Muchin's diary of recover; becoming debt free and being happy

Munchin

Hi all

Is it wrong to be watching a Xmas movie 3 months in advance of the big day:o. Channel 5 has got on the bandwagon early.

Today I took the pup for his first proper walk in the forest and it wasn't too bad. It was the first time he had met other dogs that weren't related to him. I didn't get too far but its a start and it was a lovely Autumn day. I also gave him a bath (not his favourite thing) and I then spent an hour trying to do all my stretching and strengthening to get back into running with a pup determined to steal my exercise band.

Weekly spend - w/c 27th Sept

Sun - £1 charity + £1.12 groceries
Mon - Needs - £.56 vet + £9.75 groceries + £18.99 books + £86 physio/nutritionist + £35.01 diesel. Wants -£38.97 Dunelm + £3.50 chocs.
Tues - Needs - £45 therapist + Wants - £17 lunch
Wed - NSD (14)
Thurs - NSD (1)
Friday - NSD (2)
Sat - £25.74 groceries

Total = Needs £221.17 & Wants £60.47+

Munchin

Afternoon all,

Not much craic with me - physio has ruled me out running for another week which is realistic but annoying. I've been doing the strengthening exercises so that when I'm given the all clear it shouldn't take too long to get up to speed.

I need to go through my wardrobe as I think it's time to drag out last years jumpers and thermals.

Weekly spend - w/c 4th Oct

Sun - NSD (3)
Mon - NSD (4)

Munchin

Morning all

I decided to be less of a hermit so I've joined a community club - it's mainly a walking group but they also do a circuits class once a week and I've heard talk they go mad and have tea and cake now and again:D. One of my good friends is part of it so I thought I would give it a go and it would get me out and about. Tonight we are going for a walk and a gossip..hopefully. Thursday I'm going to a quiz night with the credit union I volunteer for, so hopefully as I won't be drinking it shouldn't be too expensive a night.

Not many plans today, I've already done my strengthening exercises. I tried to hop on my ankle as prescribed by physio but I think I need to wear trainers and be a bit more awake for that one. I'm heading into work and seriously hope that I finally have a date for my new job and that my excess fares have finally been approved.

Have a good day everyone.

Munchin

Morning all,


Nothing has been officially agreed in work but I've been told that they are aiming for a release date of 2 Nov but this could be put back again. It's just the uncertainty that is getting to me and yesterday was the first time in over 2 weeks that my line manager acknowledged that I was going - so weird.

I went for walk with the community group last night. About 3/4s of them started the C25k plan and only a small group of us were walking. I was so jealous but at the same time I enjoyed my walk and once my ankle is fully healed I will be back running.

Money front - I'm switching bank accounts again, so I'm joining Nationwide. I was with Santander but I don't generate enough savings or direct debits to cover the £5 a month price they are going up to. I should get £100 for switching to Nationwide and hopefully they will not charge for the account in the future.

On the positive front - I'm going to Amsterdam next weekend and can't wait. I have left over euros from my holiday in August but I will still need to get some more.

Plans today - make it through another boring day with no work and then go to a circuits class

Munchin

Morning all,

I'm a wee bit stiff this morning from circuit class but it was absolutely brilliant. I hadn't realised how much I had enjoyed a circuits class until I went back last night. It was a massive class but friendly as we were all new to this group.

I'm seeing a friend tonight who is a sports coach/physio as he wants to check my running form to see if he can help with my dodgy running knee.

I'm on a half day today:D but I have a million things to do before I leave the house.

Weekly spend - w/c 4th Oct

Sun - NSD (3)
Mon - NSD (4)
Tues - NSD (5)
Wed - Wants £2.99 (card & water)
Thurs - Wants £4 Lunch
Fri - Needs £16.02 groceries
Sat - Needs £6 groceries + Wants £5.95 wine.

Total - Needs £22.02 & Wants £12.94

Munchin

Morning all,

I'm still in bed and my pup is snoring soundly beside me - I got up and let him out to do his business and then I went back to bed and he followed:).

I had a really good weekend and although I probably didn't do lots compared to others I was happy. I went for a lovely long walk on Sat and then went to play rounders yesterday afternoon. I visited my Uncle, friends and family and just relaxed.

Money front - blah - as usual more month than money. My excess fares should finally turn up in Nov pay and I've estimated I will get about £130 after tax and then I should also get £100 for switching bank accounts. I'm hoping to put this money to my credit card debt and by the end of the year I will be down to £1500 - slowly but surely:).

Weekly spend - w/c 11th Oct

Sun - Need £23 pet food (bought in bulk) +£26 groceries

Total - Need £49 + Want £0

I finally got word that my new job starts on 03rd Nov and I don't have much experience in that area but I'm a quick learner. I will no longer have to drive through Belfast so my journey will go from about 60 miles a day to 15:D.

Today I have therapist and nutritionist appointments and I feel that they are both going so well but will also be happy to put this money towards savings when they finish.

Have a good week everyone.

Munchin

Morning all

I'm just back from Amsterdam and I am knackered but starting to get back on form:).

I had a good time, we went for the marathon so Sat & Sun were very much running related. I managed to do the shorter distance and ankle was fine. Monday we got to see Amsterdam :beer: and fun was had by all.

I'm back at work today but not in the mood for it as I have nothing to do and it is very hard putting my day in however I have made plans to meet friends for lunch and another friend for coffee.

