No More! debtfree2015's diary

debtfree2015_2

Such a relief no more washing piled high!! ....now my landlord didnt put one part back in, as he took it apart one day and fixed it another day he claimed the part didnt come out of the machine but I know it did.....so Im waiting for it to go wrong again. In the meantime trying to keep up to date with washing as much as I can so we dont struggle too much when it goes again.

Today I will get something listed on ebay, even if its just one thing, I need to make a start!

College went well yesterday, got another exam next week. I got 92 or 94 % in last one, though imo it was an easy subject which I remebered mainly from my first time round. This one I dont feel the teacher has got it all across in class, going to have to do my own research I think. We basically just copy of the board in theory, so it doesnt really sink in. I also noticed quite a few things she stated in the main class, then in recap she had got it wrong herself. The questions posed in her theory paperwork, make no sense at all. She is a good hairdresser and I think is good in practical, but not a good theory teacher. Worrying thing is I only recognised some of her errors because I done this part 10 years ago and remembered some of it by heart.

They want to open in the summer when college is shut, as a working salon, so we wouldnt be able to be tested or pass assesment, or even be taught as we will only do things we are competent in but....this is the amusing part, if we want to go, we have to pay £16 for working for them for 3 hours. I get that practice would be good, but I could volunteer in a salon for free!

The college will profit as the customers will pay. If it was teaching time, ie we will be taught as normal, and be able to take assessments eg if our hilights are good we may pass that off, then it would be worth while and Id understand the thinking behind charging us to pay the teachers wage or whatever the thinking is behind it.

I think in my heart Im just gutted as its out of my price range, plus Id need to find additional childcare which I havent got the money for!

She was saying how, theres no pressure but if you do it you will be miles ahead of the people who havent etc....well that kind of is pressure really isnt it, who wants to be left behind?

Anyway it as its not going to happen for me, so better get over it hadnt I!!

NSD today as planning to stay in.

DD has a school trip next month which she is very excited about. Doesnt really understand 'next month' so keeps asking is it today? When the letter came through, I got really emotional(at home alone thankfully!). If the dro hadnt happened she would have been the only one not going. Thankfully the dro has a section for school trips which is the only reason she is able to go, it just reminded me although yes my rating is trashed, dd has a slightly more 'normal' life than she had before!

I found a free app on my mobile like a budget planner thing, so Ive started to list things in that, so that I dont have to log onto my pc as often. I know I come on here, but most other sites I can access on my mobile, the only reason I come onto the pc is usually because I go on for my spreadsheet, then think hummmm Il just have a browse..... so hopefully less spreadsheet watching = saving electricity.

DD's bed came last week, she has been sleeping brilliantly ever since....though this good sleep has had a bit of a bad affect during the day as she is surging with energy so often turns into a bad mood if Im too tired to do something huge.....she also has more energy for those terrible tantrums that seem to have started again!! I love her, but have to say I would not be coping if dd was a twin right now, so glad I just have the one!

debtfree2015_2

I didnt realise it had been a few days since I last posted!
Washing machine touch wood seems to be ok.

Had another exam since then 95% wooohooo.

Car, I think im going to have to get her looked at, the feeling Im going to stall is getting too strong, and starting within seconds rather than after a few minutes of sitting in a queue. The garage man told me last time what he thought it was, a part that can get dirty so the car doesnt control the 'idle' stage well, hope its a quick and cheap clean!
My car is like an oven in this heat, its 'pre aircon' without a sunroof, so I have all the windows down, but somedays when the breeze is warm it doesnt make much difference. Think I will try to get one of those screen reflectors for now to see if that helps.

Its been so nice having the car to get about though, makes life a lot easier, and really for about the same as what it cost me to get the bus, its so cheap on petrol & tax.

We went swimming yesterday, spur of the moment decision, it was fun and a good way to keep cool for a couple of hours! I was a bit disappointed to read that they intend to charge for parking £3 for up to 4 hours......its going to almost double the cost of going, it would be ok if it was in the middle of a town centre and the carpark could be used for other things, but actually the pool is in the middle of a forest, so you would only park there to use the pool. Seems a bit steep. Wouldnt be so bad if people could walk to the pool as it would be an incentive to keep cars off the roads, but its 3 miles from the nearest town. 3 miles is doable, I used to walk to school in my old town which was over 3 miles, just been a long time!!

Im planning to visit swimming pools out of the area anyway, as this certain pool doubles in price out of school times, and Id like to be able to take dd a couple of times a week in the holidays.

Not much else to report, last week at college & nursery before half term, so will be a busy week this week and quiet the next.

MuffinTops

Hi DF,

Well done on the exam mark. That's a great score. That hopefully gives you a massive confidence boost - which you definitely should be having!

That's a shame the pool have decided to put such a hefty car park fee on! At least having the car gives you options now. I hope you find somewhere you like.

Good luck with your busy week. x

debtfree2015_2

My poor love bug has had a temperature since Sunday. Its calming down, but she still needs meds 4 hourly so has missed nursery this week.

