No More! debtfree2015's diary

debtfree2015_2

Today was our first picnic day.
Strictly speaking it wasnt free as it was unplanned. I took some trousers back to a shop, and passed a park on the way there. It looked really nice out so I got a meal deal from tesco £2.18 and we stopped of at the park on our way home for lunch & a play.

Mr T turned out quite expensive too, I didnt realise how hot it was, I got a vest top in Mr T £3.50, some canvas pumps £7. I picked dd up some tshirts 3 for £5, a hat £1 and suncream £5.10. At the desk to pay they had these dresses lined up, she saw one and fell in love with it so that went in too £5. Its a spring/summer type dress. She could wear with her leggings & cardigan on cooler days or on its own on hot days, so she should get a bit of wear out of it.

If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will venture to another park, but will be taking packed lunch, wont leave home without it.

It will be a no spend weekend now, as I have reached a certain amount in my bank, that Ive decided never to go below so I always have something in an emergency.

Finished my second kinsella book, Im a little addicted. If I really like a book I have to finish it that same day otherwise I wont sleep and will dream about it etc. Its a shame they dont have anymore at the library, will check out the charity shops in the week see if I can find any.

debtfree2015_2

Yesterday was a nsd, we made a picnic took it to the park within walking distance.

We werent there too long, mainly as it got quite warm, wasps & bees started appearing and they make me very nervous!

Today we have a lot of tidying up to do, so will probably be in most of the day, though we have a shared area outside, so later I may sit outside whilst dd rides her bike around.

This weekend Ive really regretted my hair being cut short. Not sure why just decided I want it longer again, though I wont grow it to my waist again, definately needs to be longer. I like tying it up in hot weather, whilst I can still do this, just about it doesnt look as nice. My hair normally grows pretty fast so hopefully in a couple of months itl be down to my shoulders which is doable.

With the warm weather, it hasnt been too bad as Ive worn jeans & tshirts, it has made me panic slightly about real summer though. Everything I have is either too frumpy and big from maternity, or too young and tight from pre maternity. I think I need to decide on an essential summer wardrobe, Ive got enough plain tshirts/vests, so maybe some well fitting shorts/cropped trousers, denim skirt etc will do. Think Il have a browse on ebay see if I can pick up some bargains.
H&M have some really good things, cheap dresses £7.99 etc, but they arent instore, and there are really bad reviews for online!

MuffinTops

Hello DF,
You sound like you've had a pretty good weekend. Did you enjoy your picnic once you'd shopped? I've been finding it difficult not to pick up some new clothing items when shopping as the new spring/summer collections are always so bright and cheerful. I've managed to hold off, although I can't say the same about the jewellery after the shiny ring caught my eye and mesmerised me!

Did you manage to get any time outside today? I sat in the garden from 4pm for a couple of hours which was lovely!

I hope you've had a great weekend x

debtfree2015_2

Hi Muffin,

I did enjoy the weekend thank you, we got a little while outside, but dd was in out in out so in the end I said in. Its a shared area so I dont like letting her run riot. Still its been nice to be able to get outside, and at long last I've able to let my washing dry outside rather than along the hallway! Makes the place look a lot bigger uncluttered!

debtfree2015_2

Slight panic this morning. HB was a third of what it should have been.
It seems to have been sorted, though I wont get the remainder until next week so need to check it goes in. They made this mistake months ago, that was the beginning of the end for me, went overdrawn multiple times in one month due to error, cue multiple bank charges which I didnt have and that was me finished.
I can't blame them completely, if I had savings I would have been covered. Hopefully that wont happen this time as I have no overdraft on my account, so no fallback.
As soon as the cambelt is sorted, providing no surprises with the car come up I need to start setting a bit aside when I can, theres a sundries allowance in the dro, which is what has been going towards the cambelt fee. When thats finished that will go aside so that if this happens again I know I have something towards the rent.

Other than that all is good!
Im feeling fairly cheerful, always do when the sun comes out!

debtfree2015_2

Yesterday was a nsd.
Today if I can be bothered will need to nip out to stock up on few bits, its not urgent so may do it tomorrow.

Not much planned tbh, lots of washing to do. Im in a bit of a dreamy and a bit irritable mood atm, can't decide if Im coming or going!

