Kate's Journey

Kate_fixing_it

Well turns out I fibbed looked in the fridge and freezer to find we have two big empty spaces so as the kids don't like fresh air for dinner I was forced to go out.

I also slipped into bad habits. Spotted something on DS2s Christmas list and without thinking I clicked on buy it now and paid. I could kick myself! I was only doing research and saving links! I suppose it's one less thing to buy and it was the cheapest I've found but I'm so mad at myself!

I've also used the non-spent London money and finished off DD1, mum's and dad's presents. I've now only got DS1&2, DD2 and DH to buy for. Secret Santa gift swap is Monday so I need to do some wrapping but Christmas purchasing is almost done :-)

I've been getting one thing for dinner each week with the food shopping so I just need pigs in blankets now and that's done too which means that the monthly child benefit payment can be thrown straight at a debt taking December repayments up to over £800 It's a little surreal seeing that figure and very exciting to think I'll be one debt down before the year is out but dreams can come true and this one definitely will if I keep working at it.

My other happy news (although not really ground breaking) is that I've managed to get the make up items I've run out of rather savily there were two items completely used. One of which is usually £12!) And 2 others running very low. I popped into Boots and lo and behold 3 of the four items were in the free gift for buying two No7 make up items. So I've purchased the needed item for £8, a want item for £6 and replenished my supplies with the free gift saving me at least £20 and I'm feeling really spoilt a pretty good result

Now I'm off to take mum and dad to their party, I'll go back to their house until pick up time and see what I can do about doubling up my clubcard points and ordering DS1s presents with as little cost to me as possible...and pave the way to spend absolutely nothing tomorrow to snatch my fourth NSD for the month.

Aside from my slip up I'm really happy with how far I've come already and the fact that I'm not going to be paying for Christmas in 2014 is fantastic (especially as I'm still paying for Christmas 2012 ) I finally feel happy in myself and that's worth all the money in the world to me.

Kate x

Choc-addict

Hey Kate,

Just read your diary and I love the positive vibe it has throughout, it really makes a happy read so thank you!

Have subscribed and look forward to more updates!

Choc x

Kate_fixing_it

Choc-addict wrote: »

Hey Kate,

Just read your diary and I love the positive vibe it has throughout, it really makes a happy read so thank you!

Have subscribed and look forward to more updates!

Choc x

Thank you xxx it's so lovely to see posts like this. Feels a bit like getting a great big pat on the back and a hug to go with it Since my LBM (and after several snotty meltdowns) I've been much more positive. I think it's all to do with realising what I have is so wonderful and I'm incredibly lucky. I don't need to throw cash around to show my love, my time and thoughts are more than enough and far more valuable.

Kate x

Choc-addict

Kate_fixing_it wrote: »

Thank you xxx it's so lovely to see posts like this. Feels a bit like getting a great big pat on the back and a hug to go with it Since my LBM (and after several snotty meltdowns) I've been much more positive. I think it's all to do with realising what I have is so wonderful and I'm incredibly lucky. I don't need to throw cash around to show my love, my time and thoughts are more than enough and far more valuable.

Kate x

I think I am finally heading in the same direction as you too....it's taken a while! Today I treasured just being able to curl up on couch with hubby and pooch whilst eating a mince pie and having a cuppa - precious xxxx

Kate_fixing_it

Thoroughly awful day here. Completely typical Monday

Slept in and the minute I tried to walk the pain kicked in, my "work hubby" is ill so worried about him, secret santa happened without me even present, work was horrible, despite their promises to the contrary one of my CC DD payments went through, I've had an eBay case opened by a serial complainer (her feedback says it all!) Property ombudsman won't take my case as letting agent have strung me along for so long, and I've had to go grocery shopping. Come home to magically disappearing teenagers when I asked for help unpacking the car, no hubby, no dinner on, as I finished unpacking the shopping hubby appeared and he too magically disappeared as I put the oven on!

Oh and I forgot my lunch too!

As such I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself and I've opened a bottle of the Christmas wine and I'm having a glass before I even think about feeding the troops!

Now that's out of my system I can look for the positives. We're all still here and healthy, I'm £40 closer to debt freedom. I got the 12 bottles of wine for under £40 for Christmas even if I have opened one. The ebay woman can get knotted - I am NOT giving her a refund unless she returns the item. I will persevere with the letting agent and if necessary use moneyclaim online. And best of all I only have 9 more work days until Christmas and 11 more work days this year

It's just a bad day. Tomorrow is a new one and possibly a NSD (those always make me smile ) work-hubby has seen someone and has a prescription (I know because I took him!) We have food for the table, a roof over our heads, Christmas gifts to wrap we have each other. And I'm two large sips away from having a glass of wine in my tummy. I feel infinitely better already.

