Counting Pennines Penniless Diary!

CountingPennies

Well tablets are starting to kick back in again, resulting in me feeling tired and yawning all the time. My infection does seem to be shifting now so thats good, but the coughing is keeping me awake at night a bit. Back to 2nd job today. Only doing 4 hours so not too bad.

In other news i'm overdrawn at the bank. Completely my fault, but having a reduction in my earnings due to sick isn't helping. Anyway, i've opened my savings tin and had £99 in there so will bank it and hope that covers it. I think i'm £101 but have £5 in my purse.

I really need to make some money to cover other bills due by the end of the month. And i'm talking a few hundred quid. If i can just get through this month and next month i'll be happy.

Hoping to pick up lots shifts at work from next week which will help with earning some tips. Have lots of stuff listed on ebay but not many watchers. I also have some mystery shops due to pay out and some quidco. All around the middle of the month.

Despite my debts been reduced a lot over the last 3 years, i just feel like i'm now constantly "robbing peter to pay paul" at the moment. So colde to paying off all my debts.... but feels so far. My main concern is this month. Getting me down now.

CP xx

CountingPennies

What an exhausting week. So pleased its the weekend, even tho i'm at work tomorrow! Just a short shift tho so not too bad. Had the most rubbish day yesterday, and spent most of it in tears, however had a really good sleep last night (thank god) and feeling a little more positive this morning.

Just gonna crack on with some fleabaying today. Its free listings apparently so might as well make the most of it. I have loads of auctions started which end tomorrow so hopefully i will have a few sales tomorrow!

Sat the kids down yesterday and told them that they are not to expect LOADS for christmas this year like i normally do (Seriously we are talking around £700-£800 per child which is FAR too much!). The 2 eldest will be getting their laptops. Both are secondary school age (well one starts in September) and they both really need them for school to be honest. And after that they have a budget of £100 for small gifts such as dvd, an outfit, or whatever else they pick. My youngest will have around £200-£250 spent on him, which is much less than the other 2, but he will look like he has lots more as he is of an age where he is happy with any toy! Plus there will be a time where he will get the expensive laptop and he gets more spent on him. Does anyone think that sounds unfair??

Anyway, off to do some ebaying. Gonna try and stay away from the shops today. I think all i need is milk so if my parents go shopping i'll just ask them to pick some up for me, that way i avoid temptation!

CP xx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Thanks for the heads'up on eb@y!

Sorry you had a carp day yesterday, I hope things seem a little brighter today after your sleep.

As for Christmas presents, that sounds more than enough so don't worry. I have 2 boys aged 3 and 9 and I spend about £100 per boy. I'm lucky though that my Mum gives me about the same to spend on them so I do all the shopping and then split it. I try to make use of deals such as 3 for 2 (on at Arg0s at the moment) and the Mr T Clubcard boost so that I get way more than my £100 value. That said, I do see your point about the older ones looking like they have much less than the younger ones despite more money spent.

CountingPennies

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Thanks for the heads'up on eb@y!

Sorry you had a carp day yesterday, I hope things seem a little brighter today after your sleep.

As for Christmas presents, that sounds more than enough so don't worry. I have 2 boys aged 3 and 9 and I spend about £100 per boy. I'm lucky though that my Mum gives me about the same to spend on them so I do all the shopping and then split it. I try to make use of deals such as 3 for 2 (on at Arg0s at the moment) and the Mr T Clubcard boost so that I get way more than my £100 value. That said, I do see your point about the older ones looking like they have much less than the younger ones despite more money spent.

I'm waiting for my clubcard vouchers to come so i can double up on toys. I have around £40 to double up i think, so that £80 will be spent on my boy, so in theory i'm only spending £99 on him for his 2DS as the rest are all clubcard freebies

I remember one christmas (before i had my son) where i spent over £1000 on each of the girls. However it probably turned into £2000 each in theory as it was nearly ALL ticked on the credit card! :eek: I think i was trying to buy their affection in the early days and make up for their bad start in life as i'm not their biological mother

Last christmas was the FIRST christmas I have ever paid for everything upfront, and the same will be happening again this year. I didn't want to spend so much on the girls this year, however they really do need laptops as they are always fighting over mine to get stuff like homework done, not just games. So i'm seeing it as a bit of an investment to be honest.

