Jamiedodgers 2013 Diary

JAMIEDODGER

I know it's still 2012 but thought I'd make a start on a new diary:D

Loads gone on in the last year, but its been a good one:)

Still budgeting and still owing a bit:eek: but onwards and upwards eh:D

Started with OU in January and just got my first module result, a distinction:T working on current module ATM and also at college one morning a week to retake my maths GCSE, which I didn't get high enough on 23 years ago:rotfl: a new module starting with OU in feb and another two next October, then hoping to transfer to Southampton uni to do my nursing degree.

Other changes.... DS1 moved in with his dad in January and after a few months of not talking to me, we now have a much better relationship than ever before:) he is coming to stay over this weekend which I am really looking forward to:)

Bf and I have now been together 15 months, but no plans to live together as we like it this way.

Plans for 2013, get rid of debt, which has gone up and down like a yoyo for about the last 7 years:rotfl: I need to get it paid off so I can have a clear slate when I start at Southampton in hopefully sept 2014:)

Have joined in various challenges for next year, which should help, actually I'm in a pretty good position, I just need to be a bit more careful as I tend to take my eye off the ball and then all hell breaks lose before I reign it in again, and again, and, you get the picture:D

As usual, budget is all worked out, the pot is sealed for SPC 6, and I am raring to go:j

I have been working a cash budget for the last 3 months and it is much better for me, as I tend to find handing over plastic much, much easier:eek:

On the upside, christmas is all paid for, without credit and I have already started potting a few pennies towards next years:T

I managed to shave a big amount off the grocery budget for November, mainly down to Kat's NOvember challenge and 24 NSD's:T. I've joined the December Debt Destruction challenge and so far so good there too:)

I've recently discovered the benefit of yellow stickered items and we are eating better than ever on less then ever:D

This year I also need to save for a car, so I will be setting up a standing order and sending some over to the savings account once a month.

Will try to update everyday as it keeps me focused:)

JackieRHE

Dear Jamiedodgers

I too have a "New Year" feeling now.

Well done with the OU - it is hard to study at home with work and family commitments so a distinction is a great achievement:beer:
Best of luck with the maths - I had a brilliant teacher at primary school and loved maths ever since.

You are doing a great job with budgeting/christmas/food shopping.

Keep up the good work!

JAMIEDODGER

Cheers Jackie:)

I'm loving the maths now, had a rubbish teacher at school and never liked it but my tutor this time is fab and makes everything so simple. Algebra is my favourite.....words I never thought I would say:rotfl:

Dinner was a mix of things, ds1 and I had spaghetti bolognaise, ds2 had filled pasta, ds3 had cheese on toast (his fav) and dd had scrambled egg on toast:) lots used up from fridge and a portion of spag Bol to go into the freezer too:)

Fridge and freezer inventories redone, a bit lopped off the essay and lots of tea drunk....but best of all.....another nsd:T

Going to have a nice relaxing bath soon and settle down to watch Merlin and Casualty:j:j

JD

brummiebabe

Hi JD - good to see you posting again. Glad things are going well for you. I'll be lurking to see how you're getting on;)

JAMIEDODGER

Managed a little lie in this morning, 7am instead of 6am:rotfl:

Plans for today:

- chop the last 20 words from essay and finish reference list then submit!!

- do some baking and fill up tins

- cut ds1 hair

- finalise meal plan for coming week

Off this afternoon to a christmas party with the kids. Food and drink will be free:) no need to cook dinner:T

Aiming for NSD number 7 today as won't be going anywhere near a shop!:D

£1 PAD today and sealed pot is starting to have a nice 'chink' sound when I add to it:T it is going to be a bit of a struggle to last on the remainder of this months money but I am determined to try. This won't include food or petrol as they are accounted for and money already tucked away into envelopes.

Arranged to meet a friend on Tuesday for a catch up in town, but have asked her over to mine instead, she didn't mind...I guess we are all feeling the pinch and it will save us both money:money:

Busy week again to come, lots of Christmassy stuff going on, but will be trying to keep the money in check:A

JD

JAMIEDODGER

Hi brummiebabe:wave: it's good to be back:)

Assignment is all sent.. Phew!

