An Enchanting Fairytale........ Part One.

Enchanted21

Welcome to my story, ladies and gentlemen ....... It's going to be an epic tale of many chapters of that I am sure! Hope, despair, joy, laughter, tears, frustration ...... But ultimately, triumph over our debt situation.

To set the scene ........

There is me, a 38 year old woman living in her own little fairytale, with the wolves knocking on my door. My wonderful Hubby ( Mr Wonderful) and my Princess (6) and my Munchkin (9). Life here in my castle in the clouds is a happy one, with some dark clouds on the horizon.

We are £35831 in debt! The cloud is looking rather black right now :-( but I'm an eternal optimist! I know I can kick this debt on it's not so pretty derriere! One baby Louboutin step at a time ...... I did tell you I live in a fairytale, didn't I ?!?! Lol ....... Louboutins? In my dreams :-)

I have read an abundance of debt free diaries over the space of about ...... Oooooooo two years and I am inspired by the stories of triumph and dedication shown by all of the amazing people on this site. I did start a paper diary of my own a few months ago, but along with the fear of someone I know finding and reading it, I also lacked the friendly input you all share here.

So please, pull up a comfy throne and pour yourself a cup/or glass of something nice and pleasing. I'm opting for left-over Cava from yesterday's romantic celebrations :-)

Here is the starting point........ As I mentioned £35831 in debts:
This includes..... Overdrafts, Personal Loans, Credit Cards. My objective is to clear these as quickly as possible, ideally before I turn 40. Now, that would be a dream come true :-)

Let's see how I get on?

Today, I have totted up that I have £710.50 cash in my accounts. I can't call it disposable because it is earmarked for payments later in the month. I have looked at the Old-Style boards and jotted down some ideas for frugal, delicious meals which all being well should last until 2nd March when Hubby (Prince-Charming :-)) will be first paid for the month. I have budgeted to the 1st, which is when all the major bills come out.

I think I have £18 to last until then .......... Ha ha........ Think this is going to be more like a roller coaster than a fairytale to be honest :-). But I'm determined it's going to be fun Xxxx

Oh yeah..... I paid £1 into a savings account, so I can wholeheartedly say I have started on my epic journey!

Hope I don't meet too many wolves, wicked witches or goblins on my journey.......

Please join me? Looking forward to making new friends Xxxx

EllaBeagle

Good Luck enchanted I´m sure you can do it :beer:

Enchanted21

Thank you so much Ella Xx

I have poured my left-over Cava into an elegant glass to raise a private toast to the start of my fairytale ;-)

My first step into the sunlight will be to prepare a meal of....... Yorkshire Pudding, frozen veg and gravy. Never been known around these here parts before. It's usually roasts, steak, and other way out of my league meals :-)

Let's see how the family receive the royal meal :-). Turned up noses I suspect? Or then again, they might be soooooooo hungry they won't realise I have put no meat in the dish :-) He He Xx

Enchanted21

I've had to afford myself a chuckle ...... Munchkin said "What's for tea Mum, I can smell steak?"

"Ummmmmm No, Yorkshires, veg and gravy" says I.

"You are joking right? Look you are laughing...."

" No I'm not! We are being frugal!". "Eat and enjoy". :-)

Verdict......... "tasty and light". "Oooooo I could eat that again" "Add it to the weekly meal list"

Whey Hey....... A RESULT! There is hope in this little Princess yet!

Now, to tackle the clothes, toys and other bits and bobs needed for the the kids 3 day trip away to their Grandparents! Thank God for Grandparents :-) All hail!

Enchanted21

Just now I asked Mr Wonderful what he thought about me growing my own veg........? Other than looking at me in a peculiar fashion, as I am THE most un- green fingered person you will ever meet, he said " go for it"...... I'm going to look at it as a Victory Garden :-)

jwil

Good luck! I love yorkshire pudding, so your meal sounds lovely to me

Enchanted21

Thank you Jwil x.

