Help - I'm a mess :(

moneybuster

flis21 wrote: »

I'm in contract with Sky, I think it's till Sept. I don't buy clothes for myself, only for my boys who seem to grow so bloody quickly!! Also included shoes in this as they seem to need new pairs about every 2 months as their feet grow just as quickly! TBH £50 is probably a conservative estimate, but luckily my Mum does help with buying them clothes.

Will def look at cutting down the groceries, My main food shop bills are about £50 a week, but I always seem to do a couple of top up shops which bumps it up.

Our holiday for this year is almost paid for only £47.50 left to pay and won't need much spending money as we've got half board (we're only going to Butlins and I've split it with my ex as we're going together, so it's only cost me £147.50). I know it is a luxury that I really shouldn't do. Perhaps we should cut it out next year.

Entertainment I put in is mostly the kids activities, doubt I spend more than £5 a month entertaining myself!! I will look at cutting down some of their bits and doing cheaper days out.

I have tried giving up (in fact tried again, and failed last week). I just feel so stressed at the mo that it's hard to cut out something that helps with my stress!! Have spoken to my dr about it as well and she's said that until my depression is more stable it's prob not a priority to quit. Am sure she will tell me when it is a priority!! I could try and cut down a bit tho to save some money at least.

Thanks for taking time to give me your advice. Altho it is a v depressing picture, seeing it like this at least I know what I'm dealing with. I'm sure shaving a few bits here and there off my budget will help with being able to afford things, I really need to sort the debts out to get myself back on track.

Hi Kids and you need a break we all do sometimes as parents we want to give our kids a holiday, go and enjoy your self but be careful as Butlins little shops can be very expensive.


we all want to pay our debts back but the bloody CC company's want there cake and £25 quid,



all the best MB

flis21

Well Day 1 of not smoking, I feel fine so far, got my patch on and I've had one go on my inhalator (mostly cos I wanted to see what it was like tho!!).

I did end up going into town last night, with my friends. I spent £6 on drinks (had quite a bit at her house so didn't need much!!) and £9 on taxi home, which is a lot less than the £50 I usually take out with me and spend!! (Altho I don't go out that often, once every 2 or 3 months and I'm feeling it this morning!! lol).

Really annoyed cos I put a book on Amazon, which I've just had an email to say I've sold, now I can't find it and think I might have taken it to the charity shop last week with a load of other bits

Got lots to do today, CCCS paperwork, going thru my cupboards and writing a menu plan for next week, then seeing how cheap I can get my shopping on Tesco website and some ebaying. Oh and checking out the old style boards (which I wierdly feel a bit apprehensive about!) Will keep me busy!!

Oh and can I just say I'm really proud of myself, I stopped myself doing something very silly. cos I wanted to get an airer and a set of hair clippers I went on the website for my catalogue and nearly ended up ordering them off there!!! Then I stopped myself, reminded myself that that was onyl going to add to my horrific situation and that the bits were a lot more expensive on there (the airer was £30 and looks just the same as the one I got for £12.99!!). Quite proud of myself as before I would have just ordered them without even thinking about it!

Have a good day all,
Flis x

flis21

lemonpopsicle wrote: »

Well done with what you've achieved so far and good luck for tomorrow

Did you ever speak to the water people as your water seems very high, there are 4 of us in our house including two teenagers, we all shower daily and our water DD is the same as yours. Might be worth a phone call.

Oh I'd forgotten about that, really need to read back thru my own thread!!! Will dig out the paperwork and give them a ring.
Thanks, Flis x

flis21

hp48910 wrote: »

Good luck for your first day of no smoking. Will be thinking of you and willing you on.

Try to keep in mind them amount you'll be saving and then project forward to when the debt is gone and think of it in terms of something special you'll be able to afford. :O)

I've downloaded this app that they suggested on the quit smoking thread which shows you how much money you've saved and how long you have added on to your life by just putting in the date you stopped smoking. It's hopefully another motivator. (So far today I've saved £1.53!! and added 25min to my life).

determined_new_ms

hey well done on giving up smoking! thought this might be helpful to you x

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2957492

fannyadams

flis21 wrote: »

I shop at Tesco usually and do their online (as I don't drive there's no way I can carry the shopping home!) will look at what cheaper alternatives they have for washing powder and softener, but I have prob got enough to last me the next couple of weeks anyway.

just wanted to say you are doing awesomely well
and add that if you go here (mysupermarket.co.uk) you can compare prices of your stuff then downsize because it will suggest cheaper options. you also used to be able to get maximiles but i think they've stopped that now

HTH
FA#1
xx

mfmaybe

Well done with everything so far! Especially resisting temptation to buy online, and the giving up smoking! Some tips for the airer. Give clothes a good hard shake before hanging and try to keep sleeves etc unrolled. I know you don't have an OH in the house, but I hang all shirts on hangers off the end rail, you could do that with tshirts etc, means less ironing and more on it. And if you do put the airer outside on a windy day, peg stuff down! If I am putting stuff out but don't trust the weather, I only hang out the big stuff ( trousers, jumpers) so I can take it back in quickly if needed. Socks and pants are too fiddly to rush with! But of course they all go out if the forecast is good!

katsu

See if you can find a clarks outlet mall to get new shoes cheaper

flis21

Morning all,

Am very impressed with myself this morning. Have been thru fridge, freezer and cupboards, written a list of everything I have and worked out a menu plan for the week (including lunches!!). Have just done my tesco online shop and got it for £33.02!!!! I've gone for a cheaper delivery slot at £3.50, so total is £36.52. Can't remember the last time I spent that little on food, and it includes £5 for baby wipes for my son!! (He has v sensitive skin and I can only use certain wipes on him, or he comes out in a nasty rash [have even more probs with suncream for him!!] but they have the pampers sensitive ones on half price, so 6 packs for less than £5 and that should last me a while).

Instead of buying the boys treats I have bought bits for us to bake with, we're going to make cheese scones, flapjacks, rice krispie squares and chocolate chip cookies. So got 3 of their faves and trying them on the flapjacks, all for a lot less than I'd have spent on the premade ones. Am sure my 4 year old is going to love helping me make them as well, he adores cooking and is always asking to do it, but all I've really made with him before is fairy cakes! And he doesn't even eat them, so a bit of a waste really.

I'm going to cancel my lovefiml account today, I only had a small poackage on there at £5.99 a month and to be honest I don't really have time to watch them anyway. Instead I've been looking thru the film listings on tv and taped about 4 movies yesterday I can watch them in the evenings instead.

Am going to knuckle down to this paperwork for CCCS today, I felt really ill yesterday (nasty cold) so didn't do it, but kids are back at 3pm today so want it done while I have the peace and quiet to concentrate on it!

Oh and it's my 2nd day of being a non-smoker today. Bad craving this morning, but with my patch and inhalator I got thru it. Feel better now and quite positive. I know that I can do this.

Flis x

hp48910

Well done for all you've achieved so far today and for the plans you've got for later too. Sounds to me like you'll be far too busy having fun with your boys to even think about the cigarettes;)