Off to orthodontist with ds3 this morning to have his braces fitted. Not entirely sure how that will go but I am keeping my fingers crossed. The orthodontist is very good with special needs kids and had fitted braces to many at my sons school and ds3 seems to like him:)

Having a day off study today as worked through the weekend which I don't normally do. Lots of housework to get done and some present wrapping too.

The housing association are coming round this morning to fit new bathroom door, which I have been waiting for for ages!!:T they tell me they will be round before I have to leave to collect ds3, so I am going to take them at their word....we shall see....

Paperwork to catch up on also today...yuk.

Lots of other little jobs to do so I'm sure I won't have to constantly think about when my assignment is returned and the mark I'm gonna get:rotfl:

Planning on a NSD. Parking at hospital was all budgeted and enveloped at the start of the month, so will try not to be tempted into any spends:)

JD

JAMIEDODGER

Another NSD yesterday so that's 8 so far now:) will be a spend day today as I have a top up shop to do.

Bank account checked and everything as it should be.

College this morning, lunch is packed ready to go and I have a friend over after for a cuppa and a natter - which is always nice:)

Orthodontist went ok yesterday, ds3 mouth a little sore by last night bless him, but he is being ever so good about it:A

Ds2 at doctors tonight for immunisation at 5pm. He is not very impressed about it but at 15 it is I think, his last one.

Nothing to pot yesterday and the cash box is looking very empty and there are still 20 days left this month:eek: in reality, I have 3 christmas presents left to buy, I'd forgotten one! They are only small things but still need to be bought, plus I need some money for sweeties at the christmas panto, It is doable but really tight.

The leftovers from this months grocery and petrol will be going towards a meal for ds2 birthday on 29th December. I am going to have to be very strict for the remainder of the month so I don't over spend.

JAMIEDODGER

Manic day yesterday, and I think I'm coming down with a cold:(

College went well, seem to have caught up with missing last weeks class without too much problem. Did a test and got 90% and now I know what needs more revision.

DS2 had his immunisation...apparently it didn't hurt :rotfl:

Spend day yesterday and it may be another one today as DS3 needs some more calpol because of his braces:(

Meals were a mash up of things, but used up a few odd items from the freezer. Got myself the last soup and two rolls out of the freezer for lunch today:D

Planning on study this morning, then off to see DS3 school play this afternoon, followed by kids swimming lessons at 5pm.

Been looking on OU website trying to decide what modules to take next October, don't need to rush as registration doesn't open until march, but I like to have a rough idea in my mind:) not sure what to do as I had planned transferring to brick uni in 2014 to start my nursing degree, then go back at some point in the future and finish with OU, however I found out yesterday that I need to have completed this degree by 2017, which is never going to be enough time, so I am pondering what route to take:undecided

Better get on as kids are due up soon....

JD

[Deleted User]

Morning JAMIEDODGER,

Well done on the test and the Distinction...I think you're very brave redoing your GCSE maths. The closest I've done is a Learn Direct one, maths frightens me at the best of times.

Have subscribed so I can cheer you on.

Pmo2
x

JAMIEDODGER

Thanks pmo2 xx I'm enjoying the maths, always thought it wasn't my thing but I'm finding it easy, I think that's down to having a great tutor tho:D

JAMIEDODGER

Another spend day yesterday, hey ho, I'm still on 8 though which is pretty good for December:) not planning on any spending today so fingers crossed I will get number 9 today:)

Ds3 school play was great:) as usual it is very humbling, they were all brilliant:T

Xmas tree is finally up. DD did most of it, rather well I thought, it looks very pretty.

Last nights meals were again a mix of things and I have used up a few more bits from the freezer. Money still looking tight for the rest of the month but I'm not panicking yet as I have had successful months on much less:D it just means I might have to be a bit inventive as the days go on...

Have found out that I have bf daughters and grandson on Boxing Day, so will need to find some food for that, but will be lovely to have them here!:T

More studying today and a visit from my best friend this morning and cubs for DD tonight.

And.... The change from the spend at the chemists went into the pot plus the odd in the bank account transferred to the VSPC... 1.36 I think....it all adds up:D