Taking control

takingcontrolatlast

I have had a lovely day

DD1 and DD2 kindly gave me money to get myself something for mothers day and they also took me out to the garden centre and for tea and cake - they did offer to take me to a restaurant but I said no - so we have a good mooch around the garden centre and shops after that :j

They have washed dishes and clothes and i feel totally spoilt today - thank you girlies xx

takingcontrolatlast

ive failed miserably with YNAB - firstly i couldnt hear the webinars and tried on 3 goes and secondly i just went in for the free download trial to find that its not compatible with the pc - :eek:

I so wanted to try this as well so im disappointed.

I therefore prepared a budget (book-keeping) style so will try this method and try to keep to the rules of YNAB.

NSDs are going well, weight loss old style is also failing miserably - cant stop eating at the moment so i just know im not going to meet the challenge which ends next week - no-one to blame but myself.

Stock piles are growing slowly (cupboard/freezer) and i love to see them - gives me personal satisfaction :rotfl:

I feel that im doing so much better than i was MSE wise - im focused with my debt busting - ive increased my hours and utilising the extra to snowballing debts and paying bills. Im also budgeting properly and have started saving for xmas, dentist bills etc.

I do need to budget for household repairs and for sprucing up the house as its going on the market. Few tins of paint and a general overhaul required but there are some major expensive jobs like flat roof, boiler replacement which i just cant afford so will be reflected in price i think when it goes on market.

I cant decide whether it will be cheaper to make curtains or buy them ready made - need to look at costs for that. Shower room needs major overhaul as well - crikey ill be giving the house away :rotfl::rotfl: I love interior design as well so i will have lots of fun window shopping and then seeing what i can copy on the cheap - i will finish and probably wont want to move!... needs must though.

takingcontrolatlast

I have had a mad week - so busy, so tired!

I have done really well with NSDs and taking lunches to work - i think that habit has truly been established

I have to confess ive "taken my eye off the goal" so to speak as regards priority debts. im just so keen to get rid of debts asap that i do need to relook at the priorities first and its not a case of he who shouts loudest!

I think its because i get stressed when creditors contact me.

The weekend has been really lovely so taken the opportunity to get out in the garden and starting the prep! The trees are getting a haircut next week as OH is on leave and he may paint the outside of the house - getting the kerb appeal ! My OH isnt the kerb appeal but the house is :rotfl:

Im enjoying "window shopping" and browsing internet for inspiration on how to "spruce" the place up - just need the cash ! :rotfl: I thought i had nothing left to sell but i have actually found a load of pc games that i need to check with DD1 and DD2 whether or not i can sell - and then there is always the loft to have a mooch in !

I love the spring :j

takingcontrolatlast

Yes i have time off work !

I went out last nite got a lift there and back so saved on travel expenses but I did buy a bottle of wine to put to the table and as its been a long time since i met up with my friend - it was well deserved and met a new friend too

Im in the process of paying debts today and trying to update my bookeeping diy.

Getting calls from a creditor - i hate it and cant wait till its paid off!

I think one of my debts comes off my credit file this month - will keep eye on it.

Going to continue with NSDs and packed lunches for work.

Trees had a "hair cut" and look really good.Wish the weather would cheer up so i can get in the garden.

I do know that this week i have to do "jobs" in the house - oh my where do i begin :rotfl: :eek:

takingcontrolatlast

Im not doing very well with NSDs - ive been out every day since i have been off work and tomorrow is the dentist ouch!

I actually want to stay in! - i havent done anything in the house that i wanted too - i must do better!

Setting up joint account for bills with OH is an achievement and budgeting is going good so far.

takingcontrolatlast

Yes! today i can stay in and have a NSD the first of April.

I am glad that i have "caught up" with friends that i havent seen for a while but i really do need to spend today cleaning :rotfl:

My "stockpile" of food/groceries /is depleted - i need to build that back up.

Dentist was expensive especially as i have never budgeted before for it. My aim is to BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET!!!!!

takingcontrolatlast

Easter weekend went buy so quick!

