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

judi24

Yes it is!!! Not sure it will last though- normal chaos will resume tomorrow no doubt!!! haha

judi24

Wow -not posted for 10 days!!! Not a lot to report MSE wise - actually been a bit spendy last week - I had DD3 on her own as DS was at cadet camp so we had a mummy and daughter day! She seems to be struggling a little with friendships in high school and although I tried to get her to invite a friend over she decided she would rather spend the day with me! we went to town, shopped a little (in primani for a few bits for her non uniform day) had a sandwich for lunch but then went to the cinema!!!! When did that get so expensive??? £22 for 1 adult and 1 child!!!! we also got some bath bombs and a few other treats such as a new fountain pen - bit we had a good giggle and I think she seems much happier for spending some one to one time with me!


Shame the same can't be said for my DS who is very challenging at the moment! Its just exhausting! its 2 years since the issues with his behaviour came to ahead in the first place - and although I feel like we have been to hell and back trying to sort things out and support him - I am not sure we have really got anywhere and I can't take my eyes off him for a minute! I have no idea how I am going to do this for another x amount of years without going insane myself! I rang his consultant saying things were not great and asking for some help that didn't just mean throwing medication at him (which he doesn't want to take forever!) but really there is nothing else they can do within the current level of service provision! hey ho onward and upward!!!


I got the news that my friend is definitely not visiting from the States in November - I am so sad as I really was looking forward to seeing her - trying to think positively in that I can keep the leave for closer to Christmas and into the new year and I wont spend the money I thought I would so can try to get back on track with my debt repayment - things have slowed way too much in that department!!! But still feel really sad! I have lots of 'friends' but not many that I can really talk to and would have been nice to be able to do that face to face!!!


Health wise - I'm feeling below parr too! Tired and achy with little energy but not able to sleep!!! - I really need to up my exercise as I'm sure that would make me feel better but so tired - vicious circle!!!


Wow this is a really negative update - need to sort myself out!!!!

beanielou

Keep plodding

judi24

Thanks Beanie - nowt else for it!!!!

Dansmam

Time for some glass half full thoughts? We get an extra hours sleep this weekend I think. That will help me, hope it helps you!

judi24

Thanks Dansmam - In a much better frame of mind today! Maybe cos its PAyDAY!!! and maybe cos I got a pay rise and back dated to April so and extra £600 in my wages after tax! Also got my travel expenses back from my residential (£160) and waiting for another expense claim (£52) which should be through any day! add in in the fact that I found a cheque for £11 (refund for something that I hadn't banked) and I am £823 up on a normal month!


I need £400 to finish the wall as I only paid half last month and the rest will have to pay off my emergency CC that I hit for the travel to the residential and a few other bits last month - but it still means I will be able to get back on track with my main debt repayments!


Had a little review of my outgoings tonight! and after my debt is all paid my monthly bills (not including food, fuel spends etc) are just under £1400 a month - that does include monthly payments for car insurance (not the cheapest way I know!) - so my challenge is to make sure I pay that out right next year! But with outgoings of £1400 I will have £1600 a month left - my weekly bills come from other income (child benefit, CSA, DD2 rent) if I can keep to that spending plan once my debt is gone I will be able to overpay my mortgage, save for nice holidays and have a reasonable emergency fund.


Doing this mini review has been really helpful in focusing me on moving forward with my debt busting! Looking forward to paying a chunk off this month and updating my signature!

beanielou

Great to hear you sounding so positive :j :j
Enjoy your weekend

judi24

Thanks Beannie - its amazing what a few extra pounds can do!

judi24

Well having a cheeky day off today! Kids on half term and I am so managed to take some time back without using up leave!


The day started badly with DS and DD3 fighting over nothing as usual! So tired of the constant arguing it is exhausting and I lost it with them sending both to their rooms only to come back down to a list of chores!!!


Its time to get tough - and I have told them that there are no trips, meals out, holidays etc till they start behaving a bit better - I'm so tired of it!


Bit of a result today with the toilet! it was blocked - so after a few mins of melt down and an imaginary plumbers bill of hundreds I decided that I needed to learn how to unblock the loo! 2 min u tube clip and a £1.50 plunger and success!


I made lovely home made lentil soup and apple muffins for lunch and roast chicken for dinner - I quite like being off!


A friend posted this on FB:
http://www.lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/downshifting/#.Vi-NK2C2h3E.facebook


and it really got me thinking about life and what I am trying to achieve working hard for a better life and maybe missing doing what I should be doing for my family because of it! When its full on at work (most of the time) I have no energy for my family and all they get is this tired cranky mum who is trying to be every thing to everyone and keep on top of house, shopping, washing etc - is this the right approach to life?


Money wise - I managed to pay a chunk off the cc - I am really struggling with motivation - which is crazy as the end is in sight - I think I am very aware that Christmas is nearly upon us as that is always a challenging time for me! I really struggle to keep control of the spending although I definitely am better than I used to be - but I have never cracked the saving up all year thing! So on a mission to keep spends down this month so that I have a bit extra in the pot for December and still manage to pay a bit off the debt!


Onward and upward! Back to work tomorrow!

Eager_Elephant

Hi Judi


I had a quick look at your link but will read it properly when I get home tonight.


It reminds me of the Mexican Fisherman story - http://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman/


I think it will ring true for a lot of people.


Hope you have a good day and the kids stop arguing - mine are nearly 19yrs and 13yrs and they fight like they are about 5 yrs old!!