Just me, random skint not mint diary

penelopedee_2

I had a bit of a not quite mid life crisis this week, one of those moments where everything shifts slightly and mindset goes all weird. I've outgrown the old diary so here is the new one.

Probably full of nothing but oddness and random waffling, but something to keep me going whilst everything else feels so transient.

There will be no targets, no aims, no pressure - just me.

Lets see how it goes ....

Pen

penelopedee_2

Just realised I haven't actually diarised anything from that post ...

Today was good, lunch was a piri piri chicken from Mr T's which was stunning (and saved me having to come up with some new ideas).

I dyed all the tea towels and kitchen hand towels grey today (to go with the work tops and handles etc). DS thinks it looks horrible, DH loves it. Me, I don't really mind what it looks like I just fed up with the beige ones looking grotty and I'm too skint to get a new set just so it looks nice.

So a bit MSE with dying the towels. DH is horrified I used the washing machine and is convinced everything else is going to come out grey in future (perhaps I should have done them bright pink)

missymoo81

hey Penelope happy new diary, will keep reading with interest

Mags30

penelopedee wrote: »

There will be no targets, no aims, no pressure - just me.

I like that idea, hope you feel better about whatever is upsetting you soon:)

Moneytroubles_2

Hi Penelope - Enjoy your new diary xxx

penelopedee_2

Been neglecting the diary again

Life has been running along as usual, total chaos and much headless chicken type stuff. I now have an enforced target as the roof defo needs mending and I need to find £2500 as soon as possible (at least).

Oh hum, so I've got about £1000 hidden which was originally going to include christmas pressies etc and the car tax that needs replacing in Dec. But I seem to have been doing ok in sorting out Christmas from the grocery budget and we'll just have to be mega frugal in January if I need to raid it again for the car tax.

So as well as debtbusting as much as I can, I am now trying to scrimp bits to chuck in the savings account. I am finding it very difficult and I'm fed up to the back teeth with it to be honest but its nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it.

I'm off work on hols today (well hols at home) and I've let myself have a little money to get some tops from a charity shop. One of my jobs is in a posh office and I need to keep looking fairly decent. I did raid the old cupboard in my bedroom and find some old skirts that I've ironned up and look pretty nice with the tops, so with my old black boots I should get away with it.

I also let DH have the money to get us a roast to cook today. Just because its raining and cold and we needed something nice. It worked a treat and DS is having a friend over to stay too which has cheered everyone up (even if they do keep me up until late chatting and laughing).

So a bit angry with life at the mo, but at least my family are brill and at the end of the day its only money

maman

Just called in to say hello Pen. Sorry to hear you've got money worries, but at least you're putting some extra money towards the savings:D Good Luck.

penelopedee_2

Feeling chirpier this morning. I've finally finished my course work so I can forget all about that now

Spends wise - I will be popping out later to get some milk but that's all we need to do. I managed to throw another couple of pounds into the saving's pot. Must go and do a meal planner for the rest of the week though as know that's one of our downfalls.

Lovely and sunny here today, and I've a row of white school shirts drying on the line, bliss

penelopedee_2

Time to get back to basics I think, as I've almost run out of money until payday (Friday). Some of it due to a trip to London last weekend but mainly due to taking my eye off the ball over the last couple of months.

No real damage done but no decent progress either so I need another plan of action.

1. I will take sarnies everyday to work, plus some snack bits and I will stop feeding the vending machine. I'm also going to keep cup-a-soups in my drawer as the weather starts to get colder.

2. School night AF'ness stays so I can finish Christmas without dipping into the savings.

3. Meal planning is back and so is fortnightly shopping. I have been really bad recently popping onto the shops and coming out £30 lighter. A few days last week I spent about £20 during the day and another £30 later in the evening :eek: Worse thing is the kitchen is filled with food.

4. No other shopping, especially clothes, toiletries and bits for the house until after Christmas.

5. I need two front tyres this month so my hair will have to wait until the beginning of December - which at least will mean my highlights look nice and new over Chrimbo (perhaps I am getting better as in the past I would have just chucked this on the CC without a second thought).

The only thing I need to get this week will be petrol by about Thursday and then a bit of meat and veg for the weekend. We are all home this weekend so I can do a proper meal plan and I want a roast on Sunday to keep me busy in the kitchen and out of the shops

I want to get through Christmas without feeling sick about money. Most of the pressies have been bought (and paid for). Food is being collected each week (we have a family party here on Christmas Eve), and I'm going to make the most of the 25% off wine off at Mr T's when I get paid as that runs until the 7th. Luckily we're good at hiding stuff back until the big day.

So no targets, but just being sensible to stop throwing money away. I am putting me first and not handing over my hard earned dosh so easily.

penelopedee_2

I am going to sound really dumb now .....

I started up a money notebook yesterday, as it dawned on me I don't have a budget or a spreadsheet or anything. I never know exactly how much money I have on me at anytime, in the bank, in my purse or on my work vending key. So I just spend blindly.

I've worked out and written down when I get paid, how much and when all the bills come out and made a basic budget of what's left each week.

Now I know this isn't rocket science and its what this site is all about, but actually its the first time I've really sat down and made this sort of plan

I am listing anything that I spend, knocking the amount off the right running total.

So for once in my life I feel organised and know exactly down to the last penny where I am. I thought I was completely skint but actually I do have a couple £ to see me through if I need them to payday. The picture isn't particularly stunning but at least I know what the picture is.

Choc-addict

Hey Pen,

Just found your new diary! Hope you are ok and glad to see you are being a little kinder to yourself

Sorry money is so tight at the moment, know the feeling. It won't always be like this and the more we work at it now the sooner we'll see the benefits later on

Take care x