Mummy Rivett: Playing Pilgrims

MummyRivett

"Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,"

The opening line of one of my favourite books of all time, Louisa May Alcott's, Little Women. The fascinating story March sisters. As today is the 1st December, it feels quite apt that I too in the vainness of Meg March, look down at my dress and sigh, 'It's so dreadful to be poor.'

However, unlike the March sisters, I have no one to blame but myself. High spending on a very adequate wage, I am really ashamed of myself. Having spent a week off work, I decided to look at my finances and was appalled at the state they were in. How did I let it get this bad? I must put a stop on things before I spiral out of control. I am extremely fortunate, I have a good job, a loving husband and a beautiful home which we rent. I am completely disgusted with myself after looking at my SOA that with such small outgoings I am spending far too much on things of no value whatsoever, I do hang my head in shame as I should know better.

Regarding my SOA after reading genuine diaries here on DFW I am so utterly ashamed of my spending that I do not wish to disclose this. It just proves to me that I have become the one thing I never, ever wanted to become, a poor little rich girl.

It may be appropriate not to judge on this site, but believe me, no one on here could judge me harder that I have judged myself this week. But I am where I am and with the help of you all, I thank you for welcoming me within these threads with encouragement and enthusiasm.

I will end this entry on the wise words of Mrs March:

"We ought not to spend money for pleasure - we can make our little sacrifices and do it gladly."

MummyRivett

"Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning."


Another useful quote observed by Louisa Alcott, served very well this morning as I took the bull by the horns and cut up the credit cards. Not only did I do this, I removed them from all saved Internet shopping sites such as amazon and PayPal.

I feel a little vulnerable now, oh do pull yourself together woman, you'll thank yourself one day.

Do look forward to that day, however, today, I sit and grind my teeth in frustrated digust.

rising_from_the_ashes

Morning MummyRivett just popped in to wish you the best on your DF quest ...... great to see you've joined some Challenges as they really do spur you on.

Keep posting: both on your diary and on the Challenge threads - it honestly does make a huge difference and, you'll get load of extra support and understanding from others who really "get it".:)

MummyRivett

Thank you rising from the ashes, great name by the way. I can see myself getting addicted to this site.

Fudgefund

I love your first two posts! Apart from inspiring good debt free thoughts, it's also inspired me to dig out Little Women when I go home for Christmas.

Good luck, I have subscribed, I like your writing.

MummyRivett

Fudgefund,

Thank you for your lovely comments. I love reading all the classics and children's books, your name reminds me of another wonderful author of my childhood, Judy Blume, her books about Fudge, Shelia the great and dare I mention, Ralph, kept me amused for hours.

Did you know Little Women is availbe online for free, either to read at you computer or on an E-reader such as kindle. Infact the whole series is, so you can continue the beautiful stories of Jo all christmas long and it won't cost a penny

elantan

I share your sense of vulnerability when getting rid of the cards, I've had mine for so long and didn't realise how much comfort they brought me, now I am having a credit card free life ( well when I finally pay them off I will, but I can't spend in them any longer) I do feel very liberated one the one hand and scared on the other, I now have to fully budget, not just roughly budget and know the cards will tide me when my workings come unstuck

You will get there and learn a lot about yourself on the way

Good luck

Buffythedebtslayer

I love Little Women.
Really really really LOVE IT.

I also got into debt on a good wage and have never posted SOA as the horror of it would be too great!

I am sort of debt free but should have saved money this year and really haven't.

cutting up the CC is also something I never did - just gave them to MUm to hide!

Keep going! it does work xxx

MummyRivett

"My dear, where did you get it? Twenty-five dollars! Jo, I hope you haven't done anything rash?"

I gained £16.80 today which is a little over $25, unlike Jo March, these monies were not acquired by the sale of my hair; which would be considered an abomination by my husband, on an off day, may even be contemplated as grounds for divorce.

A few months ago I subscribed to a magazine which sadly folded the month after I subscribed. This unfortunate event revealed itself to me in theNovember issue in the form of a cheque stapled to the editor's letter in the sum of £11.80. I clear forgot about this cheque, whilst rummaging through my bedside cabinet this afternoon, I found the letter with cheque still attached, bonus.

Later this afternoon I was sorting out the receipts in my purse. If you are anything like me you will be aware of the description from the Dictionary of Mummy Rivett:

Purse noun \ˈpərs\
A functional oblong portfolio of leather decorated with a golden mock clasp, holding a concertina of fabric bulging to capacity of its nylon stitching by a cleverly disguised metallic popper stud.

All, said, till fodder is slovenly stuffed, in no apparent order, into whichever orifice will suffice the purpose of the task; mainly, a grab and go spree in Boots, Superdrug or any store which requires you take your change, points card, half a rainforest full of coupons to cosmetics that would never match your skin type - and of course, "don't for get your till receipt," coupled with "do you need a bag madam.", when you are pretty sure you already declined the offer three minutes previous. Judging by the tone, this last remark could possibly be misconstrued as, "will you get a *@&* move on madam, have you seen the size of the queue? I clock off in five minutes".

Not that this matters to you of course, as your senses have been numbed to a comatose amnestic state judging by the amount of cheap 'celebrity' perfume samples which have contaminated every available inch of exposed skin while waiting to be served, Britney Spears 'Circus', anyone?

Sorry gentleman, I digress, the ladies will understand. The delights of finally emptying the contents of my purse revealed a crumpled £5 note in with the receipts. So actually, as well as a no spend day today I am, to coin a phrase, better off than I was yesterday.

Now the me a week ago would be fantasizing this £16.80 burning a hole in the bottom of my purse, but this is the post LBM me fantasizing now of taking a trip to the bank tomorrow lunchtime and spending it on my overdraft.

It's all good fun this getting out of debt thing.

MummyRivett

“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can”. - John Wesley

Spending time not spending money is quite an effective mentally stimulating use of time. When I look at just how much I have saved and made this week alone, the benefits are so motivating that I that I can see this becoming quite an addictive past time.

Take this Tuesday for example:

The wrapper of a Snickers bar I had on Saturday congratulated me on the fact that I had now won another Snickers bar. – I’ll relay the story of its redemption later in the week.

Free trip to the cinema for my Husband and courtesy of Sky Rewards.

Free dinner via reward points in Subway.


So far this month, I have managed to not spend a thing. I get paid on 10th of every month and the next day the direct debits come out. I have given my outgoings a thorough going over so now I am only paying out rent, utilities, gift offerings and my travel cost to work. Daddy Rivett pays the food bills, so I am clear of all physical spending apart from the odd Christmas charity giving. I’m not sure if I will last the whole month, but I have been really tough on myself so far and it seems to be paying off, let’s see if I can clear the Overdraft by the beginning of February and then tackle down those evil credit cards.


I hope that others are encouraged as I am to cut back on the spending, these little motivation clubs are better than a dose of Antony Robbins without the annoying voice to boot.

Keep on going my devoted readers, my best tip so far is try not to fret, you’re in this situation, you’ve acknowledged it, now let’s all get out of it together.

elantan

I got an app for my phone that I have started totting up all the money I have saved in various ways, we're currently at £22.10 and it's only week two

I'm hoping to see how much it comes to over the year