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

Golightly72

Hi Judi, I've read your diary and subscribed, and am willing you on on your debt free journey!

Maybe you have just got into the mindset of 'what the heck, who cares?' with your spending a little bit because you have had to add to your debt? Even though it was a perfectly sensible thing to add on for, psychologically maybe it's made you less careful with spending because the debt free date seems so much further away?

Apologies if I'm wrong, and I'm sure it will pass anyway as you have been very determined, good luck and keep going!

beanielou

I am going back into debt to pay for new conservatory blinds as they are building new houses right behind me & a path that is just behind my fence.Sigh.
Hey ho.

judi24

Thanks Fizzy - I do have a huge list of things I want to do when debt free! But the funny thing is I have a feeling I will be heading over to the mortgage free boards! (after I have visited Italy!)


Golightly - yes I was so focused up to the last 2 months but I will get back on track - I do always have this pull between knowing that being debt free gives me a different range of options and thinking sensibly about financial planning and then taking the stance of live for today that my workplace shoves in your face every day!!!


Beannie sometimes needs must its that simple!!! I can definitely overthink decisions about whether I need something or not! But no point beating ourselves up if we make a conscious decision to buy something we need on credit and use the credit wisely

judi24

So today has been a lovely day - I received a gift from a special person that was so thoughtful and caring that it made me cry! I can't explain how insightful and personal it is from someone who doesn't know me in real life - a simple thank you seems so pathetic in explaining how much I appreciate it!


Monday this week started with me having that horrible feeling that there must be more to life than feeling so much pressure to do everything and be everything to people! I wanted to run away and join a commune and grow potato's - its been a little while since I felt so overwhelmed!


School appointment with DS was ok - increasing silliness but nothing life threatening so that's good enough! Had to laugh when she said he had managed to plagiarise some music script through the internet when he was supposed to be composing himself! You can't say he's not resourceful!


Money saving related - expensive week last week with DD3 birthday but better this week - so back under control I hope!!!

lobbyludd

*subscribes*
have just read your diary Judi and it's very inspiring. I am a single working parent (in the NHS!) with about the same debt you started with, so I'm getting lots of ideas and motivation from you.
thank you for sharing your path here

TheMagician

judi24 sounds like you're going through a very busy and stressful period.
When that happens to me I like to simplify.
So if work is crazy, I'll stop studying for a bit unless there's an exam coming up. If I just need to study, then I'll stop concentrating on the savings. And so on. Nobody can do everything perfectly and not get exhausted. We, single working parents, have to look after ourselves really well, put ourselves first so we can then look after the little ones.
Eg. when work was really bad Apr/May time I stopped studying AND saving (as hard) and did not feel an ounce of guilt! It was the only way to cope with what was going on and it paid off. Now I can get back to studies and money business.

So don't feel guilty about paying off debt slower and don't feel overwhelmed, go with the area of your life that's demanding your upmost attention (there will be a reason for that, sometimes we just can't see it right away) and then pick up where you left after. Trust me, it'll still be there, waiting.

In the meantime, let me just say this out loud You've a wonderful employee, mummy, daughter, friend, support and help and you're doing great! :beer:

judi24

Welcome Lobbyludd not sure I am inspiring just doing what need to be done to get by! But thank you! It can be tough being a single working mum but no point feeling sorry for myself!


Thanks The Magician - I know what you mean about focusing on one thing - the problem at the moment is the deadline for the dissertation is set and can't be changed! Once that id done I and sure normal levels of chaos and manageable stress will return! Just need to get through these next 4 weeks! Work won't get any less crazy and it a manic time for kids with end of year things and DD3 leaving primary school so need to be on the ball with the kids too - DD3 off to a residential on Monday and DS off to Cadet camp again on Friday so lots of preparing for that this weekend! I will get through it all - we always do don't we?

judi24

Ok thinking about how to get myself back into being a little more focussed and some might say it is not very MSE but I am thinking about setting myself a little challenge.


As you all know I have been feeling rather stressed and overwhelmed recently the main sources of stress are:


Dissertation - not much I can do about this except get it done! Due to be submitted in just over 4 weeks
Work - always stressful - no more or less at the moment but just a constant source of stress (too much to do not enough time!)
Kids - end of year stuff happening every week just messes with routine and planning but a time we will never have again (end of primary for DD3) so just need to make sure I am organised and not too narky with them
Diet and exercise supposed to be following Slimming world but not doing any real exercise at the moment. I know DD3 needs encouragement to be active and I feel guilty as she is not keen and is very fond of her food so I am worries I am setting her up with unhealthy habits
House and garden maintenance - this causes me stress especially when I have no time and no energy to keep everything ticking over - I managed to cut the grass today buts that's it!! House work is basic clean bathroom and kitchen and vacuum but not much else happening and it really getting me down!


So there are a few things that I can do nothing about - but what I am thinking is that if I can survive on the £78 a week that I get for CSA for the next 4 weeks I could save enough of my spends budget (Bill and debt are separate) to pay for a deep clean and a garden tidy


Is this an indulgence I know - but would definitely take away the one area of stress that I can do something about - what do you all think?

beanielou

Go for deep clean & garden tidy if you can.
i would if I could.

judi24

I feel so guilty Beannie if I had a day of doing nothing with no kids around I could do it all myself but a) I don't have a day of doing nothing and b) if I did I would want spend it sleeping!!! Its not very MSE to pay for a cleaner and gardener is it?