MIT's penultimate diary

Skint_but_Optimistic

Maybe do a little tiny bit ebay to keep you going?

Seaxwyn

Ah, take care of yourself.

I'm feeling the same way too. Yesterday was the worst day yet since my mum died. I went to her house and just everything made me miss her. It's four weeks since she died and I felt more desolate yesterday and today than I have in all that time. It's hard to live in a world that no longer has your loved one in it.

We don't have to clear the house quickly as though my dad has decided to sell it, he hasn't done anything about it yet. It has helped me to have it there and pop over fairly often to pick up post and check on things. I find it quite therapeutic, almost like visiting my mum although she's no longer there.

Sorry to post all that blether on your diary! It's comforting in a strange way to know there is someone else in the same boat! Onwards and upwards to us motherless DFWs.

millionaire_in_training

Sorry not been here for a while folks. Just not been in the mood. Going back to work on Monday so am here to give myself the proverbial kick up the !!!!! that I am needing. I need to take control of my life back so, as is my wont, I have been musing over everything and here are my musings :cool:.

1) Back to work on Monday and going to start giving my employer their money's worth again because if truth be told for the last 3 years I have not managed to give them that.
2) I am going to start to start taking better care of myself. By that I mean healthier eating, some exercise, a social life, nice time with my kids( and not just the daily drudge)some pampering ( hairdresser, eyebrows waxed etc)
3) the above will have a direct affect on my finances as having a social life and spending time with the kids will inevitably lead to some spends.
4) I have set myself a more realistic snowball amount. I have dropped by £500 income per month over the last few months. DD will be paying some lodging money but she is only on apprentice wages so it will be a token amount.

I have set my snowball at just over my current minimums which is £250 per month. My snowball had been at £630 per month , which was manageable when I had the other money but I just can't do it now by any stretch of the imagination. I am going to do an SOA and see what I have left ( if anything :rotfl:). This will increase my DFD by over 3years but my standard of living and life in general will improve greatly and my stress levels will most definitely reduce. I will still be frugal as frugal can be and I will still overpay when I can.

This month is going to be a write off though. I have paid everything but I had £135 car tax to pay and I also needed 3 new tyres which cost me £129:(. I have had loads of other expenses as well with the extra petrol etc I have had to use. Ho hum it is all irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

So I am back and hale and hearty. Feeling a bit flat and missing my wee mum massively but I need to carry on and still live. My mojo is a bit battered but I will be okay. I hope everyone is grand xx

millionaire_in_training

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2 ( including DD)
Number of children in household......... 1
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1549
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 112 ( Child Benefit and tax credits)
Other income............................ 84 (part time cleaning job)
Total monthly income.................... 1745

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 173.2
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 245
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 116 ( might be slightly less as discount for DD still being looked at )
Electricity............................. 33
Gas..................................... 47
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 80( includes landline,internet,cable tv)
Mobile phone............................ 30.64 (mine and DS's)
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 275
Clothing................................ 75
Petrol/diesel........................... 150
Road tax................................ 11
Car Insurance........................... 45
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 30
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 20
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 25.95( and contents)
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 8.91
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 100
Haircuts................................ 15
Entertainment........................... 50
Holiday................................. 30
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1572.82


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 65000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 2000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 67000


Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 26805....(173.2)....4
Secured Debt.................. 19000....(112.8)....4
Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... 1379.01..(132.2)....10
Total secured & HP debts...... 47184.01.

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
credit card....................2655.34...29........17.9( 0% and will do BT)
credit card....................1856.3....20........17.9(0% and will BT)
credit card....................4416.53...45........10( Will BT once other 2 are cleared as running out of BT options :rotfl:)
credit card....................2662.48...25........6.9 ( LOB so will leave this)
Total unsecured debts..........11590.65..119.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,745
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,572.82
Available for debt repayments........... 172.18
Monthly Unsecured debt repayments....... 119
Amount left after debt repayments....... 53.18

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 67,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -47,184.01
Total Unsecured debt.................... -11,590.65
Net Assets.............................. 8,225.34



Ok hit me with it . I know my virgin bill is way too high but it is our source of entertainment so is money well spent. I am going to call and see if they can reduce it in any way for me . Not holding my breath mind you .

whizzing

Hi MIT. Think it is a good idea extending your debt free date. Your new soa looks good. I know in the past you have kept a note of budget versus actual spend. Are you going to do that with your new soa? Have you had a look at the thread about dividing your debt into percentages and paying off 1 percent at a time. I thought you might have missed it in the past few weeks. It has loads of ideas too!!! I know you are missing your Mum. It still hurts just as much in the future - but the times when it hurts gets less. I don't know if that makes sense but hopefully it will !! Take Care.

millionaire_in_training

Thanks Whizzing. I know what you mean and I'm sure that will be the case.I will have a wee look and see what new challenges are on the go. I have not filled in my spends diary for weeks now but I really need to ASAP. Hope you are well xx

amber03

MIT , i've been off the boards for abit and now back so sorry to hear about your mum.

I lost my mum in 1996 but can relive that day as if it was yesterday, as they say time heals but i still miss her so much. If you want to sit and cry, then sit and cry do what you want do not be hard on yourself . I dont want to upset you but i found it was the small things that upset me most, birthdays and xmas's, i have all her cookery books and its seeing her writing on the inside covers where she used to write recipes that would come on tv that she fancied. the food mixer that she had that i continued to use broke the other week and i felt that it was another part of her that i had lost, even though my dad bought it for her in the early 1990's.

Its very very early days for you but just remember we are here for you. BIG HUGS..xx

millionaire_in_training

I was sure I posted yesterday but obvi not . Thanks Amber. You're right about the little things being the worst.Was looking at my Mum's missal for church yesterday and all the wee Holy cards and my heart just broke another wee bit,

Went back to work today and it was all good. Lots of support and good wishes. I was so nervous going in but they are good people and I got hugs and kisses all day . So life moves on,

I started healthy eating again today . I made lentil soup and chicken and rice soup last night so cheap and tasty food for DD and I for lunch. I went a walk uphill for 20 minutes after my dinner tonight and literally thought I was going to die :eek: I am so unfit :eek:. Time to take my life back again and today was the first step for me . For over 12 years I have not taken any care of myself between being a single Mum and then caring for my own Mum and it is time foe change. Wish me well as I am sure I will have many struggles along the way. I am ultra determined though. No money spent today either so it's all good xx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Glad you have had a good day, you are right it is time for you now Xx

millionaire_in_training

Hi folks.3 days back in work and all is going well . Managing work no bother but not much in the mood for the chat to be honest so just keeping my head down and getting on with it.

Not been spending and have taken lunch with me every day so no spends there. Had to buy a school bag, joggies and tops for DS starting back to school on Friday. Thank God he is going back as it will be cheaper giving him lunch money rather than feeding him all day :rotfl:.

I'm still eating healthily but not being so great with the exercise. I also have not much motivation so the house is a bit shambolic but I'll get there