GOAL Debt free by July 2012

missexcel

Xmas dinner went ok! Could have been better, I was cooking for my OH family and he was only around between 12-4 pm (because of his job!) so I did ask the family to arrive around 1-1.30 so he had time for his dinner to go down before work - they all eventually showed up at 2.30 so everything had to be kept warm! lol - and then his mother turned up (his parents split a year ago) so there was some serious tension between everyone, thankfully she only hung around for about 20 mins!

Food was good though and we've had a lovely few days munching leftovers... How was your Christmas?

xx

missexcel

2011 is looming so I've put together a couple of resolutions - just read somewhere it's better to achieve a couple then fail loads, so here they are:

1 - Set and achieve monthly Grocery Challenge targets.
2 - Set and achieve monthly NSD Challenge
3 - Pay minimum of £250 EXTRA off debt each month.
4 - Clear overdraft with cash from selling stuff on eBay
5 - Loose a stone (ish), OH to propose soon (a little birdie tells me) so I may as well start getting ready for a wedding :j !

missexcel

Morning All,

It's back to work for me today but I'm very lucky to only be doing 10-4 instead of 9-5.30!!!:T

After putting together my NYR's and sorting out a rough budget I'm feeling positive for next year. BUT we went to IKEA on Monday and I bought some new scales (£2.99 bargain!) And I weigh quite a bit more than I did 4 months ago! 1st7lb more to be precise!!! :eek:
So I'm going to need to add another one onto my NYR's - Get back to my normal, comfortable weight! Already downloaded a free App on my iPhone to log my calories, excercise and weight so getting myslef started already! Put the gym kit in the car this morning but as we're still in 'the season to be jolly' I might let myself start back at the gym in the new year - but who knows I might swiong by the gym on my way home from work :rotfl:

So todays plan;
- [STRIKE]Should be a NSD[/STRIKE] :A
- Go gym or declutter kitchen of all Xmassy food
- Get some ironing done as it's been sitting for a while
- [STRIKE]Check that the Tesco order for next week doesn't have too much fatty food, i did place it weeks ago so can't remember what I've ordered![/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Have a look round house and make eBay list[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Relist clothes which didn't sell in Nov[/STRIKE]

I love this diary, I can make lists and look back over the last week to see what I have and haven't done, much better than all the scraps of paper I usually use (and lose)

Hope everyone is feeling as positive as me today - If not here's a smile, pass it on

xxx

missexcel

Well it's Thursday, which means it's nearly FRIDAY!!

Still got no plans for NYE, OH is very poorly with ManFlu so I'm thinking I might go and rent Lord of the Rings Trilogy and make a Steak Pie for Dinner and spend NYE on the sofa scoffing leftover Christmas Chocs - but depends how he's feeling. We've been invited to his Dad's, GF's, Sisters's House for a NYE party but tbh as they've only been seeing each other 2-3months and we've only met her the once let alone the whole family I'm not sure my OH wants to go. His parents only slit up just over a year ago so he's not used to this 2 sepeare families thing! He just wants 1 family where everyone gets on - and I don't blame him. My parents broke up when I was very young so it's all iv'e known but It stresses him out a lot.

Today I will/Have:
- [STRIKE]Make stew in slow cooker before work[/STRIKE] and been told it smells yummy
- Put a wash on (OH may have to do this as I forgot)
- [STRIKE]Work 10-4 again[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Check for Surveys[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Bring L/O Lasagne to work for lunch[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Check OB and put 'Change' into Savings[/STRIKE]
- Check on items currently on eBay
- Find a lampshade for Bedroom - Use Argos Voucher from Mum
- As money due - pop to Cashpoint and pay in

Happy Thursday!!

missexcel

Evening All!!

Well today (for the most part) has been lovely, no drinking last night, stayed in with OH and watched the first of the LotR Trilogy.
Then spent morning/early afternoon in bed watching the second.
Spot of dinner in the evening and now OH is playing on his PC :mad:

So, i've logged on and though it's about time for a check up, see how MSE i've been over the last few days.

