtfreewannabe, I'm an in-control-of-my-finances wannabe but the two have quite a bit in common and as my head is full of clutter and I don't know where to start, a bit of a clear-out seems like a good idea.

The process, I'm hoping, goes something like a job I'm having a break from - cleaning out my sideboard:
Things still fit in (similar to me not actually being broke) but some of them don't belong there (read, 'needs an objective overview'), the entire cupboard needed dusting (no regular financial maintenance), I got a splinter off a little bit of broken glass I hadn't seen (who knows whether something financial might jump out and bite me?) and really and truly I don't know where else to put things - I need more space! (AKA things are easier and sometimes more fun with more money).

The cupboard analogy is proving quite helpful actually. For instance, I have just put a box of photos in. There was more space when they weren't there, but I can't think what else to do with them. Similarly, we've just had to take an effective paycut as DH has reverted to his former job. Right now there isn't a better paid job for him to go to so we are grateful for what we have, even if it makes things a bit tighter than we would have liked. You follow?

Then again - why do we have so many mismatched plasticy things in there? They belong to two of our three teenagers - teenagers being who they are, they fill cupboards (also floors and chairs), and use money, not necessarily with the same priorities as their parents.

Sooooo... it all needs looking at, and if possible sorting. Sure it can be done, and if I don't do it perfectly, something is better than nothing.

And why call my diary 'Coffee and chocolate'? Two things I like - not necessities but indulgences, and isn't that where my attention often is when money hops out of the account and walks away? Besides, I thought I find like-minded readers with a title like that!

davetrousers

Good quality Coffee and chocolate I hope.

miggy

And the background:
I work 21 hours at a fairly low-paid job. Don't drive and live in a smallish town so there are limits on what else is availablke in my field. Am wondering about learning to drive, but reckon it could cost me around £1,000. (Where from?)
DH is the main breadwinner - he was acting up into a post for a couple of years but that's now come to an end and what with cut backs 'n' all, there's nothing much on the horizon.
DS1 works, pays us a contribution very roughly equal to his costs (not rent), runs his own life and comes here for meals and showers!
DD currently working part time, hoping to study full time from September.
DS2 at school. Expensive young person as he has a tab with us whereby he buys junk from Tesco, we take it off his 'slate' and that counts as pocket money. He doesn't end up with a lot to spare, but doesn't ask for much either. We are in the middle of paying out for stuff like school uniform for him but that's necessity.

Other income... not much. DH, DD and I all ebay things from time to time but only DH makes countable money and then not so much. Bless him I think a lot of it goes in the holiday fund. We get a week away in the UK though the older children get foreign holidays with various people. The holiday really matters to us, it's been a horrible year and we so need a break.

I'm thinking of keeping tabs along the lines of 'what small debt free wannabe thing have you done today?' That's such a good idea: even the oddments all add up.

miggy

davetrousers wrote: »

Good quality Coffee and chocolate I hope.

Of course!
:coffee::coffee:
Welcome aboard.:)

horsechestnut

Do you all do online surveys? See survey thread; everyone is very helpful!

It doesn't appear to be very much money, but it all adds up, especially if you save up your vouchers to buy something quite big (saved up my love to shop vouchers and bought good curtains from T.J. Hughes and new bedding from M&S.) This then frees up money to be spent on other things; driving lessons?

I have just had to test washing detergent from IPSOS, which gives me points and of course it has saved me buying detergent; saving £3!!!

Like you, I am not in debt, but do have to watch every penny and I enjoy spending "free" vouchers!

hypno06

Hmmm.....coffee and chocolate - I wonder why I felt drawn to this thread :think::think::think:

miggy

I shall have to get ready for work soon so here's my bit of accountability for now:

• watered the lawn - sounds like a waste of water but the rabbit & guineapig have nibbled it right down and watering now is partly to soften is so it will absorb rain when it does fall. Been a long time dry, despite two huge rainstorms recently.

• tidied the sideboard - no, even to me that neither saves nor generates money. If anything, it might cost something because so many plates are chipped and most are mis-matched. Would it be a waste of money to dispose of the chipped ones (my parents were too influenced by the 1930s for me to get rid of any just because they don't come from the same set!)

• usual chores... nothing saved there.

• Watered the tomato plants and herbs.

• used up some salad from the frdige - still too much spinach, so some goes in the freezer for soup. Also used up some fish fingers and a bread roll so no extra spends, but what does it say about me if I keep using things up and don't often buy for myself. At least I'm doing that some of the time.

Why can't I even write a list without extra notes?

miggy

horsechestnut wrote: »

Do you all do online surveys?

Just me, and TBH am patchy at it! I have nearly saved enough for a voucher for an airbed that I decided was essential last time I had to sleep on the lounge floor to accomodate guests! LOL.
Will mosey over to the surveys thread after work, thanks.

miggy

hypno06 wrote: »

Hmmm.....coffee and chocolate - I wonder why I felt drawn to this thread :think::think::think:

Espresso or latte Hypno?
:coffee:

Choc-addict

Hmmm think i'm drawn to your name.....a likeness with mine

I have a coffee on the go and have already eaten some choc today - can I join in pls??

hypno06

miggy wrote: »

Espresso or latte Hypno?
:coffee:

The way I am struggling to stay awake at my desk today, I think a double espresso would be in order. Thanks