Nst; fearless february

MagicCat

Hello mothernerd and everyone,



Sorry I'm a bit late, hoping I can join you for February? Some people may remember me - I was doing Kat's challenges last year until September, when I had a bit of a meltdown and found keeping up was making me more stressed while my anxiety was bad. I was hoping to be back for January's challenge, but a triple disaster over Christmas (new boiler needed, car breaking down, OH's phone dying and laptop needing new hard drive) sidetracked me a bit. And cost a lot, so the debt has increased. Pants.

I've been reading along, so impressed by all everyone has been achieving, and thanks particularly to the people who post about daily things to be thankful for, it has been reminding me to do the same even when feeling low.

Potted history of me and my debt - living with OH in the South West, we saved up for around 7 years to get deposit for our first home, and moved in in 2013. We knew the place needed some work, but (despite a full survey) we kept making unpleasant discoveries of essential building and repair work - this started in March 2014, had a number of disasters along the way including a burglary by someone working for one of the builders, and ended up costing far more than we ever planned. Works were mainly finished in December, 6 months behind schedule - almost all payments to the builders have been made, although we are in dispute over a couple of (still unfinished!) items. We owe part of the money for the works as a loan, part was on credit cards - we paid off 11,268 in 2014.

So I need to keep going. My main motivation is to be able to be debt free to start a family. Estimated DFD at current rate is Dec 2015 - I'd like it to be sooner, and I'd also like to be able to do some decorating and make our home look lovely, as well as being structurally sound, but I can't and won't pay less to the debt to achieve this, need to make savings elsewhere!

There are big changes for us this year - OH has just got a new job about 25 miles away, starting in March. He gets a company car with the job, but obviously there will be commuting costs, and the job involves a lot of travel (hence the car!) - if I'm at home on my own I can cut grocery costs I'm sure. If the new role works out, we may look to move, especially as my job role only has finding confirmed to end of 2015, so more motivation to improve the look of the house.


Sorry for the epic post - helps me to get my thoughts straight! Really looking forward to the Feb challenge with you all. Just need to set my budgets now!

MagicCat

Crazy Lady - so sorry to hear about your cancer issues, I hope things are looking up, it's good to hear you're back at work.

Abundant - so frustrating to be in more debt, I know the feeling - I agree it's nice to be back in the turtle fold though.

Hello to other fellow turtles old and new!

Yesterday (and today barring unexpected crises) are SFDs for me, did a grocery shop on Saturday but counting it as Feb budget spends - lots of essentials bought, so should be just fruit and veg top ups for the next couple of weeks. They were collecting for the local food bank when I went to Mr A, so did that as well.


Fix it challenge - what a good idea, I have some 2 pairs of trousers I found in a charity shop ahem a few months ago which need taking up before i wear them so will do this tonight!

SFD: 1/15
Groceries: 72.38/£200
Dentist/optician 0/£20
Petrol and travel: 0/£110
Birthdays: 0/£30
Social: 0/£40
Food bank donation - done
15 mins/day - this will be decluttering or mindfulness meditation 1/28
Exercise 1/25

mothernerd

Welcome back Magic Cat, you are in and numbered - no escaping now.

traveller

Hi everyone and welcome back Crazylady and MagicCat

MagicCat, you sound so determined, I hope it all works out for you

Well I'm working at home today so not feeling the cold yet I've paid 31.00 to my saving for xmas 15 pot this morning and I did have a spend . However, there was a reason for my naughtiness The little one is 7 in May and loves Lego. There was a set reduced to 14.00 on Amazon with 68% off original price. He will ask for lego anyway, so I have saved myself money in the future.

My fix it for this month will either be my hallway or bedroom. Both are in dire need of sorting out, so it'll be which ever doesn't need money spent on it,lol.

I'm really pleased that my daughter has an Interview with Brighton uni on 25th of this month to study medicine :T I need to source a cheap way to get there though, but very pleased

Today I'm grateful for a sound nights sleep, the fact that DS 2 is getting his act together looking at and applying for colleges and that I'm lucky enough to be moaning about what I'm cooking for dinner,because I can't be bothered to do it, as opposed to wondering how i will be able to afford something to cook tonight.

