Diary of a (hopefully)reformed shopaholic

LivvyLoo_2

Evening diary,
Not an awful lot going on today. I have been trying to arrange a day at the races for my birthday....its 10 days after DD's so hadn't really managed to look into it yet.

Took little notes into nursery for all the parents who are coming to DD's party. I managed to speak to 2 of them too, so nearly all been told of venue change. Asked OH if he wanted to contribute to DD's party and he said of course he does so is bringing the money tomorrow.

I actually feel like I am ready to move on today, get out of this house and have my own sanctuary. I worry about not seeing DD enough but really she is only 3 (nearly) so will be with me most of the time anyway.

Carpets don't smell today, think its the air freshner working. I will give them a clean at some point as there are a few stains which have come through onto the carpet from the wet.

Was going for an NSD but I bought a dress...thats the clothes and entertainment budget emptied...all but £30. Its one of those dresses that you know you will get a lot of wear out of and TopCashBack was 10% so will get money back off that.

Oh and mum got me some butter from B&M for £1...she is learning too ha ha.

Wind is really strong again tonight, wish it would go. I always worry about the house and car in the wind.

Nothing exciting to report, been a busy day at work and I have done some bits towards my objectives in the hope I get a pay rise next year...will need it on my own.

x

savingholmes

Hi LL - sounds like you are doing well. Think of the dress as cost per wear and hopefully it will be worth it. I bought a couple of dresses in Mr As sale for £9 each a few weeks ago - as I'd bought some short dresses at the start of summer for after my op - but nothing long!! I've worn them - just alternating them virtually every day so doing well cost per wear so far LOL

Xmas pressies - I am a compulsive spender - so always end up with some bits in. I will still need to buy DD a main pressie but not a lot else... DS not started yet... Never got to see a couple of our friends last year and their pressies are still wrapped up waiting for them so will probably just give them those LOL - so that's 2 down just there. I have bought some makeup to be used as pressies - as well as bought magazines where makeup comes free as the cost of it is cheaper that way

LivvyLoo_2

Morning Diary,
Its really cold here today.

Have been and checked accounts and all is doing well, with this new budget I'm finding that I still have money right up until payday which is a huge bonus for me. I just wish I could pay more of my loan off but I need to keep all my spare cash in case I need it for solicitors fee's etc. Also my FA said that when I sell and get a new house I will have enough left over to pay off all my debt. So for now (until I know what is going on with OH), I think I will just sit on the money and transfer it into my mums account when it reaches a substantial amount.

SH, funny because I worked out how much one of the dresses was per wear which I paid a lot of money for last year. The thing is the dress is timeless so I keep getting it out and it still looks fab. Hopefully this dress will be the same, plus I can wear it for day or night.
You are doing well with your dresses, I have been altering DD's clothes as she has long legs and a skinny body bless her.

Do you think your compulsive spending has got any better? I think mine has, the fact I look to see if I can afford things first is a start. I have a list for each person I buy Xmas pressies for and a column for the spend, I also write down the budget for each person and try and stick to it, I do shop the sales though. I was thinking now DD is at nursery it might be worth putting my B'day pressie budget up every month as she seems to get invited to a lot of parties which I haven't put the money away for.

My ebay items don't have a great deal of activity going on this week. I will wash some more Mamas and Papas outfits and load them on ready for Sunday...they seem to be the only things that sell for me.

Think it might be an NSD for me today...it'll be the 4th this month. Is that good? I don't know where the month is going, in my head its the 5th ha ha.

xx

Keeping_Motivated

Hi Livvy I know what you mean about all the parties they get invited to and the cost of the presents so I know have a present box and if I'm out shopping and I see a bargainous girly present in the sale or reduced for some reason I get it..so when the invites come in I know I will have something suitable in my stash and it will only have cost about £5 (worth more) and I also buy those boxes of childrens birthday cards that look funky but work out really cheap per card and always have a roll of wrapping paper in too. Before this it was costing me £10-£15 per party!! And girls get invited to alot of parties from experience..

You're doing so well with everything you should be proud, its not easy budgeting with one wage coming in.

LivvyLoo_2

Thanks KM,

I have upped my Birthday budget to £50 a month, thats £20 over what it was. This will ensure I can get pressies and if there is anything left over next year I can put it towards DD's party.

Thats a great idea about buying things when you see them in the sale, I will try that myself. I have been buying the kids pressies from Pound Stretchers as they always seem a bit cheaper in there. I am happy if I spend a tennar (I read somewhere that the average was £15), but would love to get them for £5.

I have just booked my car in for an MOT tomorrow morning, OH used to sort that out so I will need to keep a track of my dates now he isn't there, it ran out in July! Only got to get to nursery and back without crashing.

xx

savingholmes

Hi LL - I tend to spend about £5 for parties but the RRP will have been much higher. My spending has improved in general but it has been a really challenging year - and we are currently way over spending on groceries... Need to cut that back. I am consciously working on it but not arrived yet if you know what I mean.

Have you tried the Make £10 a day challenge on the DFW board as a way of funding your presents... That's what I did/do

DebtFree2012

Hi Livvy

Just checking in and see, as usual, you're on top form. Doing really well and keeping your head whilst everything's going on around you is something you should be really proud of.

Hope the carpets are totally smell free now

xxxxx

mummytogirls

Eeeekkk to the car running out of MOT Livvy!! I did the exact same thing when mine was due. I was absolutely certain it ran out of the 24th... actually it was the 10th!! Id been driving round for 10 days blissfully unaware :eek: xx

LivvyLoo_2

Morning Diary,

Have been and checked accounts and all is well, I have £193 left in Current Account and not sure why, I don't think I have anything left to pay for but the party...£73.75 left to pay on that. When I looked in on Saturday I thought I was going to be short, will have a think as the day goes on.

I ironed last night and Vaxed the carpets to get rid of the stains, they are almost dry now from the Vaxing so will need to check all stains have gone.

I didn't need an MOT Mummy in the end, I rushed home from work to check the little folder and there was an MOT certificate until next May, the seller of my car must have taxed it for me knowing it was due in July. I am going to write the date down on my Spreadsheet on the car page so that next year I don't have the same worry.

Thanks for the tip SH I will have a look at the make £10 a day page, although I think for now I can cover putting the birthday budget up by having less to spend in the everything else pot.

DF, the carpets don't smell anymore...not sure if its due to the amount of air freshners I have in the room though ha ha.

Having yet another talk with OH tonight about what we are going to do...joy!

x

Keeping_Motivated

Remember the saying 'if you always do what you've always done then you'll always get what you've always got' when you are having your discussions with OH tonight...from your posts it seems you don't like to communicate some things for fear of upsetting but you don't have to be confrontational to be honest and open, there are ways to convey openness and honesty without being nasty and then its up to him to deal with it.. thats his 'stuff' to deal with not yours.

I hope it goes well and you can resolve things one way or the other for all your sakes as you seem to be in limbo at the moment.

Take care
KM