Hoping she is better tomorrow so I can go to college, as they are moving onto colours.

I have definately got hayfever. I wake up every morning feeling all bunged up, eyes burning, within 30 mins of taking tablet I feel brilliant.

Not got alot planned for next week which is half term, going to try to find some free things to do, I have a budget to go swimming once, the rest will probably be park visits, would just like a few different ones to try out.

debtfree2015_2

College went well, dd made a full recovery the night before.

Today I went in search of an Aldi, I havent been to one since my old town, it didnt seem to far away. I managed to get lost as my instructions where wrong! I drove about for around an hour before finally giving up and going home, by which time dd had conked out in the car bless her.

I did manage to get the food shop done anyway, we went to lidl so that was all done.

Not got any plans for this long weekend, will probably decide as we go along.

debtfree2015_2

Finally got round to listing some things on ebay yesterday, all of my items bar one have watchers already, with 6 days to go. I know its not a guaranteed sale, as I watch lots and hardly ever buy, but still nice to see an interest. Even if they all go for their minimum price listed, its still a little bit towards christmas, I normally let my paypal balance grow, as sometimes some second hand toys are barely used and makes the christmas budget spread further.

I could kick myself however, I got a nectar email thought Id check my account....I didnt know it could be used in so many places, I shop in Argos every christmas, I ordered dd's bed from Next and a while back I ordered a couple of summer dresses from matalan. The matalan dresses where only £8 so I know I wouldnt have earnt a huge range of points but still, would have been better than none! The bed however was quite a pricey buy so those points would have made a difference!

Still now I know Il always keep it in my purse and check before I do anything!!

I did however find you can download a toolbar and search, for every 2 searches you get 1 point. You can earn a maximum of 50 points a month, which is about 25p, so not huge but it all builds up towards the christmas shop!
Actually I tend to save most of my points for after christmas, as now matter what I do I always struggle in January, so I normally have a spare tesco gift card tucked away to get me through!

Thanks to this site, Ive also signed up to Bzzagents, where you trial new products - Ive got a dry hair shampoo coming soon, I always wanted to try but could never justify the expense from an already tight budget - that is a luxury not an essential. Since I had dd my hair is super greasy, I have to wash it every day, rarely I may get a second day. Prior to dd I had very long hair, and although I washed it every other day I could easily have left it longer! So very excited to see if it will work.

I also joined tesco home panels, which is mainly trials for products, the main bonus of that is you get to keep products once you've tested them havent been selected for any yet, but hopefully soon will be.

I also signed up to swagbucks after another thread on here, though they aim to get a voucher a week, Ive been signed up a couple of months and am still way far off getting my first voucher!!

We are moving onto cuts after half term in my course so so excited!
That should mean from September, we will have been taught all the basics, we just need to start passing assessments. I am enjoying it, but I cant wait for it to be over so I can make a start on sorting my life out! Il be able to come off income support at last. I can't believe I naively thought Id be on it for a few months before finding a job....its will be 2 years in September, thats shocking!

I doubt Id be able to get a job in a salon since they have changed the qualifications, NVQ is only achievable if you are in a salon, and salons wont take apprentices over 24 due to the gov funding cut off. So we are left with a VRQ, which is good but not as good as an NVQ, I think mobile is my only route.
I do worry however about unregular income, hopefully in time Il have regulars, but for the first few years Im going to be praying for a lot of luck.

Still, once the debt is gone, I just need to put food on the table & pay the rent, anything else is a bonus. Tax credits will help out, if it still exists when I qualify!

Im suddenly very excited for what the future holds!

debtfree2015_2

most of my things on ebay have bids on woohooo, not a lot a couple still on 99p, but thats more than I would have got if Id left them in my cupboards.

Done my food shop today, I was so annoyed at myself, I got my budget out of the cashpoint, I went 33p over - to make it worse I emptied my change at home, was about 70p! So I had to pay by card then dash back home and put the cash back in, so I didnt go over as I dont have an overdraft anymore!

I discovered tescos value stock cubes - 10p a pack!!! Im cooking chicken stew atm and have to say it tastes nice, not as salty as normal, which has to be a good thing health wise! Also discovered 15p stuffing again value range, Im going to try a meat free roast on sunday. I only really eat stewed meat as I find it too dry otherwise, but I quite like chicken gravy on roast potatoes!

I didnt last long on my vow to stop hunting for jobs, though I havent been as obsessive as I was. It was pure fluke really, this certain website popped into my head....no idea why, Ive only ever looked on their jobsite once.....and there was what seems like an ideal job!! Its admin/reception.... 4 hours 4 afternoons a week. Although now it wouldnt make much difference to my income, as childcare costs would be around 600 - thank goodness for tax credits taking a decent chunk of that away! When dd is at school however in 18 months time, it would mean I could drop her off in the morning, she would then go to afterschool club for an hour then Id pick her up. Id be earning properly then as childcare costs should decrease a lot. During the holidays, a childminder or leisure centre holiday club would be doable as its only an afternoon rather than a full day.

