Sorting through my rubbish

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 19 September 2013 at 10:56AM

Hi Trix,

Hope you are ok, I have visions of you crafting away, up to your eyeballs in glue and paint!!!

I have updated my signature with the somewhat scary true picture of my debts, how on earth have I got to this point and why oh why am I still here 3 years after starting this diary??? Can blame it on all sorts of things but in reality I am a shopaholic, can't say no to my kids and DH thinks I have a bottomless pit of money to always pay for unexpected bills despite me telling him otherwise!

I have worked out my budget, tight but achievable I think. I will pay off Nxt in 3 months and then HSBC. I am then torn between clearing the small cards first (but they are interest free atm) or concentrating on [EMAIL="N@west"]N@west[/EMAIL]. I feel for my motivation I need to clear the smaller ones so that I have less debts to worry over if that makes sense. Can't wait to ONLY have the [EMAIL="N@West"]N@West[/EMAIL] one!!

Kids and DH had spag bol again last night, he is making a spicy sausage pasta bake tonight which will do tomorrow night as well. Will prob do a nice curry Saturday night as DS1 is home. Need to write a shopping list to make sure I get what we need and hit my £35 spend for the Pay day bonus at Mossies!!

DH has been busy doing all the little decorating jobs that have been bugging me for ages, touching up walls etc and decorated DDs new room for her (well changed the paint from brown to purple below the dado rail, it's still cream above). Hasn't cost anything as we had all of the paint anyway but makes the house seem so much more loved and will save me my usual pre-Xmas painting spree!!! I want to paint the kitchen and think there may be some paint suitable in the shed, will have a look.

I need the kids to finish sorting their stuff tonight as I want DS to come home to an organised home, DH has offered to help DD with this before I get home.

Must fly as I'm at work *cough cough*

Catch-up soon

321 xxx

trixiepix · 23 September 2013 at 9:05AM

Good Morning lovely lady,

Your vision of me up to my eyes in crafting wasn't far wrong, lol!! - i'm working on christmas bits and bobs at the mo, (my friend prompted me at the weekend that the craft fayres aren't too far off and realised i'd yet to make much:eek:) - sewing stuff mainly, so shabby chic, nordic looking reindeers, gingerbread men etc that can be freestanding decorations, some tree decorations, doorstops and chalkboards are in the pipeline (helped if i would have remembered to buy the mdf and blackboard paint at that big DIY shop on wednesday when i took my mum with her discount card, tut!!) - i've finally managed to get a few things on ebay, a dress sold for just over £2 which was a tad dissappointing!! (won't be buying my ferrari anytime soon, lol!!) and the rest are due for auction end next weekend, the plan is to list one thing per night (i'll be listing until 2025!!!:D) and if i'm able to put more on then it's a bonus - i'm trying a bit of psycological trickery on myself, when i think of ebaying i'm always 'right then i have 140 things to list tonight' (ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but there's always a pile i hope to get to the bottom of in one evening!) and i end up talking myself out of starting as it's an unrealistic goal - so one item i should be able to manage!!:cool: (even with the crafting!)

Well done you on your debt repayment plan, i completely get where you are with the small debts first mindset as it's so satisfying to have a zero balance and a tick next to it to show it's gone for good! - I've got Nxt card to pay off (couple of hundred on there at the mo!) hopefully in the next couple of months too (depending on ebay!!!!) as we'd really like to think about changing our sofas next year and was hoping to possibly grab a bargain in one of the NXT sales.

Glad to hear the bedroom re-shuffleing (hmmm, made up word i think

) in nearly finished) - i always feel so much better when we've had a bit of a clear/sort and a lick of paint, it's really uplifting and so much easier to maintain and clean and definately puts a spring in your step!

Due to DH having had a bit of OT this month, the kitchen is going be restarted again shortly, so wall cupboards will finally be replaced and at least then both halves of the kitchen will match :T - still loads to do in there but baby steps and all that!

I so feel for you when you mentioned being in the same place 3 years on, as you already know i readily admit to being a shopaholic, i too can't say 'no' to my kids and have a DH who is very black and white about spending which proves to be very challenging!!

My goals at the moment, priority is to not spend more than i earn every month!, i so struggle to keep in budget, in fact i can't remember a month where we've had money left in the bank by payday!
Hopefully generate some money (ebay, craft fayres) to help towards christmas, pay off NXt and then start putting some money away to pay a chunk off of loan - time will tell if it all works out!!

Hope all ok with you lovely

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 26 September 2013 at 3:21PM

Hi Hun

Just popped in for a quick update.

The bedroom 're-shuffling' has been completed:j, resulting in the local charity shops being re-stocked!! I still have facebook/ebay mountain to dispose of on the landing but things are definately feeling more organised.

Foodwise we have been keeping to the weekly shop and next week we qualify for the £10 off our shopping - a small win for the 321 household!!

Today is payday so I have made the first payment in my debt repayment plan, with more to follow later in the month when I receive Tax Credits and maintainence money.

I have been a little naughty though. I have taken some of my redundancy money and booked a city break for myself, on my own for this weekend! I have never done anything like this before and can't quite believe I'm doing it now. I am going back to Barcelona and seeing all the architecture etc I couldn't see in April because I was too poorly. I'm very excited and a bit nervous!! I have booked a frugally as possible and will budget whilst over there. DH doesn't understand why I want to go alone but I know he has no interest in looking at the Picasso's or the Gaudi buildings so he would be bored stiff and I would feel under pressure to look at things quickly and move on, this way I can stand and look at one painting for and hour if I feel like it!. The kids think it's great and all my friends say I deserve it after the year I've had, job stresses, sickness and DS1 joining up. Will let you know how I get on!

