determined....2013

haybel19

thought id start a diary to motivate and encourage me. My resolution this year is to take charge of my finances; reducing debt and learning to save.

At the moment just OH working, and with other income covers all payments; allows for little overpayments on debt and small amount could be put by... (got no emergency fund- never been good at saving).

However I do write occasional articles for craft magazines and OH sometimes gets overtime too.

I have been a competition addict for years and won some lovely things, christmas was paid for entirely from voucher wins (also got some baby bits) as were lucky enough to win 550 buyagift.com vouchers, 400 john lewis vouchers and 100 hmv. Entering competitions has given us some lovely treats.

I love ebay and often sell on there (used to use for extra treats, however having read mse boards realise would be much more prudent to use as extra overpayments). Got 16 listings on at the moment and lots more to add.

I have joined some challenges on here as you can see from my signature, which has been really motivating. I haven't missed a single day with my sealed pot challenge or payment a day since i joined.

Hoping to do a car bootsale when weather warms up, always enjoy doing them.

haybel19

well starting the day having had not enough sleep, and with not enough money lol...

Sold an item on ebay for £1.50 got loads more to add (better get on with that in a bit) and still got 15 listings so fingers crossed...

Going to check out another survey site today... figured i'd tackle one a day till ive built up a list of those im using (and earning from!)

NewLeaf_2

good luck and welcome

Linz4383

hi good luck with clearing your debts
thats some fantastic prizes on your competitions! which ones do u join?
i used maximiles surveys and gratispoints which are quite good
good luck x

haybel19

thanks guys. I use the competition forum on here, and use loquax as well... I enter absolutely tons, but so far a quiet January. Won a butter spreader from kingsmill fb instant win in wee hours, now i just need something to stop other half putting crumbs in the tub!!!

Linz4383

haha i hate crumbs in butter! ARGHHHH
thanks i may have a little browse

haybel19

linz4383 wrote: »

haha i hate crumbs in butter! ARGHHHH
thanks i may have a little browse

good for you. Ive won some lovely things week before christmas i won a swarovski crystal bracelet worth 125 from shloer facebook comp, also a hamper of nivea for men products- other half was pleased- Its great getting surprises.

Feeling a bit under the weather today, so havent done as much as i wanted...

But I have added £1.20 to my sealed pot for the challenge, £10 payment for the payment a day challenge (won on a scratchcard that i brought to cheer myself up - not very MSE ) and done first survey with WH Smith gt credited with £1.04, once you get to £4 can withdraw will use these extras towards reducing what I owe.

Enquired about becoming a Body Shop at Home consultant to earn extra pennies but not sure its for me, as would need childcare, and fuel and after deducting from potential earnings not sure would be worthwhile...

Got a couple of craft project ideas I need to make and submit as potential articles... got an article in the pipeline and waiting for payment for one i've done recently.

haybel19

Well not been up to much today, went to baby group with little one, but otherwise took it easy as still not feeling great.

Put £2.50 into my sealed pot for the challenge, and did my payment a day- managed £7.00. Sold a couple of small bits on ebay, won a nasal decongester for babies - not sure when i entered that- we have one so that will be another ebay item.

Was going to enter competitions and join more survey sites, but think that will have to go on tomorrows to do list as im shattered... been doing swagbucks (making sure I do as much as I can everyday) hoping to get another voucher soon...

Roll on friday and payday when I can take chunk off the overdraft and make in roads with the one debt and 100 days challenge.

haybel19

lol just realised how many debt free things are on tomorrows to do list...

Post ebay parcels and add more listings
Sort more stuff to ebay or bootsale
Join more survey sites and check for surveys on existing
Book craft fair
Enter competitions
Work on ideas for potential craft articles...

as well as HOUSEWORK!!!

I must dig out my superwoman cape...! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

B-J-D

hi haybel, saw your comment on another thread and thought id come over to say hi!

im a sahm, just started my diary on here.

well done on the competitions!! you'v had some fab wins! i might have to take a look over on the comp boards. i do a few survey sites, valued opinions, mysurvey and i joined nectar adpoints last night. going to look into swagbucks soon too. not really done much ebaying, everything we dont want or need just goes into the loft, really should try and sell it. do you pay your debts off with your ebay sales or use it as treat money?

good luck with your plans

yummymummy2012

Haybel - sonds like you are doing loads as well as look after your little one make sure your getting some down time as weel, you dont want to burn out.

You are doing brilliant on the competitions, I have been looking into cashback sites, we get some good deals through work but it takes ages to come through. Got £65 cashback on OH phone upgrade in Dec but it wont clear until next month, oh well at least ive not spent it.

Good luck with the to list for today! and remeber as long as there are clothes to wear, you can use the toilet and there is space to cook, housework can wait with a new baby xx