Building a new (organised and frugal) life

Sequeena

Oh I also had Jack Monroe's new cookbook delivered this morning. So excited to use it :j

GettingmyHALO

Hi catrobinson. I wish we'd prepared like you, we didn't even think about it, just got a mortgage, took the financial hit and ended up in lots of debt. The problem was that we carried on living as we always had, we made no sacrifices despite the extra outgoings. We finally got into a reasonable position, ready to get ourselves back in good credit and clear our debt when my husband died. Thus here I am a year later, taking the steps we should have taken over 12 years ago (did I mention I'm only 34, not that I'm blaming immaturity for my lack of financial awareness )
So here I am 34, widowed with 3 kids 15 months to 8 years old, no money and no savings but all the determination required to turn things around in as short a time as possible.

Finally sold my first 4 items on eBay and made a profit of £18, could have been a lot more, but money is money and free'd space is still space!

May just get back on fb today to sell more though as it's cheaper and easier!

GettingmyHALO

Hi sequeena, sorry to hear of your sons issues, I really do hope you can find a solution soon, sleep deprivation is one of the hardest parts of being a parent and that's without the issues you face!

It's been a loooong day today, feeling a bit melancholy. This coming Wednesday would have been my husbands 38th birthday, so my spirits is down again.

My organising, must be working, as I have all my ironing and laundry done and tidying will not take too long tonight :T

My tasks for this week are:
1) to clear up the office
2) organise my home filing
3) tidy the garden ready for the windy weather
4) sell 4 more items
5) win the lottery and go live on a yacht!

Fingers crossed :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Hello, thought I would join in too if I may?
I'm 31 and have recently become a single mum to 3 children, aged 4-10. Am also a bit of a loner, preferring my own company and occasionally entertaining my friend and her 2 children too. My best friend was my husband and he's now living 45mins away from me, we get on but are not together and things are difficult.
I'm renting at the moment and cannot see that ever changing! I also have some debts, which I am hoping to clear by the end of next year if not sooner. I am cutting back on everything I can get my hands on! If it goes out of my bank, I am trying to claw it back or reduce it for the next month!
GettingmyHALO - sorry to hear about your husband, that must be so hard and sad for you, I can only imagine and your posts are so positive, you are definitely going about things the right way and giving yourself a focus too. If ever you want to chat, just send me a message and I will try and find it / work out how to send one back lol!
Am also sorting out the house and selling whatever I can find. This year I decided to only buy Christmas gifts with the money I make from selling items, not from CCs or from any other money, and so far so good! Have bought everything for my eldest, and about half for my other two. Budget was slashed this year anyway and when they were talking about xbox's and 3dsxl's I just had to say to them that they are very expensive kids, I think you should think of some other things, and they have.
I am having a feel sorry for myself day today, feeling a bit low and lacking motivation, but reading the previous posts has encouraged me to get selling on facebook and ebay again, and clear out my wardrobe - make some more pennies for the remaining xmas items!
Hope everyone has a good day today :-)

davenport151

GettingmyHALO wrote: »

Lottie3000 - I have found a great budget for those like me who struggle sticking to one or going over budget often. It's called YNAB, I found it online (sorry Martin) I'm using a 34 day free trial and after that I can either buy it (doubt that) or use the principles they give. It's so simple it's almost stupid, but so far it's got me sticking to it and there's loads of online help in getting it set up. It is an American company, but it also has £.

Thanks for this. Just when I thought I knew it all about budgeting & money saving. Even just looking at the main four principles I can see how it works!

Tagging along on your journey Halo!

GettingmyHALO

Well Wednesday went really well, we had a firework party with family and some of my husbands closest friends. I actually really enjoyed it and it wasn't all about him not being being here, as much as just remembering him. The kids went wild and ended up skiving school on Thursday......oops (not something I'd normally allow, however I think this year they deserve it!)

I still haven't got much decluttering or saving done and haven't yet managed to sell anything else, although I'm having the night off and just going to chill (if LO will actually go to sleep!)

I did manage to get a really good deal on an innotab max for 3YO for Xmas. With a Tesco voucher code and using double up on clubcard vouchers it ended up costing £45 instead f £109, so I'm happy with that for this week. (Last week I got skylanders trap team for 8YO for £37.50 instead of £49 using a hotdealsuk code also got a free dolls pram for 1YO using argos 3 for 2) they now all have something for Christmas, that's a very good start for me considering it's still November. :T
I'm getting the hang of this savvy spending

Davenport151 - YNAB to me seems almost too easy! It's great, although my free trial ends soon

Purpleposting4 - Thanks! What part of the country are you in? you're definitley strong to be going it alone, I've been at it for just over a year now and it's very hard going, I'm constantly exhausted, but there are positives to single parenting too, like having only 1 set of rules.....YOURS. I've been feeling very down lately too (tbh I think the wintery weather and lack of sun play a big part) I try to stay positive and focus on achieving my goals, as they're ultimately for all of us, but at times I just give up, cry loads, then get up and carry on, the crying and feeling sorry for my self can sometimes last a few days, but then positivity / motivation and productivity seem to be enhanced for a while. Stay strong, crying isn't a sign of weakness, it's a release.

Am in a hugging mood, so hugs to all :grouphug:

GettingmyHALO

Almost forgot.....
I bought myself a few Xmas pressies from everything5pounds.com, pretty pleased with the items too and I finally joined the cheap energy club, (now that prepayment meters are included, as I prefer to pay upfront because it helps me budget better) saving £71 a year and should get £120 high street voucher in time for the January sales yay!
so I DID manage to make some savings....patting myself on back!

janey72

Hi there, I too am a single mum to 2 DDs 12 and 8. I have a good job but lately the stress has been too much for me, affecting my mental health and functioning in general. I may be having to reduce to a (slightly) less stressful job soon but this will mean a drop of £6000 per year, that's around £400 per month! I have some debt and a hefty mortgage after buying out ex's share. Any money saving hints gratefully received, as I already try to be quite frugal! I'll be joining you all for the ride, if that's okay? Subscribed x
Keep up your positive outlook xx

GettingmyHALO

Welcome Janey72 - £400 a month may be a big loss, but losing your sanity would be a far greater loss! Think of it as only being a temporary change, you can always aim to return to a similar position when you get your feet back on the ground.

It's been a very lazy day for me and I've achieved absolutely nothing. I'm exhausted and have had a banging headache all day (although that may be due to my transition from half cnormal half decaff coffee to full decaff.)

Yesterday was the road death memorial service (it was a motorbike crash that killed my husband) and that completely drained me, it was kind of like going to the funeral for a second time. My year of firsts is now over, so am hoping to begin getting my own feet more firmly back on the ground.

I'm still waiting for my ebay funds to be cleared, as apparently as a new seller, they now hold funds for 21 days! Which is annoying.

My goal for this week is to renew my home insurance using Martins method anything under £33pm will be a saving. Will let you know how I get on.

More hugs to you all. Keep hanging on in there!:grouphug: