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

Bobarella

Hi Judi
The trees thing sounds like it needed doing. End of the day your house is a huge asset and tree roots can cause all sorts of serious issues. So essential maintainance. Just think what you could have blown 3k on and had nothing to show for it?

Bob

takingcontrolatlast

Just a quick hi Judy to say Ive recently spent on getting trees a "haircut" and on a problem with one tree being too close to the house.... I hated paying for it but its essential maintenance and we are aiming to sell house so it had to be done. So dont beat yourself up about spending on the front of the house... it needed doing and you have to roll with it .. you will be debt free .. keep going:)

beanielou

Can I just say I dont know how you work where you do.
If i can afford to pay back the money I would borrow to do my conservatory windows.
You are back on track now.

judi24

Thanks everyone - yes I feel so much better about the house with the drive done - it was a real eye sore - and has been getting me down cos it was just too much for me to even attempt to tackle. I will have a go at most types of maintenance but this was just over whelming and I am so glad I got it done - I have decided to stay where I am for now (probably until the younger 2 have gone through high school) so I want to get the house straight now so I can enjoy it! This would probably increase the value a little and increase its curb appeal too should I have to sell at any point. There are still lists of things I want to do but they will wait until I debt free now!


Beannie - as for working where I do - It is the most amazing, humbling and grounding place to work - people are crazy and creative and it is very rewarding to know that what we do makes real difference to patients and their families. It can be very sad but that in itself I a real reminder of what is important in life - I love it! (most of the time!!!!) - and it pays the bills!!!


Oh and forgot to report - 4 new tyres needed yesterday!!!! So this May's budget just got a tad tighter!!!!

judi24

Well yesterday was a NSD so that's the 1st this month!!! Today on the other hand wasn't!!! I decided to take DS and DD3 to an open garden that was raising funds for my work - It was lovely but cost me £3.50 to get in and £3 for 2 pieces of cake for the kids - the garden was beautiful though!!! We then went out for tea - but that was from the entertainment budget and it was £26 for the 3 of us so not too bad really! No more of that this month though!


I have so much on over the next few months I just need to try to keep un necessary spends down if I am going to claw back Aprils indiscretions! and meal planning is a must!! I have budgeted for £300 for groceries - but I am sure I can get that down a bit if I really put my mind to it! My DD2 is away all week this week and DD3 and DS are at their Dad's the last week of the month so it should be do able!


My car feels much better with the new tyres and the tracking done and I'm driving about 60 miles for work tomorrow so I will add that to my travel claim - hopefully I'll have enough on my claim for my MOT soon - my aim is to keep travel claims for car maintenance.


So Back on track - it might take slightly longer than planned but this debt will be gone!!!

beanielou

Pay £21 quid of MBNA~you know you want to

judi24

I might just do that Beanie- I am just sorting my accounts out to see where I am at for the rest of the month - but I am sure I can come up with £21 from somewhere!


I am going to class today as a NSD- I did technically spend £3.40 on tunnel tolls for a meeting but will get that back- but no incidental spending! So 2 NSD's so far!


Trying to get through the week living on food that is already in the house - but the milk is out of date so may need to pick some up tomorrow!


I am going to seriously have to plan over the next few weeks - dissertation is due in about 8 weeks so while I am writing it is easy to loose track of the household planning and then rely on top up shops and naughty take always - which must be avoided!!!! (for both the waist line and the bank balance!!!)

judi24

Not sure what's up with me at the moment- just struggling with everything at the moment hence the lack of update!


Work is hard - so much to be done and although my new managers are starting its hard work trying to get them inducted etc - it will be better of course but at the moment I just feel a little overwhelmed!
Add to that my dissertation is taking up a lot of head space!


There just doesn't seem to be enough of me to go round at home either and everything just feels a little out of control! - not a place I like being in!!!


Even money saving is a challenge - budgets have been set but extra demands on the purse just keep appearing!!!!


I am generally not self pitying about being on my own - but at the moment I just feel like it would be nice to have someone to have my back - I need to give myself a good talking to! My Ex husband reminds me at every available opportunity that this was my choice - and I have to keep telling myself that although things feel hard just now it is better than being in an abusive and controlling relationship!!


I really need to snap out of this!!! I am in a much better place than I was at just a year ago when I thought my world was falling apart - I need to remind my self about how far I have come and not get too bogged down in how far I still have to go!!!


and I have it much better than some!!!! Someone give me a slap!!!!

ampersand

' it is better than being in an abusive and controlling relationship!!' -
- which & now supplies:-))))))))))))))

'Someone give me a slap!!!! '
- just did, dear judi:-)
#
...which you may wield back again. Yes, we got Daniel Zeichner over the line in Cambridge, but disbelief and horror is order of [more than] day for the rest of the country.[more like 5 years]

Dansmam

Got your back Judi, all will be well just you're doing a lot and that's tiring. Can you hold on and plan in a little bit of me-time while DS and DD are at their dad's? Am with & on disbelief and horror - cheerfulness will return but may take a bit of work. Have a lovely Tuesday, it'll all come good. And you do have new tyres!