Have a great day everyone

Bobarella

Good Morning All

MagicCat - So much of what you say rings a bell for me. We bought a doer upper in 2007. Had a certain budget for everything. We got a rogue builder. Had him on a recommended trade website and everything. Absolutely gutting. He left us with no kitchen when I was 4 months pregnant. He was so bad we had to pay thousands to other builders to replace the bad work he had already done. So I've been there when you think you have thought of everything and then it all goes TU. Thankfully we did still make money on the property, although not as much as we should have as we also had a dodgy neighbour that we had to take to court. But thats another story....you are very sensible hanging on a bit to start a family, it was very stressful having all that going on and a baby on the way. Good luck this year getting DF.

My update for the day.
NSD 2. I was a little tempted by a hot drink out as I walked to do an errand this morning & it was freezing. But I dont need to buy anything else today & Im not taking that from my £20 fun budget.

Relisted all my unsold ebay items from before the fees started last month, for free this month.

Checked on my Music Magpie totals, have £45.17 to come back, but its just a matter of when. Also £53 to come back from Topcashback. Be nice to have them arrive together then its almost £100.

On the fix it front, OH and I have a massive descision to make. We have a floor that needs sorting out in my business premises. If we pay out to have it done it could be into the thousands. He has laid a tile floor before but never a large scale laminate one. But I do believe in him, hes very practical, & although he works in an office, he did a lot of the DIY at our old place. Do we trust in our own skill level & try to make the saving, or save potential heartache by getting a builder in, & just getting the job for rock bottom price....answers on a postcard...

Good day all.

Bob

ilovetea

Hello,just found you again!
Can I join in please Mothernerd.
Did well last month re.budgets and NSD.
Will be back later with figures for this month if that is O.K.

ilovetea xx

traveller

Bobarella wrote: »

Good Morning All

MagicCat - So much of what you say rings a bell for me. We bought a doer upper in 2007. Had a certain budget for everything. We got a rogue builder. Had him on a recommended trade website and everything. Absolutely gutting. He left us with no kitchen when I was 4 months pregnant. He was so bad we had to pay thousands to other builders to replace the bad work he had already done. So I've been there when you think you have thought of everything and then it all goes TU. Thankfully we did still make money on the property, although not as much as we should have as we also had a dodgy neighbour that we had to take to court. But thats another story....you are very sensible hanging on a bit to start a family, it was very stressful having all that going on and a baby on the way. Good luck this year getting DF.

My update for the day.
NSD 2. I was a little tempted by a hot drink out as I walked to do an errand this morning & it was freezing. But I dont need to buy anything else today & Im not taking that from my £20 fun budget.

Relisted all my unsold ebay items from before the fees started last month, for free this month.

Checked on my Music Magpie totals, have £45.17 to come back, but its just a matter of when. Also £53 to come back from Topcashback. Be nice to have them arrive together then its almost £100.

On the fix it front, OH and I have a massive descision to make. We have a floor that needs sorting out in my business premises. If we pay out to have it done it could be into the thousands. He has laid a tile floor before but never a large scale laminate one. But I do believe in him, hes very practical, & although he works in an office, he did a lot of the DIY at our old place. Do we trust in our own skill level & try to make the saving, or save potential heartache by getting a builder in, & just getting the job for rock bottom price....answers on a postcard...

Good day all.

Bob

Trust your OH When we moved into this old house, my ex had never laid a floor in his life. He did all the floors, five of them successfully (old Islington Victorian house). So I would trust his skills

cupcake-queen

My 15 min mission has turned into somewhat of a 4 hour haul.


Just had a serious reality check. We're investing in a shredder so thought I'd have a clear out of bills, bank statements etc. I actually find it quite scary that I wasn't even reading my statements and just shoving them in a file. April 2013-April 2014 I paid £439.71 in bank charges!!! I had no idea, I just didn't look. that's a months wages for me. I can't believe I worked a month for the bank. Wish I had realised sooner what I was doing.

Bobarella

traveller wrote: »

Trust your OH When we moved into this old house, my ex had never laid a floor in his life. He did all the floors, five of them successfully (old Islington Victorian house). So I would trust his skills

Wow that seems an amazing achievement. :j

MagicCat

Thanks mothernerd

Bobarella - it's lovely to hear from someone who's had the same sort of challenges and got through it! I can't even imagine what a nightmare it must have been while you were pregnant though - awful. Re: floor - if its any help we are no DIY experts but successfully laid a laminate floor in our dining room. I was given advice that if you go for better quality laminate it's easier to lay - we got a good deal buying a well reviewed brand online, and it wasn't bad.

Everyone on here is always so welcoming and supportive, it's lovely to be back, really feel I can do it this time!:money: