Natty's Kicking her Mortgage in the Pants Diary

nattypants

Do you know Lulabelle, I was convinced it was the Beano - however the internet said the Beezer and I didn't want to look daft...guess that backfired on me:o

I am working from home today, so taking the opportunity to catch up on here over 'lunchtime' and although have been paid (last working day of the month or me, so early), I am v excited to still have enough money in my purse to see me through the weekend - I am going to try to squeeze every last penny until at least Wednesday, and have just increased my regular O/P from £20 to £25!
I know this is not a huge amount, however if I can keep within budget whilst maintaining small increases, this will have such a positive effect both on the mortgage front and my emotional 'smugness':D

Thanks for dropping by!

NP:D

nattypants

ajmoney wrote: »

Seeing as you are going to read my diary I thought I had better read yours too. You sound very like me in your posts so I am going to follow your diary with interest.

Thank you ajmoney!

nattypants

I don't know what's wrong with me - I have so many Eb*yable items, found out that today is a free listing day, and yet I just cannot work up the momentum to get my backside into gear:(

Instead, I have painted the bathroom ceiling, raked up leaves (front AND back garden), and about to do my most dreaded chore...IRONING:eek:

I am also keen (I don't think I can get away with 'determined' here), to O/P my mortgage annual interest amount - which would be in the region of an extra £368 per month, to stop N*tw*st from getting any more of my custom than is necessary, and the only way I can achieve this will be to sell, sell, sell and reduce, reduce, reduce.

Is anyone else having (or had) an eb*y block?

NP:D

chocoholic_chick

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, it's hardly like you've been sat round doing nothing, you've been working you're backside off!

Once your done with the household stuff why not sit down with a cuppa/glass of wine/tipple of your choice and alternate between having a read of MSE and putting a few things on ebay? Might break the tedium of it up a bit!

ajmoney

nattypants wrote: »

I don't know what's wrong with me - I have so many Eb*yable items, found out that today is a free listing day, and yet I just cannot work up the momentum to get my backside into gear:(

Instead, I have painted the bathroom ceiling, raked up leaves (front AND back garden), and about to do my most dreaded chore...IRONING:eek:

I am also keen (I don't think I can get away with 'determined' here), to O/P my mortgage annual interest amount - which would be in the region of an extra £368 per month, to stop N*tw*st from getting any more of my custom than is necessary, and the only way I can achieve this will be to sell, sell, sell and reduce, reduce, reduce.

Is anyone else having (or had) an eb*y block?

NP:D

I am the same but may try and list some stuff today if it is free, was going to start with some books on amaz*n today though.

HelenDaveKids

Took me ages to start selling bits, still feel very virginlike!

i too have just finished ironing as all the school clothes needed (new uniforms and so have limited stock!)

ammonite

Getting the momentum to start eBaying is hard, but when the pennies roll in it keeps me motivated. Good luck and well done for your hard work today in the house!

nattypants

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read, and of course post on my diary - this really is very much appreciated.

This evening, I 'toted' up my September receipts and it really is not a pretty picture I'm afraid.

The good news is, the light bulb is well and truly stadium bright, and from October it is cash only all the way as my debit card spends have been absolutely shocking and I have wasted money on what could have, and should have been mortgage O/Ps:( I have been banging on about Eb*y to help with O/Ps, when I could potentially achieve an extra £200 monthly O/P by reducing my spend on total and utter carp.

Month on month, my grocery bill is far too high and from now on in this has to stop - I chuck away far too much out-of-date produce, spend on average £30 on wine (I thought it was £20!) and am generally a very emotive shopper - chocolate, biscuits, crisps etc. etc.

From tomorrow (1st October), I will report in a daily spends which will no doubt be extremely boring reading for anyone, however I think if I keep my spends documented, this should change my mindset.

Thank you for being out there.

NP:D

ajmoney

I think my diary must be very boring to other people reading it but it helps get my head straight and I am far more honest about my spending. Putting down daily spends is the way I need to go too, especially on my non budgetted money as I need to keep as much of it as possible. I am going to America in 15 days and although I can claim most of my expenses back through work when I get back I don't want to be so short that I can't enjoy myself. We are going to Washington, I have never been and DH has so I am making the most of the free travel and accommodation so see a new city. I have a longer trip the following month too so any extra money will be OPd on my loan on return from my trips to make sure I do not struggle.

ETA I forgot this wasn't my diary and started rambling, sorry.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi NP, it's really difficult when you have to face spending habits - both Mr T and I have really had to wake up to how much we frittered on nothing really.

My advice is to menu plan. Even if you don't fancy doing it long term, have ago for a month. You can buy in bulk, use leftovers in a sensible way and write your shopping lists up for each week, taking into account what you already ready have. This was the biggest shock to me when I first had a go. Our shopping would be as high as >£120 per week. Now we are between £40:£80, normally £60 ish. There are some weeks when £20 is enough for a top up. Having a menu plan doesn't mean you can't change it if necessary, but it will reduce waste and makes life so much easier. I batch cook, freeze and then make the basic components into a variety of dishes.

Good luck, Tilly x x