The Next Chapter in Pinky's Life!

Pinky15

Hi my name is Pinky!
Anyway I have 3 children and am a SAHM doing the odd bit of supply work now and then. However I am working hard at a college course at the moment so don't have much free time.
This year I have finally managed to clear both yes both my credit cards:T Originally before joining this site I had around £5500 combined on both of them and now they stand at £0. Wow that feels good.
I appreciate all the help and support and advice from the amazing people on here.
So the next aims in Pinkys life are - Clear My Loan eek.
Now dont feel quite so guilty about this one as it was not to consolidate but put a new heating system and boiler in our home and was sooooo worth it after the last freezing winter we had! I believe the loan stands at £6000 but tonight I am going to dig out the paperwork and get an exact figure.
Next week I have a mortgage appointment so am hoping to switch to a better deal and save some £££££.
For the first time in years we are going abroad so am ebaying like mad to pay for 2 passport renewals. Once the hol has been paid for we will throw any overtime etc at the loan.:D

Pinky15

:DEvening all. Had a very productive day today got loads of college work done and managed to get 3 loads of washing done and dried. All to iron now lol.
Gave the bathroom a quick wipe over but that room never seems to stay tidy at the moment it is definately a hot spot room. Once DH has had a shower I will have a feeble go at tidying up:D
Havent found settlement figure on loan - will try again tomorrow otherwise I will phone up and try and get a statement.
Have bought a couple of bits from mothercare sale for Xmas and apart from some DS games for the kids they are nearly all done. Will try and get bits for the family out of next months pay. Have all my wrap and cards from last year tho.
Ebay stuff going ok 4 items have bids and 1 item has 17 watcher - hopefully thats a good sign.
I have a mornings supply work tomorrow so will try and get a few jobs done before taking little one swimming.
Hope everyone is well.

Pinky15

Evening all - my head is well and truly battered tonight just doing a quick update and then am off to bed am wrecked. I don't seem to have stopped today and have had a looonnnnggg list of things to do.
Slow cooker meal went down really well tonight and have enough left over for DS dinner tomorrow night - He loves mince & potatoes!
I am also busy planning some low spend activities for half term, have some ideas already just the budget is soooo tight till payday which as per usual falls on the monday that they go back. I will be sending them out trick or treating to help clear the overdraft lol:rotfl::rotfl:

beanielou

Great news on ta ta to the credit cards :j

Pinky15

Hi Beanie-lou - how's it going. Soo pleased to say goodbye to the credit cards - yey!
Well made £70 on ebay this week which is fab. 2 of the kids need passports for our hols so just need another £30 and thats them paid for.
Havent got much housework done as I am busy with college work and really need to prioritise my time so am learning to live with a more messier home. I am sure it's good for the soul:D
Shopping planner almost done for pay day am going to do the bulk in Al*i this month and compare with what I usually spend every extra penny we can use for our hols.
Once the hols are paid for I am going to top up savings a bit more and continue with getting rid of the loan. I got a good deal with the mortgage and it will save me £50 per month - but I wont reduce the monthly payment therefore the £50 will go towards overpayments.
Going to try and catch up on some jobs tomorrow and try and list a few bits on ebay then take kids to park to burn off some energy!

Pinky15

Right the remaining balance on my loan is £5579 all interest has been added and paid therefore I am only paying the capital we owe off now. Ideally I would like to pay this off within 18 mths but I think this may be pushing it. At hoping to do more work next year once little one is bigger so if I can get something that would really help. I am going to think of some targets and once our little hol is paid for start working towards firstly getting it under £5000.
Havent got anything on ebay this week but next weekend am going to get some more bits on.

mummy2mygirls

Love new diarys
Well done again on the ccs. I bet your do great on hitting the loan x

Pinky15

Thanks Mummy once we have had our well deserved break I will be really cracking on with it:D
Had a NS day yesterday and hoping to manage one today but with kids is it sooo hard and they always seem to need bits of money for something or other. Got a few bargains from the grabbit board for xmas and apart from a couple of ds games the kids want and almost nearly done. Just all to sort and wrap now but thats another challenge:D

Pinky15

Happy New Year everyone! Thought it was about time to crack on with my diary and money saving/ loan busting quest:D
Had an amazing xmas - didn't go into overdraft or use credit cards. I bought lots through the year which really made a difference and the children loved all their presents.
Loan currently stands a £5327 = eek!
We have a holiday coming up and have all the cash saved for spending. Once this is over I will direct the £100 per month into overpaying the loan so payment can be upped to £185 per month.
Have listed 3 items on ebay - all selling:j
I have 4 items which I will list tonight.
Have been keeping my eye on the frugal thread and have picked up some good tips on frugal living. I am using my slow cooker loads and have been popping to the spar late on and picking up reduced veg & bread etc - last week I got 4 bakery puff mince pies for 15p and 2 baguettes for 15p - bargain or what!
I have also started taking cash out each week on a friday which has worked really well. It means I dont keep withdrawing cash and I can see exactly how much we have and where it is being spent. Last week I managed to use the left over cash and paid a bit extra off DD1's forthcoming trip.
Meal planning is continuing to go well and I have saved my lists of items we need monthly which helps when I do the shopping.
Anyway will update soon - hope everyone is well x

mummy2mygirls

Hello and happy new year All sounds very positive
Hope you have a great 2012 x

Pinky15

Morning! Well from this weeks cash in the pot I have enough to pay for a takeaway on friday and £5 leftover:D
I also need to pop tomorrow and get my budget money for next week. This I find is working really well for us and means we actually have cash to pay for bits during the week. it also means I am not panicking for the last week in Jan as I know there will be money in the bank.
Yesterday I received my mortgage statement and was surprised and gutted that the total has barely moved since last year:mad: So i have upped the direct debit in the hope that it starts going down. We want to look at moving once the loan has gone and so will need every bit of equity to help us move. I also may overpay more on the mortgage than the loan as we are only paying interest on the mortgage so money wise this may be the better solution - I will have a scout around this site and maybe check.
tea tonight will be fish fingers and beans as i have about 15 tins in the cupboard lol - DH has asked me to stop buying custard also due to 12 tins in the cupboard already lol.
Took some photos of ebay bits last night which I will pop on this PM. A friend called round yesterday and looked through some of my bits and she gave me a fiver for a dress which has saved me listing it. My other 3 items are doing well and have bids and plenty of watchers:D
Have had a busy morning, mopped floors, washing on, hoovered. I just need to go and change a bed and put the washing back on.
Am also keeping a watch out for the Boots sale:)