OH is doing well with the outside of the house, trees look good and he has jet washed paths. There are some "expensive" jobs outside that need doing like flat roof needs repairing/replacing as well as garage doors either repainting or replacing and the gate "fell" off so we need a new gate.

Im focusing on the "inside" ready for putting on market. Ive decided to focus on one room at a time. Loved "window" shopping for inspiration but its been counterproductive as i want to buy all the lovely household items that I cant afford :rotfl: but my friend is keeping me focused and we are looking at cheap ways of improving it Like Kirsty A**sop home made home !

I had 3 NSD over Easter which i was pleased with.

DD1 and DD2 wont let me sell their "old" games for playstation so had to find new "home" for them - shame really i could have raised some capital :rotfl:

Oh I did have a £25 lottery win which will go towards house repairs.

Budgeting is going well at the moment - on track.

Council tax is uptodate for the first time in years!

I would like to improve my diet and health as i am aware that i'm "tired" a lot - not been in the best of health for a while so aiming to improve that a lot - i have lost weight with the support of old school weight loss on this site but lost focus over Easter and can feel it creeping back up on me :eek:

My crafting is coming along nicely - making summer top for DD1 & DD2 - they dont like it (knitted top) sounds awful but its gorgeous and will look fab with skinny jeans or denim shorts for their hols - it's young not grannyish style :rotfl: - they need to find their "eye" !

Well ive got 2 days left of my hols so hope to finish my book and find the motivation to get back to work !!

takingcontrolatlast

OH and I are working a bit more "team-like" with regards to budgeting and bills - and have set up dd's to keep on top. I'm feeling a sense of "light at the end of the tunnel" in that we are making headway after so many stressful years. We are not out of the woods yet so to speak but moving in a positive direction.

A few people have said i have "lost weight" - i do feel a little slimmer but no where near what i'd ideally like to be. I have bought a skipping rope for a £1 - Im fed up with walking though i still do a 15 minute walk each day in my lunch break - so this may help with the cardio and i believe walking up the stairs increasing amount of times each day is another good way. - I'll see how i go :rotfl:

I have saved £13.20 since January in 20p pieces!

Work in the garden has stopped due to OH at work and weather today awful.

Work in the house has stopped also i do need to pick up the pace!

I need to top up my stock pile in the freezer - left overs havent gone down well with the OH and DD1 & DD2 - but I enjoy them so will continue with that cost saving but i do need to maybe prepare mid week meals and freeze them to save time in kitchen mid week but havent mastered it yet ! Another item for list of things to do!

takingcontrolatlast

Has a week really gone by?

It's been so busy and not a good mse week

Had the expense of a family 21st meal and another birthday on top of that! Was caught short with my packed lunch so I had to buy lunch this week and it wasnt nice! I've got into the habit of taking lunch to work so to buy lunch frustrated me :rotfl:

I have the guilt of spending money on such occasions and wondering whether this should be put towards a debt - but what am I supposed to do? I cant give up on life! This is one of the reasons why I want to be debt free - i dont want to be beholden to creditors all my life!

I had the worst night's sleep last night but the sun is shining today so after my morning coffee i'm going to very proactive mse style!

Jobs to Do

1. All the washing/bedding and get on the line - no dryer! tick
2. Tidy up/declutter/clean up using all products left in cupboard - tick
3. Sort out kitchen cupboards - throw out of date products - tick
4. Compile meal planner 4 next week utilising whats left in kitchen - tick
5. Do shopping list and use vouchers, keeping eye for offers - tick - got woopsies
6. Increase the stockpile which is diminished in freezer - tick
7. Sort out books for giving away/charity
8. Carry on with my crafting
9. Gardening - sort out tubs
10. Ironing

That's my top 10 for the weekend!

I've got a busy week next week in work so if i can achieve the above i will feel organised and that I have achieved what I wanted ready for the next week's challenges!

I think I need one more coffee before I start!! ......

takingcontrolatlast

6 jobs out of the 7 aint bad

I will do ironing later - hopefully :cool:

Good news today is that I have had a little windfall and I'm able to pay back some of the money i owe to family and my loan. It was a bingo win and it will be a great relief when they are fully paid back. I cant thank them enough for their patience - they are :A