Building a newer, simpler life

AdventurousSort

Hi all!

I've been lurking on here for a few weeks and have finally got myself motivated to start a diary, inspired by all of you

By most people's accounts, I'm lucky. I have a well-paid and pretty secure job, but was really unhappy in it (for lots of reasons that'll come out I'm sure!). It all came to a head when I almost got a dream job elsewhere - although I got brilliant feedback, I realised afterwards I wasn't so much upset by being turned down but by the thought of getting 'stuck' in my old job So... after lots of tears and talks with Mr MS and going through our budgets we decided I'd take up a temporary and part-time alternative in the area I really want to get into - luckily at the same organisation. I have really supportive colleagues there and, although I have all the usual worries about being good enough, I'm so excited about it :j

But taking that step means taking our spending in hand... We don't have a massive problem, but little problems can grow very quickly and we realised once we had to do the first BT that we needed to get a grip and change our habits. We'd got too used to wanting new shiny things and feeling entitled to having them - treats became more of a regular expectation

We currently owe £9300 on 2 0% credit cards, both luckily with a long way to go. I'd like to be in a position to have these saved ahead of time and still put some money aside. The plan is to try to manage on Mr's salary as far as possible (he's on commission so it'll be difficult on some months, especially in the current climate), so that my new, much reduced salary can be put towards saving and debt repayment...

I totally realise we're in a fortunate position so I hope it's OK to post here. We just want to try to build a simpler, happier life - less about what we have than what we do together, what we enjoy and value (we also have a 3 yo DD :heartpuls)

Thanks for listening and hope you can join me!

AdventurousSort

Oops, I forgot about £1500 we have to pay off on a 0% deal that ends next month! I'm still on my old salary but also need Mr to bring home some good commission... We couldn't BT all of this card as the credit limit we were offered was too low - this is the remainder and has to be cleared. Eek!

I'll post my goals tomorrow...

AdventurousSort

Morning all! :wave:

Planning an NSD today. Unless of course my colleague calls in my turn on the coffees (we alternate coffee sessions as the best way to get our little meetings done).

So far I've been:
- meal planning and making lunches for myself and the Mr. We were each spending a fiver a day on lunch at work. Never gave it a second thought but it all adds up
- set budgets for food and our monthly allowances (all our money goes into one pot and we each get the same amount back out for spends
- bought a year's line rental in advance with BT for £129
- done some (not enough) decluttering and ebaying/selling at work, sold my old mobile and some jewellery (recommend Hatton Garden Metals btw)
- driving more economically :cool:

DD starts pre-school this year and unfortunately we can't use childcare vouchers, but we're going to keep saving them up for holiday clubs and activities.

Having said all that I was naughty yesterday and ordered a new bag to take my stuff in on holiday...

Really looking forward to going 'home' this weekend and seeing old friends and family. Could be an expensive one as it's so easy to say 'let's meet for coffee' or 'let's just get something to eat out' so not sure how I'll manage that... Anyone got any tips for doing weekends away on a budget? We have access to a kitchen but not much time between our 'appointments'

Hope everyone's having a great DFW Friday!

AdventurousSort

Well, no NSD in the end... I had today as an eating up leftovers day but we'd already worked our way through them all. So spent £9 getting the bits for fish n chips.

On another note, I found a chocolate crispie cake DD had made at nursery yesterday and abandoned in the car... was actually yummy!:o Hmmm I guess it could be MSE as it saved me a potential spend on a choccie bar

I've picked up a little bit of extra consultancy work, so that'll bring in a bit of extra cash. It's a really small job, but it all adds up.

Happy Friday everyone :T

AdventurousSort

Hellloooo! Is there anyone out there? Would be really nice to have some other peeps to talk to!

Just doing my bit of extra work before we head off for the weekend. Going shopping with an old friend so will have to keep a close eye on the purse as old habits die hard! Sunday should be fine money-wise as taking DD to the park then going to see family

A big deal the Mr was working on has fallen through so his commission won't be so good. We really need to pay off one of our CCs this month as the 0% ends so need to start thinking how to do that...

Have a good Saturday everyone

cottage_retreatist

Hi AdventurousSort!!! :beer:

I've been lurking so i'll de-lurk to say hello and well done for getting on those credit cards!! They are my downfall but I'm hoping to pay two small ones off this month and I can tell you paying something off feels like such a weight has been lifted (even if it feels like there's always more to go)! So good luck!

Shelbi

Hello adventurouSort, welcome!! I've enjoyed reading your posts so far, will be subscribing...good luck you can do it...:T:T

clearmydebts

Hiya,

I am posting to say you are doing really well and I will be subscribing!

debtfreewannabe321

AdventurousSort wrote: »

Hellloooo! Is there anyone out there? Would be really nice to have some other peeps to talk to!

Just doing my bit of extra work before we head off for the weekend. Going shopping with an old friend so will have to keep a close eye on the purse as old habits die hard! Sunday should be fine money-wise as taking DD to the park then going to see family

A big deal the Mr was working on has fallen through so his commission won't be so good. We really need to pay off one of our CCs this month as the 0% ends so need to start thinking how to do that...

Have a good Saturday everyone

*waves* hello i've just found you. Well done you for getting a plan together before little debts become big ones!

Have you done all the other usual MSE things such as changing gas/elec, perhaps phone/broadband etc perhaps there might be a better deal with some cashback so you can start using the extra towards the debt that needs paying first...good luck :T

OrangeFairy

Hi Adventurous

Just looking for a new shiny diary to read SMS I found yours! I have subscribed :T

We have about the same debt levels to get rid off. Ours is at about £8k but I need to get all the statements and post an up to date summary as I have taken my eye off the ball.

Sounds like everything is going well for you . I hope you like the new job. I have literally just gone the other way from part time to now being full time. My daughters are 10 and 7 so it felt a little easier to Orkney full time now they at bigger

Will be following your journey
OF x

AdventurousSort

Helloooo to OrangeFairy, debtfreewannabe321, clearmydebts, Shelbi and cottage_retreatist (and anyone else out there!)

Thanks for reading - it's somehow easier when you know there are others there along the way, so cheers to you! :beer:

We didn't do too badly at the weekend. Got treated for tea and cake by a friend, cooked for family rather than go out... although Mr was so excited we didn't have DD for the evening (she was having a sleepover) he insisted on a meal out :cool: It was only a noodlebar so not too much harm done, except to the waistline as it is almost impossible to eat noodles without a bottle of Tsing Tao... (around £30) We also went swimming and to the spa that's attached to the local pool (about £34).

Back on the wagon today though! Took back some shorts I'd bought for hols as my conscience caught up with me. With a good rummage around at home I found plenty of clothes I can rehabilitate for the hols so halo is restored!

This month we are almost definitely going to have to call on savings - because of the CC with the 0% that's ending. I'll need to make sure I build it back up again as I want to make sure we work towards having 3 months' costs in a readily accessible account.

Feeling pretty stressed with lots to do before the hols but when we get back am determined to crack on with decluttering and selling bits and bobs. Thinking of doing payment a day but into a savings account so it adds up towards our 2 other 0% CCs. Let's face it, I'm probably not going to get another good deal once I'm part-time :eek: