The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

judi24

Rant away Ampersand - its good for you on occasion! Nice to have you're broom swishing presence again! I know I need to be careful with my spends - and I can do it - it just takes some planning to keep healthy meals on the menu and not blow the budget! Just been a little lazy the last few weeks with the planning!!! (must do better!)


NSD today which is a good start to the week - but bloomin cough kept me up half the night to not feeling my best today! Had an important meeting so had no choice but to keep going - but boss was ranty cos all the papers weren't done by 9am this morning (I had blocked time this morning to do it as my PA had been off last Thurs and Fri and I wanted her help!) she opted out of the meeting as she felt unprepared which she hates! But meeting went really well, summary and action plan done and sent out to all and some actions complete by the end of the day - so she was impressed eventually!!! Had to remind her that I always get it done and done well - if she lets me do it my way! Better end to day than start but still feeling under par! and running around tonight with DS and DD3! (moan over!!!)


Not a lot else to report - going to have an early night tonight after running around is done!

beanielou

Keep plodding!

judi24

Now't else for it is there Beannie? In the wise words of Dory from Finding Nemo 'Just keep swimming!' - quite appropriate considering the weather here!:rotfl:

judi24

Thankfully feeling slightly better :j- just as well as work has been crazy busy!!! Just totally exhausted and a bit of a cough now! But only 2 days left to work then off of 10 days!


Made a batch of cupcakes this morning before work as I promised I would make some for one of the Docs last day - I had all the ingredients so didn't cost a penny - and everyone we very impressed!

Updated my signature (a day early but never mind!) I like seeing the numbers go down!


Also NSD today:T

beanielou

Go Judi
What you currently targeting?
Cupcakes sound lush :drool:
Glad you feel a wee bit better.

judi24

Targeting? You mean NSD's? I didn't set a target this month - I have achieved 12 though which I suppose is better than none - but I do struggle with this as its the little unexpected spends that add up! April will be really tough as the kids are off for 2 weeks and I am off for the first week and that always throws some curve balls - although I have very little planned!


Need to get DD3 a Scout shirt which I think will be around £20 but will come from kids expenses budget but that will mean a trip into town which will involve some spending. Apart from that a lot of cleaning, tidying and gardening along with dissertation work so won't be going out much! Would like to paint the kitchen but not sure I have the energy to do this - is just feel so tired all the time at the moment! Would need to buy paint bit that's about it! I have some bits already to brighten it and also have £140 of next vouchers to get nice bits once its done.


Would like to aim for 15 NSD's in April but that may be quite a challenge - and forgot - got London trip at the end of the month so that will be spend days too (even though will be keeping costs down!)

beanielou

No, what is your target cc?

judi24

Ah ok - paying off the Barclaycard next month as 0% runs out this month - so that will be gone by the end of April (they have very kindly offered me another 0% balance transfer now that I don't need it!!!) and will pay the minimum on the MBNA this month then start paying that down from May - need to pay £1100 a month to get rid by end of October - then will have 2 months to pay the remainder of the loan (will be around 2k) by December pay day - so will technically be debt free by the end of the year!!! (JUST) so long as there are no more boiler type dramas to pay for!

enthusiasticsaver

Goodness Judi you are doing really well and glad you managed to get rid of those credit cards before 0% deal was up. Just think of all the spare money you will have after the debt has gone to be saved or spent on holidays or doing up the house. Well done.

judi24

Thanks enthusiasticsaver - funny thing is now I have cards trying to throw increased balances and 0% deals my way!


Yes the plan is to then spend money on the house and travel and get rid of my mortgage sooner than the 17 years it has still to run!- although was thinking today about moving but this is constant internal debate! Todays drive was prompted by next door but one selling in around 2 weeks and me thinking downsizing would be easier to maintain not to mention cheaper - but to do this would take around 3k to get my house to a sellable state! I haven't been fully content in this house since I bought my ex out of it 8 years ago - but said I would stay in it until DD3 get to high school which is September so I guess this is the time to make the decision - if I don't do it now I will probably stay here until all the kids finish school which is 7 years away - decisions deceisions!!!!