Kate x

Kate_fixing_it

Oh and nobody suspected a thing during secret santa gift swap...in fact I think I was the only person who was happy with their gift Definitely cause for celebration

Kate_fixing_it

OMG longest day ever the minutes just seemed to last hours

No movement debt wise but as with Slimming World the maintenance is the hardest part I have achieved another NSD which I'm pleased with. I've also written a calm and concise letter to the letting agent pointing out all their errors. I've emailed them a copy stating I've sent it in the post too and addressed it to the managing director. I've given them 7 days before I commence legal action and clearly expressed my dissatisfaction and loss of confidence in their complaints procedure (they've not adhered to any of it).

Other than that today has been ploughing through a mountain of work, using up food close to use by dates in the fridge (which turned into a pretty wonderful chilli) and a huge grin on my face when DS2 tried chilli for the first time

I'm now about 15 minutes away from crawling into bed with the hope of a better day tomorrow. On the bright side at least it's not Monday again for another 6 days

Onwards and upwards!

Kate x

Choc-addict

Hey Kate!

How are you doing today? I think there was something strange happening as the day seemed to drag for everyone I know, including me. It was awful!

I love chilli!! I hope it went down well with DS2.

Well done on the NSD and good work on the complaints letter. I'm rubbish at writing them when i'm complaining but great at answering them in my job, not sure how that works?? lol.

Not sure if I have mentioned before but if hubby and I are lucky enough to have children (fingers crossed!), our first choice for a girls name is Kate.....i've always thought of it as a very pretty yet strong name

Hope you are having a good day.

Choc x

Kate_fixing_it

Not much better today but there seems to be a really bad atmosphere at work. Another day of debt maintenance and another NSD in the bag halfway to December's target and I thought I'd set a target much higher than I could ever achieve

I hope you will be parents Choc-addict. You come across as such a caring and thoughtful person in your posts, I just know you'll be a wonderful mother - nobody who takes time to support others as you do right here could be anything else. I already had two from my first marriage when I met hubby and we had DS2 before we married. We don't really know what it's like to be a couple without being parents but it's so rewarding - even if I seriously consider swapping at least one for a dog on a daily basis and such lovely kind words. I like simple and traditional names and all the kids have been named in that vein.

Maybe the low mood is the pre-Christmas stress in everyone else rubbing off on me, I always feel much better as soon as I get home. I'm not at all stressed about the festive season. I have all non-fresh food bought, all main presents are stashed away or en route to us, I have a party to go to next weekend (and my outfit is already planned from ancient clothing that now fits!) and I'm certain I'll be one CC down by Christmas Eve

But it wouldn't be me if I didn't have something to stress about and as such my leg springs to mind. The pain seems to increase in direct correlation to my stress levels so it's no surprise that I'm really suffering. The cold, foggy weather seems to be affecting it too and I noticed last night that the skin is getting tighter over the protruding screw heads so it's looking more and more likely I'll need to have the screws removed. That'll be a 6 week recovery at least. I've been assured it's a good thing and has good results but can't be considered until February. I'm back at the hospital at the end of January but another 10 weeks of this seems awful and then I'll go on a waiting list until an appointment for surgery comes up I hate the idea of more surgery but the current situation is really affecting my lifestyle so something has to be done. On the bright side, just think of all the NSDs I'll be able to grab while I'm recovering There's my silver lining

I'm not sure how much use my complaint letter will be. I wrote what I wanted to say then re-wrote each point without the emotional aspects. I know exactly what you mean about being able to do something for work but not in real life! I can't help but laugh when I think I'm a part-qualified accountant responsible for millions of pounds each day yet I have got myself into this mess with my personal finances! I guess emotions have a large part to answer for that but I've made enormous changes already, many have now become habits and I intend to keep doing everything I'm doing well for as long as I can. I know there's still a long road ahead but each little step in the right direction is a step closer to the grand prize and a whole new future.

Kate x

Kate_fixing_it

It seems I'm either psychic or I tempted fate

Getting out of the shower last night I was getting what can only be described as little electric shocks through my leg with every step. In case you hadn't noticed I've had 4 babies so I know what the worst pain in the world is and with that being a 10 my leg was easily a 7.

Had a look and the most protruding screw is starting to break through the skin

I had a good self-pitying cry and took all the painkillers I safely could. It didn't kill the pain but I did enter a very thick "codeine fog" which enabled me to sleep for a few hours. Hubby offered to take me to the hospital but the fracture clinic is closed until 9am this morning and I didn't fancy a 3-4 hour wait around to see a doctor that could do nothing but x-ray the leg and offer me painkillers I already have then refer me to the clinic. It just didn't make sense, there are no specialists for cases that aren't emergency on duty at night anyway.

So today it's back to the hospital again during clinic times. I guess my hardware removal has become more urgent and I'm going to have to swallow my fears over surgery.

I'm feeling more positive than last night (couldn't have felt much worse!) and like many things in life it's better out than in And if I'm going to be housebound for a month in the near future just think of all the surveys I can complete to earn some money, all the research to save money I can do and all the NSDs that'll come flooding in. There's my silver lining

Kate x