Sparkerly's SOA

mum2one

Apologies if I made you, just wanted to say how brilliantly you have done, if your up for getting organised, can highly recommend this 2 =

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2940122=
thast making money for christmas, bdays any and every event

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2940074=
thats the santas challenge, we help you spend the money, but also organise the house etc.

Just catch up with the 1st few posts, explains how the thread works, and then join in on the end xx

Sparkerly

Had my first regular chat with OH on how we are doing on budget and cutbacks as suggested on here and feel really positive. Figures are not the greatest, but it does look as if come OH payday we will have had a month of not using the CC so will have (slightly) reduced the balances on this. Also if I can stick to my grocery budget I will have reduced the OD by a small amount - and every little bit counts.

My concerns are that it is fathers day this month, so I can see my kids asking for a bit of a handout to buy a pressie for OH. Also it is my dads birthday 2 days before, so I have that to think about as well. But I was thinking that both me and my parents use coasters for teas and coffees and I have a load of small tiles left over form the house renovations so I can see some personalised coasters are gonna be made. :j

Had a good tidy up of the lounge today and found £1.44 in lose change (and 6 US cents???). Not sure whose they are, but there are now mine They obviously haven't missed it so it can go on the debts instead. As the saying goes look after the pennies and the punds will look after themselves.

Finally I was out today and saw the most perfect door plaque for my daughter. All pink and sparkly and it had the saying "My room was tidy yesterday - sorry you missed it" that is so perfect for her room and a week ago I would have bought it for her. It was only a fiver, but I couldn't do it, after all I have wood, glitter and paint at home so I could make my own. It may not be as neat/pretty as the one I saw, but I hope that my DD would appreciate the effort. Looks like I have found her birthday pressent even if itts not until September, but at least that gives me plenty of time to make it perfect for her and I can use the same colours as her room.

Well I'm on the right track so far and determind to stay on that way. :j:j

mum2one

That sounds like positivies in all directions, love the sound of the plaque, should have one for my bedroom!! and homemade more personal.

Love the sound of the homemade coasters.

Not sure how old ur daughter is, but thinking xmas time, what about a personalised calender, I get mine from vistaprint, usually by Oct time theres free offers flying around, I've saved a fortune with vistaprint, - from mugs, keyrings, luggage labels, mugs, calenders, even xmas cards. just shout if u need any help xx

batgirl21

Hi Sparkley

Just wanted to say well done on the changes you have made so far, I've been reading you posts as I'm in a similar position to yourself in many ways but all and have found them inspiring.

Keep up the good work xx

Sparkerly

mum2one wrote: »

Not sure how old ur daughter is, but thinking xmas time, what about a personalised calender, I get mine from vistaprint, usually by Oct time theres free offers flying around, I've saved a fortune with vistaprint, - from mugs, keyrings, luggage labels, mugs, calenders, even xmas cards. just shout if u need any help xx

My DD is 15 and I think that she would appreciate a personalised calendar. She wona competition just before Xmas last year which meant she had ice skating lessons from a pro and was taught a routine to perform. On top of that was a trip to London to see the Dancing on Ice tour (I went with her ) and we met some of the stars so a calendar with pictures of the experience is a really good idea. I will have to keep and eye out for free offers for this. :T

Sparkerly

batgirl21 wrote: »

Hi Sparkley

Just wanted to say well done on the changes you have made so far, I've been reading you posts as I'm in a similar position to yourself in many ways but all and have found them inspiring.

Keep up the good work xx

Thank you BatGirl

I don't really see that I am doing that much, but if I can do anything that helps anyone in a similar experience I am pleased to do it. I think the secret is to take on board all the advice that is given to you and ask for help when it is needed.

I know that I have not changed for good yet, but with each day that goes by with me/OH actually sticking to budgets than I knwo we are well on the road to change.

Very sad I know, but I emptied my money pot today to see if I had enough of any coins to fill a coin bag to pay into the bank and although I only had £1 in coppers I had this feeling of I can't wait to pay this to my cc. May only be £1 but it will all add up in the end

theoretica

Home made cards are much nicer too- better to spend time on someone and give them something they couldn't have bought with their own money. Another good idea for presents is homemade cakes or sweets- and if your girls become great bakers now they will be very popular when they go to university. Come to think of it when I was at school one girl used to make sweets and occasionally sell them to friends and took orders.

On a similar note I think someone mentioned above that you could save yourself quite a bit of hassle by getting them to make their own packed lunches the night before (and update the shopping list within a budget) while you pat yourself on the back about the life skills they are picking up!

mum2one

that sounds amazing, and the photos must be fab, - a calender for her rm, or one for grandad.

Dont forget every pound helps, and think maybe 1 month ago, the money would have gone on something else. xx

Sparkerly

Having a bit of a wobble today and my positivity is slipping a bit, so I thought that a quick post on here will keep me on track.

Not quite sure what the problem is tbh, I have checked the bank accounts and how much we spent since LBM and are still on track.
But I get the feeling that I should be doing more, I guess that after all the initial changes we have made, its now time to take stock and keep doing the little things.

Planning on having a NSD and so far so good, but at lunchtime all I wanted to do was go to the shop and splurged on junk food - mainly chocolate as that is what I have always done when I'm down. But this time I didn't which I am proud of, but know there are still many hours left in the day before the shops shut.

Also we had our final trip to the pool, its a hotel pool and the sun was shining so it really felt like being on holiday. Leaving was really hard as that is how we spent so much of our summer last year, but I have to remember the bigger picture and there are beautiful beaches so we will just have to go there instead. On a positive note normally we would have ended the trip with an ice cream and drink at the hotel.

Sorry to moan so much, when really there is not that much to moan about, just feel like I need to get it all out, not fair on the kids to complain to them and OH is busy at work. Probably just over tired after waking up at 5am for the third morning in a row.

rdchick

Hi Sparkerly,

Just read the whole thread - wow you're doing super, we both have just had our lightbulb moments and I think although are debts are different we are still in the same boat, how about we do it together? Always feels better when you have someone to cling on to when things get a bit scary! I have been having little worries today over money, I am scared that I have paid too much too soon, however I have pretty much paid all my expenses so it's now the straight and narrow for me. Going to sell as much as I can this week again, how about doing the same, free listings on eBay this weekend, start putting piccys on the pooter now and it won't seem so dull over the weekend.

We can get through this, we are in the right place, it may take some time but we will learn along the way, lessons that we can take through the rest of our lives

Love and Hugs

Stephie xxx