I have been signed off by nutritionist, physio and I have 1 more appointment with therapist in November and then I will be signed off with her. I know I'm saving money but also I'm feeling so much better.

Money front - broke sums it up and so can't wait for pay day next Wed. I have also been trying to negotiate a new phone contract but that hasn't been working so going to stick with old phone and existing contract for a little while longer - well until my debt is gone.

Weekly spend - w/c 19th Oct

Sun - Holiday
Mon - Holiday
Tues - Holiday
Wed - Holiday
Thurs - £

Total - Need £0 + Want £0

Munchin

Hi all

I have a cold and I think it could get bad as the girl I was sharing with on holiday took yesterday of sick with the cold so I guess I know where it came from. I'm meeting my new boss today so don't want to turn up like Rudolph with tears tripping me:o.

Money front - new start. I was trying to move money on YNAB and in my sniffly state I messed it up and got confused. I then decided to draw a line under it and start again so I have wiped YNAB history and starting again. I could have tried to find out where I went wrong but I think this is a good opportunity to start fresh.

Weekly spend - w/c 19th Oct

Sun - Holiday
Mon - Holiday
Tues - Holiday
Wed - Holiday
Thurs - £5 lunch
Fri - £

Total - Need £0 + Want £5

Munchin

Morning all

Fully dosed with cold and it is sitting in my chest , I'm going to pop to the chemist to get some cold/flu stuff.

Credit card debt is about to go up - I have booked flights to Rome . I've also booked and paid for my hotel but that has come out of my holiday savings. I still have to pay for airport parking but we are not going until next April and OH will be covering half the cost.

I had also been getting some headaches and popped to opticians just in case and my prescription has changed so need new glasses and finally the washing machine died. I got my uncle to look at it and he explained it this way "its dead" . He has fixed it a few times and kept it going but he said that its time to replace, so looking for something cheap but good.

On happier news - I survived meeting my new boss and colleague. My office is huge , I've never had an office before as it was all open plan which I prefer but I will get used to it:D.

Today I will be looking at washing machines and I'm dragging my wee sister to help pick out new glasses. I need to buy coal and some groceries. Fun fun fun.

Have a good day everyone.

Munchin

Winter Checklist

Clothes

• [STRIKE]Wash all coats, scarves gloves[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Repair or buy new socks[/STRIKE] - visit to Primark
• Check Wellingtons - use Mum's
• [STRIKE]Go back through clothing checking what I need and what I need to replace. Think - what will I wear - what do I need?[/STRIKE]
• Put away all your summer clothes in either those vacuum bags or in a suitcase for the following year.

Car

• Buy in screenwash now - not needed have a bottle
  
• Find ice scraper - found in my winter box
  
• Torch and batteries - bought small one for handbag and OH gave me a big torch for car and I just need batteries.
  
• Gloves hat and scarf
  
• [STRIKE]October make sure all fluid levels in cars are correct[/STRIKE]
• Check tyre pressures and tread levels - need 2 new front tyres before my MOT in Dec.
  
• Clean car inside and out making sure car has good amount of wax which protect it from harsh elements and salt and grit on the roads which will cause rust.- inside done but still to do outside.
  
• If possible clean out your garage and put your car away each night - not possible as Uncle using garage for storage.

Food

• Stock up on tinned products such as soup, rice pudding, baked beans and spaghetti. These items will keep as good store cupboard standbys.
• [STRIKE]Check and clean out your freezer, make a list of what you have and what you need to buy in. Keep at least two loaves of bread in the freezer. A clean frost free freezer will work better than a ice capped one[/STRIKE]! - done
• If anything crops up on BOGOF and it will keep/freeze for winter buy it and store it.
• Create a 'stash cupboard' or area where you can put all of your extra buys away safely.
• Batch make homemade soups and freeze. Good idea to do this now while fresh veg is plentiful and it will save on condensation during the cooking/prep during the winter months.

House and garden

• Buy in your logs and coal now while cheap deals are on offer - work in progress
• Clean your home - work in progress
• Make door curtains to keep out draughts - 2 doors to do.
• Clean windows inside and out - done, 7th Sept
• [STRIKE]Buy in cheap white candles in case of a power cut. Also keep a torch on standby and use in emergency.[/STRIKE] - done
  
• If you have oil try to make sure that your tank is stocked up by the end of October - Ordered 1500 litres on 7th Sept delivered 1268 litres on 10th Sept - £411.93
  
• Buy in Flannelette sheets.- done and they are lovely.
  
• Cut back everything in the garden late October to give your garden a big boost the following Spring. Roses love this! - Hedge cut & lane trimmed 9th Sept
• Clean Your carpets on a good warm day so that they have a good chance of drying quickly
• Drain any outside taps and protect and cover either with an old towel and then covered over with plastic or buy a proper outside tap cover.
• Re-silicone shower areas where the silicone has turned black or mouldy, take it out and redo it. Easy job but so often overlooked. Having the window open also allows the silicone to cure or go off better.
• [STRIKE]Check lightbulbs and outside security lighting if broken replace or repair[/STRIKE] - done
  
• Buy in batteries now.
• Put food out for the birds they will so thank you for it. Buy in their food now while it is plentiful.
  
• Get your paracetamol, throat lozengers and cough mixtures in now, when you are feeling ill the last thing you want to do is traipse down to Boots having to get it in.- check dates as I have some from last winter.