What is x2 + y3? .... Who cares? I just wanna be debt free!

tibawo

I can't believe that I have only six months left to go on my IVA. I can see the light in the tunnel and it sure is motivating. Although I have started diaries before I have never been able to sustain them as I wobbled and my pride stopped me continuing.

What is different his time? Well, unwittingly I have saved on lec/gas that when my quarterly bill came in I paid off the arrears. This means I can now build up a credit for winter and not be behind.

It has also been my bday so I got some paint and am doing a feature wall. The paint was on offer so the wall including wallpaper for the chimney was just £20. I know the rest needs a coat of magnolia but I aim by the end of May to have done the others walls too. The sewing machine will be out to do the curtains - I got the bits ages ago just never had the energy to do them.

I realise this first post is long but I really need to set out my stall!

I am a single mum of two and when I finally faced my debts I made the decision that it should be me who cuts down not the girls. This means I have faced many a lonely night and consequently have hit the junk food diet which then spirals the weight out of control. This i need to tackle. I also hoard because things might be useful and I can't afford new but I am also decluttering now as I want my home how I want it.

Even though the IVA is nearly through, I have other debts to pay. I am going to review the increase to payments to these after the IVA is finished as to tackle them now is unrealistic. However, I also booked a holiday to haven this August, I do exam marking and have made a decision that half of money would go to this. This needs paying. This means the next month will be tight and then I can start easing up on the reins.

I will try to be upfront about everything now and hope that my trials and tribulations will help others to see that it is not always smooth sailing but to just hang in there.

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
I tend to be a bit of a hoarder too & am currently decluttering :eek:

Mara_uk7

I just love watching those Hoarder programmes on TV, My house feels so tidy after I watch that. . . . Bliss

tibawo

I saw a trailer for the new hoarder programme and my house looks great... Even my pile for the car boot in the front room! It's nik nak small things that I keep.

We have just arrived back from Blackpool, this was a planned trip so came with a strict budget. Walked to train station and travel paid by free train vouchers. Arrived and went to a pizza place where we used vouchers.. Only drinks to pay so spent just shy of £7 included a coffee as well. From here we went to sea life and then to circus at tower. This was with our merlin passes which we got as a present.We had a strict budget of £3 each at amusements ... I ended up giving the girls o £1 of mine as I did really well
on the 2p slots. I did get get girls some popcorn, drink and tat, oops I mean gift using the merlin discount. From my pocket today it has cost just less than £20. Girls are happy, I'm shattered!

So I have £20 left in purse. Need to pay window cleaner (a luxury for some but I like snooping on the neighbours... Only joking).

My bedroom needs straightening as well as the piles to sift thru for car boot in front room. From here I will then draw up reward charts and my targets for the computer clicks which I have got out of these holidays.

Determined that next week I will stick to budget that I draw up this weekend.

tibawo

Well, just paid window cleaner. I picked up a 3 for £3 pizza deal at farmfoods and stocked up on some frozen veg etc. dd1 been to a party and dd2 had to go to emergency dentist with toothache.

The beer fridge is bare and it's Friday.

It has been overcast here all day and I wonder if this makes me depressed etc as I am in a CBA mood.

Now Easter hols thru I need to add planning our day out for May Day and next half term with merlin pass and vouchers to the to do list.

prettyplease

Ooh get you planning the next hols!
Well done only having 6 months left on an IVA - it must feel great to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep up the good work

tibawo

Not the next hols but just the day out...

Sun_Addict

Hi there

Haven Holidays brings back many a happy memory of when our two were young. We had some lovely times - everything to keep kids entertained - and if you can keep them happy it's the key to a happy holiday for you too. You are doing brilliant for a single mum and your girls are lucky to have you. Just posting on your diary should sort out any lonely night feelings and keep the munches at bay.


Good luck!

tibawo

Just checking in...

Did a mystery shop today but am I bit stumped as my brief said to check shop open. I did. I could do my shop anytime open but even though I got to shop 45 mins before it closed the cafe part had closed... Hope I still get paid as there is no notice in store or online to say their hours different.

Sat down and looked at finances. It seems I have 'forgot' some bills so will have to readjust plan. Food is all sorted for the week and can always walk at a push.

Back to school tomoz which I like as i like the routine as I have a habit of putting things off till later.

Have listed some things on eBay and already have a few watchers and one bidder.

Off to put last lot of stuff reluctantly in the dryer ... Been raining here and needed to do bedding.

Have a good week all.

tibawo

Had tea and just though I'd have five mins on settee... An hour later.

As it was windy I put a another load of washing on line when I got in from work. It dried so did not have to use dryer. Although it has not cut down the pennies in my purse least the leccy bill does not get hit.

Being back at work I have not spent 1p from my purse. Dd1 asked about walking in summer and I told her yes on the fine days when we have no clubs so will give me some exercise and cut petrol.

Have a busy week next week, sometimes being a single mum means swallowing my pride and asking for help. For example one day I have to juggle being on an interview panel, girls after school clubs, rainbows, swim gala and my netball season starts the same night.

Think I'll watch tv upstairs and tidy up in the adverts. Less to do tomoz then!

tibawo

Completely forgot it was rainbows/brownies so my last fiver for the week has virtually gone. Top this with running out of yoghourts and crisps for packed lunches and I've now got the grand sum of 61p left. Saying this there is enough food till Sat for in house eating. Just ope I've enough petrol!

Since I knew this month would be a very tight one I now over half way through as we get paid on the 28th. If I manage the budget till end it will make May so much easier.