Debt free by Summer 2012 (if not sooner!)

DebtFree2012

Awwww what a lovely way of looking at it. A fresh pair of eyes and all that

I have put the petrol in this morning as didn't have time yesterday so that's done and will see me through until the end of the week then it's half term so I won't be putting much in, if any then, as we don't use my car much. It's pay day when I am off so I will be doing a grocery shop which will include getting stocked up on esesntials for over the winter. Will also do a menu plan to take me through to Christmas hols (fin on 16th WAHOO) then will do Christmas Day "Menu" too where we're having family over. I don't plan on scrimping this year for Christmas lunch but I will be making sure it's well planned and I get the best price for everything. At the moment I have in my mind enough to feed an army so I need to tone it down a bit!

Also over half term I will be going shopping for a couple of winter essentials for my wardrobe, which I don't know what they will be yet! I have a very limited wardrobe so I need to choose carefully and get key pieces. I would like to get home stuff opposed to work and I'm a bit out of my depth there.

On the debt busting front there's not much doing other than to say I haven't spent anything from my pot containing the loan overpayment so that's a bonus. Once my little hols are out of the way (not rushing them AT all!) then I will be adding more to it and making more payments but until then it's that awful time of the month where everything's grinding to a halt financially.

Oh except I found £3!

xxx

xxx

Skint_but_Optimistic

its the planning which keeps us driving onwards when we cant actually pay anything lol

DebtFree2012

I have picked up my boots and shoes from the cobblers and what a good job they've done, although I expected them to give them a good clean too which they haven't so I suppose I was expecting too much.
They will scrub up like new though once i get my hands on them tonight (in car at present and I'm in the office ) so tomorrow I will feel like i have a new pair of shoes on lol

I'm going to steal an idea from Livvy's diary and get my clothes ready in advance as i'm always in the same gear just alternating and they could all be mixed and matched and accessorised then I'd feel female again. At present i'm just going day to day getting jobs done, being a mam, wife, employee and so on but not actually feeling good about myself whilst doing it. i'm not down or anything - just want to feel smart and look a bit better lol.

£15.03 spent on petrol and £7 on shoes, so yesterday actually was a NSD in the end lol. Also £1 to school. I think I will up my school fares allowance to give me some breathing space for all the spare £1's i have to find. Breakfast club is £15 each for me and DH so will ask for £20 to cover the £1 every monday and the few quids we have to find for the one off's etc.

DD has had a growth spurt and not her cardi ls looking tight whereas before it was baggy - sod's law? It'll have to do til Christmas time and see what next year brings.

xxx

Skint_but_Optimistic

Will need to stop feeling those kids. They are like runner beans!

DebtFree2012

Tell me about it, leggings, jeans etc - all too short now, skirts are the way forward!

Cardi's will just have to play week by week. I have the same problem with my clothes for different reasons! LOL.

xxxx

Skint_but_Optimistic

me too, i seem to have developed curves in all the wrong places.

DebtFree2012

Morning peeps

Well last day in the office today - off for half term and can't wait!!!

We have no big plans so that's even more exciting, just doing what we fancy!

Will catch up on all the boring stuff like housework etc so in a good place when have to come back to work but let's not think about that yet!!!

Off to check my accounts and my SO is set up correctly for Tuesday which is pay day.

xxx

DebtFree2012

Right - all done and even checked my energy accounts. We're using ALOT less energy last year however still more than I would like to be using. Currently I'm using £13 more every 2 months than I pay for. So rather than up the direct debit I want to reduce useage even futher. We did really well with this at one point but recently it's slipped and I'm using the dryer more and the heating's been on the odd few hours. We have a wood burner which goes on and doesn't come out of my heating bill so I'll make good use of that and also use it to dry the clothes.

I think we really need to consider getting a wood burner if we move to a country house, that does the heating too. The prices of fuel are astronomical and I can't see them coming down. I also think it'd be worthwhile investing in solar panels and such like. The idea will be to be as self sufficient as possible and I can't wait. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my house and where I live but I would love to be in the country with our own bit of land too and it's something we both want from life so will be trying it. Not until DS is at school though which is the same year I am DF as I've said before so if it all goes to plan then it'll be good times!

So in order to reduce the bills or at the very least stop them rising, I am going to hav a think of what I can do over half term to help. For example I will do lots of batch cooking and use the oven once rather than multiple times, although there's always a reheat required so I guess i'll have to use it for that.

I'll also get all washing and ironing done and iron as little as possible as that'll use alot of leccy. Or speed up my ironing time lol. Will be reading the boards for lots of inspiration. Oh and also getting a curtain for the front door so that may help.

DD is complaining about being cold all the time so I need to get her a thick top / wooly leggings (she is 4) and keep her wrapped up. Also i will be putting blankets in the car for the morning runs a she's cold then all the time too!!! God help us when it snows.

I've another £8 that may be able to go to the loan pot but will have to wait until day before pay day to do it in case it's needed.

xxx

Winnie_in_Pooh

Hiya DF!

Just trying to catch up while Finn has a kip - I'm loving all your plans, finding it very reinspiring to read so a big thank you!

Hope you've had a lovely half term off!

Win xx

DebtFree2012

Morning all

Had a FAB time off!! Was lovely to be with family and away from work. 7 weeks and I am off again!!! The week before christmas so should be lovely and festive!

I got most of the things I wanted to but of course that all come with a price. I can meet all my payments this month but no space for extras. Already had plenty so not complaining. I've made a menu plan up until christmas week so all sorted there and getting fairly organised at home.

I am worried about having enough money for christmas though, next year I've budgetted for it from January. I also have to pay for DS's christening etc which I think is looking like I'll have to have it at home as can't really afford a place and caterers.

No doubt I'll sort something out. For today it's keeping the fuel bills down and no buying any more food. I've been fairly good at not having the tumbler on over half term and using the airer etc but we have SOOO many washes that i get a back log of drying at times.

I will need to pay for breakfast club this week for the coming few weeks but apart from that I plan on it being a no spend week. I put £15 petrol in this morning and want to see how long that lasts for.

I also need to research pie making in advance! As you do.....

xxx