Plus I could do hairdressing in mornings & evenings, with the added benefit of a definate wage coming in, for when things are quiet.

It would only be doable, if the afternoon off falls on my college day, then it really would be a dream come true. THey havent specified which afternoon off, so Im hoping its a choice. If not theres always a chance my college my allow me to swap to another group at the same stage on a different day - if there are spare places of course!

Ive had a good think, about whether or not Id sacrifice the course, but I couldnt, absolutely not. Ive wanted to do it for so long, Ive got just 6 months left once september comes, it would be too much of a waste.

I havent looked anymore, for jobs, it was purely as the site popped into my head that I felt prompted to look.

I also have been reminding myself not to feel disapointed if I dont get it. If I dont, its because its not right, and something even better will come along.

Not much else happening. Its been a long week for dd bless her, she keeps asking if she can go to nursery, no matter what we do she is bored, think she is pinning for her friends, her 2 closest who we would normally see have been away this week so its just been the two of us.

debtfree2015_2

Well, all of my things sold, one at only 1.04, but at least it sold! Everyone has paid up promptly, I posted next day so fingers crossed they will all get there safely.

I transfered most of the money back to my account to replace postage money. Left a bit in paypal to cover fees. Doesnt leave much when you work out the fees, but still every penny helps. With what I had left, I have been browsing.
I have just got what I think is the best bargain ive had for a long time! 3 girls dresses for £2! Or £5 if you include P&P!!!!

Just hope the weather improves enough that she gets a chance to wear them, Im sure it will later into summer.

Next up is to start sorting through her old toys, though Im thinking it might be easier to do that in autumn, when people start browsing for toys for christmas.

Not much to report for today, got drenched on the school run! Was weird being so cold, when just weeks ago I was slapping on the suncream & struggling with the heat, it really is up and down - the past 12 months have been like that.....the freak heatwave late october, delayed snow, drought, mini heatwave, now very heavy showers that we would normally have had around April, in the middle of june. Its like everything is out of sync by 2 months!

Didnt get that job, weirdly, I suddenly started wishing last night that I hadnt applied. Its a fair drive away, I dont know what my car will be like come winter would have been too much of a trek on public transport - 2.5 hours to be exact!

Course is going well, we are starting to get busy now which is brilliant.

Ive come to a realisation, that Ive turned into a bit of a frump. I have no idea why, I have more time now that dd is at nursery.
I always look ok on college day as I style my hair properly, and am in uniform. At home, my hair is scraped up, I rarely bother with make up, I dont know whats got into me! Ive always been quite concsious of my appearance so made an effort....I cant pinpoint when I stopped taking care exactly, but I know it needs to change!!

I think, when I worked I always got up before dd woke, got ready then got her up. Now she wakes up at 6am, so I dont get time to do myself up before she wakes, just bung the first thing I can reach on and get going. By the time I have got a minute, its midmorning and Ive already been out so just think oh sod it!

Tomorrow, Im going to attempt to get up and sort my hair out before we leave. Il sort my clothes out tonight so I dont blindly pick the first thing I come across.

Thats my only plan atm, 1 step at a time!

MuffinTops

Hello DF,
You sound like you're really take major steps forward. Your posts always sound so lovely and positive, they're such a pleasure to read.

I'm like you in that feeling of not making enough effort. For me it's a weight thing rather than time, but I completely understand your side too. Hopefully you'll be able to find the time in your morning routine as it's such a personal boost when you feel you've made the right effort.

On the money saving/earning side I do the following:
Nectar points website for ebay and Amazon online orders. Amazon don't offer cashback, but you can get nectar points through them.

Quidco online and also with the phone app. You can earn 25p just by walking into a shop and registering that on your app. It has a gps so knows where you are. Otherwise I get cashback on almost everything I order online. Sometimes just for getting a quote. I think I earned £1.25 a couple of weeks ago for a quote I didn't end up taking.

I also sign up for a couple of surveys (happy to give you their name or a referral if you like) when I have time and on one in particular I find that the money can build up as fast as I want it to based on how much time I'm prepared to put aside.

All of those things are linked to my "unexpected income" account and it often amazes me how much money I have in there. The odd few pound here and there really does build up faster than I realise.

I hope you're having a good day. x

debtfree2015_2

HI Muffin,

well I could do with loosing weight too tbh. I put on 2 stone during pregnancy, lost 1 straight away, the 2nd when I went back to work. SInce moving here Ive put 1 stone straight back on!

I had no idea about that quidco ap, I am a member of quidco, will have to look it up!

I do valued opinions, they take me quite a while to build up, Im also a member of a few linked to Cint, Onepoll + being the best one for me, it has a low withdrawal rate £3 or £4 I think. I also signed up to swagbucks....thats all Ive found. Im with YouGov - very slow, Populus - quite a few surveys but takes a while to build up!

If you can refer me to any I havent mentioned that would be great

x