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

judi24

The trip is for English and sounds great - 2 nights in London, museums, night tours, Macbeth! But he says a] He hates English b] It is Friday and Saturday so will 'Miss' a weekend day! c] He would rather do the ski trip that is 4 times the price!!!


I think my mood is on the up!!! Feeling a lot more positive despite the ever mounting expenses!!! The problem with my place of work is that if you are a spendy person (like me!!) it is easy to just say **** it you are a long time dead (true!) and just do what you want to make your people (and yourself) happy! But I need to remind myself that once this debt has gone I will be relatively well off (until I decide to tackle the mortgage!) and will be able to do 'some' of what I want with the house and the kids! But I have changed my spending habits for life I hope and I will never be tempted again to try to keep up with the Jones (Smiths, Browns or anyone else for that matter) and make sure I get the best deal on everything I 'need' to buy rather than 'want' to buy!


Roll on payday! Onward and down ward (the debt that is!)

ampersand

Hello judi, cannot post much atm...well, just wrote that, only to find nothing showing on screen.
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It's worked at 3rd attempt, which does not encourage &, even sans much non-mse activity which currently dominates.

Just wanted very strongly to urge un timely verre du Do Not Falter, which I need you to glug devant mes yeux..........de suite.........maintenant.

Bon, ça y est! Do stick with it, please, and remember all those sameoldsameoldsameold paths previously trodden, which you never again wanted to tread: the ABSOLUTE WHY of you starting THIS Thread.

Matters/People with which and whom I am dealing, mean I entirely understand that ' problem with my place of work',

Knowing it, recognising it, naming it, means it's dealt with, boxed up, stowed away...Not Wanted On Voyage.

You may poke at the entrails come some distant future day, judi...but even then, the feeling will be one of disbelief, a crazy reminder of difficult times and hamster-wheel spending decisions long past.

It will all feel utterly irrelevant.
#
Some of the yards WILL be hard, but you're doing them ALL brilliantly.
Keep going.

judi24

Thank you Ampersand - I can always rely on you to bring me back to reality! I don't feel out of control like I used to - I feel frustrated that I can't always do what I want - but I know I am a lot better off than some and can pay this debt of relatively quickly whilst still having some life - I have also learned so much about making do and having fun while doing it and those skills will not go to waste.


I am sitting here listening to youngest who is just at the start of that horrible peer pressure time that young girls face - she is asking for a new outfit for leavers day (about 8 weeks away!) - of course she can! Its a very special day - but I can see the start of some education about peer pressure and wanting to keep up with people coming on!!! But I am now skilled and ready to do this!


I know I will feel better once the dissertation is done and dusted too and can focus on doing the bits in the house that will make me feel better but not cost the earth - I just need to keep going for 2 more months - which, in the grand scheme of things is a mere blink of an eye!


I am not faltering dearest Ampersand! Just realigning my chakras - and sorting my self out for another push towards that deft free date!

Moneywhizz

You are doing a great job of holding down a responsible job, studying for a masters, running a home, and looking after your children. On top of that you are paying down your debt. I was in a similar position at one time in my life, but have enjoyed debt freedom for many years now and it is such a great feeling not to have to worry about money. I still live by my budget but now it is a pleasure to do that. I just wonder if you are trying to achieve this debt freedom at such a quick pace that you are making it harder for yourself than you need to. If all your debt is interest free then you don't need to put yourself under so much pressure. You obviously are not going to return to living on credit, I think you have learned that lesson, so I don't think it would matter if you allow yourself some treats along the way, if it means it takes you a little longer to clear the debt completely. Only my opinion, from someone who travelled the same road, and remember what it was like. X

beanielou

Look at it this way.
A very dear friend was given three months & only lived for 2 1/2 weeks.
The rest all seems so irelevent.
Your two months will pass so quickly.

judi24

Thanks Moneywhizz - I often think about slowing down a bit as the only pressure to get rid of the debt quickly is from me - I know that! But I guess I am not very patient! Thank you for sharing your experience - I am looking forward to being in your position.


Beannie - I am so sorry about your friend - Its not easy to loose someone that quickly (or at all really!) and I know only too well how precious and fragile life is - work is hugely emotional at the moment with lots of families with young kids which has the effect of making me want to value every minute with my own family - but I am also aware that by being debt free will help me do things with the family that I want to do that will cost without building up debt!


I was in a position 2 years ago where I really didn't know if I wanted to work my way up the management ladder but felt I had to be able to provide the life I wanted for my family on my own - now I feel like I have enough control over my finances that if I felt that way again - I could stop - sell up, buy a cheap house outright and go back to a much more junior role or work part time if I wanted- this debt free journey is actually as much about having real choices about what I do as having a great bank balance!

takingcontrolatlast

[/QUOTE]now I feel like I have enough control over my finances that if I felt that way again - I could stop - sell up, buy a cheap house outright and go back to a much more junior role or work part time if I wanted- this debt free journey is actually as much about having real choices about what I do as having a great bank balance![/QUOTE]



My sentiments exactly Judi - couldnt have put it better myself - best wishes

judi24

Thanks takingcontrolatlast - I feel so much better knowing I have choices already - once the debt is gone altogether it will make an even bigger difference (hence the drive to get it gone quickly) Funny thing is I don't actually need the choice at the moment as work is good (but hard), kids are doing ok (DS seems to have settled a bit!), not getting major hassles from ex-husband that make me want to run away! and coping with house (just!)


I have learned to live in a different way I guess - yes I spend money on things for the kids, but it is planned within my budget and we also choose to do cheap/free things too. I don't spend much on myself at all - I don't feel the need to spend on 'things' I don't need to make me feel better about myself or my situation. It's quite liberating!


Been through my bank accounts today - its payday for me so trying to plan next months budgets (lots happening over the next few months that need money!) and discovered that I have still been paying for an old phone contract - contacted EETmobile and they were great (how their customer service has improved!!!) - and yes I gave notification to cancel in Jan (I knew I did!) so last payment should have been Feb - just over £100 being refunded!!!!

judi24

Quick update as I am meant to be focusing on studies! I have been feeling so overwhelmed recently too so didn't want to just come on here to moan!!!


DD3 birthday weekend seems to be going ok - sleepover last night and play area today with 4 friends! £47 to get in!!! but took own drinks and snacks. Supposed to get 2.5 hrs play but we are still here nearly 4 hours later to I guess its not too bad value for money! I had to drive about 40 min to get here but kids are 11 so most play areas are too small for them now! This one is great and free Wifi too!


Not a lot to report money saving wise - except I am spending it! Too much of it too! But after this weekend back to frugal ways! I haven't managed to update debt total either as the MBNA card DD goes out mid month and I don't know what It is yet! All in good time I guess!


I need a real push now to keep motivated and get this debt down!!!

Fizzy11

Judi remember that everything you are doing is teaching your kids the value of money. You are doing amazingly & stop beating yourself up. You haven't wasted £100's on a handbag but you've invested in your property. Everybody deserves a treat & I feel that yours was wise.

Why not start a list of things to do when you are debt free? When you are debt free you could give yourself a year in the same role just to enjoy life without worrying about money & career. Obviously you've got girls so that worry never goes!