I don't need another skinny Latte

in_need_of_direction

I reached some of the same conclusions last year and have been working through. My inspiration was a book called What's stopping you?" It's about stopping self sabotage by developing plans in some key categories one of which is self. For me, I'm on the df thread as opposed to mf as I need to see my mortgage as a debt. Previously it was just a bill to me so I didn't even contemplate overpaying it. Plus it has significant elements of consolidated debt.
Keep us posted on your new address

Skinnylatte

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

I reached some of the same conclusions last year and have been working through. My inspiration was a book called What's stopping you?" It's about stopping self sabotage by developing plans in some key categories one of which is self. For me, I'm on the df thread as opposed to mf as I need to see my mortgage as a debt. Previously it was just a bill to me so I didn't even contemplate overpaying it. Plus it has significant elements of consolidated debt.
Keep us posted on your new address

I read that book a few years ago too, perhaps I should read it again!

Well my first post for a month!!

I've not been a particularly good girl, I think the staying out of debt it going to be just as hard as getting out. So I really must stick to my diary, and I think I might keep it here for the time being.
I haven't been spending loads, but I have booked a couple of holidays, nothing extravagant, a few days in Amsterdam at the end of this month, another festival, that's 3 now and 6 days in Istanbul in October, and I did use air miles for that so the flight has only cost me £96 and we'll probably hostel.
Also feel a bit guilty that none of these actually involve the kids . They didn't want to come to the festivals (I did offer) and the other 2 breaks are with friends, and not really child friendly.
I also bought DS some new clothes, this has gone on my CC, which is standing at £490, although I do have a direct debit in place to pay in full next month, and a savings pot at £1109. Still, I should be saving up for these things first, not wacking them on the card again.

The good news is I did very sadly turn down an invite to cycle from Nice to Paris, I would love that, but just can't afford to take on any more. I said no and it wasn't actually that bad, I think I have something called FIMO (fear of missing out :rotfl:)

I was also very good yesterday, nearly running out of fuel on the motorway I had to stop at services and put just £8 in at £1.32 per litre:eek:, when I got to my destination I topped up 35 litres at Arsda for £1.18, saving £4.90 :A

DS has just started his GCSE's and I'm delighted at how much revision he's done :T Ages ago I promised to buy him an Xbox if he did well in his exams, it seemed like a good idea at the time, I think I better put some money aside for it now.

DD has started a new job as a carer at a nursing home, she tells some really funny stories, and has a real affinity with the clients, plus is happy she's now earning a steady wage. She still drinks far too much, smokes and swears like a trooper, but I'm so proud of her, bless.

That's me updated for now I think

Oh, I have a favour to ask. A friend of mine has had such a battle to get any child maintence, and is outraged that the CSA has accepted that her ex has a gross weekly income of....wait for it.....£11.34, I mean come on :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Anyway if this is anywhere close to your heart would you like to sign her petition, and maybe share it?
https://www.change.org/p/nigel-adams-mp-to-ask-for-a-realistic-solution-for-child-maintenance?recruiter=66944394&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-no_src-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default

I hope this is OK to post it in my diary, and it doesn't contravene any mse rules

Ali-OK

Great to read your update and you're so busy too!

It is a good idea to keep posting, it certainly keeps me on the ball financially and heading towards the next goals with the same amount of focus I had for clearing the debt and the help of others (pensions a good example :rotfl:).

I'll sign the petition too. Makes me :mad: those evading paying fair child maintenance. The service just doesn't seem to get it right alot of the time - some paying way too much and many not enough. And doesn't the parent applying for it now have to pay a fee as well and a % of the absent parent's maintenance stays with the service too?!

Hope you're enjoying your cycling - been some fab weather, equally some very wet stuff as well!!

xx

Skinnylatte

Thanks Ali, you're right it helps to keep posting. :T

Another spendy weekend. I bought a new jacket and pair of trainers, both were needed, my last pair of trainers were purchased in 2009. we have a team building day at work this week, and were told to wear comfortable shoes. Which was when I realsised I didn't have anything a) comfortable and b) presentable. Lucky I have a clothes budget!!

Still cycling, next week is the big race 100km/62 miles. I may not be able to walk this time next week.

I've decided I need to update my signature, I spent a lot of time pondering over that when I was paying off my debt, it was a great visual target. Now I need to put some other goal like things in there.

I hope you all had a lovey weekend x

in_need_of_direction

Stock up on the 8 hour cream.

AleMrsT

Hi Skinny :wave: I have just finished reading your diary from start to finish, how inspiring!! A huge well done to you. :jPlease keep posting here, I've loved reading all about your journey, I can't wait to read about progress on the new kitchen, and how the bike ride goes.

I've now added another thing on my list of things to do, which is investigate a pension. I am nearly 30 and have ZERO pension, I did have one when I worked for previous company but that was about 6 years ago, and I really have no idea how it all works or what will have happened to it!

Enjoy being debt free, you very much deserve it. :T
MrsT.

