Big dreams start small

xJOJOx_2

Well there's me and my two girls, one and four. We've been through some hard times but now life is good. I want to travel, see the world, have nice family holidays. Tick things off my 'bucket list' Do nice things with my girls and give them a happy childhood. Also making the house more 'homely'

First things first, get rid of my debt and don't get in any more trying to live my dreams. Shift the debt then save.

So let's begin.....

Quit smoking - I was smoking over 20 a day now between 0-10. Need to hit it on the head completely

Refresh finances - look over everything and know what's what. Re-do/update budgets

Start meal planning again - look for tasty budget meals. Buy only what we need and start spending less in this area. Avoid expensive corner shop for top ups etc

Stay in more or go round friends houses for cheaper nights. Had a few months off hitting town, time to stay in and save pennies for special occasions

Frugal living - pick up tips and tricks and implement ones I use to do

Quality time with the children - more walks, play those dusty board games, paint etc. one thing a day! Also trying to buy one present a week for Christmas, this year there wasn't really much money and was quite depressing!!!!

Spending diary - this is a must. This will make me think twice before spending!

So best dig out those bills and make a start :-D

xJOJOx_2

Horrible horrible weather, almost makes you want to go shopping :-D

Sorted a rough budget out, will tweak it later once the girls go bed. Got lots to sort out this month, then the proper debt busting will begin in February! However, starting the scrimping and saving now and also the spend diary so I know what's going where.

Beginning to sort little ones room out, set up free bed (only 3 weeks old as well) with free bed guard and bedding passed down from older daughter (that's pretty new too) so no costs here! Nice Project to keep me busy. Would like to be finished today. Stuck cot on Facebook pages, be nice to get a little something to put in the pot (even if just £5) but just want it out the way more than anything else. Also listed her activity table for a £5 no major rush on that though.

I have spent 78p today on two packets of crisps. Could of got a pack with that. Must budget in more snacks in my weekly shop, save buying them from local and not getting the most out of my money. Need to start thinking about little purchases as they all had up! Also being more 'electric'aware today and trying to teach the little ones two. Need to get out of bad habits I've slipped into recently.

Right cup of tea and back to the room :-D

monz

Hey subscribing x

xJOJOx_2

Started my spending diary, I think this is going to show how much I waste :-( but it highlight areas I can improve and make me stop my wicked ways!

I've spent hours and hours sorted the 4 yr old room out yesterday! Nightmare of a job! 3 bin bags of rubbish and some items for free sites to post later. Looks good though, need to do some fixing jobs though (drawer, handles etc) Everything completely organised ready for her birthday in 3 weeks time. Been picking things up for her room as she has loads of toys and will be getting lots more from her friends at her birthday party!!

Continued with being energy aware, once it's more natural I progress to changing another bad habit!!

Claimed sainsburys voucher for getting bt internet, think £75? Can stock up the cupboards a little with that when it arrives or maybe treat the house to something!

Oh and I put £1 in my holiday tin haha :-D

Big dreams start small lol

All for now, should get some sleep.....xx

xJOJOx_2

Well the house is beginning to feel a lot tidier and less cluttered now. It's amazing how fast the junk collects. Got about two more hours off cleaning to do and it will be all done. Have sourced new owners for old toys, so they just need to be collected. Just need to clear the old cot, may just stick it on Facebook for free to clear it out the way :-) got some new furniture coming this week for the living which I can't wait for (currently have glass, not so could with little ones and shows all the wires, plus the table has a broken leg) scrimping all the pennies to pay for it.

This evening going to write some lists of jobs I need to do in the house. Still some doors and that to be painted and still need some household items. Going to try and work one thing into my budget each week so there's a slow progression. Got a penny's jar to save up for the larger items I would like so there be no big hit to the pocket but still moving forward with making the house more homely.

Well best get back to it and get finished before the little ones come home

Xx

Patman_Post

Well done JoJo.

How is the giving up smoking going??

