The Toaster Strikes Back!

shinytoaster

I did have another diary but, as I was unable to edit the title, I thought that I should use it as an opportunity to start anew.

Well, I have been in and out of debt for the majority of my adult life. I used to blame it on the fact that I was brought up with parents who had an odd concept of money management but I now realise that blame lies within me. My dad never worked and my mum used to hand over every penny of her monthly salary. He then let the money trickle through his fingers whilst my mum spent on a CC as she was never allowed a debit card to access her money. Strange. The only lesson that I learned was never to hand over my wage. I have had a joint bank account in the past but that was only to deposit an equal amount to cover household bills. I don't have one of those now despite the fact that I am now engaged and living in sin. I can't see me having a joint bank account ever again.

My debt is two-fold: a bank loan and a CC. The bank loan was to consolidate and the CC is used for internet shopping and the unexpected.

I do have approximately £5000 spread across several savings accounts. Ideally, I would use these funds to clear my debts but I am currently on maternity leave and my salary is a fraction of what is normally is. I saved most of this money whilst pregnant so I know that I can clear the millstone. I need to leave this money alone until I return to work.

I owe just under £5400:
CC ~ £400
BL ~ £5000

Here are my end of year targets:
1. Clear the CC debt.
2. Have £4000 in savings account 1 (currently £3600).
3. Lose a stone of baby weight.

Things I currently do:
1. Keep a spending diary. I have done this for years and my current spending isn't anywhere near what it used to be. I was awful!!!!
2. Survey, survey, survey
3. MS. This is difficult with a little on in tow
4. Keep track of my NSDs. I like my NSDs but, sometimes I do get frustrated with them. I just wish that I could turn back the hands of time and not make the same mistakes again. Mind you, if I did that then I wouldn't have been able to learn from those mistakes.
5. Use coupons but only when appropriate.

More about moi: closer to 40 than 30 (YIKES!!!!!), have an almost ten week old baby, several furbabies and a fella who knows nothing of my problemo. He never will. Sometimes I am very happy with him and can see myself growing old and grey with him. Sometimes I don't. He is a good man but I will always play second fiddle to his parents. I used to think that I was jealous but I'm not. I'd go into more detail but it isn't really the right time. I'll be ok though. I always am.

Moving on ...!

Today was payday and all bills save my council tax has been paid. I'll pay my CT after this. I need to write a shopping list, iron and change the bedding. Once this has been done then the weekend can begin!

shinytoaster

pinch punch first of the month (and all that jazz!)

Right-e-o, I am aiming for as many NSDs as possible. I need to be a recluse but learn to have fun on a pittance.

I have a couple of mystery sh0pping jobs lined up. I am not sure if I am allowed to do them whilst on mat leave though. I don't think that the excuse of only working PT would work. I did telephone my union to find out but the bloke with the nice voice at the other end of the line didn't have a clue. If I get into trouble over a few quid, then I get into trouble. What is the worst that they can do?!

I also need to declutter this week. To be fair, I am already doing that. I have to dispose (charity or bin) something that I have no need of at least every other day. I do have some things to list on eb@y but I don't really like that site anymore. I might just list one thing at a time.

I need to continue in my quest to lose weight. I have already lost 3lb since I restarted my diary. I just need to keep the lb's off.

erm ... other quests for the week?? To complete my craft projects and start crocheting hats for my son (it still feels strange to say/type that) to wear this Autumn/Winter.

parsniphead

Hi shiny toaster and happy new diary.

A lot of what you say rings true to me. I will subscribe if that's ok......I'm quite nosey.

Good luck paying off the debt.

Pippilongstocking

Happy new diary!

I've a similar level of debt (aside the student loan) so be interesting to see how you tackle it

Bonne chance!

dogcat_2

Wishing you luck with your new diary!

shinytoaster

Hello!

I have been itching to buy something over the past few days and have filled various baskets online several times over but have been ultra good by closing down the webpage before I could grab my credit card. Phew! I can do it.

And, to prevent myself from popping out to the shops today, my son and I had a lazy day and stayed in our pjs. Well, pjs for me and a sleepsuit for him ... but I did have to change his clothes so maybe it was just me being a lazy so and so today.

I have done my internet banking today and I have roughly £50 to last until payday (in 16 days time). I do need petrol but nothing else really.

Tomorrow's jobs:
+ Chase up my sons medical appointment. I should have received it some time ago but, surprise surprise haven't.
+ Complete the surveys sitting in my inbox.
+ Food diary
+ A quick email MS assignment.
+ Continue to teach my son the ways of The Doctor.

shinytoaster

I have been really good. I nipped into Mr S last night and only bought what I went in for. Go me!

I have a fiver in the bank, about £12 in my purse and payday is in 12 days. I also have petrol in my car and plenty of food in the cupboards. Hurrah! The joys of bulk buying when things that we use are on offer

Today is going to be about cleaning the house. I want to have everything done so that we can have a nice, relaxing weekend.

Mini Toaster has started to laugh now. It is such a lovely sound

HOK3Y

Aw it is so lovely when they get a proper belly laugh going. Loved watching my babies get their giggle on! Sounds like you are keeping things tight but doing well with it - keep it going!

shinytoaster

woah! I haven't updated this in such a long time. Naughty Toaster!!!! Gosh! I knew that it had been a while but I didn't realise it had been *this* long. Wowzers!

Ok. Well, Mini Toaster is now a crawling, smiling, bundle of cuteness and my mat leave is coming to an end - boo!!!

I have thoroughly loved every nano second of being off work - even those days where I have had no sleep and not been able to brush my hair or get dressed. I still have a few weeks left off work and I fully intend to make the most of them.

When I go back to work I am going to struggle a lot. I have had a few 'keeping in touch' mornings so I know that leaving on time in the morning isn't going to be an issue. The main problem that I have is that I work in an industry where it is expected that we work from home on top of our usual hours. As soon as we get used to our new routine then all will be good. I will just have to work like a beast during the day and be super organised.

I am still in debt. I will have the final figure shortly and I have some major expenses later in the year as I need to have some building work done.

My goals for the rest of the year:
1. Reclaim my MSE mojo.
2. Eradicate my CC debt (bigger than £500 but smaller that £1000).
3. Pay for my building works by having the necessary funds in the bank first! No sneaky CC or OD usage!
4. Fill my ISA allowance for the next financial year.

In_Debt_Bet

Hello Shiny Toaster (love your username)

I'm another one who gets a shopping fix by going online, filling up a shopping basket and then closing the window quickly before checking out - it's actually quite satisfying isn't it

Good luck and stay strong

Bet x

shinytoaster

Hello In_Debt_Bet! Thanks for stopping by! Oh yes, filling online shopping baskets and then closing the page does feel good. Esp, as the things that I want aren't needed and are usually something that collects dust! I don't do dust!