It was rather nice and satisfying...... More so because I knew we were enjoying it for what it was and not eating beyond our means :-) Thanks old style board x. I have to admit that the food presented on that board is fabulous ...... More so because it is straight forward and wholesome. I have often become carried away by exotic and complicated dishes just because it seems to be the DONE thing around here, but going back to basics gives you a sense of achievement and an almost unbilcal link to a bygone generation. I think next week when I visit my Gran (86 yrs) I will ask her for some recipes of old. See if I can't reincarnate them :-)

I'm sure if nothing else she will love to pass on some words of wisdom :-)

Elsewhere in the castle I have ironed the kids clothes and packed their bags :-( it's really not often that they go away so I'm going to miss them terribly. The upside is that Mr W and I will be able to spend some quality time together :-) Any ideas on what we can do to entertain ourselves frugally? Hummmmmmmmmm........ Already thought of that........ Cheeky! I'm thinking more out and about :-)

Thank you to everyone who is reading, I really appreciate it Xxx

Box_of_Fluffies

Welcome aboard the rollercoaster ride that is money saving Enchanted.

Enchanted21

Thanks Box of Fluffies x. I have to admit you had me stumped as to the time shown when you posted, until I did a little hop, skip and a jump over to your diary ....... It all makes sense now. Well done for following your dreams to New Zealand :-) X

I was up with the Lark this morning. 5:45 to be precise! Mr W was taking the kids to their Grandparents on his way to work. They live about an hour and a half away and we had a little bit of last minute packing to do. They are gone now and the castle is sooooooo spookily quiet without them.

As I mentioned, I'm going to miss them terribly X. On the plus side I have some extra time to myself :-). I have already indulged in a power shower and conditioned my hair with Aussie 3 minute miracle. The miracle being I actually had three minutes spare to do it :-) and now I am sat with a nice cup of Joe, with a pile of notebooks, diaries and assorted coloured pens and pencils by my side, ready to design and improve on an already awesome life.

I just love me some lists!

I will pop back in later with some more ramblings ..... Have I mentioned yet that I love to talk?!?! I suppose you have already clocked onto that fact :-). But in the words of Bon Jovi ........ Have A Nice Day! Xx

Thanks again for reading X

pennywisepoundstupid

Good morning Enchanted, loving your diary already and have subscribed, hope you don't mind me keeping you company on your journey.

I love things like yorky puds, so cheap to make and bulk meals out.

Hope you enjoy your few days of peace.

Enchanted21

Top of the Morning to you too, Pennywisepoundstupid. I feel pretty humbled by the fact you would like to join me on my travels Xx. Are you ready for a bumpy ride? I always give a little giggle when I drive down a hill in my car...... Hopefully that's what will happen on this journey. Whether it's a nervous giggle, frightened giggle or even an all out belly laugh ..... I'm sure there will be plenty :-)

Right, on with my totals. I have spent this morning, so far crunching numbers ...... My head is in a whirl. Thankfully, it all looks do-able, but only just!


I have worked totals out based on a four week month. This is for the twelve months of the year. Which means, when we have a five week month, I have some extra cash Xx. It also helps to keep things nice and even :-)

Here we go ............

WEEKLY.

INCOME: £713.

BILLS: £310.

DEBTS: £223. This is min repayments on the £35831 debt.

OTHER: £10. Munchkin's School Dinner Money. Princess takes a packed lunch.
School holidays, means I should save a bit here too :-)

£35. Mr Wonderful's work petrol.

£15. My petrol. We do only have one car, but Mr W takes turns
Driving to work as it is so far away. He drives 1-3 weeks.

Income. £713.
Minus
Expenditure. £593.

Leaves...... £120 per week for food and other misc things. I think that is manageable.
Anything left-over will go towards extra debt repayments.

I'm sure I can be inventive and try and save as much as I can :-)

Waiting for a cheque to drop through the letter box this morning...... I will let you know if it arrives :-)