Saved some pennies throughout the week by taking lunches to work every day, means I saved petrol too as I didn't need to go out to get lunch. Saved money on NYE by not going out, instead bought 3 DVD's £15 and a couple of pizzas £3.99 BOGOF

We've decided to start decorating the house, it's a new build so magnolia all over but as the plaster has dried cracks have emerged, so we need to start filling holes and giving the place our personal touch - starting small with the downstairs toilet tomorrow.

Plan for the weekend (not in order):

1 - [STRIKE]Fill in crack in DSBathroom[/STRIKE]
2 - [STRIKE]Shelves up in Kitchen[/STRIKE]
3 - Down the tip - mirror + boxes
4 - [STRIKE]Up the loft - Xmas decs[/STRIKE]
5 - [STRIKE]Buy paint for Bathroom - Crown 'Smoulder'[/STRIKE]
6 - [STRIKE]Paint the Bathroom - grey[/STRIKE]
7 -Gloss door and skirting
8 - Find picture on eBay for Bathroom wall

Now to do some online research to see who's doing the cheapest paint :A

xxx

missexcel

Hello Diary,

Well today has been so far been ok, i've been a naughtly little monkey and had a mince pie, when I promised myself no more!! But I'll consider it a blip and soldier on!

I have been reading through a few other peoples diaries today and got some new ideas and inspiration. So i may as well set myself a To Do list for the week! It's a four day week this week so there's something to feel positive about.

To Do
- [STRIKE]Post eBay items x 3[/STRIKE]
- Move funds from PayPal into current
- Look for necklaces for bridesmaids
- Search for picture for Loo
- [STRIKE]IRONING[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Tesco order last minute update[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Dark wash[/STRIKE]
- Make up some pasta bakes for work lunch
- look into £10 per week spending limit?
- Post 5 more items on eBay
- Final Hen Party arrangements for Mum
- Outfit for Mums Hen Party
- [STRIKE]Outfit for work meeting tomorrow[/STRIKE]
- White paint for ceiling (buy tester pot)

All the DD's have gone out now so bank balance is looking a little low but some eBay selling funds will brighten up the outlook.

Looking forward to the weekend!!

missexcel

Feeling really inspired, just been reading a few threads on the Old-Style boards. Read about someone who got to a stage where they didn't dare check their bank balance, literally did not look at it and just behaved as if they had no money - some time later eventually looked at their account and had £2k in there! Cracking story!!

And so many people doing such wonderful things, feeling like there is a whole worls out there i've yet to discover.
I've always behaved the same way towards my momey and my spending habits, I spend to 'feed' some kind of monster in my head that feels hungry. NO. Not anymore.
I went to a little tesco today for some milk.........and I came out with.......MILK! Jsut milk! This has to be a first for me and i'm so please with myself.

I'm thinking now it's all about those little changes we make, they can add up to fantastic savings!!

missexcel

Hello Diary,

Had a mare this morning, could not find my keys, OHF borrowed them last night to unlock back door and this morning for the life of me could not find them. Took OH keys/car to work then searched my hanbag again and they were in one of the pockets. lol! Good job OH is on nights and won't need to leave the house or use his car!!

Just popping in to log the ToDo list whilst I've got 5 minutes.

- [STRIKE]Move funds from PayPal into current[/STRIKE]
- Search for picture for Loo
- [STRIKE]Book next tesco order (20-01)[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Make up some pasta bakes for work lunch[/STRIKE]
- [STRIKE]Post 5 more items on eBay[/STRIKE]
- Outfit for Mums Hen Party
- White paint for ceiling (buy tester pot)
- [STRIKE]change eBay bill payment details![/STRIKE]

Found out the I can sell via my eBay app too - I thought it was just for buying and browsing but no, I can sell too!! woop!! means I can do em quickly at work :T

Anyways, about to ahve my lunch and prepare for the busy afternoon!

xx

missexcel

Has it really only been 19 days since I started this? Well I'm amazed at how well all these little hints and tips really work!
Simply buying slightly differently and doing the NSD's is amazing.

