Reeling from the Reality Check

Historybuff

Brilliant weekend! Now back to reality, but so glad we went. Concert of a lifetime!
So, this weekend we have OH birthday celebration on a shoestring. Having it at home instead of the booked room to save the cost and I'm doing a buffet. It has to be done on less than £100. Busy week and even busier weekend. No time for crafting stuff to sell, but stall stock is gradually coming together. Will do a carboot on Sun if the weather holds and then craft fairs from the beginning of October.
Will keep plodding on with the debt reduction. Looking forward to getting below the £50000, which should be by Feb 2015.

NoOneAround

Hi HB,
glad you had a lovely weekend:j
Great to hear stock starting to made....are you allowed to post photos on this site...in our posts? Would love to see!


When I get a moment I am going to make a pen pot from old hot chocolate tin for daughters desk at uni - either classy with some beautiful wrapping paper I couldn't bring myself to throw away....or piccies of me with thought bubbles saying " why haven't you called?" to remind her to call home!!!!


xx

Historybuff

Thanks NOA. I've seen photos on some posts, so will try to get some pics up when I can. Pen pot sounds good. I make things out of printed pages and old books as well as things from felt. If I had more time I'd spend it making things, I have loads of ideas, but not enough time!
I also want to sew and I have the plot outline for a novel I want to write. If only I didn't have to work. Hey ho! I really want to be a free range human...http://www.free-range-humans.com/freerangehumans/

giblet1979

Hey HB,

Great to hear that things are sounding so much more postive than when I was last about. Really good news that you found a bit extra in the account after all the worry. It just goes to show tho that you kept that positive attitude in the face of it all, and it worked out fine.

Well done you!

Sending more positive vibes x

Historybuff

8 days to payday and SKINT...I SO hope the weather is kind on Sun as I really need to do a carboot to raise some cash to see me through. Once I get past the weekend I will be fine, but September is still a spendy month. Around £400 to pay on top of what normally goes out, so we will definitely be practising frugal eating! And that includes the dogs.
I had a moment last night. Couldn't sleep so was up in the middle of the
night thinking. Not always a good thing in the dark on your own. How have I, not a stupid person, managed to get myself into such a position? I know the answer really, but so so wish the clock could be turned back and very different decisions made. I earn a very good salary, so should be in the black surrounded by a comfortable life. But I'm not. I'm still struggling just the same as forever. Tatty house, tatty furnishing, rubbish clothes, crap car and scratting about almost every day worrying about whether I can afford stuff. I really need to focus to dig myself out of this debt hole. Checking out the Free Range Humans website and Mr Moustache for inspiration.

NoOneAround

Historybuff wrote: »

Thanks NOA. I've seen photos on some posts, so will try to get some pics up when I can. Pen pot sounds good. I make things out of printed pages and old books as well as things from felt. If I had more time I'd spend it making things, I have loads of ideas, but not enough time!
I also want to sew and I have the plot outline for a novel I want to write. If only I didn't have to work. Hey ho! I really want to be a free range human...http://www.free-range-humans.com/freerangehumans/

All sounds so much like me HB, I used to do a lot of sewing and made own clothes etc - loved making Christmas party dresses!
Looked at the front pages of this website and is exactly me ( haven't followed through the link yet - wasn't sure if it would lead to network marketing company?) We have more or less had a free range life for last 12 years - first 8 OK - but unfortunately tied down by school holidays.


Sorry you are feeling down today, know how you feel....keep positive however hard it is xx

purplefran

Hi Historybuff,
Just wanted to pop by to say Hi. I have to go to work now but your thread is my inspirational reading later. I'll be back! X

Historybuff

Oh, cheers purplefran. If people can identify with and take something from my story it's all good.
Well, the good news is that I've had three NSD on the trot and OH is paying for everything until I get paid next week. Can't believe another week has flashed by, but it seems such a long time ago since last payday when I was still on holiday! On the financial front I'm just glad that the debt total is going down and I no longer even think of borrowing or credit. If I haven't got the money it can't get spent. Simple as.
I've been talking to daughter, who has her own business that has stalled a bit, about what new direction she could take to grow and develop and we've come up with some good ideas I think I could help her with...not financially, but with time and support. I've also managed to acquire enough stuff to fill a craft stall, so once the next two busy weekends are out of the way it will be all systems go to make some money. Woohoo!

Seasidegal58

Hi HB

Good to read that things are going well. I was really pleased to read that your OH is looking after things financially until you get paid and you're still helping out your DD with her business, but on a non- financial basis. Total turnaround from when you started your diary and was so stressed and depressed.

Hope all goes well on the forthcoming money making front.

Historybuff

OH birthday party a success and came in only £20 over budget. I was cautious buying the food, but even so we have enough left over for two days! Downshifted a step too far on the sausage rolls, though...they were rank. Had to go get some decent ones to replace them with.
Carboot didn't happen...needed to recuperate after the party.
I can survive now till Tues and PAYDAY! It has been a long month.
Next two weekends busy, so am going to start selling at craft fairs from mid-October to make some Christmas money. Current saving £0 because it got spent on bills and craft stall stuff. I really want to make a concerted effort this next month to save towards a contingency fund. Even if I have £20 left it will be an achievement. Looking forward to reducing the debt total on Tues.