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

judi24

Thanks guys - it will be tight few months but I will be so happy when that final debt payment is made - I will be almost £1500 a month better off - which is definitely something to look forward to!


The things that need doing in my home can wait until next spring (just about!) I just need to be patient and that is where I have a problem!!! and why I am still in debt!


I am almost 1 year into this journey this time and paid off more than 50% of my debt and bought a new boiler and driveway! (although I have been trying for many many years!) I have learned so much and I know my changed mind set will continue into the future - I am not sure I have stopped wanting to do things or have things! But I have learned to wait, get best value for money, negotiate and plan. I have learned to spend what I have wisely and not waste money - all of which will stand me in good stead forever and hopefully my children will have learned a little too!

ampersand

Trust & to rain on the parade - but only because this jumped from a well-paced and spaced monthly outline, which is [ yes, it is, judi]a very generous one.

'£100 - general spends (includes going out, eating out, general bits and pieces for me and 2 kids)'

but next entry is:'
£150 - kids expenses (bus fares, lunches etc - DD3's new school is £15 a week in bus fare alone)'

That's duplication. Keep it tight, judi, while allowing for bulk overspends which make £££sense, using http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/
[yup, sameoldsameold, but it's worthwhile - and children should be challenged with the great game of bargain-finding]

Can't they be planning, sometimes making, own lunches to take now they're getting older?
Having choices with limits is excellent growing up learning curve.
There'll be lovely soup et al possibilities soon enough.

This - general bits and pieces for me - is not a budget fixture.
We'll say when you need and are allowed a treat:-) [Really,& ??? YES.]
#
'I have an expensive few months coming up' -
:eek::eek::eek:NO, judi, YOU DON'T. :eek::eek::eek: This links to your self-recognition:

I just need to be patient and that is where I have a problem!!! and why I am still in debt!'

Read your own wise words right here:
'I have learned so much and I know my changed mind set will continue into the future - I am not sure I have stopped wanting to do things or have things! But I have learned to wait, get best value for money, negotiate and plan.'

judi, your loveliness, sincerity, organising ability and sheer hard-working skills and honesty shine out.
They have got you to this [most of the time]dream job, striding up an admirable make-a-difference career ladder that you found, starting at an absolutely basic level because you had to and making a Mum template you'll be thanked for, just as you thank the Reverend Mother:-)

It's an 'until the fat lady sings' scenario - and we're staying put until she does.
How unflattering, &:p - but ykwim.

Dear judi - the world does not fall in if x isn't done or y isn't bought - and no-one, not even the animals. will die overnight, if Big Green Shop isn't visited.
Cast off that yoke.
Just renounce the desperation/panic/stress section of your emotional vocabulary. If children bicker, majorly strop, do not get involved as another junior player - impartial, disinterested authority figure is best - and walk away.
#
This wonderful moment: 'I will be so happy when that final debt payment is made' has all of us here waiting and longing to share it.

I'd love to think you could hold to a spending-neutral month immediately afterwards.

This is what seals it for the most successful dfw graduates and those, like you, who have yoyo'd.

Big hugs and always caring - &

judi24

Dearest & thank you for your thought provoking (as always) comments. I did craft a long reply the other day and lost the lot!!!! Arggghhhh!


You are absolutely right - I do need to watch the general spends bit - I honestly don't treat myself often these days- I used to not think twice on going into a big chemist and spending £50 on 'stuff' (with £5 off voucher of course!!!) but now I rarely even venture near and when I do its for essential items only (£3 moisturiser the other day instead of the£20 one I used to buy!)


DS takes packed lunches but DD3 wants to try school dinners to start with - and yes soon it will be home made soup time for me!


And when that final payment is made this fat lady will definitely be singing (you might even hear me down south!!!) but my plan then is to save the debt repayment money for a couple of months so no spending splurges planned! I am going have this ever elusive emergency fund that I am going save for some house bits and a pre paid holiday (probably the first time in most of my adult life!)


We will definitely be having a good old fashioned MSE party!!!!

ampersand

Bless you, dear judi - for being so judi, in the very best and most complimentary and most praiseworthy way.
#
Didn't mean to infect Thread with the old &thing though:
'a long reply the other day and lost the lot!!!! Arggghhhh!'

That's a Fenny &land speciality, as long known on these Threads

Butti

I have to agree. What I like about Judi is that she's so Judi!

beanielou

Go judi :j :j

judi24

Thanks guys - I guess I'm not sure how to be anyone else! although after today I think I would like to have a try!!! Have had an ' only you can fix it, and while you're at can you just do x, y and z' kind of day in work and also grief from DD2 when I asked her to help sort house for the bug man to come tomorrow (as she was off work)- resorted to having to book a bug man to deal with the little black beetle infestation I seem to have in DS bedroom - I have tried ant spray, powder and traps to no avail - they keep coming back! He's coming at 8 am (so much for leisurely morning!) and he says we all (dog and cat included) may need to be out of the house for 4hours! and they will charge between £100 and £400 depending on what the bug is and how to get rid of it!!!!


I could quite happily run away today!!!!

Bobarella

Oh balls! Hope the bugs are from the cheap end of the scale to remove.

judi24

My sentiments exactly Bob!!! and of course it is not in my budget!!!!

beanielou

Hope it went ok.