Need to get a grip!!!

rc12345

Couldn't get out of bed this morning, too cold and dd is at her dad's so didn't have to get out of bed for her. Been awake since 6am and just stayed in bed...not that I haven't got loads of stuff I need to be getting on with


Anyway, yesterday I sent off for some free perfume on magic freebies and also a tree trinket, I know I said I was only going to send off for one thing a day as gets quite time consuming - but couldn't resist


Had my nails done a week ago and they usually last four weeks, but haven't so text and let her know and she is coming back to do them all again for free. Normally I wouldn't have bothered mentioning it and would've just left it.


Reused a carrier bag as a waste paper bag, usually buy ones to use - but have loads of carriers in the cupboard. Not sure the orange Sainsbury's bag goes with my bathroom colour scheme though!


I'm still using the backs of paper/envelopes for lists - I do like lists, so this will save on paper.


Did a list for the supermarket today, so hopefully I won't get seduced into buying things I don't need. Raisins were on the list for dd, normally buy those little kids packs - but have a huge bag of raisins in the cupboard, so put some of those in five little tubs for the week (hopefully the tubs will make it home from school). Only saved me a pound, but a pound's a pound!


Did make it to a zumba class at the gym and then a swim, but not even my gym clothes fit decided that as well as keeping track of the pounds, I need to lose the pounds off me. 25lbs to lose. Work's Christmas party in just over a month and don't want to have nothing to wear that fits. Will be going to the gym again today, may as well utilise the membership when I can.


Dropped keys off at the estate agent for the old house, they will e-mail me re the deposit on Monday.


Used an already used water bottle topped up with tap water for the gym instead of a new bottle.


Pack of cocktail sausages had gone mouldy, even though use by date is not until the 14th. Did throw them away, but then decided to take them back tomorrow - don't have the receipt but they say co-op on them so hopefully they will exchange them.


Also, did some batch cooking for the freezer yesterday - tuna pasta bake and sausage casserole from ingredients I had in the cupboards. Had some tuna pasta bake for lunch and then split into three portions for the freezer. Had some more of the never ending out of date porridge in the evening as wasn't too hungry. I did cut some mould off the cheese and then used the rest to top the tuna pasta bake, normally would've just thrown it - but was perfectly fine once cut off and dd won't be having any anyway, she wouldn't entertain the idea of eating tuna pasta bake - her fussy eating is something I need to focus on once I'm a bit more organised.


Must admit to putting heating on for a bit last night as was really cold, did have a couple of throws over me on the sofa - should've really done a hot water bottle first before putting the heating on though.


I have got a £10 argos voucher which expires 11/11 - so checked online and 3 for 2 on toys, so reserved 3 games for £10. This is three Christmas presents, for free. I have 15 kids to buy for, but only generally buy gifts not presents something like a book about £4 each. This still totals £60, so managing to get three for free is really good and my mum has bought a couple of things recently she didn't want and asked me if they would come in for gifts to save her taking them back. So that is five in total. Have a present box upstairs, will have to check if anything in there I can use for Christmas presents as well.


Think that is about it for yesterday, time to check the budget again - might just get some breakfast first...

rc12345

Well so far today the usual excess hot water in flask, reused tea bag, no heating on and washed up in cold water. A couple of washed empty cartons in the craft tub for dd.


Had a look in present box and found 6 suitable presents for Christmas, which means I only have 4 to buy and sure I've got some vouchers so may be able to use those for the 4 if I can find them


Also had a look into asda delivery, can deliver for £1 - which I thought may be good as would save me getting seduced by things not on my list if I go to a shop. However, minimum spend £25 and don't want to be spending £26 a week - so that wouldn't work for me.


As far as budget concerned pretty boring, but that is probably a good thing. I'll get an e-mail re the rent deposit on Monday and the £13.59 should be in my account by 13th then with the residual standing orders and direct debits for the month I will be left with 0 in the current account. I do still have £5.76 in my purse and then £22.91 emergency money in another account, which I am going to have to use some of today to buy fresh food in for dd. Then I have £2,828.49 on credit card and £347.12 overdraft to pay off. May try to put this on a signature thing to see clearly what I am working towards.


Nail polish and cuticle oil on magic freebies today, can't seem to just do one thing


Hopefully will stick to list in supermarket and shouldn't have to spend anything else today...

rc12345

Well, went to gym and then for a swim and then went to asda as it was on the way home rather than driving to aldi. Going to note down what I bought and cost and then will have a reference for future:


shreddies (well asda's own version) 3 for £3 - was going to buy two packs anyway, saved 54p buying 3 and something that will get eaten.
OJ x 2 - 55p each, cheaper than in home and bargain
Flour - self raising and plain - 45p each - not on list, but dd has a friend coming over for a sleepover this weekend and I thought if they get bored (which hopefully they won't) we could attempt some salt dough. It is something that won't get wasted if not used this weekend as best before date not until next summer and we will be baking/making home made pancakes before then.
Hot dog rolls - again for the friend coming this weekend - 60p a pack of 6, but ended up getting 3 packs for £1.50 therefore saving 30p and they are all in the freezer. Again not going to waste.
Wraps - 85p for a pack of 8
Noodles - £1.78
Fries - the only other thing I bought that was not on the list and again for the friend coming over at the weekend, but bought frozen ones for £1 so they will keep in the freezer.
Deodorant - bought asda's own - £1, half the price of the one I would normally buy
Apples - 84p for 6
Strawberries - £2
Milk - 49p for 1 pint - this shocked me as I have been paying 60p or 61p at local shops
Yogurts - £1 for 9
Razors - £1
Ham - 61p
Pizza x 2 - 60p each