Skinnylatte

AleMrsT wrote: »

Hi Skinny :wave: I have just finished reading your diary from start to finish, how inspiring!! A huge well done to you. :jPlease keep posting here, I've loved reading all about your journey, I can't wait to read about progress on the new kitchen, and how the bike ride goes.

I've now added another thing on my list of things to do, which is investigate a pension. I am nearly 30 and have ZERO pension, I did have one when I worked for previous company but that was about 6 years ago, and I really have no idea how it all works or what will have happened to it!

Enjoy being debt free, you very much deserve it. :T
MrsT.

Hi Mrs T, thank you for your kind words, and you've read the whole of my diary, wow, cool!
Actually I think I should go back and read it all again, remind my self of a few basics!
You should definitely investigate a pension, the earlier the better. Your old pension should still be frozen somewhere so that's a start.

Well the bike ride was yesterday, I managed to fall off in the car park at the start :rotfl:It was a pretty awesome fall though, my bike went one way, I went the other and actually managed to land on my feet! So I've now cycled 100km, it was hard but to be honest not as hard as I thought it was going to be. The weather was perfect which makes a huge difference.
The next one is in 2 weeks, the Great Yorkshire bike ride, from Wetherby to Filey 72 miles :eek:

DD is not behaving at the moment, disappeared completely this week, I don't know where she's been or what shes been up to but I think she's lost her job. She's been in touch with DS so I know she's OK, but won't reply to my messages :mad::mad:

DS is still in GCSE mode, and all is well there. He's started a job 3 weeks ago, just 4 hours on a Saturday, pot washing in a pub. Although yesterday he was doing some cooking too, even came home and made me tea
We're still not sure what he's doing in September, he's applied to go to the local college, but not heard anything back yet.

Frugalness has been OK this week, I've been away from home a few days, in fact I have been for weeks, I can't remember the last time I did a full meal plan and shopped for a week.
Gave DS £20 yesterday, for bus fare and spends, as he's going into town with some friends for a meal later.

I received £70 from an affiliate payout, which I couldn't decide which pot to put it in, pension, kitchen or mortgage overpayment. In the end I put it in the mortgage pot, but sort of wishing I'd put it in the kitchen now as it's not growing very rapidly. I have an urge to go to B&Q today for some inspiration, but I bit worried I might end up signing up to something, perhaps best wait until I have some more dosh in the pot.


It's payday on Wednesday, I have £37.44 left in the hallyfax and £97.80 in NW, so all's in control. Apart from the debit balance on the CC which will be paid off in full with this months milage claim, shame as it was originally earmarked for the kitchen. Oh well, DS and I are enjoying some new clothes, and I will surely enjoy my holiday in Istanbul in October, and the festivals. Which reminds me I'm actually owed £170 for tickets/flights that I've purchased for others. So the £495 on my card reduces to £325

Tuesday I'm flying to Amsterdam to spend a few days with a new but very lovely friend (more about him later:o) I need to scour the house for spare euros before I go.

Right need to get my lazy !!! out of bed, been awake since 7am, but on here all morning catching up with stuff.

Enjoy your bank holidays all, and remember if you go shopping...do you need it.....will you use it.......will something else do the job just as well....(that's my version anyway!!)

xx

Skinnylatte

Woohoo, a whole week off work, and I've only had 3 phone calls so far. I WILL switch my phone off. Infact I'm not even taking it on holiday with me :T

I set up online management for my works pension today and was totally delighted to find that the current balance is £18394.79, I've only had it 2 years, how cool is that!!
My other pension fund is at around £80,000
I need to find out who my contracted out state pension is with, as I've no idea, or how much is in there. But altogether that will give me a total pension fund of more than £100k. Which sounds alot, but probably isn't given how long it may need to support me for.

Also rang to get a mortgage balance, which doesn't seem to come down very fast, but signature duly updated.

A very expensive week with Mum's bday at the weekend, she's 70, and we're going to see her. So £50 for her pressy, £40 for the cake, and £70 for the cottage we're hiring with my brother, then there's food and fuel, so probably looking at the best part of £250, which actually isn't really budgeted for, so I'll need to raid another pot :mad:

Right better dash, lots to do x

Ali-OK

Properly catching up

Hope all ok with DD and she's been in touch. Ashame about her job after such a good start

Ooh how your trip away with your 'new friend' has gone well ...come on spill those beans

Your pension pot is looking fab - plug in those figures into any website calculator to see what the return at retirement could be, it's inspiring.

Great you're on the mortgage bandwagon too and similar to busting debt, it feels like a very slow and small start and that 'is it worth it' feeling sometimes, but after 18 months and hitting 10% it's snowballing itself quite nicely.

Looking forward to reading more

in_need_of_direction

me too. ive been a bit half hearted recently but like, Ali, am well impressed by the pension pot. also, incredibly nosey and want to hear of the new friend. as for the daughter, it truly does get better, then worse, then better.