Absolutely Determined

Absolutely

Thanks Sepa (I just posted on your diary).

I think I will keep this thread up as a note of my progress. I've had a total NS weekend - I don't count buying a newspaper as spending though. Is that cheating?

Me and the 3 kiddies have eaten out of the stuff in the fridge/freezer. My sister kindly made a lasagne which I have eaten with salad for the past 2 nights - even though I didn't want lasagne 2 days running. My brother brought round a pizza which he said he didn't need (bless). It's not that I'm starving or anything but I have a very kind and large family who live nearby and who I think feel a little sorry for my single-parent situation.

The bad news is I have a bad roof leak which friends keep saying they will deal with, but they are never getting round to it so I'll probably have to get a roofer in which will eat into my remaining savings.

Unfortunately, I've also had to rip up my flooring in the kitchen because of another - unrelated - leak and the kitchen needs replacing now too. But it will have to be done on the cheap.

So, my savings will be depleted, but I'm still hoping to make an overpayment if I'm frugal next month.

Absolutely

...and I've managed to put aside £300 for an overpayment this month. Which means £3,100 o/pd this year.

I've got a quote for the roof fix - that will have to come out of my remaining savings.

I'm going to fit a budget kitchen. My last one wasn't exactly top-notch but it's lasted the best part of 9 years. I'm also going to sell the huge American Style fridge freezer my ex insisted on buying. I won't get much for it, but it just needs to go.

I'm planning on a slightly more compact kitchen design too (less cupboards) as I'm not a hoarder and I want to make more space in the kitchen for the nice kitchen table and chairs I already have but which I have to 'squeeze' around.

So, although I'll be laying out money, I'll also be saving iyswim?

Two of my children have birthdays in December, and then I have Xmas of course, but I've already bought 90% of what they want early and at a good price by shopping around.

We've had a low cost half-term week. Just one trip out to a soft play centre, and the rest of the time has been bike rides, parks, out in the garden, crafts with old boxes, dancing, trips to relatives.

Well, I'm sure you're all bored by now.

Might update next month if I manage to save anything! Depends on the gas bill!!!