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

judi24

Thanks for popping in Dory - I hope you are feeling better! I am sure DD2 is a little jealous of both her older sister (who did the uni thing and now has a good career) and the younger 2 - and I am really struggling with this at the moment! When she is around the others it is like world war 3 and I want to run away!


I do try to talk to her but I still struggle with the whole ' woe is me' thing that I get from her - you are the master of your own destiny - if you are unhappy do something about it! but she can't seem to do that, which is exactly like her dad (maybe the reason we were not a marriage made in heaven)


I am sure my kids have some sort of baton that they pass on to each other just so I am always faced with some sort of child related drama - I guess it keeps me on my toes!!!


Anyway today was crab fishing with the obligatory chips and ice cream so £15 spent today - not too bad as I have spent nothing on child entertainment so far this holiday! I manages to repair and adapt old crab lines much to DD3's disgust - ' just get some more' was her war cry! I said its new lines or ice cream! you can guess her response!!!

judi24

Sun shining all day today! Got stuck into the garden - mowing the lawn digging the borders - got the biggest one done so 2 smaller ones to go hopefully! Younger 2 kids played out all day!


I have been feeling a little sorry for myself this holiday about being single - it doesn't bother me most of the time but this weekend has been hard! I guess its because everyone else seems to be out enjoying themselves as families and I feel like I have so much to do to just keep on top of the house and garden that I am not going out having fun as I know I have so much to do! and no one to help! ok moan over!!!! Onward and upward!!!


I have made decision about going away with kids in the summer - I am not going to do it! Kids enjoy playing out with friends - the week I would need to go would be the first week of the holidays and really the only week they would be in their own home and be able to play out with friends and be at home - they go to their Dad's for 3 weeks then DS goes to cadet camp for 10 days I will still put the money away that I was going to use and do a few bits around the house and garden with it! The kids are not bothered it was me who wanted to go away - but really it isn't a break for me - packing and driving and organising and would still be cooking and cleaning after everyone - just paying extra for the privilege!


NSD today! making 3 so far for April!

dory22

judi24 wrote: »

Thanks for popping in Dory - I hope you are feeling better! I am sure DD2 is a little jealous of both her older sister (who did the uni thing and now has a good career) and the younger 2 - and I am really struggling with this at the moment! When she is around the others it is like world war 3 and I want to run away!


I do try to talk to her but I still struggle with the whole ' woe is me' thing that I get from her - you are the master of your own destiny - if you are unhappy do something about it! but she can't seem to do that, which is exactly like her dad (maybe the reason we were not a marriage made in heaven)


I am sure my kids have some sort of baton that they pass on to each other just so I am always faced with some sort of child related drama - I guess it keeps me on my toes!!!


Anyway today was crab fishing with the obligatory chips and ice cream so £15 spent today - not too bad as I have spent nothing on child entertainment so far this holiday! I manages to repair and adapt old crab lines much to DD3's disgust - ' just get some more' was her war cry! I said its new lines or ice cream! you can guess her response!!!

you need to have it out with her cruel to be kind, what happens in 10/15 years time when there maybe grandchildren running around is she going to get jealous then? my sister did when my nephew was born (i'm youngest of 3), my sis has a heart condition and has been spoiled rotton and think she's so hard dunby. it may be hard for you to do it, but your not making it better for her or you if you don't confront, if talking isn't helping maybe shouting will? she needs to grow up, beck up and get on with it, if she doesn't want to talk write her a letter, she's an adult and right now there are 2 younger siblings that need you more, she needs to realise that or maybe she should stay with her dad for while see if the grass is greener.
i am quiet harsh as you can tell.

tellmeitsfriday

Is everyone ok? x

beanielou

judi~hope all well in your world.
Missing your posts.
Take care.

Cwtchie

Hope your ok Judi, kettles on when your ready x

judi24

Thanks Tellmeitsfriday, Beannie and Cwtchie! Nice to know you have been popping by in my absence!


Back in action (for a little while at least!!!) Been manic with work and kids and assignments etc and I think I was getting a little bored with my own drivel!!!


Lots to report (not all good I'm afraid!) but need to reconcile my accounts, pay my bills and work out the damage properly! Not in a panic though as I know I am back on track and ready to get this debt gone!!! Also got the small matter of a 10,000 word dissertation to get done by July so may get a little distracted again before long!


Tired tonight and work is very busy and emotional so I am going to try to get an early night! I will be back to do a proper update tomorrow!!!


Night all x

Fizzy11

Judi I know it looks like everyone you is having fun as a couple but probably 50% are doing it with someone they don't want to be with or they are spending money they don't have.

You have/are being an example to your kids. I can't tell you how much I admire your decision for the kids to have a week at home playing. That statement shows what a selfless person you are.

Why not have a proper weeks holiday at home with treats every day? Not everything has to cost a fortune. Don't run yourself or them ragged though.

No idea where you are in the country apart from visiting Liverpool but there are narrow boat trips from E.Port Museum that only take 10 mins. It's not a week away but maybe next year.

Can't even imagine writing a dissertation so well done you for even knowing what to do it on.

judi24

Well - where do I start with my update??


I have definitely let things slip a little on the money front!


I had a problem with 3 big trees at the front of my house as the roots were lifting the paving close to the house and getting them removed was a job I had been wanting done for year - they took all the light away from my living room as well as potentially damaging the house foundations with their roots - so I phoned someone who has done some jobs in my house before. He came to have a look and quoted me just short of £500 to get them taken out. He then also suggested he gives me a price for having my drive and front garden lifted and relayed with block paving - his price was really good and a lot cheaper than quote I had a few years ago for the same job! Now I hadn't planned to do it this year but it was on the top of my list for next year! So I debated with myself and decided that it would make me feel better about the house if the front garden looked better and it would be low maintenance too! So (don't shout at me!!!) I borrowed £3000 on my MBNA credit card on 0% interest until next April. I managed to scrape together the other £1000 over the last month - and its done!!! It looks so much better!


Now I know it wasn't part of the plan! and it will technically delay my debt free date.


so the scores on the doors now look like this:


MBNA £10020
Tesco loan £3447


But Barclaycard paid off now


So total = £13467!!!!!


The plan is now to pay off the CC over 10 months then pay the loan off so debt free date is now - March 2016 instead of end of December 2015!


In relation to other money issues- my incidental spending has gone a little out of control too so its time to pull back again big time!!! My weekend in London with DD1 was totally amazing - so well worth the spends but now no more!!! as I need to save for school uniforms and bits for school trips and then dare I say it? Christmas!!! So need to get control of my spending budget again!!!


So the plan for May is reduce shopping budget to £250 through meal planning, have 15 NSD's, no un necessary spends that haven't been budgeted for and keep the costs of DD3's birthday down at the end of the month!


And post on here to keep me on track!!!

Cwtchie

Bet the garden looks lovely