Ive been thinking about when I finish the course thinking of ideas of how to start things up. Part of me is very excited the other stupidly nervous as I know how hard things are out there at the moment. I keep thinking what if it doesnt take off enough to get me of benefits? DD will be 5 not long after I qualify so if Im not earning enough to come off income support, Id be moved to jobseekers allowance which is a pest. I never in a million years thought Id struggle to get back into work as I have a brilliant work history (I know Im sounding big headed here). For my peace of mind I know I absolutely have to find a job before I qualify so I can build the hairdressing up on the side of a main job, without worrying about benefits, plus Il have the peace of mind that I will have a regular income even if I have a quiet week self employment wise.
Trouble is finding that work. If I had a partner Id work nights for my own money would be so much easier. Wouldnt miss school run, could catch up on sleep during the day, free weekends, no childcare issues come holiday times.

My plan when I first moved here was to get one or two evening shifts eg 8-12, 7-11. My friend was going to help out, as he only lives 20 mins away but he seems to be destracted atm, my guess is a ladyfriend.
For some reason he doesnt talk much about his personal life, though Ive known him for years, know his family etc. Ive worked out a slight pattern, when he is single he is round minimum every other week, phones every night. WHen he is dating Il be lucky to see him once every 3 months, and calls drop to about once a fortnight.
It shouldn't wind me up but it does, Id like to think I wouldnt treat him like that. Well actually I was in his position and I didnt! I explained my partner at the time was a bit jealous so I spoke to him during working hours instead, but I didnt cut him out!

DD's little friends haven't been at nursery past couple of days, I was meaning to ask if they wanted to meet up over easter, I hope they are in tomorrow so I can ask, otherwise it looks like its going to be dragging just a touch!

It would be really handy if babysitters could be ofsted registered as then I could work nights and it wont affect dd at all. The reason for needing ofsted registered is Tax Credits only contribute to childcare costs if they are.

I know there are some nanny's that are ofsted registered but they cost around £10 an hour, plus we have to employ them so do their tax contributions, holiday & sick pay....way too much agro for me, plus even with the help of tax credits just too expensive.

If I had a nice home Id even consider childminding, that would be perfect, perhaps if I move in the furture it might be an option to look at.

MuffinTops

Hi DF,
How are you getting on with housey things and are you feeling any better?

It sounds like you have quite a few thoughts going around your head. Is your home really not good enough for childminding? Obviously I know nothing on anything to do with children or childminding rules etc so just ignore me. I just wanted to make sure you're not being unfairly hard on yourself.

I hope the HB gets sorted quickly for you. It's scary when you have that association from when it happened before.

I hope you're enjoying the lovely sunshine today! x

debtfree2015_2

Hi Muffin,

I had a late surge of energy got a lot done in the end & done food shop at about 7pm. Ive never done it that late since having dd, dd loved it though.

I live in a flat, its not unheard off, there are people that do childminding in flats but I know I myself probably wouldnt look twice at a childminder in a flat, so it might take a bit more hard work to find someone.

I know its quite costly to do and takes a while, so perhaps I could look into the qualifications Id need and get the ball rolling. I could maybe start that when Ive finished hairdressing, run the two side by side. Im going to have to do something impressive if Im ever going to buy dd & I a house!

MuffinTops

Hi DF,
Running a childminding business with hair styling on the side sounds like a really good plan if it doesn't tire you out too much. It's always good to have more than one option I believe which is why I decided a while back to get some holistic and beauty qualifications. My problem is that a couple of years ago I was attacked and in our scuffle a few fingers on my left hand were broken so it's not really up to the strength or dexterity of some massage treatments. Having the sports qualification helps me there as you don't always need to use your thumbs and fingers. That widened my scope a lot, fortunately. I should have insured my hands!!!!

Ooh, and I love shopping late too. It's so much quieter and less stressful I find. Did you find more bargains on the shelves too or had they all disappeared by then?

debtfree2015_2

Arrrggg just typed a huge reply and internet cut out so lost it all!

Well done on finding a work around, its hard not to let scum ruin your life when they decide they can, so really well done on carrying on :T

I think I will see re childminding, as if I do really well hairdressing I will stick at it whilst I get a secondary skill. If its very hard to get it off the ground I will have to look at getting registered asap.

It was lovely, I breezed through it. There wasnt much reduced, but it was only lidls so prices are fairly cheap anyway!
I did contemplate Mr T, but I knew I would be too tempted by the clothes so thought it would be less damaging to my purse if I went to lidl:)