I only ask - because I am considering it too. I know it is obvious choice as it would save me over £2500 a year - but having been a smoker for 25+ years it isn't quite as simple as just flicking a switch.

Anyhow - great progress - keep it up

xJOJOx_2

Patman_Post wrote: »

Well done JoJo.

How is the giving up smoking going??

I only ask - because I am considering it too. I know it is obvious choice as it would save me over £2500 a year - but having been a smoker for 25+ years it isn't quite as simple as just flicking a switch.

Anyhow - great progress - keep it up

Struggling with the giving up but managed to cut down. However tomorrow is the date I've set for my quit date. So not had one since tea time and e cig is on charge (a birthday present, very thoughtful of my sister) just recording in my spends diary the cost really hits big how much goes out your pocket in one week let alone a year. I've got no money, but still manage to route to find enough for cigs. I've smoked 17 years and I'm gonna struggle but for about the last 6 months I don't even enjoy it anymore. I think I may get very fat munching on things to keep my hands busy as well. Over the last few weeks I've tried to break smoking habits etc to make it a little easier. I'll let you know how it goes :-D xx

xJOJOx_2

Just been updating my spends diary, took me ages to remember what I'd spent!! A little bit scary to think you can just spend your pennies and not know what on. It's very clear now that I waste a lot of chocolate, cigs and paying local shop prices when I run out. Our shop is very expensive and never has reduced items :-(

In terms of money saving - school project with the eldest, managed to source everything for free to make a model toy box. The other project (take teddy home for weekend, write stick photos etc) managed to get the dad do that one so he paid for prints and day out for little ones. Which was a blessing as I don't have any penny's!

House pretty much all done yey. As a plus bonus, my sister and bro in law turned up, fixed a drawer and lots off door handles on the kids furniture. Really made up, my efforts hadn't been very successful and they've been like that for over a year and half. No one would do things like that whilst I was still with my husband as they expected him to do it, but he never did
:-D daughter made up with her room and new layout!

Listed cot for free and was taking up within 10 seconds. Plus another 50 please could we be considered... People really are strapped for cash. They people I gave it too, actually only live around the corner. Baby due in 2 weeks, they had travel cot but couldn't really afford a cot at the present. You don't mind giving things to genuine people.

Told myself off lots today, kept leaving lights on naughty me. But remembered to turn cooker off towards the end to save few pennies there. Found a penny at the the shop yey, do most days,I must be the only one who picks them up.

Brother in law cut down some blinds for me (metal pole in the middle, so didn't trust myself) so there's a project for tomorrow. Eyes were too tired this evening and couldn't make any sense off the fitting (all muddled together) hopefully easier to do in the morning after good nights sleep.

Going to see if I can find a toddler group to go to in the morning. Little was needs to burn off some energy other than pulling everything out the cupboards and generally trashing of my house!! I did try cupboard locks but she's broken them all now from ragging them that much. Older girl use to sit and colour at that day, where's as little is in to everything - complete opposites!

Think that's all for tonight, let's see what tomorrow brings xx

xJOJOx_2

Busy busy day today. Toddler group am, free to attend plus free snack and drink for little one.

Wednesday shopping day too. Really pleased with everything I got and manage to come under budget! Tried to get enough til last the whole week as big saving compared to local, so frozen some loafs etc. picked up presents for party at the weekend etc paid sister back for car seat she saw cheap and picked up for me. So good start to the week, now let's try not spend anything else!

Get to see my boyfriend tomorrow, not seen him in 10 days due conflicts off diaries. So don't know whether to let him spend some pennies on me and take me out or just stay in and enjoy his company as been a while!

New TV unit arrived and I've managed to make it all my myself, took forever but I did it. Just waiting on the coffee table to arrive. Not looking forward to when the bill comes, but money will be waiting. Need to put old ones on freecycle tomorrow! Don't want to get overrun with clutter, I hate it when everything's not all organised.

Right time for bed. Good night all xx