Mind change to debt thanks to MSE forums!

sassychick2014

Morning all

It's been a week since I've written in here but you can definitely tell in our house that Littley is back at school! I've been working so much more and trying to get more work so hopefully something will come of it.

I've been having a few interviews for a bigger contract these last few days. It's a bit daunting as I usually get smaller contracts myself and the bigger ones come from a larger company I freelance for. This time I'm trying to do it myself - fingers crossed it comes through!

The small here & there contract I got last month has gone quiet and I can't actually get in touch with the woman so I'm hoping all is ok. She doesn't strike me the sort of person to disappear when someone's doing a job for her.

My £5 a day challenge has seen a huge input this last week too. I wasn't able to put any in over the summer holidays and also took a little out to replace our tent. If I hadn't took that out I'd be roughly where I want to be but I did so I'm not! If I get this bigger contract then I'll shove a heap more in there and get it done. I know I can get the money on time but I want to have it all now so I don't have to worry about it! Patience has never been my forte!

Anyhoo, got more work to do today so better clear off and earn myself some money!

Have a good day everyone xx

nannytomany

Hi Sassychick, finally got round to finishing your posts from the beginning, you sound such a wonderful mum and you seem to have a lovely caring daughter, well done.
Have loved reading your posts, its always great to see a single mum getting on with it and enjoying life.
Will subscribe now and just to let you know enjoyed your words so much I even missed the final of Big Bro and I had followed it from the beginning, should have thought to tape it, never mind, a bunch of x rated celebs anyway.
Good luck with your savings to Aussie, I'm sure with your determination you will get there and have wonderful memories for you and your little one x

sassychick2014

Hi Nannytomany

Thanks for stopping by. I can't believe you've read all my entries - I'm such a rambler! And missed the CBB final for it too, I am honoured!

I've been trying to work out my Aussie savings as I keep getting disheartened that I've not got as much saved as I should have then I remember I've paid for things - like passport, insurance etc - and I should really include that into the savings. Maybe I should change my signature to Amount Saved & Amount Saved (althogether) or something? That may make me feel a little less fed up at times.

Saying that! I found a gorgeous carry on suitcase in TKMaxx on Friday for Littley, reduced from £33 to £11 so snapped that up. She loves it and has checked to make sure her teddies, neck cushion and some books, writing, games etc can all fit. And they do. It was such a bargain and also a good boost to both our savings mentality. It's been easy to slip into the "not being bothered to save when it's the summer holidays and we want fun NOW not next year" mentality but that has to change!

On another note, I'm waiting to hear back from 3 potential clients that I've been interacting with last week so fingers crossed I get some good news this week.

I'll go take a look at your diary in a mo and see what you're up to.

Again, thanks for stopping by and thanks for the compliments. Littley is indeed a lovely little thing. I'm very lucky to have her.

Have a nice day xx

sassychick2014

Morning everyone

After my little ramble to nannytomany I realised that I really should sort out my £5 a day total and put what I've actually saved and not what I've actually got. So I've just changed that to £314.97. I did save another £125 on top of that but took it out for the tent in the summer so haven't included this. Although theoretically it means I've saved £439.97 which is amazing for me! All since in 80 day so I'm really really chuffed. I just need to get my backside in gear now and get the rest!

Have a good day everyone xx

FinanciallyUnsavvy

Hello stranger!

Thought I'd stop by to say hello and see how you're doing

So glad to hear things are going good. I'm glad you're not beating yourself up too much about some of the debt amounts going up - as you say a few £s here and there considering you lost some contracts is pretty darn good, and shows just how much your mentality has changed. So well done!

The £5 a day challenge savings pot is also pretty awesome too! You'll have way more than enough when Oz finally does come round (which is coming round mighty fast don't you think?! Just where has the year gone!!?)

I probably should update my journal here too since lots of things are changing for me- not that anyone would read it anymore, since it's been sooo long since I last wrote!

Good luck with the new contracts you're waiting on. Let us know what comes of it- fingers crossed you get something permanent lined up!

xx

sassychick2014

Hello lovely!

Nice to hear from you. I keep looking to see if you've updated so do as I for one would read it.

I've had one contract agreed in principal which is only for 3 months but finishes the week before we leave for Aus and the earnings is virtually the budget I'm trying to save. I'm waiting for the guy to award me the job so not including it in anything until it's definite. However, even though it is the hol budget I'm still going to keep saving as I've learnt the hard way when things don't work out - I'm not that daft any more (I hope!!).

I've just hit £40 on onep*ll so should get that next month, that will go straight into the pot. Have also asked for only money for Christmas this year - I know it's early but has to mentioned! That will all go in. Littley has also asked for just one present that is still a bit of money but I found out I can use my nectar points in Argos (how did I not know this) so am doing surveys & adpoints galore to try and get that for free - that's my new challenge! Think I may put it on my signature so I keep it fresh.

Not much else to say so I'm going to get off and do some more work. All these little bits add up to bigger bits so it's all good.

Have a great day hon & update your diary, I want to know what you're up to! xx

Magsnoodle

Hi Sassychick,

Hope you hear from the chap with the contract soon and I think it is the right decision not to add it to the pot until it is all official.

Have a great weekend though - you are doing brilliantly xxx

sassychick2014

Hi hon

Not heard anything from any of the contracts so really annoyed about that. If someone says they're going to do or tell you something they really should get back to you. I'm having a similar issue with a woman who I do as and when work with. She was all - I need this done now - so I did and had a few queries. Didn't hear anything back for 2 weeks then she was all, did you do that work? !!!!!!!? Some people are just rude. I think it's because they don't meet you properly so you're not a real person - if that makes sense.

Anyway, who knows what this week will bring. Onwards and upwards.

Have a great day xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

Not much to say actually. Got a few bits and bobs coming in this week, not much but enough to be able to get some dinner in today. It's been a rough few weeks tbh and I've been trying to scrimp and save where I can but when you're at the basic already it's a problem!

Still not heard anything back about those contracts so have resigned myself to the fact that although they said they wanted to do the work they're clearly just full of hot air. If it does come through it'll be a bonus but I highly doubt it. Slightly frustrating to say the least!

Still walking to school each day which is a lifesaver both financially and mentally. We had to drive yesterday and Littley was upset that she wasn't getting her morning walk which made me happy. Also, when I got home I was quite tired and it affected me all day.

My Grandmother is in hospital atm too so I'm driving there and back most days to see her or just drop non-driving family members off. I don't mind at all as it must be rubbish being in there (she's due out this weekend so she's doing ok) but the mileage & petrol usage is going up. Where I live it's quite deceptive to the distance of things. Many things are "just up the road" but when you do the mileage it's quite far. I dropped my nephew off the other day and turns out he actually lives nearly 10 miles away! He's lived there for over a year and I'd never realised the distance because he lives "just up the road" lol. Bonkers hey?

Anyhoo, nothing else to report, have updated the £5 a day challenge which is adding up nicely. Littley has added 2 things to the list of things she'd like to do when we're away which is fine as one of them I wanted to do (but didn't think she would so wasn't going to) and the other was something so obvious I didn't understand why I hadn't thought of it earlier! The only thing is it works out about another £100 on top of my budget so it's either more saving or cut back somewhere else. Actually saying that, there's a trip I'm umming and aahhing about doing which would cost quite a big chunk of the savings and I'm not 100% sure some of it's worth it so maybe we could cut those bits out? I'm thinking out loud now so I'm going to clear off and try and earn some money to pay for it all!

Have a good day everyone xx

Magsnoodle

Hiya lovely,

Having done a trip of a life time to SA some years ago I would say to you to weigh up what it is and how much you want to do it? If it is unlikely you will go back to Oz or with your littley then is it worth missing out on it? So you need to think about it as a trip of a lifetime and should you miss it off the list?

We also went to NY for my 40th and didn't do the helicopter ride as it felt like too much at $90 each.. However, now I wish we had and my DD and I have both said if we go back that is the one thing we want to do....

Have a great evening and you are doing great. Look at your £5 pot. I'm well jell

TTFN xxx