Pen's sunny ramblings, debtbusting whilst smiling

penelopedee_2

After a lot of thought the last few weeks, I decided I wanted a new diary to fill with sunny, positive debtbusting ramblings. Its time to move on and get back on track.

So making the most of the lovely, warm day here we've been sat out in the garden making plans of what needs doing in the house. Some of it is urgent maintenance and some just nice up-keeping but a lot of it we can do on a budget if we get creative. Instead of just bouncing from issue to issue, we've made a list and have estimated costs so that we can do the cheaper and some more urgent bits first. Sensible, I know, but quite a novelty as we live fairly chaotic lives.

My Dad is the sort of person that can turn his hand to anything and would love to help out, which is brilliant and will definately help the budgets.

I had an AF day yesterday so was full of energy today and weeded all of the front and back and dug up an old plant that had spread over alot of the lawn. Just tidying up a bit cost nothing and has made it look so much nicer

Money wise - I did the weekly meal plan for my super chef DH, and just had to get a few spuds, veg and milk. Other than that its been a good NS day.

I'm now working out on what I can cut back on over the next couple of months to try and make in another reasonable dent in the debt. So far I'm at:

* stop school night wine
* none of us need any clothes or shoes this side of Christmas apart from work or school essentials
* car is serviced and MOT
* back to cooking from scratch, meal planning and store cupboard invention meals
* we've got plenty to do on the house to keep us entertained
* DH has passed his H&S test and fingers crossed can get some work now
* generally have a 'use up' couple of months on toiletries etc that are stashed all around the house - that should take us up to Christmas
* packed lunches for DH and I plus I will put DS school lunch money aside each week so I'm not scrabbling around for change or handing over notes

Luckily DH and DS are on side, and are happy to move us forward to a nicer future. So I think if we just concentrate on it a bit it will become habit again.

We've decided as a team this is going to be onwards and upwards smiley time for us

postingalwaysposting

Happy new diary, lovely Pen. As always I wish you the best in your journey. I think having to deal with all the debts at at the moment being your home breadwinner is truely inspiring. Fingers crossed you Oh finds employment soon The house bits sound good, it then means your are actually being rewarded while repaying debt

Keep on going :j Oh and woo hoo for being AF :j

penelopedee_2

Cheers Pap.

I'm lucky I have a lovely team behind me both at home and here. Makes things much easier

beanielou

Can I echo what the lovely Pap says apart from I dont know what AF is.

penelopedee_2

Hiya Beanielou and thank you. Its alcohol free

penelopedee_2

So far, so good. I haven't spent anything yet this week. The meal plan is working and I've just enough left to cover everything until payday Friday.

I'm planning on smaller over payments this coming month as we've two holidays booked during August. Two separate weeks in a caravan and I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to the breaks.

So I've nearly put £300 holiday spends back courtesy of Paps 100 day challenge. All I need to do is keep the grocery bills low the next couple of weeks so that we can have some treat food to take away with us.

I've a day off tomorrow so I plan to start clearing out some of the garden and shed rubbish to the tip (weather permitting). I am a bit concerned about opening the shed door though, I have visions of it all tumbling out on top of me :eek:

Feeling far to lazy to do anything tonight, it might have to be a night in front the TV

penelopedee_2

I've had a good day today - managed to decorate the bathroom as well as the usual running around. The rain put a stop to clearing out the shed (I know, excuses, excuses ).

My only spend has been the bathroom paint. It looks a lot better now, its wasn't until I started decorating that I realised how tatty it was looking.

I'm going to finish the glossing at the weekend and then DH is going to lay some new lino tiles for me. Can't wait as the current ones have been selotaped down to stop people tripping on them :eek:

I'm hanging now tonight so its going to be bath and early bed for me. Also another AF day which I'm pleased with too.

penelopedee_2

OK then, positive things that made me smile today ....

* DS's joy that rugby has started back
* Asda shop came on time with no subs
* Work was hassel free
* I've managed to save some holiday spends
* The newly decorated bathroom is still sparkling for me
* The AA man was nice and kind this morning
* We are all well and healthy
* Another AF day to add to the list

Finished running around. DH is out for the night so I'm going to settle down for some girly TV

penelopedee_2

I had a good day at work today, achieved a fair bit and even got some thanks DS is away for the weekend so just the pair of us having a quiet evening in. As we managed to end up in credit before payday (the effects of meal planning must be kicking in) I treated us to a key lime pie for tea. It was very nice but I hate to think what its doing to my waistline. I'd better get rid of the packaging before DS comes back or he will be gutted!

DH managed another coat of stain on the garden furniture and it is beginning to look nice out there, despite the howling gales. Hopefully my bench will be put back together again in time for some more sunshine.

Going to have a calm and quiet weekend if I have anything to do with it. I want to take some more rubbish to the tip and then finish off decorating the bathroom. Might even do the hallway too if time permits.

Have a good weekend all :beer:

beanielou

Have a good weekend yourself

penelopedee_2

Bliss, I had a lie in today and it was much needed. I finished the bathroom and had enough paint left to do the back hall. My only spends were finishing the works on the car and that wasn't too bad.

Need some positive thoughts from today to keep my mellow mood going, so:

*Car wasn't as bad as it could be
*I slept all night and even had a lie in
*The hall looks lovely now and I feel motivated enough to do the rest of down stairs
*Had a cheque from one of my cash back accounts to top up the holiday funds
*The stormy weather has cleared to some beautiful sunshine
*4 loads of washing drying on the line

Another quiet night in for DH and I, so off to see whats chillin in the fridge