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

judi24

Thanks EE - similar sort of story - I guess it is food for thought isn't it?


I know its normal for kids to argue but some days its just exhausting!!! especially if you wake up to it! my older girls argue too! going back to the post - I think I would be batter at coping with it if I wasn't always so tired and stressed!

judi24

Well time is flying and its November already! Starting to seriously think about my Christmas spending!


I find this so hard but this year I really need to focus on keeping my budget controlled!!!


I really only buy for my 4 and my mum - everything else is home made - but it soon adds up! Even stocking fillers for 4 cost a bomb! I tend to buy useful bits and a few treats and make use of points events etc. I have decided to pay half of the £1000 I usually overpay to my CC each month at next payday the rest will cover Christmas - after that I'll be back on track! It may delay debt free date by another month but I'm ok with that! I think realistically the loan is due to be paid by June and I aim to have the CC paid by then too at the latest - if I manage to pay it a month or 2 early than that's great but I'm not going to stress about it too much!


I want to remortgage next year and once the debt is gone I aim to pay at least £500 in overpayments on my mortgage - meaning my mortgage term will drop from 17 years to 10 years - with the aim being to retire from full time work once the mortgage is paid! It seems ages away - but time really does fly! I don't want to wish my life away - I just like having a plan!

Butti

I've found the pattern for the messenger bag Judi if you want me to post or email it.

Bobarella

I think it's good to have a plan. Otherwise you just drift.

judi24

I have PM'd you Butti - Thank you


Yes Bob nothing like a good plan!!! It might change next week - but at least its a plan! - I think is what I need to help me focus on getting rid of the debt at least!

beanielou

judi~~Hope all well in your world.
Take care

judi24

Thanks for checking in on me Beannie - I'm still here and still plodding!! Hope you are doing ok?


Not updated signature for this month as I haven't paid any extras yet - still working through my budget for Christmas but I find this time of year very challenging! Trying hard to keep costs down - but I guess old habits die hard and I always spoil the kids!!! This year I have really scaled down the 'extras' and sticking to one or 2 main presents with some clothes for the younger two and some stocking fillers (mainly toiletries!!!) - the only other person I need to buy a proper present for is my mum - and hers is already bought! Other gifts will be home made bits (sweets and biscuits and hoping to make a batch of chutney!). Already bought a few food bits and stashed them in the freezer and the Reverend mother is buying the Turkey. Wow I sound a little bit organised!


Just need to work out my money and see if I can pay even a smallish extra payment on the CC! I have to accept that the next 2 months will be a bit slower than I'd like! but I will be ready to get my head down and get the debt gone in the first half of next year!!!


Enjoying the choir I joined a couple of months ago. But there are too many performances for me - I really can only attend one class and do one performance a week at the most! My 2 friends who have retired are attending a few more - but its pretty flexible!


DD1 comes home from Senegal in just over a week! She sounds like she has had an amazing time but Can't wait so see her!!! Planning a bit of a welcome home night for her - she is craving Chinese food so I will be ordering in a big takeaway - but it is worth it!!!


Got MSc result - pass with merit so I'm ok with that - but not attending the graduation as its a lot of faff and expense!
Work in general is pretty tough on many levels - not only the challenge of the type of care we provide but the real issues we have in balancing the books with increasing costs of care and no extra resource!!! I get myself worked up about it as I feel a huge sense of responsibility that I didn't feel in my previous job! A friend suggested that I have bitten off more than I can chew - not ready to accept defeat though!!!!


Well that's my update for now - going to try to keep posting to help me focus even a little in the run up to Christmas!!!

beanielou

Glad all is well.
Great result for your MSc.
Sorry about work challenges though.
Keep plodding!!

judi24

Thanks for checking in Beannie - life seems so busy and tiring at the moment - just not enough hours in the day!!!


Work remains challenging and I have had a really bad couple of weeks with a real crisis of confidence as I just couldn't seem to justify my budget overspend - I kept going back to the head of finance to try to interrogate my accounts and it paid off!!! Turns out there has been an accounting error over the last few months to the tune of 100k!!!! My budget is spot on!!! Months of stress trying to work out how I can reduce cost without impacting on quality - all because of an accounting error!!! Was not impressed!!!!


Not made much progress on the money saving front - but ready to tackle the rest of the debt in the new year - I guess all the stress at work has really impacted on me personally and I have not been very motivated at home! Must do better!!!!

Butti

I really hate it when that happens Judi. I've been unable to match figures in the past ( not quite £100 k! The opposite actually) and for days I've been questioned. In the end it turns out it is because "The Management" (the very people quizzing me) had moved from 52.18 weeks in the year to 52. As a result I was about 6p out on my claim. (...and guess what? Nobody died....you'd never have guessed it though!)

I find the thought that "Nobody died" quite helpful when other people are focused on micro - managing.

Have a Good Christmas m'dear. Sorry I haven't got those things to you yet but you do sound very busy.