So ended up spending £18.27 for shopping for the week, only thing I may need to get during the week will be milk. Was quite pleased with that. Took ages though going round checking prices on everything and kept seeing things I wanted to buy, but couldn't


Paid on credit card, which I know I shouldn't as I'm supposed to be reducing the debt not increasing it - but have a delivery on Tuesday, so having to get childminder to pick dd up from school and take her to brownies which will cost £20 :eek: and only have £22.91 in emergency fund so not enough to pay for the shopping and childminder.


Put the yogurts in the freezer to last longer. Forgot to pick up argos reservation, which was really annoying as drove past it and then wasted petrol going back :mad:


Got 2p change back from the gift voucher and found another 1p, so now £5.79 in purse. Saved bread bag and a sandwich bag to use another day. Clip thing and empty tic tac packet in craft tub. Cocktail sausages packed to take back tomorrow and more out of date porridge for lunch tomorrow.


Think that is everything, will post back tomorrow...

rc12345

Didn't wake up early enough to update yesterday and really don't feel like it today, but if I don't I know things could slip out of control so quickly.


So, only put 2 slices of ham on dds sandwich for yesterday instead of 3 - she didn't mention it and sandwich still got eaten so assume it wasn't even noticed. Used an empty pasta sauce jar to put marbles in, she gets a marble when she has done something good - a couple of friends do this and seems to be working reasonably well so far. Empty marble bag went into the craft tub.


Yesterday, cuppa made from excess hot water in the flask from pasta made the night before. Still had 25lb to lose, however this has actually increased to 26lb today . Kept bread bag to reuse instead of binning, parked close to work to make it easier to get dd before 5.30 - and yesterday found a quicker way to get to the school from work, been rushing in at 5.30 but new route seems to have shaved 5 minutes from that. No contacts, no perfume, hair tied up therefore no products or electricity drying it and can be left unwashed for a second day.


Still on the out-of-date porridge for lunch. Seem to be filling up on free stuff at work instead of eating stuff I've spent money on - however this is probably what is not helping shift the pounds. Yesterday had carrot cake and a strudel thing in the morning and a large biscuit in the afternoon that people had brought in.


Replaced the mouldy cocktail sausages at lunchtime, there was no quibbles about this even though I didn't have the receipt they just exchanged them. Quite pleased about this as before would have just thrown them and not gone to the bother.


Wiped up spill with dishcloth instead of using kitchen roll.


Had an e-mail yesterday that I need to pay £70 for brownie trip and £5 for another trip before the end of the month, which I thought her dad had paid for. No way I will ask him to contribute, but it is going to have to wait until I get paid on 25th.


A note came home from school re a collection of advent calendars - just checked online and seems £2 is the cheapest I can get one for! Unfortunately this needs to be in school by 21st November, wondering if I can ignore this request...


The tub with the strawberries in did not come home in dds lunchbox yesterday, not sure what else I can put strawberries in. I spoke to her about it and she has no idea where it is. I have also spoke to school re tubs not coming home as they have her name written on and they have no idea how this could happen


Had curry out of the freezer from one of my batch cooking efforts. Was nice coming home and having a selection of stuff all home made and ready in the freezer to choose from. Will have to keep that up.


Reused some cling film, have managed to finish one pack of out of date porridge - but whilst I was making my way through that seems like another pack of porridge has gone out of date so will need to work my way through that next...


Reused a carrier as a wastepaper basket bag. 2 slices of ham on dds sandwich again today.


Paying for childminder to take dd to brownies tonight as I'm having to wait in for a delivery and didn't want her to miss brownies because of it and then she informs me last night she would rather miss brownies than go to the childminders. Really annoyed about this as too late to cancel childminder now, I know she has already made arrangements but is a waste of money :mad: I know the reason she doesn't want to go to childminder is really because she doesn't like the food...


Anyway, time to check the budget...

rc12345

Well budget is rubbish and I have no money and feeling fed up about it today. The £13.59 refund has finally been received. Received an e-mail re the rent deposit yesterday, but they didn't confirm when I would get this back so e-mailed them about this again this morning - need this back before 18th when rent due on this house. I have 0 in current account, transferred money from emergency account to pay childminder with today and now have £2.91 in that account, £347.12 overdraft and £2,846.76 on credit card to pay off.


Really annoyed about the childminder situation, was a really bad decision but I thought I was doing the best thing. Actually think I will cancel the childminder £20 is a lot of money to waste, would still have to pay £5.60 for after school club - but still £14.40 is a lot of money to waste and after school club bill won't need to be paid until next month.


