A Fresh Start

My_Lil_Revolution

MuffinTops wrote: »

When I was a new teenager there was an issue with money in our house and my parents seemed really hit by it. I remember how worried they were when they sat me down and told me that my birthday wasn't going to be much of a big deal and why. That birthday is honestly one of the best birthdays I ever remember. When cash feels abundant then you tend to buy what you know your child wants. But when it's in limited supply you have to really think about what to get and I realised at that time that my Mum and Dad had made a massive effort for me with the gifts I received. Those presents came more out of love more than out of money, (hopefully you understand what I mean by this) and I have an inkling that maybe your DD felt the same? We all know our parents love us, but that level of effort shows that love in the sort of quantities you can't easily show from day to day.

Oddly enough, I remember that birthday, the gifts I received and the lead up to it, vividly. More so than other birthdays. Brilliant memories.

Hi MuffinTops. I had the same sort of thing when I was younger and cash was in short supply. I never moaned that I didn't have the latest fashion etc as I somehow knew I wouldn't get it or parents would stress themselves stupid trying to get me it.

My_Lil_Revolution

freshair wrote: »

** subcribes **

Your dd sounds like my ds, and your debt is about the same as mine. so if you don't mind i'd like to join you on your journey, hopefully it might keep me a bit more motivated???:)

Hi Freshair. Would be really nice to have someone along for the ride. I think it may be a rollercoaster but hopefully we can motivate each other. You should have a look at London Girls diary (LG hope you don't mind me mentioning it). Now that is what got me really inspired. Plus DD goes to High School next year and I've got a feeling it might get expensive lol.

My_Lil_Revolution

Hi Guys. Thank you for all the replies and the company. LG still need you to spur me on if you have time. Unfortunately had quite a few things going on the last week or so and have not felt up to posting. Have a few really important decisions to make in the next couple of days but hey ho keep smiling.

Well DD got some money for her birthday and she wanted to put it in the bank, bless. Her childs savings account has always been attached to my account but the day after her birthday we had an appointment at the bank and she opened her first 'grown-up' account. They have even given her a debit card. This is slightly scarey for me but she is really good with money so going to give her a bit of responsibility (with mum watching over her shoulder lol) and see how she acts with it. It will only ever leave the house when she is with me lol.

Also need to update my sig as I think I have paid a bit more off my debts than I thought. Still have a few prezzies to buy though but still have some vouchers to spend.

Going to call it a night now and hope you all have a good day tomorrow.

MLR

LondonGirl252

My_Lil_Revolution wrote: »

Hi Guys. Thank you for all the replies and the company. LG still need you to spur me on if you have time. Unfortunately had quite a few things going on the last week or so and have not felt up to posting. Have a few really important decisions to make in the next couple of days but hey ho keep smiling.

Well DD got some money for her birthday and she wanted to put it in the bank, bless. Her childs savings account has always been attached to my account but the day after her birthday we had an appointment at the bank and she opened her first 'grown-up' account. They have even given her a debit card. This is slightly scarey for me but she is really good with money so going to give her a bit of responsibility (with mum watching over her shoulder lol) and see how she acts with it. It will only ever leave the house when she is with me lol.

Also need to update my sig as I think I have paid a bit more off my debts than I thought. Still have a few prezzies to buy though but still have some vouchers to spend.

Going to call it a night now and hope you all have a good day tomorrow.

MLR

Hey!

Im here spurring on! You can do it!!

Hope everything is OK, Im sure you'll make the right decisions whatever it is, we're a listening ear if you need to vent!

Ah bless, thats really sweet. At her age I would have spent it all (well actually that was true until like 3 months ago!! haha) so its really good she already understands saving. You've obviously raised her well!!

That's be good if you have! I did too - accidently! haha

LG :santa2:

My_Lil_Revolution

Hi Everyone

I am so sorry it has been such a long time since I posted and I hope that you are all still out there. Hope you all had a lovely christmas too.

Well I had a few things going on which needed sorting out and now all that is done it is time for a fresh start.

Overspent a bit at christmas (bad me) so the budget is tight for next month. I have a lovely new spreadsheet to start the new year off with and its pay day on Friday, yipee!!

Not back in work until the 3rd either so its nice to have a few lie in's with DD watching tv lol.

We had a lovely christmas at my mums but I think the magic has gone a little bit. We still did the letter to Santa but not much else mentioned really.

