A New Year Newbies Diary

Box_of_Fluffies

Happy new diary Squirrelly. You'll find lots of help and advice on here. Will pop in from time to time to see how you're getting on.

OrangeFairy

Happy New Diary :j

Thought I would pop over and say hi. This is the best place to be for support! I'll be following your journey

Squirrelly

Hi all, thank you already for the support. I wish I had been able to log on earlier as today was the first low day. I did think it would come later but those horrid, hopeless feelings did start to creep in.

I woke up feeling pretty good after last night and sat down with my accounts/budget and started to look at Feb, unfortunately we have extra bills going out and it did hit me hard. Car is due it's MOT and tax (£200 at least), my self assessment tax bill is due (£85) and also my little girl starts nursery next week so I will have the first lot of fees from this (£200).

The silver lining is that these bills are yearly (MOT and SA tax) or short term (my daughter will receive her free 15 hours preschool funding after Easter). I think I will have to accept that it may be two steps forward and one back

I did end the day much more positive Hubby managed to get all the shopping to feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner from aldi for £103, really pleased and hubby is being really supportive.

Also watched Martin Lewis' money programme this evening, loving your work ML!:money::money:

Squirrelly

Quite a good day today, a NSD for me:T

Had a little wobble earlier. The youngest starts nursery on Monday and I am trying to get her things organised. She will be having lunch there so needs a little lunch box. I searched through the Tupperware and realised the only thing we had that was the right size was an old ice cream tub. My initial reaction was she cant take that it doesn't look very nice and a few weeks ago that would have sent me straight to the shops to buy a 'nice' one. Managed to give myself a good talking to and realise, with my sensible head on, that of course it doesn't matter that it's an ice cream tub, does she care? No, will anyone else care? No.

I do know that things for the children is a big weakness for me, most of my catalogue debt has been caused through buying them clothes. I also am aware that how other people perceive us is another big flaw, even though we have been struggling for a couple of years now, we have been covering for it. I sure I am probably not alone but I am trying to be more honest even if it's with myself for the time being.

Right am going to try and get a SOA done this weekend. I also have housework to get on with and then putting up the bunting for youngest's birthday on mid week.

Happy money saving all x

Box_of_Fluffies

Squirrelly, sorry I didn't get on and see your post from 3.1.14 earlier. I think you are doing really well and it's fantastic that your husband is supporting you. It makes this deft free journey so much easier. Once you have your MOT and tax things paid you might find it useful to start a savings pot for things like your MOT etc. That way, you will have some money saved for the next one. I know it's a long way away but it works for other things as well.

I have savings pots (well online bank accounts) where I put money away every month for MOT, Car licence, insurance etc. I even have one for xmas and birthdays - just so they don't come as a big shock.

Good luck on getting your SOA done this weekend. You'll find a lot of people on here have really useful ideas on how to make savings. Unfortunately I'm in New Zealand so probably not much help on this front.

Pennydropped

Squirrelly, I have my MOT and tax due this month too. Always a hit, right after Christmas, especially as I had some unexpected car repairs and a few other expenses I wasn't planning on. At least when it's done, it's over with for a year.

Squirrelly

Thank you both, I think Feb may just be damage limitation, but at least we are aware and can manage it to an extent. I think the savings for motoring is an excellent idea. I don't drive so the car is always a little off my radar in terms of planning. I think that will be a target to set up once we have recovered.

Really, really feeling the benefits of MSE today, we had another NSD. Had a serious talk with hubby, who has been very supportive, but we still needed to properly discuss the extent of the problems. I think we have been a little too kind to each other in the past. He is happy for me to take control and lead until June as he has to focus on finishing his degree, but he is motivated for making this journey a joint exercise for the rest of the year and beyond. Plus he loves a spreadsheet so it should make calculating everything easier.

Didn't manage to get the SOA done, just ran out of time this weekend so MUST do it next week!

Bunting is up for the birthday party, it's really over the top and mad...I love it.

Youngest starts nursery tomorrow for her playgroup sessions. Will miss her during the day but I know she will love it and I know I will appreciate the time to get a lot of the other decluttering projects done.

I know we are not going to have a NSD day tomorrow, we need milk and apparently balloons!

Have a great new week everyone x

Squirrelly

What a day of highs and lows.

Lets start with the high...the youngest started nursery today, completely loved it and they love her. I put her name down for her place 18 months ago as the waiting list is so long, but it was the right decision she is going to have such a lovely pre-school experience.

The lows...checked with Nursery when they would invoice and they explained that they charge a month in advance but were happy to wait until next month but it would be charges for Jan and Feb...gulp! So it looks like the MOT and car tax is going to have to go on the plastic, not the best start to our plans, but you can't spend it twice. Resolved to damage limitation this month and onwards and upwards from March. Refused to get downhearted.

On the plus side MIL has just popped in to say SHE has picked up some balloons she saw discounted and will drop them in tomorrow, hurrah so that is the last birthday thing off the list:j

Box_of_Fluffies

Good to see you are still being positive despite the extra bills to pay. As you say damage limitation in Jan-Feb and onto debt busting in March.

Well done MIL on finding the balloons. Hope the party is a roaring success.

Squirrelly

Very quick post as ready for bed and then early morning with a very excited 3 year old! My goodness my baby is 3!

Managed a NSD and the house is for the most part looking lovely (I am closing the door on the playroom hee hee). Also managed to fill in my appraisal for work and email it in to the office so I am feeling quite on top of things, which is helping with the positive mental attitude.