My debt busting diary 2015

ScattySkewbald

Hi both!
Still not plucked up the courage to stand on the scales but since I don't go back to work til tomorrow I've technically got 24 hrs before the diet commences!!!

Cwtchie - I saw an interesting tip on one of the horsey forums re. Homemade hay bars. Someone had fitted planks of wood across the corner of the stable and hey presto a hay bar for next to nothing.
I hate hate hate filling the nets but am soaking it for my little cushinoid pony and his mate and the big lad would wolf it all down in no time without a net.

cazmanian_minx

Or if you're handy with a hammer and nails - Mr Minx made me two of these and they've saved a fortune in trampled-on hay.





We cobbled together the grid out of something from a builders' yard, but if you don't live somewhere with Highlands & Islands delivery charges, look for something called Gridwall on eBay - it's the shop-fitting stuff that retailers hang hooks off and it's perfect for hay boxes!

ScattySkewbald

Oooo I like the look of those Caz

Well first day back at work today - can't say I'm looking forward to it but it's got to be done.

Soup was made in slow cooker yesterday so have lunch to take in all week. Need to remember to take my kindle so I'm not tempted to pop out and spend at lunchtime.

Listed another couple of items on ebay last night. If they all sell for minimum bid I should be looking at £80 which will pay a chunk off the cc1.

Still not back in the swing of things with swag$ - really need to do this as it was sooo useful for Christmas and birthdays.

I have also braved the scales this morning 12st 4 :mad: my ideal range for my height is between 9st 10 and 12st 1 although from past experience I feel at my best at between 10st 7 - 11st. Time to get cracking!!!!!

DebtFree2012

Hi there

I honestly could have written your diary myself so I simply have to join

I too have horses and am in the same boat of wanting to clear debts through this year (mine will go into next year though )

I would definitely look at doing something home made for the hay. I hate hay nets.

What soup did you make? I've put a veg one on last night that I found online - never had it before so let's see how it turns out. Making a quiche too.

Good luck with your weight loss. Again, I am the same!

ScattySkewbald

Hi debtfree2012 :hello:

Lovely to see so many horsey people on here.

The soup was carrot and coriander although reading this I've realised I completely forgot to put the coriander in doh! :rotfl:

Looks like I've got another vet bill heading my way for the little pony. Fortunately the vet is writing me a prescription as I can get the medication online for half the price they supply it at, so not as bad as it could have been.

I've been through this months budget this morning and have realised I hadn't accounted for January being a 5 week month. My goals for the month are now looking a tad on the optimistic side especially given the latest vet bill :mad:

Cwtchie

Aw wow...thanks for the advice re the hay! Deffo doing that!
What medication does you pony take? Mine has prascend one tablet a day, really have to watch him with the laminitis though

ScattySkewbald

Fortunately he was diagnosed with Cushings prior to prascend being licensed so I can still get prescriptions for Pergolide which works out a lot cheaper - think I paid just over £100 for the last lot which should last him about 13 months. The vet suggested ventipulmin for him this time as he's had a niggling cough due to having a dusty batch of hay before Christmas. My other two were also coughing but cleared as soon as I swapped the hay but his is lingering - I guess because he's already compromised with the cushings it's a pain as it means that I've had to buy hay in rather than use what's supplied on the yard but his health comes first.

Laminitis is an evil disease - almost lost my little one to it last year (hence the massive vets bills and lack of debt busting!), although both his bouts have started in December. Been a long battle but he's pretty much recovered now - just in time for the spring grass :cool:

Cwtchie

Our pony out on loan had ventipulmin, she used to get inflammatory airways disease which played up around May when the mayflower was out.
Hmmmm prascend has cost about £161 for 6 months!!! Will speak to the vet......

DebtFree2012

Goodness the bills are expensive. My big girl had an op to de-nerve one hoof (only option that was viable) and if she wasn't insured I couldn't afford it as it was thousands but that was over a year ago now.
I worry about my little man as ours are in over winter and last year he started to get a solid crest so we had to restrict his grazing but I really want him to live out from when we're allowed back out however after being in over winter, the grass is even better than normal spring grass and again I need to limit him. Grazing muzzles are a piece of cake to get off lol plus I worry he gets bullied as there's alot in the field and I want him to be able to protect himself. Roll on getting my own place!!!

Good news that you can get meds cheaper though but bad news re Jan being 5 week month.

ScattySkewbald

A couple of little positive steps yesterday. Firstly checked my gas & electric account and am over £100 in credit after January's bill, so have dropped my direct debit by £20 a month. Not a lot but it will help. I have also swagged my first £5 gift card of the year, so the pressie fund is kicking off again. Need to sit and make list of all the birthday and Christmas pressies I need to buy throughout the year so I can keep an eye out for any suitable bargains.
First week back at work is killing me - my energy is fast running out, will be like a zombie come Friday!!!!