CP xx

Aesop

I can't stop aw DS birthday party today but eillbe back later for a chat xxx

CountingPennies

Aesop wrote: »

I can't stop aw DS birthday party today but eillbe back later for a chat xxx

Aww hope you have a lovely day xx

CountingPennies

Hectic with work at the minute. Which is a good thing as the money is great and I need it so I shouldn't complain. I wish it was payday, only so I can finally pay off that last £79.20p to capquest, then £20.40p to very and that is 2 accounts cleared and finished with for the new year! My original aim was to be debt free by begining 2014, however i have moved that to April 2014 as it was more realistic! Still really pleased with how much I have paid off this year tho.

Today I placed an order for vouchers for next year! I also set up a direct debit and i make my first payment 1st Jan. I've also opened up an online savings account. I'm only going to be paying in £20 a month a first, but i guess its a start. I need to have something in place for emergencies. After years and years of debt, i'm finally starting to grow up! About time!

Made LOTS and saved LOTS of money this month thanks to the 2 challenges I take part in. However, running out of stuff to sell, and now need to build a store cupboard back up food wise for the next time i'm really short on cash and need to survive without food shopping! Will make a start this month.

This i'm gonna make the most of today and sort through my kitchen cupboards. They are such a mess and 2 of the shelves have collapsed. Not good! In fact, think i'll log off and go and sort them now. Probably take me 2-3 hours, yikes!!!

Hope u all having a good day

CP xx

CountingPennies

Well, i'm unwell again. Fed up of this now. DH says I have to quit one of my jobs as my body just can't take it. I know i should, but it I do it will take me off track for being debt free.

I just don't know what to do......

CountingPennies

A couple of hours has passed since my last post, and this is what i've achieved. My wages hit my account tonight so I paid off 2 debts. One which will save me £115 per month (final payment was only £79.20) and one which will save me £20 per month (final payment £20.40p). These have been hanging over my head for what feels like forever and I can't explain how happy i feel to have FINALLY paid them off! :j:j:j

Also paid my council tax tonight, first time ever i've kept up to date with this bill. I've always been behind. I must finally be growing up! I get paid from my 2nd job on Friday so once I know how much I will be getting I will finally be able to work out some sort of budget for december. Dying to know how much it is! :rotfl:

CP xx

CountingPennies

CountingPennies wrote: »

Anyway, as long as nothing goes majorly wrong in the next month *touches wood* then i should be fine! Still on track to have all my debts paid off by April 2014 so i'm feeling much more positive tonight.

Wow..... I was obviously over optimistic on this diary entry. However i only have 1 job now. That is possibly why!

CountingPennies wrote: »

Well, i'm unwell again. Fed up of this now. DH says I have to quit one of my jobs as my body just can't take it. I know i should, but it I do it will take me off track for being debt free.

I just don't know what to do......

Yep.... i quit one of the jobs. Turns out I had pneumonia.


Can't believe I forgot all about this diary! Back on the forum to try and get this last few grand paid off and get some money together for christmas. The encouragement of other people here always spurs me on.

Alot has happened in the year since i last wrote here. Down to 1 job, so 50% of my wages cut. Actually it more as I always did overtime at one job, but my health has to come first. Luckily this year has gone really well health wise. Have only been in hospital once I think.

Took up bulk batch cooking this last couple of days. Something i've always been afraid to do but because I work funny shifts now I need to make sure i have decent food handy for the kids to eat. Don't want them living off fish fingers chips and beans! :rotfl: (Though they do eat them too).

Best get off. Done some ebaying today so just on listing them now for a sunday finish. Doing the £10 a day challenge again so i'd best get working!!

CP xx