I have made the first payment towards DDs school trip. Paid and extra £150 into the bills account as it was looking a bit sad and paid £50 to DH towards the new dishwasher, so am chipping away at things.

Hope the crafting is going well and the [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL] sales are looking good. Has hubby started on the kitchen yet?? It will feel good to get that finished it is such a huge part of any house and a massive undertaking to update, that and the bathroom are always the worst!!

Onwards and upwards

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 4 October 2013 at 12:17PM

Hi Hun

Well I'm back from my trip to Barcelona, it was fabulous, I felt so relaxed and at home, managed to see loads of things through prebooking tickets and planning so it felt like I was away for about a week, not just 2 nights!!

Stayed within budget and have just checked my bank account and it's looking ok, I have checked what direct debits still have to go out, I have expenses and child maintainence to still come in so should be able to pay another 200 of my debts by the end of the month. Gotta do a food shop tomorrow using my 10 pound discount, DH is coming with me but I will keep him under control!!

House is a mess as I have been feeling grotty since my break, got a gastric/fluey type thing but will attempt to have a bit of a tidy up over the weekend.

Must must must tackle the ebay mountain, it's still there looking at me!!

How is your money making going hun??

Right must fly, will check back in asap.

Have a great weekend

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 8 October 2013 at 11:23AM

Hi Hun

Got some very sad news yesterday. Our beloved Labrador was poorly all over the weekend, rang our lovely vet and he gave us some advice and said to take her in yesterday if she was no better. DH and DS1 took her in and he has done some blood tests, the preliminary ones indicate that she has terminal liver cancer!:( She is just lying there, not eating or drinking, very, very sad. DD is really upset as she was just a baby when we got the dog so has never been without her.

We are awaiting the results of the second set of blood work before any decisions are made but it's not looking good!!

We do have pet insurance so I am hoping they will cover any expenses, never claimed on it before.

Nothing much else to report, had a very frugal weekend, DS was home and I spent a lot of time cooking, made 24 cupcakes, chocolate and banana cake, pasta bake, crustless quiche, pizzas for lunchboxes etc etc etc! Shopped to my list and used my £10 discount but then DH decided to take himself shopping yesterday and spent £30 on what should have been less than £10, could have killed him, none of it was urgent anyway and could have waited until my end of week shop and been part of my £40 qualifying shop for the Xmas Saver. MEN!!!

Best run as I'm at work, jump everytime the phone rings incase it's news of the dog, bless her she has been such a lovely pet, very loving and loyal. I went to the vets to see her yesterday and although she couldn't move she managed to wag her tail when she saw me!

Take care and 'speak' soon

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 10 October 2013 at 11:08AM

Hi Trixie

Good News:j, the dog has Acute Pancreatitis NOT Cancer. Went to see her last night at the vets and it was like a miracle, she got up on her feet (shakey, but managed it) had a little walk around and drank a big bowl of water unaided. If the next blood results show enough improvement she should be home for the weekend!:T

I've continued to be frugal with food this week but did go to WH Sm!ths yesterday to get River Cottage Everyday and River Cottage Veg, 2 for £10 instead of £20 each.

Bank account looking ok, need to pay £70 for DDs riding lessons through school and should still be able to pay another £200 off of Nxt before next payday.

Got both Nieces birthdays coming up, will put a cheque in the post!

No more expenses I can think of (except vet bill!!)before payday (26th) so should be ok.

Frugal weekend planned, will be nursing the dog and decluttering, sorting my winter wardrobe and (hopefully) get around to faceb00king the mountain on the landing!

Must do some work now, hope you are all well Trix.

Take care

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 14 October 2013 at 1:51PM

Hi Trixie.

Getting worried as I've not heard from you for a while, hope you and yours are all ok.

Quiet weekend at Casa 321. DS1 stayed in his barracks, DS2 was at his Dad's so just me, DH and DD home with the poorly woofer!! Finally sorted my wardrobe, said a sad goodbye to the summer skirts and dresses:( but a fond hello to my winter skirts and boots:D. Tidied the room at the same time so quite pleased with myself.

This week I need to tackle the paperwork mountain(s) and do the claim for the vet bill. I am worried that I will not be able to make my second debt repayment this month, I need to pay for DD's horse riding lessons through the school (£70) and find the money for the vet bill (£400) I think I will use the debt busting money to pay that and then pay it off when/if the insurance pays out. It is either that or take it from my rapidly dwindling redundancy emergency fund.

Made a yummy liver (YS to 45p) and bacon (Value cooking type) casserole yesterday and had it with loads of mashed potatoes (2 x YS to 25p), also used a reduced, 45p bag of mixed chunky casserole veg so it was cheap and very healthy. Enough left for another meal too.

Have managed NOT to put the heating on yet, usually try and last until November, our house is a 1930's one and seems to stay quite warm. Have fleece blankets at the ready for snuggling up when required and a friend is giving DD a memory foam mattress topper so she will be snuggly this winter.

Haven't done any baking this weekend so will try and do some during the week. Do have some chocolate and banana cake in the freezer though.

Right to do this week;

Claim on Insurance for the vet bill
List some of the mountain on Facebook
Sort through and file the paperwork mountain
Keep food shop to a minimum (but over £40)

Must fly as at work, hope to hear from you soon hun

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog · 15 October 2013 at 3:40PM

OMG, can't quite believe I'm typing this but we've had some good news!!!!!

Hubby applied for a job recently with our local NHS Trust, the job was advertised for only a day and over 100 people applied for it and DH got it!!!

No firm details yet but it means he'll finally be on a salary with all the benefits, holiday, sick leave and pension after 5-6 years of hourly pay and no benefits!

Gotta go but wanted to share this!

321 xxx