Lost and nervous - the next chapter

Lost_and_nervous

It's in the title - its the new chapter for me, I have realised that the old diary is very negative and even though I have come along way with that diary I need a fresh start which in my book, is turning a new page and starting a new chapter.

For those of you who don't know, the shorter version is I am nearly 30, depressed, anxious, nervous and in debt with a not very supportive relationship where I can't talk to oh but we have a wonderful dd. I have found this forum to be my rock and have met some wonderful people who have given me the support I need.!

The reason I have started a new diary is to be able to monitor my progress and achievements. I don't really want to go into the nitty gritty details of everything but I do want to keep this diary as upbeat and positive as I can. I just want to succeed. I have learnt so much and am continuing to learn daily. Some things helpful, other things useful and some things achievable. It's a long road to recovery but I am on it, taking baby steps at a time.

I have various ideas of how to save some more money, I am going to bulk cook as much as possible, to any mince meat dishes I'm going to add a tin of beans or even 2 along with all the veg and of course minimal mince! I am going to at the beginning of each month work out every slice of bread, every cheese triangle I need, every piece of broccoli even down to the ounce of pasta I use, everything will be exact, easy to find, pre prepared if possible and allowing to keep to the meal plan with enjoyment too!

I have had to hand wash a couple of items, which has got me thinking, why do we need to use the washing machine all the time for every item which sometimes just needs rinsing through cause you haven't been in it long, haven't got it dirty and generally just needs freshing up? I am going to try to do hand washing everyday in the sink with my powder detergent for the things which don't need a proper hot long wash, I will use the kettle water when boiled for tea/dds milk and do it all in the sink. I will take an electric meter reading and a gas meter reading and then a month after do it again and see. It doesn't take long to hand wash and if it saves some pennies then I am all for it!

The car - will only be used on work days and if I really need to! Apart from that it's walking all the way! I need to budget properly for the petrol and stick within that budget where possible!!

Birthdays and Christmas - my absolute bugbear! Why do people need to spend so much money, it's not necessary, it's not a competition, it's about enjoying the day and the time together! I am going to look at things which will mean a lot and not cost a fortune! If you search then lovely things can be found at bargain prices. And where I can I am going to make gifts/bulk buy to make hampers for individuals/families! The whole giving is no longer giving because you want to and that person will like it, it's giving to receive and being the better person!!

It's true, you don't need to have loads of clothes, shoes etc, having been visiting family and staying with just a few outfits which can be mix and matched I have realised its all about the nicer things which can be worn with various things not the amount you have bursting out of the wardrobe. I am going to really go through and try to sell as much as I can to try to make some extra money.

I will see if i can get any extra work which could fit in around OH and DD, anything is worth a try.

It really is going to be a mindset of total positivity and looking of ways to save, cut back, live within my means, make some extra pennies and generally change!!

I am also going to be a fly lady, it seems to work for so many and it's something I have struggled with since my depression and before. I really want to get on top of things and the only way is by doing a bit at a time! Not overloading should help.!

My aim of this diary is to update as much as I can hopefully daily, be positive throughout, write down everything I have done to change my situation and new ways/things which help towards the new me and also keep a tab of any savings/cut backs and extra money made. It's going to take a very long time but I have worked to get where I am now so now it's time to go to the next level of change. Xxx

Lost_and_nervous

This post will be edited so I can keep track on the 'positive figures' that I achieve. I will update hopefully daily, then reset the amounts weekly and then once they are reset they will go into the 'total' amounts from todays date. Hopefully this will give me the urge to achieve more and work hard.

Items listed on ebay - 3
Items sold on ebay -
Amount made from ebay after costs -
Change found -
Money saved from household shopping -
Money made from overtime/other areas -
Weight Lost -
Carrier bags donated to local church -
Black sacks of rubbish cleared -
Total amount made -

recoverydust

hello
i started my diary today and we dont seem much different
when i was a poor student i "footwashed" all my smalls when i had a shower, or put them in the bath and used soap, it gets the clothes clean and they smell nice too. I obviously dont still do my jeans in the bath - but I might do if i wanted to have a no electricity week
my dh is contributing to our frugality by taking charge of ebay, he cant buy any more films or music unless he makes the money on ebay!
good luck and pop over to my diary when you get the chance
xx

Lost_and_nervous

recoverydust wrote: »

hello
i started my diary today and we dont seem much different
when i was a poor student i "footwashed" all my smalls when i had a shower, or put them in the bath and used soap, it gets the clothes clean and they smell nice too. I obviously dont still do my jeans in the bath - but I might do if i wanted to have a no electricity week
my dh is contributing to our frugality by taking charge of ebay, he cant buy any more films or music unless he makes the money on ebay!
good luck and pop over to my diary when you get the chance
xx

Hello, thank you for taking time to read my diary. I am happy to hear there is someone else who is not so different. So it does work then the washing them in the sink? Thats great news! No electric week, what a great idea!

Thats very good that your DH is involved and that he has to earn the money to buy more. A great incentive.

