SAHM paying off debts slowly

slm6002

Well good evening to you all. We have had a lovely day today which was made evn better by the sun making an appearance. We have just discovered geocaching. It seems a big thing but is like a secret club and i knew nothing about it until now. Its basically a treasure hunt using gps (which i now have due to new phone contract). It must be done in secret and you get some treasure when you find the container that is hidden. Well we tried our first one today on the way into town. Unfortunately we were unsucessful in finding it. The containers seem to come in various sizes and the one we were looking for was the size of an old film case. Think we should have chosen a larger box for our first - will try another tomorrow and its lunch box size so hopefully we will see it a little easier. The treasures are only small and of very small value like keyrings, badges etc and when you take something you need to leave something else behind. I really cant beleive how many there are around here and they are all over the world too even in the antartic. After a while we decided to leave it (as you need to look unsuspicious and not like your looking - easier said than done with 2 excited children in tow) and went to library to return and get new books for the week. Whilst there we did the hunt the character quiz they have running and they both got a lolly for completing it - made up for the pevious lack of treasure.
Also needed to buy something to send nappies i am selling as i have so many - both lots on ebay will sell as already have bids but would love a little more for them both. Still 12 more hours to go so you never know.
Well hubby has been home for the past few days which is not bad considering he was supposed to be out every night with this new contract. Could do with his away as money is tight this month as he has had to keep money back for various things - guess that will be what ebay money helps with. Think cleaning bits have gone out of the window this week what with it being half term. Oh well will be back on track next week.
Going to the zoo sometime this week - just waiting on a good weather day (stroppy friend went today so know we are safe to go any day this week as she wont go twice in 1 week). Will take picnic so will just be petrol to get there that we will need.
Right will leave it there for now as this has become a long post. Have a great day tomorrow

slm6002

We went to the zoo yesterday using our free tickets and a few tesco vouchers so only the petrol cost. We took a friends lad who had zoo pass and obviously knew it all. They all behaved well ven if i had to keep telling the lad to slow down as we wanted to actually look at the animals. Can tell he gets his own way a lot of the time and wasnt too sure what to do when i said no. His mum gave him £20 to spend in gift shop and that was basically all he wanted to do. I had to keep telling him that when we finish looking at animals then we will go to get something for him. I thought my kids would create a fuss in the shop as i had already told them that i dont have any money to spend. I was so proud as they know this is normal and realise the treat is the day out rather than another stuffed toy. They help th lad to pick something out and did not say a word about them wanting anything. My DD scoffed at the amount of money a stuffed giraff costs and said we could buy half a weeks shopping on that - glad shee is learning the value of money and that food is more important than wanting the next new thing.

It snowed pretty much all day but there was no snow on the ground. Although snowing it didnt seem cold as there was no breeze plus we were moving around all day. Think lad thought it was very strange eating picnic in the snow on bench as they obviously normally have hot lunch in cafe. Anyway a good day had by all but very tiring.

Been to swimming lessons this morning and they are asking for more fees already. Guess i better look in the kids banks and see what is left over (they pay from their xmas and birthday money or we could not afford such luxury!) and then will top it up with the little i have managed to save.

Will spend the rest of the day watching films, snuggled under blanket i think as it is that kind of day and kids are tired from yesterday. Hope everyone else has a good weekend x

slm6002

Good morning hope your all ok. I have had a cold the past week which has made me worn out and i still lack energy. As you know i had my flu jab and am really glad i did as so many people are falling down with the flu around me and it seems really nasty this year with it lasting a good few weeks or more. I had a few days when the sofa was my friend but since then i have just been bunged up and tired but still able to carry on which is very unlike the last few years. It also got me thinking that apart from flu once a year i dont get colds and i found it quite strange this year how i was able to carry on even though snotty if that make sense.

Anyway its the last day of feb and maybe spring is on the way? Money wise i had a little splurge as i visited the charity shops which i keep out of as they are my weekness. I prob only spend £15 at the very most for my 4 or 5 bags worth of bits but that was £15 that i shouldnt have spent and could have done without. We have also gone over our food budget as OH has been home a lot more this month so more meat required and proper meals. Anyway i have moved a few things around and we will still stay out of the overdraft which is my aim. I am happy about this as i missed one weeks worth of money from OH as he needed the money and at that point we were ok. I am a little worried that at the end of march things like tax credits will be changing as i know OH earnings have gone up even though it doesnt show in the bank balances. I worried how much it will go down by as if it goes down too much we will definately struggle. Guess we cant do much about it other than save as much money for this as we can now. After all i was able to get car tax ealier this month as i had saved it in its own account over the last 6 months and there is already a little more in there for 6 months time

Right must go and do something. Have a great day and hope none of you are suffering from colds and things

Pinky15

Hi there! Another one here a bit worried about the tax credits. We have been overpaid by £800 but they will claim it back from future awards however am not sure we will be entitled this year - am hoping they will accept £5 per week. heres hoping eh? x

slm6002

I hope you can come to an agreement with them as £800 is too much for us to find thats for sure. I need to do my final avon figures for this tax year. It was only a couple of campaigns but will need to do tax return for the small profit (i think it will be profit?) i made and then can tell tax credit people when they are ready.