I have £5.79 in purse with 2 weeks to go until pay day. Decided to ignore the advent calendar request as well. Can't see anything else I can save on. This is depressing

rc12345

After being fed up yesterday morning, decided to pull myself together mid-morning and be more positive. Yes, this month is extremely tight - however I have moved house and had some very large bills to pay. Hopefully I should be some sort of straight by Christmas and then I can focus on clearing the debts. Unfortunately, my positivity didn't last when I had an e-mail from the estate agent re the deposit I am due back confirming they require confirmation from the landlord before paying this back to me. The landlord had told me he had done this on 23rd October. They then said they need this in writing from him. I asked them if he was aware of this, as my impression from him was that he had told them and that was sufficient. They confirmed that he was aware of this. Couldn't get hold of the landlord yesterday, but have text him and advised him of this and just e-mailed estate agent again now to see if he has provided them with what they need. This is a bit of a disaster as I need the deposit back to pay this months rent on 18th :eek:


Then as if the day couldn't get any worse I had an e-mail from my solicitor that my ex is taking me to court over contact with dd. He hasn't actually said what contact it is he is wanting, currently sees her every other weekend. Solicitor confirmed for them to represent me will cost £5k!!! Checked online and could get a loan for this at £54.40 - yes I know getting myself into more debt. Then realised that was £5k plus VAT, so actually £6k. E-mailed solicitor to confirm when payment is required and they bill monthly for the work completed in that month, so won't do anything just yet and see what the monthly bills come to. It never rains, but it pours...

rc12345

Anyway, back to yesterday usual excess hot water in flask, reused tea bag, cancelled childminder (saving £20 this month, although will be included in school activities bill next month £5.60).


Parked close to work, no contacts or perfume and hair tied up. Still haven't checked on you tube re up dos, on my never ending to do list - but have come up with a new do that I actually like. Taking backs of paper that would be binned home to use for lists and also took empty toilet roll home to go in dds craft tub - she made leg warmers for one of her toys out of a couple last week!


Going to try and book a specsavers appointment when I am next at my parents, difficult to get to one round here and have a voucher for a free eye test and £40 towards new glasses and can actually get some nice glasses for £40 as I am now wearing contacts less.


Still need to sort out mobile phone bill, even though they are only overcharging me by 33p a month - looks like they have been doing so for a few months now. I've added it to the to do list and hopefully should have a chance to look at this over the weekend. Think I may have had some PPI through Abbey many years ago, so will have a look on this site at the weekend re how to check and go about reclaiming - that would just be amazing if I could get some money back, but not sure I am that lucky!


Do need to concentrate on losing the 26lbs, although weighed this morning and back to 25lbs. Yesterday snacked on dried apricots I had in the cupboard, as healthier - but then work colleague bought me flapjack to cheer me up and someone had brought biscuits in they brought back from holiday


Reused cling film for a second day, 2 slice of ham on dds sandwich instead of 3 - this still doesn't seem to have been noticed, tub with strawberries in didn't come home again - had a conversation with my mum about this and she is going to try and get a pack of cheap ones for me from the £ shop - don't know what else I can put strawberries in other than a tub. Raisins are being eaten, even though they are not in the little kids packs I used to buy. Another bread bag kept to be reused, carrier bag used as wastepaper bag and managed to pick dd up from school before 5.30 - the new route is much better so far.


Right will go check the budget now...

rc12345

Quick check of the budget this morning, as running out of time. £20 in current account, £347.12 overdraft, £2,846.76 on credit card, £2.91 in emergency account, £5.79 in purse - but will need to buy milk today 2 weeks to pay day and counting!!!

rc12345

Well not much to report from yesterday tbh, usual excess hot water in flask and reused tea bag. Dd still taking school clothes off when she gets in and therefore if not dirty can be reworn. Still parking closer to work so more chance of getting to dd before 5.30 and being charged less for after school club. No perfume or contacts yesterday and hair tied up. Washed up in cold water. Still using the backs of sheets of paper for lists. Out of date porridge again for lunch. Had nails redone for free as only lasted a week and usually last three to four - pleased with this as not normally one to make a fuss when things aren't right, but glad I text about it as won't need doing again now until mid-December in time for Christmas


Had parents evening last night and left dd in after school club whilst I went, but they were running late and had to take her out to sit outside - therefore wasting £1.60, really annoyed about this!!


Other than that used a plate to cover my food in the microwave instead of using kitchen roll and used a cloth to wipe up instead of kitchen roll. Really want to spend more time reading on here to pick up more tips of things I could be doing, but just don't seem to have any spare time at the moment.


Quick check of the budget now...

rc12345

Well still £20 in the current account and had an e-mail from estate agent yesterday that they still hadn't had letter from landlord re paying deposit back. Will contact landlord again today, contact the tenancy deposit scheme and also the branch of the estate agents that I need to pay my rent to - as need the deposit back to pay the rent!!!


£2.91 in emergency account, £2,846.76 to pay off credit card and £347.12 to pay off the joint account. £5.79 in purse and 13 days to pay day!!!