Ecoelles journey to a debt free future

ecoelle

Nummy Nummy flapjacks, i'm going to get them out of the oven soon...then i'm going to 'test' them, then i'm going to take the rest to the firework party tonight! I'll let you know how nice they are, i'm never very confident with flapjacks, as they either fall apart or they're so hard that i break my teeth!

These ones are a new recipe which uses golden syrup and lots of dried fruit, hopefully they will be chewy little bits of naughtiness!

SmlSave

Ho Eco

Just popping on to say you're doing great and keep up the good work!

Yum to flapjacks .... do you eat half the mixture when uncooked like I do?

ecoelle

Lol, no i'm a good girl, i have baked two types

Date, almond and apricot

Raisin, sunflower and pumpkin seed

Yum!

Thanks Smlsave, was satrting to think noone was reading! Not really bothered if people don't read, or if they read and don't reply, it's just good to get it all down where i can re-read it adn keep track of everything in one place, i think the Sig has helped too!

brizzledfw

Don't worry...yes we're reading. Have fun with the fireworks!! I generally find that just taking control of the finances..and using cash as you've said you are starting to do helps you track what's going on and that leads to understanding more about where it all goes and whether that's actually what you really want to spend it on! Also OH and I have real differences in what we think about money and what we like to spend it on..makes for some sparky (ok and down right depressing!) conversations!!

Keep posting! X

ecoelle

Hello all, well i'm home from work, and it's been a shocker of a day, mut over now and i have my first Sunday in 3 weeks off! So i'm plaaning vegging in front of the tv with cups of tea and some of the homemade flapjack left over from yesterday.

Had a great time at my friends and the fireworks were lovely but my goodnes, some people have money to burn! I felt really stingy. We arrived and some other friends were already there, then another couple arrived so all in all there were 4 couples. The friends whose house it was had bought loads of fireworks some of which were about £20 each! Then they cooked a big pot of chilli and put on baked potatoes, salads, coleslaw, tuna, cheese, beans and thn hot dogs and onions in rolls. There was masses of food and these really expensive fireworks, and they had the heating on full blast, all the lights, the tv was on even though we spent alot of time outside, and i turn up with a plate of flapjack

I don't know maybe i'm the mad one and they are living like 'normal' people but i felt that not only, 'my goodness this must cost a fortune' but also 'my goodness this is wasteful' so maybe i'm past the point of no return, maybe i shall never again be able to turn on a lightswitch without thinking about the dial spinning!

It was a lovely night, but it does make me wonder if i had stuck to the original career plan and been miserable, at least i'd be warm and have a full belly

I have managed another no spend day today, and am feeling better about the debt. I think that we should be able to get through the rest of the week without spending anything else!

ecoelle

Well what a day!

I got up really early this morning and i don't know, something, just something told me it would be a good day...and it has been!

I was up at 7 then started by making a fruit crumble, not what i usually do on a Sunday morning, but to be fair it wasn't for me. I wanted to make it for my Dad, he loves Crumble, and it was his birthday this week. He knows we don't have a lot of money and wasn't expecting a present but i thought that it would be nice to give him something.

So then the phone rang at 10am and i thought 'bloody hell that's work' but...it wasn't, it was a friend in need and i went running, only a flat battery but i got it going for her. Afterwards we had a cuppa and then i don't know why but i came clean with her about a lot of stuff i've kept inside. I'm not very good at asking for help, or for letting someone else take control, but today i let it all go and feel brill!

I was telling her about problems i've been having at work, just feel like the staff take the michael, i'm always the one who gets given extra stuff to do and sort out everyone elses problems, which then means i have to stay late to sort out all of my stuff, but no more! I am, from now on, a deligation convert, i am going to support my staff to do their jobs, but not do them for them! I also told her about the whole money situation and she was great, turns out i'm not the only one in debt!

The i went to my parents and had a cuppa with my dad, gave him his crumble, he was chuffed, then came home and i've baked more flapjacks for this weeks lunch boxes, and got dinner on the go for when hubby comes home.

Why can't it be like this every day? I'm feeling really positive about work, and am going to try and only work the hours i'm paid for this week...this will make a change and will most likely shock the hell out of my boss who expects me to be there 24/7, not because he expects it of every member of staff but i've made a rod for my own back and it's time for change!

Never realised starting this diary would lead me to change more than just the way i spend money, i'm changing the way i live and work as well!

oooh, yummy flapjack still warm from the oven......aaaaah (sighs contentedly)

Herewego

Well done on such a positive day,it's good you have written it down as there are always the odd down days while debt busting and you can read back and see it's not always doom and gloom.
Good for you changing your attitude to work it's important you take time out for yourself.
I know what you mean about friends wasting money it makes me cringe and i guess most of them have their own debts just not had their LBM yet.
Well done keep up the good work the flapjacks sound lovely, off to subscribe

ecoelle

Herewego - Thanks, can you explain your sig to me?

Herewego

Which bit ?
Had/Have massive cc debt given up everything and hoping to pay off by dec 2011
Lloyds is the card i am attacking at the moment
Paydays until DFD
Paydays until MFD
Days until payday, I remove a smiley everyday so i know how close until payday
Hope that helps

ecoelle

Oh, ok, i assume DFD is debt free day and MFD is mortgage free day, i love the payday smiley's!