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

Munchin

Hi all,

OH is out working this morning with his brother so I have this morning to myself:D. I'm heading to my nephew's nativity play today so looking forward to that but also hoping it will be very short.

I've done the final December tally of budgets and they are surprisingly ok -

• Groceries/Entertainment - £38.38
• Exercise - £20
• Kid's swimming - £10
• Xmas dinner - £65
• Present - £40

I think I will have money left in the exercise budget and Xmas dinner budget. I only have 1 more Xmas dinner and think £20 will cover it. I have the kids this Thurs but we're staying in and watching a dvd. I also might have £20 left in the present budget but if I see something quirky for OH I'll get it.:).

I have also set January's budget but it is still fluid as I'm waiting to see if I have any money left over in Dec. So plans for January are:

• Groceries & Entertainment - £230
• Clothing - £30
• Exercise - £50
• Kid's swimming £40
• Presents - £70

I know I shouldn't have a clothing budget but it is the January sales:o. I have 3 birthdays in January hence the £70 budget but I might find presents in the sales.

There are always things you can't plan for but I'm hoping to have an Emergency fund built up in 2013 to cover these little events.

Munchin

Ok last update for today:D

Plans this week -

Mon - NSD?
Tues -NSD?
Wed - Xmas dinner £25 max.
Thurs - Nephews £5?
Fri -Takeaway & work party - £20?

I also need to get diesel as well.

OK that's the plan:D. You never know I might stick with it:o

Munchin

Evening everyone,

Yeah I get paid tmw:). I still have money in my budgets so I'm going to attempt to pretend that the money isn't in the bank and treat my normal expected pay day (27th) as the start of the month.

I'm really struggling trying to drum up some enthusiasm/excitement for Xmas but hopefully once I get the final Xmas dinner out of the way tomorrow night I can relax and enjoy the festive season.

I was at a school carol service this evening as my nephew and cousins were taking part. It was really nice as the kids were putting their heart into it.

Ok I'm shattered so it's time to go to bed. Have a good day tmw everyone.

Munchin

Hi all,

I knw I got paid early this month but it's still the 2nd month I actually have money left in my account:)

So I've downloaded an errand app so I have a 'to do' list which is so far motivating me to get things done:D. I love lists.

Today's plans are -

• Write & give out work cards
• M&s shop for work present
• Xmas dinner

I knw it's not a huge list but when your mojo has decided to go on a xmas holiday early I'll be glad to get it done.

Have a great day everyone:)

rising_from_the_ashes

Munchin wrote: »

Yeah I get paid tmw:). I still have money in my budgets so I'm going to attempt to pretend that the money isn't in the bank and treat my normal expected pay day (27th) as the start of the month.

Snap!

I can't wait to do my "pot paying" tomorrow BUT that means I've not got another one to do for ..... 5 weeks :eek: OMG how am I going to survive:rotfl:

Munchin wrote: »

I knw I got paid early this month but it's still the 2nd month I actually have money left in my account:)

:T That's brilliant! Well done:)

Munchin wrote: »

So I've downloaded an errand app so I have a 'to do' list which is so far motivating me to get things done:D. I love lists.

Me too!:)

I'm not errrrr shall we say - tied to my phone and still prefer paper for some things (I do have a to do list app but always forget about it!) so bought myself a to do notebook ... little realising how big it was (should know by now to double check measurements when buying online:o) and that it weighed 400+g :eek:

It's really far too big to carry around on a daily basis so has been relegated to the Sat and Sun to do list book (the list tends to be longer these days anyway!) and I've bought a little A6 spiral book and marked it up with weekdays for next year .... that one will go everywhere with me .....

Trouble is - by the time that, my diary and my spending diary are all in my bag ..... it all adds a lot of weight

Enjoy your meal tonight

Munchin

Hi Risin,

Oh I'd be bad if I had a big notebook as I would never have my nose out of it:D. I suppose it's keeping us on the straight and narrow:). A few years ago while the debt was heading in the wrong direction:o I wouldn't have looked near a spreadsheet or had a clue where my pennies were going. So long live spreadsheets, to do apps, spending diaries and notebooks:D

So I had both nephews this evening and i had a headache before they came:o. Let's just say that the headache didn't ease and I'm now sipping a glass of wine now that they have gone. The wee one was in wicked form and everything was a crying session.......deep breath.

So my final Xmas dinner last night was lovely and it was nice to chat to everyone as we don't always see each other from one end of the year to the other. I was given a goody bag with chocolates and red wine. I was also given a bottle of red wine from my boss today. Is there a red wine theme here?

My budgets are still ok. I spent £24.05 last night at the Xmas dinner and the remainder of the Xmas dinner budget has moved over to Groceries/Entertainment.

Budgets

• Beauty (nails) - £20
  
• Groceries/Entertainment - £61.12
• Exercise - £20
  
• Presents - £7.70

I also got an e-mail from Next about their sale. Hopefully I can get my nephews birthday present from the sale but most things tend to be sold out before I get my slot.

My circuits trainer has arranged a bootcamp for next Sun (29th) so I'm going to eat, drink and be merry and face his wrath in just over a weeks time:D:rotfl:

Tomorrow is another long day and then it is Xmas:)

Munchin

Ok, I'm supposed to be asleep but I've been working on my spreadsheet of wonder for 2013.

So the plan is that I pay £220 into a savings pot from April 13 which will cover my rates, car insurance, car tax & mot etc for the following year (2014). I will have enough savings by April 13 to pay off the rates, car tax & insurance for 2013. I will be debt free no later than June next year.

So the plan is done and I just have to follow it:D

Bed now

Munchin

Morning MSE world

It's a wonderful morning & it's my birthday - 25 again + vat:D. OH has left a card on my side of the bed but I've not opened it yet as he is still asleep. I need to go accidently shove him awake:).

I was so tired last night that I woke up on sofa with a blanket on me (thank you OH). I must have been amazing company last night snoring beside him. However the good news is I feel great today and I'm going to jump in the shower and have a busy but fun day.

I'm going to the beauticians to get my nails done (I know not very MSE but they will last over Xmas and New Year). I'm also going to be mad and brave the shops to get the last of our shopping. Xmas day is spent between Mum's and home. Boxing day is at my OHs family so I have a bottle of wine and gift bag for that. It's going to be an early lunch on Boxing day so should be home early. I need to remind OH to get Mum a box of chocolates.

Plans today -

• Beauticians
• Hoover out car
  
• Shopping
• wrap presents
• clean house (might leave until Mon)

I think that is enough for today.

I have done my 2013 budget and it's lovely to see when each of the debts finish in black and white.

Have a good day everyone

rising_from_the_ashes

Wishing you a lovely day

Munchin

Thank your Risin:D.

OH gave me a card with £20 of vouchers in it:) and he has just sussed out where I'm getting my nails done. I obviously don't know that he's paid for it in advance so it will be a 'surprise':rotfl:.