Anyway, I'm here for the long haul now and will keep posting. I'm so sorry I've been away for sooo long.

Take care.

MLR
xx

Erme

Och please keep posting on your progress and follow my diary too (101 things or something)....

Glad you had a good crimbo...sorry about the whoopsies (or were they necessary whoopsies? )....I too have managed to overspend this xmas by £10 and now I have Ma's birthday present to buy to boot (a jigsaw puzzle voucher) which she announced to me the other day having not like wanted a b-day present for years....Och better remember to send it LOL...

Ma has been a delight ...so pleased I came though will miss the Fens ...something about the fens I just can't put my finger on that I reckon it must be God's country (sorry if you don't share the attraction)...

Like looking at broccoli growing out in the fields yesterday? Does that that sound beautiful? Never really appreciated them as a child. Now I've been away 10+ years I really do....Mountains...well...once you've seen one you've seen them all. Same with lochs..... But fenland is constantly changing....and when you think of the geography of it it makes you go WOW!!!


E

Raspberrysauce

Good luck with the debt busting:D have subscribed!

My_Lil_Revolution

Hi Guys


Thanks for the replies. Well I have been thinking today of my New Year resolutions. Waking up this morning to only a couple of pounds in my purse and my bank balance under a pound, serious changes are really needed. So, I have a few and I am a bit concerned I might be overloading myself a bit but here goes:-

• BIGGEST PRIORITY - Getting to grips with my debts. Some of you may have noticed my sig has altered and not for the better. Missed one of my debts off it so even though I paid some off it has gone up
• Give Up Smoking - I have done this before so I can again. Using patches from 01/01/12. Might think about joining the no smoking thread but have enough trouble keeping up with my own diary and a couple who I love to keep up with (you know who you are )
• Loose Some Weight - I have put on about two stone in the last year and I am really not happy about it. I don't want to loose that much as I was really skinny but I do want to get down to a size 10 again (now 12 - 14 depending what I am buying).
• Meal Plan - I have quite a bit stored in the freezer so I need to start using it up. I did a bit of batch cooking the other week which came in really handy and I do take my lunch to work (pat on the back for me lol) but I think I need to list what I have in the freezer and start from there.
• Housework - Try and get some done in the week so I'm not spending time at the weekend doing it when I could be studying or relaxing.
• Mmm regarding all of the above - GET ORGANISED!!!!

I suppose looking at all of that its not so much of a list of New Years Resolutions but things I want to achieve next year.

I started with a bit of exercise tonight - 20 minutes doing Zumba on the Wii with DD - it was hillarious but must do some good as my legs were really aching after :rotfl:

This diary is going to be my new best friend (along with my beloved spreadsheet which is all worked out for the next 12 months!!). I have set myself a budget of £50.00 per week for shopping which I know is going to be achievable and anything left over by the next weekend is going into a pot to pay off a debt at the end of the month.

My most expensive outgoing seems to be the blasted gas and electric meters that I have. I private rent but I may be able to get them changed over. I have seen something about credit meters or just get the normal meters put in. Any suggestions appreciated!!

So I think I should wish myself good luck with all of the above haha.

Payday tomorrow so will be able to sort Januarys money out which is going to be a bit tight due to christmas overspend but totally worth it. I plan not to have any woopsies this next month as I don't need anything. A couple of nights out planned but budgeted for.

Phew think I need a lie down now.

MLR
xx

[Deleted User]

Hey hon - just subscribed to your diary!

Good luck with all your plans - mine are pretty much the same apart from the stopping smoking - I dont smoke pheweeeee.

I'm gonna stalk you on your journey loved readin it so far.

My OH was gonna stop smoking but he's decided he's too addicted LOL.

I have 2 packets of the niquitin mint things lying in a drawer her not getting used they help with your cravings, if you want them I can post them to you? Better off you using them than them just wasting over in my pad.

Anyway let me know I can do that no problem

Dxxx

My_Lil_Revolution

Hi Dolly Rocker

Thank you so much for the offer but the last time I used them I ended up getting mouth ulcers. Patches seemed to work last time, just a bit itchy when I first put them on. I did succeed last time but stupidly started again after a pretty rough year. Roll on 2012. Big party with my friends to get rid of a carp year and then onwards and upwards....

Take care.

MLR
xx