Had an appointment this morning about my neck and it's apparently a lot worse than I thought - I just get on with is usually but the headaches are getting rediculous. Apparently 4 months of physio and I should feel much better, can't say I like the idea of physio - but as long as the insurance company pay for it i'm happy.
Having a bad day with my neck today - can feel a horrible headache coming on which is a bit rubbish!!

Mums Hen do tonight, still have no idea what to wear! I always like wearing dresses with heels but i'm tall and busty so can often look like a giant tart! When you're busty there is a fine line between looking frumpy and looking like a tart, if you're covering up too much you look like a tent and if you show too much you look like a hooker.

Thinking Black jeans, nice top, cardi and heels, but I'll have to wear my shoe boots as it's far to cold for no socks!! I have either brown ones or grey so it's now about findng a top to go with - it's very hard to resist a little pop to next after work - but I shall resist at all costs (or go to Matalan!)

The weekend ahead should be nice, OH is not working this weekend so will be able to spend some thime with him! And then a short week next week, got Thursday and Friday off to get ready for Mum's wedding. Still deciding whether to go and get my hair done or try to put it off until next month :undecided
If i get it done next week it will be nice for Mums wedding and I can get them to put in the fringe i'm so desperate for (but will probably regret as soon as she cuts it) BUT I had it done in December so probably could wait until February and save myself some money (£65!).

I think this may be my reward for my NSD's 10 so far out of a possible 13!!
I may pinch a bit out of OHF's rent this week for it, I know it's bad but as my OH agrees, we would rather live alone as we're young and this is the first home we've owned together (rented before), and I find it more difficult than my OH does as he's not my Dad, and I'm the only woman in the house, and my OH works shift so some weeks 4 nights of 7 i'm in alone with his Dad! We've agreed that the odd treat bought with his rent is well deserved, til now I have resisted but I think I may use a little.

Been saving my 'change' from my CA and am nearly at £100 - as soon as it gets there I'll be paying it off my loan :rotfl:

On with my day I suppose!!

missexcel

Hello Diary!

Being a bit lazy with my updates and targets this week.
I think the Hen do last week which forced me to sit round a table with my sisters has pushed me further into the low I was already leaning into.

I don't know if it's the weather, the time of year, the fact Christmas is over, my finances, redundancy looming, my sh*t box car, my uterus calling out for a child or simply the stone i've put on in the past 4 months that is causing me to feel a low.
I have always battled with these 'lows' often they last for months at a time and although as i've got older i've been able to identify when one is starting and the tactics i need to deal with them it doesn't stop them creeping in and doesn't make it any easier to make the first steps towards getting out.
I have often been tempted to speak to my doctor to see if it is a type of depression but I'm scared he will say it is and try to get me on medication! I can beat them by myself, it just takes perseverance.

Anyway, i've identified a low is starting, and the last low cause me and my OH to seperate for a month, he moved out and everything, it was a proper break up, until I got out of my low and he fell in love with me all over again and we've been happier since than ever before- moral of the story - DON'T LET IT GET THAT FAR!!!

So, now I have 2 reasons for this diary, primarily finance but on the side a little tool to keep track of this 'low'.

TO DO:
Carry on with NSD's - Great feeling!![STRIKE]
Go to the gym, following workout planner[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Eat better - forgot how much I love prunes[/STRIKE]:D
[STRIKE] Sell larger items on eBay[/STRIKE]
Clean the oven!!
[STRIKE] Hair done before Sat (Mums Wedding)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE] Fake tan before Sat (use up the countless bottles of the stuff I have)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE] Mani & Pedi (at home of course)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Call Kitchen door people - check on order - no email received[/STRIKE]
Finish painting the toilet
[STRIKE] Call bank about cashpoint deposit!![/STRIKE]
Picture for Loo
[STRIKE] Decide recipes for Mums cakes[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE] Make cakes for Mum (Mum knows baking cheers me up!)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE] Remind OH to pick up his suit Friday
Remind OH to book time off
Washing & Ironing before the weekend
Wedding gift for Mum?
[/STRIKE]

Well that's it for now, really going to get myself together - my 2 days off work this week should help!

xx