Time to Take Control

wannabee_in_credit

Goodness me! Just when some things start to make sense then something comes along to pull the rug out from under you.
I noticed my car making a funny little noise when I got home Tuesday, and popped it into the garage so they could check it over for me.
Well here I am 2 days later, 3 days before Christmas, with no car because it's still not fixed and a looming bill for £362.30, which includes a discount because I'm paying in cash.
I have to have the car for work - I just can't logistically use public transport because I couldn't get in on time after dropping ds at nursery. So it has to be repaired. I just feel so peeved with the whole thing, it's always in the garage and always costing me money.
The old me would have whacked it on the credit card and worried later.
The new me has emptied her wedding dress fund to pay for it.:(
Never mind. It's only money, and I'm sure that in my new frame of mind I can soon get that pot moving again.
My dd tried to offer me the £2.30 if it would help (I said no by the way), which made me cry because she's so sweet (only 7), but she was very worried that Christmas might not happen.

wannabee_in_credit

Merry Christmas to all.
My kids are so happy with their presents that I've barely seen them all day in between playing and watching dvd's. But it's been brilliant, and so lovely to have a Christmas that I paid for, rather than one that I had to get into debt to get through. OK, I'm a long way from being debt free but that figure is going down and not up. It's a good feeling.
Just a short post to wish everyone a 'dream come true' year in 2012. I get to marry the man I love after 10 years together, and hopefully finally take charge of the 2 things in my life that have always controlled me (money and weight). It WILL be my year. I'm going to work as hard as I can to get out there and grab it.
Lots of love to anyone reading this. Merry Christmas.
x

Hovel_lady

Merry Christmas and all the very best for achieving your goals in 2012 x

hjanea

Hope your dreams do come true in 2012!!

Decluttering

Merry Christmas, *subscribes* you really seem to have adopted a great mindset since joining, all the best.

wannabee_in_credit

Evening all,
Thanks to anyone who is reading, who has commented or who has subscribed to the thread. I really do appreciate it.:T
I knew when I had my lbm at the beginning of the month that it wouldn't all be plain sailing with the debt free and penny pinching journey, and I am having a minor wobble today. It is only very minor of course because I still feel blimming fantastic about finally having control of my finances and I don't intend to let it go now. :D:D
Always think that the end of the year is a funny time - you kind of look back and reflect, and perhaps make yourself a little bit maudlin thinking on everything you should have done and didn't. I've perhaps fallen into that trap. I'm a stone and a half heavier than I was and haven't made as big a dent as I'd hoped in my debt.:(
I also have this other thing that I get bored in my own company really quickly. So I need lots of money saving things that I can do, either on my own or with the kids. Please if you have any suggestions I'd be grateful. :idea:
The car went back to the garage today for over half a day, and I was told that I'd not be able to get the radio working again properly without more expense. Anyway that, coupled with the fact that I'd not been out for a few days got to me and I promptly went into town and spent a fiver. Now, old me would have spent £50 and thought no more of it but I bought a diary for 50p to record my new spending habits, some reduced bath smellies to put away for the kids for next Christmas and then £3 on cider for me to bring home and drink. That's where the guilt has arrived. £3 that I could have quite easily not spent, but I did. But only £3.
Anyway, it's only a very minor wobble. I got home and posted my change into a sealed pot of savings and started planning in my 50p diary so straight back onto it. And I suppose if I can see the new year in for the princely sum of £3 then it's actually quite good.:beer::beer::beer:
The other thing I need to tackle now is my weight. I get married in 8 months, and have waited 10 years for the day to come. I'd far rather be 2 stone lighter than I am now.
I need my lbm with food like I have done with money, then nothing is out of my reach. :idea:

But I need to get through tomorrow. Any ideas what me and a 7 year old can do for free? Or nearly nothing... :idea:

Keeping_Motivated

Sorry random question but why can't you get your radio working without more expense?

wannabee_in_credit

The garage who fixed the car have basically told me it'll need to be sent away to be fixed and to put up with it. I can't be bothered arguing with them any more because basically all it is, is a broken clock, but me being the perfectionist I am wants everything just right.
Not sure why, everything else with the car is wrong so it's just another thing to add to the list.

Keeping_Motivated

Have you thought about posting on the Motoring Board to see if there is anything you can do to solve the problem cheaper/easier?

_Tru_

Look at it this way sweetie - it would most likely cost you more than £3 to go to a pub and drink, so you've saved yourself some there....!!

Ok, free stuff.....erm......

* Do you have ducks nearby? I always loved feeding the ducks...still do!
* It may be muddy but....you could get your boots on, wrap up warm and go for a walk somewhere local and pretty, maybe a park? Play little games like.....how many different pretty leaves or flowers can you find, and then dry them out and press them in books? I used to like seeing how many red cars I could spot and counting them up on a 5bar-gate chart (I was easily pleased.....) and things such as this..(this may be lame, its been a long time since I was young but I'd still do these now at 25 hehe)
* Any local museums you can visit for free?
* Board games you have at home?
* Card games? Snap? Pairs?
* If no board games, free games through the day such as: hide and seek, I-Spy, etc?