Reeling from the Reality Check

Aaleigha

every now and then we all need to rebel - we all set ourselves such high targets and for most of the time we live frugally to enable us to reach the standards we have set for ourselves
your choices were wise they are investment pieces - so I think you should be kinder to you and enjoy the fact you have them even if for a little while

Historybuff

Right, I'm getting back to selling surplus stuff to see if I can make £250 to put in the buffer fund.
Having a quiet day in my 'workroom' sorting things out and letting OH get on with the painting and decorating. Loving it.

sugarbaby125

Hi HB, glad you have enjoyed your day

in_need_of_direction

If anyone can hit that £250 target, it's you. I've never seen anyone else who consistently manages as you do.

Historybuff

Been sorting stuff out. How can we have so many bags and boxes with random stuff in! I also have loads of pottery and silver plate that needs to go, as well as some bits of furniture. So I have decided to put them in the next auction of 'good' stuff at our local auction house. I should get more there than at a carboot. I'm going to put a reserve price on things, so they don't go for ridiculous prices. If they don't go, then I'll ebay them.
Decorating going well. Still doing the prep on the stairs and landing, but will be ready for the paint on Thurs. Bargain paint...10 litres for £10 and colour identical to the expensive £38 for 5 litres. Trying to persuade OH to box in under the stairs to make a cupboard for coats and shoes, but he's not keen. We could do coat hooks by the back door though, so might compromise and do that.

Historybuff

Nw@de CC came good and agreed a significantly reduced monthly payment and also default, so result there. Just need overdrafts to default now and for B@card to register the default they sent me on the credit file, then they will all be sorted. Plodding onward with the payments.
Decorating still ongoing...fed up of all the dust now. I'm hoping it will all be over very soon. Not doing anymore to things after today until the end of the Easter weekend, so OH working like a trouper today. I'm continuing to sort out the ever expanding boxes and carrier bags full of 'stuff'. There's enough surplus to do a carboot again. Might see if Sunday is fine, then do the Bank Holiday one. And today I'm listing ten things on ebay. Need to get the £250 for the buffer fund.
Suns out and all's good. Hope you all have a good day.

Historybuff

Ive been thinking about attitudes to spending a lot today. One of the reasons I got into such a state with the finances over the years was that I never ever had any spending plan. Spending was haphazard and often happened on a whim without any thought as to whether whatever I was spending on was needed or whether there was any money available to pay for it. Things were more often than not paid for with a credit card without me even blinking.
Now, after a year on here, my attitude to spending has completely changed. I plan what needs to be bought with money that is set aside for it. There is no more browsing and buying 'bargains' or something that takes my fancy. Shopping is no longer a leisure pursuit. I only go to the shops when I need to buy something. OH and I research, so we know what we are looking for, then we go out and get it for the lowest price we can. We now have a system and understand 'less is more'. At least I have learnt that. OH has always been better at it than me, though. I have a plan, I'm getting organised and I like that...

Brogden

Historybuff wrote: »

Ive been thinking about attitudes to spending a lot today. One of the reasons I got into such a state with the finances over the years was that I never ever had any spending plan. Spending was haphazard and often happened on a whim without any thought as to whether whatever I was spending on was needed or whether there was any money available to pay for it. Things were more often than not paid for with a credit card without me even blinking.
Now, after a year on here, my attitude to spending has completely changed. I plan what needs to be bought with money that is set aside for it. There is no more browsing and buying 'bargains' or something that takes my fancy. Shopping is no longer a leisure pursuit. I only go to the shops when I need to buy something. OH and I research, so we know what we are looking for, then we go out and get it for the lowest price we can. We now have a system and understand 'less is more'. At least I have learnt that. OH has always been better at it than me, though. I have a plan, I'm getting organised and I like that...

Everything you have said here applies completely to me too and I could have written exactly the same words (except for the reference to OH !!)

Following on your theme HB......you and I and a lot of others may have planned our spending more in the past if it were not for constant tweaks of conscience like 'I had better buy that for her because she asked'......etc! ) The inability to say 'no!' Most family leaders suffer from constant demands and I'll bet you have been the same .

Less is certainly more A few things which are valued rather than a pile of tat!

I get less demands now and that is for the reason that the household were put through two years of hell after the major LBM and nobody was in any doubt at all about what we had to do.......in retrospect it was the best thing that could have happened :T !!

Broggers x

Puzzcat

Hi HB,


Just popping by with your easter gift.. Hope you enjoy some R & R over the weekend..


Love Puzz. x

sugarbaby125

Hi HB,
You are doing really well, you should be proud of all the changes in your spending habits that you have managed to make. You have also managed to save for your buffer fund. You will never return to your old spending habits, trust me. You are just going to go from strength to strength. Look how well you managed to put forward your case for reducing your hours at work and got the response from your employers that you wanted. Working a 4 day week will enable you to have a much healthier work/life balance. I hope you are enjoying your Easter surrounded by your family and friends.