I have a crick in my neck today and not sure why. Hoping i slept on it funny at weekend and it will go by itself. Its been a few days now but i am still hoping.

Crazy friend is at it again and accusing me of ignoring her - she has sent OH to do school run each morning recently and the 1 time she did do it she stood with the other group of mums rather coming to say hello. I have given up to be honest. I have a lot of really good friends and dont need someone to stir things up. Just hope she will give it up - she did say she wanted to talk about it but to be honest there is nothing to talk about

Money wise i have transfered some to savings pots and have enough for the bills that will turn up this month. Got car insurance this month and will be looking for great deal with cashback. So far it looks like we will save about £10 per month. Hoping by next year we will have enough in the relevant pots to do the whole year in 1 go avoiding any monthly payments. Will try to start putting the extra £10 per month we are saving into the pot as that will help. Also any cashback will go in the pot as wont miss this money and then by next year there will certainly be a good amount in there.

Right must get on as not yet sorted the dinner for tonight yet. Plus its been at least 5 days without coke (my lifeline) as i am trying to give it up. Think it is ok and caffine must be out of my system as i feel ok

debtfreewannabe321

Hi slm!

Hope you're ok i have only read this page?! Talking of crazy friends i had a mass fall out with 2 here last week! didn't end well -oops! Still I feel better for them ignoring me (strangely) as they were driving me mad

Is that the zoo near me you visited? I have yearly passes for the kids now so go 1-2 times a week usually. Even if it is just for the soft play bit

I hope all is well and the debt is still coming down xx

slm6002

good afternoon. Dare i say it but the sun is out here - probably going to hide again soon Well i have been busy tidying up ready for mum to arrive on thursday. I am so excited because the children think she is coming on friday and we will go and collect them from school thursday afternoon. Their faces will be such a picture when they see her.

I have also applied for a job at the school. I think i can do almost everything and i would like the job. I would have prefered to have the job once little one was at school or even when she gets 15 hrs free funding but i guess i cant control when the lady leaves. I know it will be a well sort after job so not really expecting an interview but i felt if i didnt go for it i would regret it. Anyway it had to be in today and interviews are on thursday (just to tie in nicely for picking up mum no doubt if i do get one!). I guess if i dont hear today or tomorrow then i havent got an interview. OH couldnt get his head around why i wanted to go back to work. I tried to explain about the timing but if i could get in i would have all holidays sorted and no worries about getting the children to school each day. Yes i need to pay for childcare but the new nursery is opening april and thats next to the school so very easy. I will miss out enjoying being at home with little one but i know at some point i will need to get a job again.

OH has also been asked by his manager to train for dangerous loads. He wouldnt get any more money but if her were to move to a different company he could almost double his pay. Its something to think about anyway.

Money wise were going ok. Just done the shopping and i have £35 left for food but we have full cupboards and enough food to get us through to the 25th so should be ok. OH bank site is being a pain today and not letting me transfer the money. Will try again tomorrow as not urgently needed. If still no luck i will get him to withdraw it and hand it over
Feel warn out already and were only just starting the week. Lost my diary so not sure if i am doing anything else this week. Need to find it soon. Right must get on as its school run times shortly and lots to do before i go. Have a great day everyone

slm6002

Hi DFW - so glad to hear from you. Sorry to hear you had problems - i do feel its much better to just get on with things and people will soon come back if they are worth it. And yes it was the zoo near you. We havent had a pass for some time now but it was nice going round again. We looked high and low for the white tiger only to be told it had passes away some time ago - thought it wasnt where it used to be Debts are coming down slowly but going in the right direction.

How have you been?

debtfreewannabe321

Ah yes was on local news when the white tiger passed they are building something else near to where he lived now (think maybe for the sun bears)

We're all ok, ups and downs as usual both with life & debt busting lol! I hope all is well with work/debt busting/kids at your end! and good luck with the job!! xx

slm6002

Well they were quick. I dont have an interview . All interviews are for those already working in the schools as bursars already. Not to worry i will enjoy being at home for a little while longer