Resisting the URG to Spend Whilst Getting My Life Back

urg123

Creeps in quietly....

It's been over a month since I last posted:o. Lots going on - some stuff that has been hard and I can't really talk about it here. I have been lurking a bit.

Money has been a bit tough for the last few weeks and will be hard for the next couple of months. DH's cousin is getting married next month and we have had to get organised!

I have had to buy new dresses (I've worn all of the ones I currently have to other weddings and can't really get away with wearing them again) and we will have to hire a car as we are hoping to have a week's holiday and visit some friends. Our car is lovely but just won't make it!

Unfortunately, we have had to resort to the credit card - I will be able to pay it off next month but it will mean that I can't put funds towards the 'bathroom' savings.

So far this month, I have managed three NSDs and expect today to be a fourth! This is great because my target is usually eight!

This Easter weekend has been very home bound - apart from my day of shopping for dresses (using Debenhams personal shopping service - Brilliant) and DH's shop for a new suit.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon playing with my sewing machine - I've never really had the chance to get grips with it but I had fun making a needle case. DH also got me to take in a shirt - not a total success:o

I've spent the afternoon sorting and cleaning in the living room. I am shattered now!

HOpe you are all okay!

urg x x

taxi73

You sound very busy as usual.Glad you managed to stay at home and relax for some of the weekend though.
I wouldn't stress about having to use the CCs sometimes as life does tend to throw us some curve balls and I'm sure you'll do it sensibly.The cost of living now a days isn't helpful either.

urg123

Hi All

Not sure where the time has gone. I have been pretty down recently. DH and I went went away last week and have had a brilliant time. We went to a wedding, visted friends, saw some beautiful countryside and I came back feeling miles better.

I really want to keep this postivity so I am going to set myself some mini challenges for the next few days/weeks and months to help keep me motivated towards meeitng some of those goals that I set at the start of the diary!

So this week I will
- carry on dealing with the washing pile created by our week away!!
- follow WW to shed some lbs (I am the heaviest I have EVER been and I really want to bring this down!)
- do at least 20 mins exercise per day
- take lunches in
- send in paperwork needed
- call a friend/family member every day to help keep me happy
- write thank you cards to my friends from last week.
- spend 30 mins doing something nice for me.

Tonight, I still have a few things to do so will come back during the week to see how I am getting on.

hope you are all keeping well.

urg x x

Buffythedebtslayer

Hey Urg!

Long time no see, I should email but am on the netbook and it is a bit huffy with the e mail!

Hope you are doing ok with everything and not stuck under a washing pile somewhere

post soon

Love Buffy xx

urg123

Oh my gosh - I have been bad. I haven't been on the boards much. I REALLY do need to catch up with you all.

Lots has been going on this summer - many good things but also a very sad thing. My grandma became very unwell in July and sadly passed away. It was obviously upsetting but I seem to be doing ok. It was my dad's mum so he has been struggling a bit so we have spent more time with him.

I do need to come and spend more time on here. It's being here that I seem to get things done. I have been falling really behind on some things. I've seen a thread using September as a 'new year' which is what I usually do I think I will join that group.

Other than that, things are ticking along quite nicely. I am still working on the budgeting front. DH and I want to move next year so we really need to get ourselves sorted as to getting this place sorted so that we can move. DH has also got a fair amount of debt that needs to be addressed. He really is a 'head in the sand' guy so I am pushing hard.

I have been a little naughty too this month - a few extra things bought and not been budgeted for. I am falling back into my 'beauty and cosmetics' purchasing habits so need to pull back pretty quickly.

I'll be back soon with some new School year plans/resolutions.

Hoping you are all well.

urg x x

taxi73

sorry to hear about your grandma x

urg123

Oh my gosh it's been such a long time since I have posted. I have got that 'end of year feeling' and am starting to review things in my life. I have acheived on some things (new bathroom - yay) but have also not achieved on others - getting fit and healthy (nay).

Money has been going okay - I have been able to pay for the bathroom from savings, overpay on the mortgage and also save regularly for a car. Things will change soon as our lodger will be moving out in the New Year so I will have to adjust the finances and plans to reflect this.

I have also found some bad habits are starting to creep back in so I need to keep myself in check. The credit card has become the 'spending' card and I have found myself paying this off at the start of every month. I feel that January is going to have to be a very lean month of not spending on the CC at all and paying off the bits and pieces that I have been adding here and there for Christmas.

Lots of thinking about to happen and I will be back with a plan.

I hope you are all well and will come back over the next few days with my 2013 plans!.

urg x x

taxi73

nice to see you about was wondering where you were

GreyhoundAngel

Hi Urg, good to see you back ...

Well done on getting the tub room done from savings - must be a good feeling!:T

Boo to the norty credit card, tempting you to back out to play after your hard work !!

Looking forward to the 2013 plan ... don't suppose you've got a spare one I can borrow ? :rotfl:

Angel xx

urg123

Hi

Taxi - Not sure what my time goes. I'm going to try and get on here more often. Not promising every day - but aiming for every week at least!

Angel - the plan is coming together .. will share it soon and you are very welcome to use anything that is useful to you.

Well, I can't believe I've been off work a whole week. Christmas and Boxing days were nice and I have been able to have a lot of down time which has been great.

I've been doing lots of contemplating and am planning do my goals over the next day or two. I'll post them up soon.

I've not really been as focused on my finances recently so I have been going through all of my accounts etc. today. I've been able to:
- cancel 2 credit cards
- reduce the limits on the others*
- closed a savings account with pennies in them
- negotiated a reduced subscription with a magazine I get to save £36 in the next year!

* I don't use them but I have them as a 'safety net'.

I've also reviewed my goals over then last year and was please to find I had achieved some things financially:
- I've saved £4500 towards the bathroom refurb (I borrowed £500 from my 'annual costs savings') to make up the £500 and will pay that back soon
- I overpaid my mortgage by £3000 reducing the overall amount by nearly £9000
- I saved £3600 in a monthly saver towards a new car (our car has done us well but we have to be prepared ...)
- I've paid off my Credit Card off every month so no interest!!

When I look at it in black and white - it's not been a bad year financially! I suppose all the hard work in paying things off over the years and setting my goals at the start of the year mean that I have learned something about managing my money.

I'll back soon with more!!

urg x x