I will pop over to your diary and have a look. We should keep in contact with ideas, tips and progress. Thank you and good luck to you too xxx

Lost_and_nervous

So the first day of the new chapter, not as productive as I had hoped as have done running around for OH and DD been clingy today but I have managed to win £10 on OHs lottery ticket he got last night, and also done some cleaning and washing.!

I'm not very good with starting things on any day apart from a Monday, so the little progress I have made today is a start. I have been looking at things to sell on eBay which can go for more than 99p so when next free listing weekend comes up I am ready.

I am going to get DD to bed then am going to make a list for tomorrow for my aims for the day. I am going to prepare my meals for the day as am at work including snacks so I am not tempted to spend money. Including drinks in my bag. I have petrol in my car so it should be a NSD.!

I need to do a little research in to certain things which are sold on eBay, I have lots of things I would like to get rid of but am up for trying to sell them. It's a rough guide of prices too.

Anyway hopefully I can get an early night so I can rise and shine fresh for the morning which no doubt won't happen as mornings are such a struggle for me. But positivity, I am going to try my best! Because that's part of this journey in the new chapter!!

recoverydust

of course you can wash clothes in the sink, in a river, in a lake, in the bath......there wasnt always washing machines.... lol
welcome to the world of sweet soap smelling smalls
xxx

Lost_and_nervous

recoverydust wrote: »

of course you can wash clothes in the sink, in a river, in a lake, in the bath......there wasnt always washing machines.... lol
welcome to the world of sweet soap smelling smalls
xxx

Heres to the simple life again! You are so right, there hasnt always been washing machines. Hope your ok xxx

Lost_and_nervous

Well yesterday was a disaster (positive thinking) - had a migrane all day which tipped me over to the dark side of sleep when I should have been productive, but the positive is that I have learnt my lesson - always be prepared. Us ladies have handbags so always carry the neccessary things to help. Went to the GP for my depression review, I have had my anti depressants increased which to be honest I see as a positive as they should give me the pick me up I need to continue on my journey.

Really didnt achieve anything apart from head strong organisation at work which has inspired me to work in a different manner which in turn is a positive, hopefully I wont feel like I am getting bogged down, I am allocating things to time scales, I have got a new working system which hopefully will work and my attitude has changed.

My very small veggie pots are going a bit crazy and need to be repotted, I am going to try to do one tonight if its not raining. I am hoping that I will start to get some veggies/salad soon. Another money saving hobby.

My inner flylady has been very lazy but am putting it down to the migrane. Hopefully she will be willing when I get home after work.

Am off to work now, need to drive economically and try not to spend any money.

I did have a long term money saving idea yesterday, I am addicted to a good cuppa and spend money every week when am at work. What I am going to do is save the money I would spend and put it towards a thermal flask so I can make it at home and take it with me.

I may have been useless yesterday but my money saving head is on.

Heres to positive thinking. xxx

recoverydust

taking a flask is a good idea, its amazing how much you will save.
i drink black coffee so make a flask full whenever i boil the kettle... saves energy - electricity and mine.
we are having an electricity diet. Minimum lights, plugs out etc...need to find out exactly how much our background consumption is, then how much the washing machine costs per cycle....
looked at lining all the curtains with fleece and set up sewing machine in spare bedroom
hope you have a good day
xx

Lost_and_nervous

recoverydust wrote: »

taking a flask is a good idea, its amazing how much you will save.
i drink black coffee so make a flask full whenever i boil the kettle... saves energy - electricity and mine.
we are having an electricity diet. Minimum lights, plugs out etc...need to find out exactly how much our background consumption is, then how much the washing machine costs per cycle....
looked at lining all the curtains with fleece and set up sewing machine in spare bedroom
hope you have a good day
xx

that is a fantastic idea, and I love the electricity diet. Now time to look for a cheap flask. If you contact your energy supplier, they should be able to send you an electricity reader, my energy supplier sent me one and its scary how much things use. The kettle is the same amount as the washing machine on spin!

I know this is a silly question but how would you line your curtains with fleece? Is it a thick fleece?

I have been thinking about getting my sewing machine out, I have a pair of curtains which hang over a radiator which in turn is pointless having the radiator. In the winter all the heat just goes up the back of the curtains and doesnt come into the room. Something I aim to do before the weather turns.

Hope your ok xxx

Lost_and_nervous

I am up early, cup of coffee at my side and a get up and go attitude. The weather is awful, but its not going to stop me. I have had lots of ideas, and I am starting a cupboard of 'things to try and ebay' but I have 2 going, 1 for over £1 and 1 for under which i can start to list straight away. The £1 over I will need to wait for a free listing weekend.

Yesterday when I got home, I unleashed my inner fly lady, and did some jobs which felt very good, something which I have struggled with for so long.

I sold an item on ebay yesterday :j so need to package it up to post today.

I am going to go for now and sort a drawer out - lots of DDs shoes in there and a couple of mine, need to sort through and see what fits what doesnt and what can be sold.

Heres to determination. xx