Keeping up appearances.......

Newbeginnings

HappyNow wrote: »

Hello Newbeginnings, thanks for reading, and welcome to MSE. I'm quite new myself and I cannot tell you how much this site has helped me.

I recognise what you say about not wishing your life away until you're debt free. Have you read Ploddingon's post a few entries up? If your debt-free date is five years away then you are in it for the long-haul like me, and we do need to get the balance right.

Yes I did use the snowball calculator but it went a bit wrong! I spent ages putting in all my debts, but when I tried to Save it, it told me I wasn't logged in. So I logged in, but then all my calculations disappeared! Before it disappeared I saw that my debt-free date is April 2019 so I have plenty of time to re-enter it!!

You sound to have made some good changes already . I would definitely recommend starting your own diary. It really helps to know there are people taking an interest, offering support and advice - it kind of makes the whole journey more fun and less solitary.

I see HH has explained how to subscribe to a thread - I really struggled with that at first so if you have any problems give us a shout! x

Hello again
I did contemplate doing a diary, but feel at bit unsure about whether anyone would want to read it lol! Might slowly build up to it and in the meantime, learn from others on this site. Watching superscrimpers while I type this so multi tasking on the money saving front! So far, its been like dieting in that you seem to succeed better when you prepare, so a huge pot of soup cooked last night for lunch all week for me, resulting in zero spend all week. Wont do any harm to my waist line either:)

brizzledfw

Hey

kids DEMOLISHED bean stew..luckily as per meal planner still enough ( just) for tea with rice on Wednesday but they loved it. Very tasty. Go for it Happy! You wont look back and if you can get one MSE style so much the better!

X

brizzledfw

PS NewBeginnings..Do start a diary if you feel it will help. I have only just started one and it's really helped to keep me focussed. Luckily a few nice people read it but tbh it's for my focus as much as anything.

And...posting my SoA after about 8 years of a flickering lightbulb..well that was a milestone i can tell you. Feel cleansed:rotfl: and no trolling just lovely support.. MSE is such a great site to be...

My advice is go for it!! Xx

HappyNow

brizzledfw wrote: »

Hey

kids DEMOLISHED bean stew..luckily as per meal planner still enough ( just) for tea with rice on Wednesday but they loved it. Very tasty. Go for it Happy! You wont look back and if you can get one MSE style so much the better!

X

OK I'm convinced! Payday is two weeks today so I will budget for one then.

Newbeginnings wrote: »

Hello again
I did contemplate doing a diary, but feel at bit unsure about whether anyone would want to read it lol! Might slowly build up to it and in the meantime, learn from others on this site.

When I started mine I was SURE no-one else would be interested. It was purely for me to record my progress and keep me motivated. And when I logged on the day after I started it and saw I had some replies, I was SURE it would be people saying things like 'what an idiot you've been, serves you right, it's all your own fault' etc etc. I couldn't (and still can't!)believe how supportive everyone was. I also love following other people's diaries and picking up tips.

Why not start one, just to see if it helps? I will definitely read it, and if you find you don't like using it, you can always just stop! But on the other hand, if you really don't want to, feel free to just keep visiting here - I'm always glad of the company! x

HappyNow

Well, I have a weekend of Keeping Up Appearances ahead of me! Little Miss Happy and Master Happy have been phoning each other and are both coming home from uni for four days, Friday to Monday. No special reason, they both just fancy a family weekend and have no important lectures. I'm really looking forward to having them home!

Both kids know that we're not rolling in money, but they think of us as being 'comfortable'. They have no idea about our debts, and I would feel totally humiliated if they were to find out. They come to me for help with student finance etc, and I would be genuinely embarrassed if they knew what a mess I have made of this aspect of my own life .


Anyway, enough of that negative stuff. Onwards! There is no need for them to know - now or ever - and I have come up with some steps to still have a great 'special' family weekend without spending much more and, crucially, without giving my secrets away!

• I have used £14 of my Tesco clubcard vouchers to buy a student railcard for LMH, which will be posted direct to her uni halls tomorrow and will reduce her train fare (which I always pay) from £34 to £22.
• I am meal-planning for four and incorporating all their favourite meals over the weekend to make it special and 'treaty', but I'm combining a Lidl and a Tesco shop to get all the ingredients as cheaply as possible.
• I've decanted the Lidl teabags into a jar and thrown away the wrapping of our 'Nicky' loo-roll to remove evidence of budget-shopping. Mr Happy has never noticed those, but Little Miss would!
• I have decided that I WILL buy our favourite Marks and Spencer cakes (the chocolate fudge and the lemon drizzle ones ) because.... erm.... well because I want to and they are just so lovely and we are sentimentally attached to them! With any luck they'll be on offer but if not I'm buying them anyway.
• The house will NOT be full of chocolates and biscuits and wine, and this is because I am trying to eat healthily and Mr Happy needs to watch his weight (both actually true - sorry Mr H!)
• Instead of going out, we will visit grandparents and other family who will be thrilled to see the kids.

It's bound to be a bit dearer than a normal weekend, but such a lovely surprise as I thought they'd both be away until Easter. Well worth a few quid!

System

Hello Happy Now,

Just wanted to wish you luck on your journey - I definately identify with you because I too are trying to get my debt down whilst keeping up appearences with hubby and our friends - love your tip about the loo roll lol x

Hopeful1

Your plan sounds like a fabulously clever one! I'm glad you're treating yourselves to the M&S cake. It's doing little things like that now and then that will help keep you sane I hope you have a really good weekend.

HappyNow

PinkandPurpleGlitter wrote: »

Hello Happy Now,

Just wanted to wish you luck on your journey - I definately identify with you because I too are trying to get my debt down whilst keeping up appearences with hubby and our friends - love your tip about the loo roll lol x

Hi PinkandPurpleGlitter, thanks for dropping by and thanks also for the good wishes .

I see you're new to MSE. You will find lots of help and support on these boards to help you get your debts down. I hope you find your debt-free journey to be fun and challenging and rewarding, like I do! And the Nicky loo roll (from Aldi) is a great place to start! Your hubby need never know x

HappyNow

Hopeful1 wrote: »

Your plan sounds like a fabulously clever one! I'm glad you're treating yourselves to the M&S cake. It's doing little things like that now and then that will help keep you sane I hope you have a really good weekend.

Ooooh, those M & S cakes (insert salivating smiley!)!! I haven't had one since I realised we were poor, so I have literally no idea what they cost!! It didn't matter, you see, when we were rich :D. I will be buying them on Friday come what may, and I will make sure that I get the biggest piece!

Hopeful1

HappyNow wrote: »

I haven't had one since I realised we were poor, so I have literally no idea what they cost!! It didn't matter, you see, when we were rich :D.

And that is the bit I struggle with - not being able to just buy something every now and then. At times I find it quite painful having to consider every penny spent. Although, even when I am debt free I will never be frivolous. I do, however, look forward to the day when I can fling the odd item in my shopping trolley purely 'cause I want it and not necessarily NEED it. It won't take much to keep me happy The key is that none of it will be on credit!