Bellas lonnnnnng road to being DF... Time to speed up!!!

bella2121

Hi everyone I've been thinking about starting a diary for a while I really need something to keep me motivated and focused :j

So about me I'm 29 with 2 boys age 8 and 1 and baby number 3 on the way. I've recently reduced my hours at work just working 15 hours per week at the weekends (due to finish for maternity leave end of july) and my OH works full time plus loadsssssss of overtime. I've been overpaid a couple of months at work because of my change of hours so am waiting for a letter from work payroll to tell me how much I need to repay, want to get that paid ASAP.

Im ashamed to say for quite some time we fell into the payday loan trap, we have taken out a proper loan to get out of this mess, although not ideal there really was no other way, so we are now in control of the finances, and for the first time in months we have paid all the bills without borrowing from Payday loans and still have money left for necessities.

Ideally I want to be trying to pay extra off some of the higher interest smaller debts we have as well as saving for things such as car tax, Christmas etc. Longer term plans would include moving to a bigger house but I have told OH we are looking 5 years plus for this to even been dreamed off

Anyway Wish me luck and I hope you will follow my diary and watch me make positive steps to changing the future

bella2121

Ok so first things first just waiting for OH to get home from work I need to nip to the supermarket, won't be spending much just need

milk,
bread,
baby wipes,
cheese,
potatoes,
cordial

which should work out about the £10 mark. Also need to get OH some Tobacco which is around £17 (OH has said he is hoping to give up soon dont want to push this though as he has cut back alot, this will last him til friday) so will get £30 from the cash point get what I need there will be enough to pay £2.50 for DS gymnastics club at school tomorrow, I will update with the exact amounts when I get back, right off to get dressed x

bella2121

Well I went to @ldi bought what was on my list also DS some BBQ sauce and me paracetamol. Went to Iceland got some chicken dinosaurs and fish fingers (not healthy i know but kids love them) also got some cans of pop and 2 bottles of cordial from there, OH can use these for work instead of buying drinks everyday

I got £40 out of the bank and have £3.21 left this will pay for DS1 gymnastics ill be left with 71p will raid the change jar to make this upto £1 and take DS2 to playgroup tomorrow, he really enjoys it and for £1 it's a mornings entertainment, brew and toast for me and fruit and toast for DS2 so well worth it.

That will leave us with £20 to last til Friday, I do have about £6 put aside in an emergency fund incase something comes up, if this is not spent by Friday I will pay it off vanquis credit card.

Made a lovely cheese and bacon potato bake for tea (so delicious!) served it with gammon steaks although is nice just on its own. OH is taking some of the leftovers to work tomorrow along with his sandwiches, he'll be at work for 14ish hours so needs plenty to eat and drink. There's also some left over for my tea tomorrow so that's that sorted.

So my aims for this week

Do a SOA
Sort out sideboard
General housework
Get ironing done
Have at least 2 no spend days
Ring hairdresser, need haircut big time not had it cut this year!!
Try to sort out some wardrobe and drawer space
Wash new babies clothes and pack away (I've bought sleepsuits from eBay and a bundle of baby clothes from a Facebook selling site - very Mse ) they are currently in bags in the bedroom looking a mess so need to sort out what I like and want to keep and what can be sold on.

I've also been looking into maybe becoming a registered childminder, I received a form to fill in and send back to book on an information session so will need to raid the change jar to get a stamp and send that back tomorrow.

I will aim to do these things this week and anything in addition is a bonus

Feeling much more positive already xx

houseimprover

Well done on the changes, have you had a look for what you can clear out to sell?

bella2121

Thanks fir reading

I've got loads of clothes mostly kids and some of mine that I've been given but just aren't me and stuff I've not worn for a couple of years lol I always keep them just incase but I'm just going have to be ruthless and get rid of them. OH has an old pair of trainers still in nice condition which I'm going to persuade him to let me ebay also he has a pair he's worn twice so they're like new but they hurt his feet he keeps telling me he'll wear them in but I know he won't so hopefully they can be ebayed too.

Also I have designer handbag that I've listed 3 times on eBay get quite a few watchers but never any bids, might relist and reduce the price slightly xx

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
Keep posting!

bella2121

Thanks for reading I think putting it all down will help me keep focused on staying organised, it's when I'm disorganised that I spend money stupidly like on takeaways etc plus I'm much more motivated when things are in order in the house and in life x

bella2121

Good morning

Well I feel poop today woke up with OH at 4am when he went to work, led there for a few hours trying to get back to sleep, it was after 6 when I fell back asleep and had to get up at 7, then I got up and was sick I've managed some breakfast and a coffee and I'm slowly coming round.

OH has taken some of the change from my purse so will need to get more money from the bank OH is at the docs tonight and will probably need a prescription so would have needed to go bank anyway

Anyways onwards and upwards gonna take DS1 to school then off to playgroup, ill check back in later

Have a good day everyone xx

bella2121

Afternoon all

Well not had a bad day all in all, DS2 has been a good boy which has made life easier.

I've done the following

*Bought a stamp and posted my childminding course letter
*Paid tax credit last payment for an overpayment and set up another direct debit for a different overpayment which is going to take me until oct 2023!!!!!!!!! But it is interest free so once other debts are paid I can increase the payment to them
*done my general day to day cleaning
*rang hairdressers, they weren't answering guess they are closed will ring again tomorrow

Still to do:

*nip to supermarket for more bread and a drink for DS1 he's on a trip tomorrow so can't take his usual drinks bottle because they need to throw it away after

Also I have done some surveys, withdrew £3 from mysurvey and I won a competition on Facebook to win an item from a clothing website so have chosen a maxi dress as my prize, as we are going out Saturday for OHs birthday.

Right off to have tea (leftovers from yesterday) and watch tipping point have a good evening anyone reading xx

OrangeFairy

Hi Bella,

Loving the new diary to keep you on track.

You seem really focused sounds like you are definitely in control. Stay away from those pay day loans. I am so pleased to have got yourself out of them!

I can't wait to hear your baby news!
OF x

bella2121

Thanks for reading OF I love writing things down it makes me more determined to stick to them. I need to with the new baby on the way

And yes I will definitely never ever ever have another payday loan!!!

Need to get OH to ring O2 he took out a new contract phone within 5 hours of getting the phone and me setting it up for him he had used nearly a months worth of data despite not leaving the house with the phone and it being connected to wifi the whole time when he rang to query it and say there must be something wrong with it, we were basically told no its right?! It's impossible so we sent the phone back within 3 days of getting it, they've now sent a bill for just under £15, they also are holding a £10 deposit which he had to pay to get the phone. So in affect they want £25 for having the phone for 3 days not making any calls and being on wifi only, so tomorrow I'm going to bug him til he rings them lol I'd do it but they won't speak to me.

I went to the shop earlier got 2 loaves of bread and some carton drinks for DS to take on his trip (I like them too so got a box of 10 lol) spent £3.50, tomorrow will be a no spend day

Right off to be shortly night xx