10 months in and 90 left to go ... the reality is starting to kick in :)

elantan

So I just checked to see if I am entitled to working tax credits as I only work part time, and it appears I am ... Wooooo Hoooooo according to the government website I am entitled to working tax credits to the tune of .... Drum roll please .....£0.00

I better make sure I don't spend it all in the one shop then rofl

elantan

Well I've just read through this diary from start to finish, it's interesting reading my progress ( or lack of ... Or even worsening of my situation lol)

It certainly has been a bit of a journey,

Things that have changed

My health, having had/ not had a T.I.A I am being more proactive about my health ( still can't deal with this sugar addiction successfully though ), I have been going to see a personal trainer since about June but can no longer afford the monthly payments so I will finish In January, but I have enough equipment at home to deal with it now so that is good


Well we are in more debt now than we were at the start, not good at all, but it was debt on the 40th birthday holiday which we weren't going to go on due to lack of money even though we had free flights, no family members wanted the free flights and when I spoke to my friend from California she had offered to have us stay for three weeks so that was the plan, however the free flights couldn't take us to San Fran as they were fully booked, so we landed up going via las vegas taking in the Grand Canyon ( truly stunning scenery) and death valley etc

We also bought a new car due to the old one failing its M.O.T and going to cost a fortune to fix

In positives though we seem to be doing better with spending, I havn't been to Loccitane again for eg and no more make up bought so that's good

Sadly still no change on the job front but I am still actively dealing with this

So positives and negatives, the ups and downs that come with life

beanielou

As you so rightly say the ups and downs that come with life.
Its how we deal with them that makes the difference at the end of the day.

elantan

Very true beanie, very true

Well mr el asked tonight if we had money for a Chinese, not that I honestly mind him getting a Chinese really but he sat down with me when we did the budget and I said money for treats take aways etc he said no we don't need any then last night bought a bottle of wine (£5) and today a Chinese (£4) so that's £9 that we didn't budget for and that's on week one

So I have decided that when we go food shopping this week we only have a £41 budget to spend and when he asks why I will say well we have to make up for the £9 that we havn't budgeted for

I can see that going down like a lead balloon

He once again brought up the subject of re-mortgaging but I am not going down that road unless I believe we will not get into anymore debt and that has to be proven to me

Ahhh it's gonna be a long winter I reckon lol

elantan

Oh and I forgot ... I'm also keeping a note on the Calender of how much we overspend what on and when so that when we do next months budget we can see the figures infront if our eyes

ZTD

elantan wrote: »

Oh and I forgot ... I'm also keeping a note on the Calender of how much we overspend what on and when so that when we do next months budget we can see the figures infront if our eyes

I'll make a bet that that will be *very* effective.

elantan

I think you are right Z, I think many screams will be heard next budget day ... But I am determined this 100 months is not going to be wasted,

I'm fed up of being in this cycle and if mr el wants to do a re-mortgage ( which would save us money) then it has to be the LAST time I re- finance, so having cut the cards up and having having taken th all off of sites like amazon and PayPal therefore cutting out my access to using them I making my stand

Shortie

elantan wrote: »

Oh and I forgot ... I'm also keeping a note on the Calender of how much we overspend what on and when so that when we do next months budget we can see the figures infront if our eyes

That's a good idea Elantan, and a reminder next month to Mr E that it's worth budgetting for take outs We all fancy a takeout sometimes, however small/cheap but budgetting for it makes everything else feel much more controlled (if you're anything like me anyway!)

elantan

Totally Shortie ( hi by the way)

Z had it bang on the nail when he spoke about its not the big spends but the little ones that can cause the problems

I don't mind the odd Chinese etc as long as its budgeted for ... It's the un budgeted things that cause the problems

Butti

I've budgetted (sp?) for one takeaway a week and one meal out a fortnight. I figured that was doable for me.

I don't know about you two but once I re-joined the labour market I know I will struggle without the treat of a takeaway a week. My social life also requires beer and eating out money but then I don't know anyone here whereas you know each other!:D

B
p.s. I'm going to a knitting group from next week and that is also in the pub!