Huge debt, kids, horses, chickens and a dog - oh and full time work :)

DebtFree2012

I used to post on here regularly and have been out of action for a while. I am ready to get back in the seat and start clearing my debts again whilst having a life!

I'll post exactly what I owe soon - I just want to get the 1st post done and a new diary started so I feel like it's in motion

I'm a married, 30 something mam of 2, DD is 6 and DS is 3, I have a horse (for me) and pony (for my kids), a dog and chickens. We have a house that we dreamed of (nothing flash but our home and lots still to do in it!) and I work full time. I don't have enough hours in the day, nor enough money in the bank. I have washing and ironing wherever I can stash it but insist we sit down together for tea

This diary is to help me ultimately clear my huge debts - 5 years or so but in the mean time keep track of my life, money, to do's and so on. I will have mini meltdowns I am sure but most importantly I want to do this with a smile on my face as I don't want to waste 5 years stressing that I have debts to clear and so on.

Yes the animals take alot of money and time and if I didn't have them it would be paid off sooner. Also life would be alot darker. They are everything to me and the kids. Not so much DH but we can't have everything lol. DH and I are everything to each other so that's enough for me.

So first on the list is to get my totals - I have them all on a spreadsheet and update it every day but lately I have been a bit loose with the spending so I need to have more of a spends diary.

Also to do for today after work is to put the underwear and socks away that I keep avoiding - I hate pairing them back up! and make our bedroom look like a grown ups room! It's slightly on the verge of looking like a teenagers atm.

Then I'll heard to the yard - easy night tonight there so I can regain some sanity. They are staying out tonight so no mucking out tomorrow

Small steps to big changes!

ETA: This is my debt only.

DebtFree2012

I have already started a 5 year plan which is as follows:

3 years to clear Student Loan of £4046.05 last payment Feb 2016

up to 4 years to clear CC of £8480.05 hoping to make last payment Nov 2016

5 years for loan apx 15604 left last payment due March 2018

up to 5 years to clear other CC of £5354.06 hoping to make last payment Sept 2017

up to 5 years to clear final CC of £4120 hoping to make last payment Feb 2017.

CC's are mostly on 0% and any balance that isn't will be. I've just moved a load to 0% which is why I have 3 cards now.

Over the last couple of years I've paid of alot of other debt so I know I can continue doing it. However now I have more outgoings it's going to take longer. I've finally accepted that and decided to get on with it.

I've also managed to lose 1.5 stone and would like to lose another stone so meals are low fat, healthy and portion controlled. At first this worked out more expensive for me but I'm starting to settle into it now.

We have had 1 take away this year where as it was 1 every weekend before. I'm still having a drink on w/e though as I need something to keep me sane

DebtFree2012

Gulp - just added the above up. Also I keep dipping into my OD which I hate as I'd fixed that.

DebtFree2012

Not the best start, my hoover packed up! So needed to purchase a new one - not impressed. Everything comes at once so I hope nothing else goes.

However I managed to sort out the washing pile and our bedroom so yesterday's jobs are done.

Day with the kids today so I am determined to get the house in shape in between playing with them. The hoss' are in the field so we'll head over this afternoon as they're quite happy munching on grass until then. Chickens are out scratching about and my poor dog's already too hot. There's a nice breeze so at least he will benefit there (he's getting old and on medication so feels warm anyway, even when it's cool).

So I've hoovered top to bottom already as I thought the hoover needs to earn its place now I've shelled out for it

Plan now is the kitchen - I would like it spotless. The washer's on so as soon as that's done I'll hang it out. I've recently stopped using the tumble dryer as I'm on a mission to reduce my electricity and gas bills. I've become a bit lax there too when my spending became lax!

Right, kichen now. Hoping to have it scrubbed and mopped in 30 mins. It's fairly long and I have too much clutter so I'll try and get that put away or on even better, on ebay!

DebtFree2012

Today will involve spending but a planned spend on coal for the winter. I don't plan on putting the heating on more than the very basic and will use the wood burner to keep the place ticking over.

[Deleted User]

If they're costing a lot, perhaps you should sell them.

Not the horses, the kids.

DebtFree2012

Haha who would be crazy enough to buy them!

Right I'm on track for the day. Kitchen and living room done (took longer than expected but I kept having to stop myself doing more than I planned to. Eg wanted to turn all the drawers out to clean but that's for another day! Today is about getting my sanity back helped by a clean and tidy house).

Now I am going to tackle some more washing as the washer's just clicked off, good timing. I suppose I should iron too, hate that!

Right, firstly find washing line, I know it's there somewhere, a spider was taking care of it last time I looked.

MrsSmith2013

Just wanted to say hello Debtfree2012... I will subscribe to your diary and keep up to date with your progress! You sound like a busy lady, which is how I feel! Its hard work being a working mum!!

Loved your comment about your bedroom beginning to resemble a teenagers, thats EXACTLY how mine and hubbys room looks, its actually terrible! I'm hoping to get a big clean done next week while I'm off work.... we'll see though!

Mrs S x

DebtFree2012

Hi Mrs S

It's crazy isn't it? Hard work balancing everything but I wouldn't have it any other way. I do occasionally feel like I've lost the plot, that's why I am trying to get on top of everything today, kids are happily playing in garden so I'm getting everything done in between.

Our bedroom is actually looking like you'd expect a parents/adults room to look! I haven't done any ironing yet tho! After lunch I'll tackle that.

I'm almost happy with downstairs, finishing rest before lunch but taking 5 now as too hot.

Found the washing line and that's up, all be it needed a good wipe over! That's my money saving part of the day.

It feels really good getting organised and tightening my belt again, it's like welcoming an old friend home!

Oh I also need to think of a gift my Nana would appreciate for her 90th birthday - it's tomorrow! Should have been bought ages ago but hey ho, small steps.

dawnybabes

Can you bake her a cake or some brownies ? Bunch of flowers from the garden ?

MrsSmith2013

:hello:

It does get crazy! I often think when I'm having a meltdown, how lonely and quiet my life would be without hubby and the kids - as much as they can all drive me to distraction sometimes!!

Glad to hear you are having a productive day, I always think everything feels better when the sun is shining. Get the kids outside playing and get on with the house jobs. Argh.. the dreaded ironing... thats my least favourite task at home. Have been tumble drying EVERYTHING since we got married, but feelign guilty in the nice weather, so trying to line dry things again for now.

Know what you mean about feeling good about getting organised and getting things in order again. I always think everyone else (school run mums, work colleagues) seem so much more 'together' than me, but I am sure everyone stresses sometimes.

How about a nice photo of the kids for your Gran's birthday? You could pop it in a nice frame, our local Asda has some nice frames just now. Or an album of pics? I do love a photo gift... seems a bit more personal.

Enjoy your day!
Mrs S x