Time to get sorted!

LAM2011

hi there - you certainly are a busy little bee. Sounds like the weekend was a good one

Its nice to see the horses without rugs for a change although moulting like crazy and nippy again in the afternoon. I did at least manage to ride all 3 on Saturday but paid the price after the little TB kept throwing a strop and my back was killing Sunday lol. She will get better the more she gets ridden though.

have a good week x

smitk12

Hi Lam2011 - isn't great to get the rugs off! I don't particularly rug my welshie (unless weather really bad), but my old lady has one on and it's so nice for her not to have it on. Well done for riding all 3 of yours - I struggle to ride 1 let alone 3! Do you compete at all? We've a little competition coming up in a couple of weeks which I'll take Winnie down to and pop her over the clear round just to get the jumping muscles moving.

Not too much of a spend yesterday. Cinema was £6.40 in the end (with 40% off vouchers) and dinner was £16. Had to put petrol in the little car this morning but other than that, today should be a NSD. I've lent my big car to a friend who's car blew up. Not sure how long she'll have it for, but at least I'm not using it and putting diesel in!

I do wonder sometimes whether I have truly had my LBM. I can see the debt I have and am doing lots of things to cut it down but don't seem to be making as much of an effort as a lot of people in diaryland - guess my lightbulb must be a bit dim (or I am - lol!!!)

Oh well, I guess I'll keep plugging away at it! TTFN. xx

LAM2011

LOL! I suppose as long as you feel you are coping and cutting down its got to be better than nothing even if you get ideas off here. I got to the point where it didnt work out on paper never mind in reality and now watching my credit card balance reduce is quite addictive.

My OH actually rode his horse so I really only rode 2. The TB mare is 12 I have done a lot of unaffiliated dressage on her at Novice level she is extremely sensitive and blows when she is under pressure so my marks have ranged from a shocking 44 to a fabulous 74 and winning the class. She can do all the moves for Elementary and some Medium but its just too much for her brain in a short time to perform it in a test. I have done the odd hunter trial on her but I am not supposed to jump due to a back problem and she is fast and flat out and if you try correct her she just jumps on the spot. The old TB is 19 this year. He raced, he evented to Open Novice level and now is semi retired. I do a bit of low level riding club stuff with him. Did one veteran showing class on him last year but he needs much more muscle in comparison to the others in the class so might up his work load slightly. He is starting with mild arthritis in back legs so I watch him carefully but he is definitely mellowing in his old age although sometimes has his moments. He is lovely to jump - a real point and go but he gets bored with the schooling which makes it very hard work. I would like to be able to cross the two of them together!

have a nice day. x

smitk12

Hi Lam2011 - I would love to be able to do dressage but my welshie is too opinionated for that! We tried a couple of tests a few years ago but we fought through the whole thing so I decided that dressage wasn't our thing. We love to jump (only small mind you - up to 2'9") and cross country is our thing as there are not too many turns!!

Had a total NSD yesterday. Walked at lunchtime (so beautiful down here), did my cleaning job after work then home for a quiet evening.

I do feel I have come to a crossroads in my life and need to work out what I want to do (and then how). I've started a plan for 2011 and broken it down into all the various areas of my life (including finances!)

I think alot hinges on me sorting out the debt as, if I didn't have it, I could get a lower paid job, nearer home, get rid of one of the cars, etc., etc.,

I'm not sure I can reduce my costs much more (have followed lots of MSE tips on here), so I need to up my income and the best way I can see to do that is ebay. I have a house full of stuff which has been accumulated from various sources - mainly my mum as she was a bit of a spendaholic before I got hold of her finances! I need to knuckle down and sell, sell, sell. The loft is heaving with stuff.

I'm away this weekend with my two brothers - we meet once a year at a Queen Fan Club Convention (the group, not her majesty) which is held in Great Yarmouth this year. Good fun and a great chance to catch up with my brothers - always an alcoholic weekend but a good chance to think through life.

Will report back on Tuesday - have a nice weekend everyone.... xx

smitk12

Hi All!

Have made it back from Great Yarmouth albeit very tired. Three nights out on the trot is not such an easy thing to do anymore - must be getting old! Still, a fab weekend and great to spend time with my brothers.

Really busy at work today catching up and stock take to organise for tomorrow.

Didn't have a particularly successful financial weekend - spent too much behind the bar and on snacky foods. Had budgeted £250 and spent £270 - I know not much of an overspend but was hoping to bring some money home - £270 included cost of accommodation as well.

Not sure of tonights plans yet - so could be a total NSD or could be a pizza/dance night. Am taking Mum to hospital first thing tomorrow for a knee replacement operation so have to be up mega early.

Lovely now the light evenings are here as should be able to get out and ride/up the allotment a bit more.

Happy Tuesday everyone.... xx

smitk12

Have been off the diary scene for a while but am back as need to keep track of things. I find reading other people's diaries so inspirational and can see how they help with getting your thoughts and goals down in writing.

Total debt is now £12,550 - it's gone up a bit as I caved in and bought carpets for the hall/stairs/landing - had been on floor boards for 2 years so decided to do it - a weak moment as had to put them on the credit card but they do look nice.

Have started Ebaying and sold 4 dresses and 4 more items still going. Will spend some time tonight finding more stuff to sell. It gets quite addictive seeing the Paypal balance going up and knowing that will go towards the debt.

Will be paying off the Abbey CC next month (a grand total of £25.00) but psychologically that's one card paid off! Will then concentrate all efforts on the Cap One card (balance £1,163) and hope to pay that off by October 11.

Looking forward on the spreadsheet, I hope to be debt free by Sept 2013 - although if any spare cash comes along that will be used and the date brought forward...

Have taken on board what some other people do on here and took out cash for the month to cover petrol/food, etc. I have found it makes spending money more real and watching the pot go down each week is a bit of a wake up call. Have overspent this month on socialising (damn those Red Bull 'n Vodkas) so have had to economise elsewhere (eat up whats in the cupboards). Have found myself short for this week (pay day next Friday) so am looking to cash in the "spare change pot" which should net about £15.00 - enough to buy bread, cat food, etc.

Hope everyone in diaryland is well. K xx

smitk12

Hi everyone - thought it was time for a quick update.

Made the big decision to sell my horse trailer as I only used it three times last year and not at all this year. My friend is kindly selling it for me (as I'm rubbish at that sort of thing) and I'm hoping for at least £1,500 to go towards debt repayments. Total debt today is £11,800 so this would bring it down to almost single figures (well, with a few 000's at well!)

Have found the best way to manage my money is to use cash. I take out enough cash to cover petrol, food, socialising at the beginning of the month. I find that handing over the cash is a great leveller and find myself questionning whether I need to buy something (which is good!)

Have cut down alot on the socialising as this was costing me too much each month. Am doing more "free" things (well, things that have to be paid for anyway) such as riding and working the allotment.

Allotment is doing OK but don't have as much in as I should due to being distracted by ex-BF. I've had new potatoes, rhubarb, strawberries and peas. Raspberries are ripening and courgettes flowering.

Opps, almost time to go home so will finish now and will try to write more regularly - honestly!! K xx