DFB35 Diary

DFB35

Gerbils have settled in very well they are cute, I have to admit that and no smell so far. I think changing them once a week will be more than enough!

We have been taking them out of their gerbilarium once a day for 30- 45 minutes and letting them run around the bathroom. I watched YouTube videos on how to tame them and this was a suggestion I picked up from there - the difference in them is amazing and it's been less than a week (already let you pick them up and jump on your hands and body, whereas when we first got them they were so shy!)

I'll be honest when we had a gerbil and a hamster before we never used to take it out of the cage, I think most people don't! But since setting my guinea pigs free range in the shed I kinda changed my attitude towards them and wanted to try cage free time. Yeah they are a bit messy, but the bathroom is small and I quickly wipe it down with antibacterial spray afterwards. If anything my bathroom is cleaner now :rotfl:

I got an email from eBay this morning, if I sell an item for £25 or more eBay will give me a voucher for £25! Just having a think what I can sell! I have a Michael Kors bag I don't use that much, but it's my last decent bag... Don't know if I should go for it?!

Then I could put the money towards overpayment and have £25 eBay voucher to use... Very tempting! I think Michael Kors can fetch up to £70 if I'm lucky!

DFB35

Update on ebay sales. My latest lot came to 15.95, not quite 100 and 50 as previous weeks but still good. Trip to the post office in my lunch break tomorrow whoop lol

I have caved in and listed my michael kors bag.. I was thinking about it already and it's not quite right for me, it is lovely and I do use it but it's a bit too large so I think sell sell sell. And when I'm out of debt/ saved up I will get something more suitable

Also listed another one of DDs outgrown dresses and a few things that not sold have been automatically relisted. I think after this lot has gone I will give myself a break from ebay (have nothing left to sell anyhow lol).

I also had to open an unpaid item claim as couple of things that sold last week not been paid for, after 3 attempts of contacting them. The items only sold for like 1.99 but it annoyed me! Plus that way I don't get charged final value fee..

Back to work tomorrow but I'm feeling ok about that Xx

DFB35

I was browsing the forum during my lunch break and came across Mr Money Mustache blog.. I think this will be a great motivational tool for me!

I dont know why but I still have a lot of temptation with bags, its very very bizzare as I know that I have done so well and dont want to go backwards! But I was still looking at expensive bags at the weekend and earlier... only looking. I dont know why i feel so obsessed about it?! I have plenty of other things to think about at the moment, so its not like Im bored.. argh... It is irrational and obviously i have a problem as otherwise I wouldnt be in debt! :mad:

Anyways I am really hoping Mr Money Mustache blog will help and looking forward to reading it later

I also think one possibility will be to cancel my everyday credit card, just to make sure I dont have any credit available to me. I really dont want to slip up! And i need to pay off this 0% CC I have as fast as possible so I can close it too.

On the plus side I have never lasted this long.. when I had my "bursts" of credit repayment i have always relapsed. But this time its 10 months and counting (since August 2014).

I have also posted all my ebay items earlier - good job x

DFB35

Just made a small overpayment to round up CC1 to 3,400

DFB35

I have been reading some of the Mr Money Mustache blog earlier and he says that craving luxury items (in my case bags) is an addiction, like a proper drug addiction.. There are a few things that I've picked up from his blog already, some bits on how to make early retirement possible, advice on lifestyle changes, attitude to debt and money. The only thing is its American but I think very relatable still.. The blog is massive and I've only read a very small part of it so far...

Then got distracted by the gerbils, guinea pigs and kids care. Skyped with my mum and watched Game of Thrones

Hopefully my ebay sales will do very well this week, the bag has 27 watchers! Fingers crossed I will be able to make a £100 (or more) for over payment :money:

Also I will close my credit card (the everyday one) we already made a point of not using it this month but it's linked to my PayPal and Amazon so is a very very easily accessed temptation! I might have to go even further and give up my online access to the big credit card (with the 3k 0% transfer on it) and go through hubby when I need to overpay.

But all is good, nothing has been purchased and a mental battle won.

stepuptothepl8

you are doing brilliantly!! Well done on listing the bag.. time enough to look at designer stuff when the debt is gone, and you are making great progress! xx

DFB35

Not been on here for a few days, I have been busy as there were some developments re my nan. I'm flying out tomorrow, so had a lot to sort out! Hubby is in charge of the kids, animals and the house :eek: but he has a long list and as long as he sticks to it he should be fine (he is a brilliant hands on dad).

I still need to sort a few things with work this evening, to try and leave it in the best possible shape I can. We not 100% sure how long I will be away, but it's in gods hands and I'm sure everything will work out like it should do.

My debt busting is on hold until I'm back as already had some unexpected expense, but all is ok and I have some savings to cover most of it. It just means that the totals won't move until next pay, but they shouldn't go up.

Wish me luck guys! I feel strangely calm and collected (I wasn't like that when I booked the tickets :eek: was very shaky and panicky! Its a big thing for me as I like to know what I'm doing and don't like uncertainty but have calmed down, deep breaths and here we go).

God willing I will get to spend my nans last moments with her, my mum and uncle by her side and it's very very precious (from experience) to be with someone when they "go" :A

Speak soon Xx

stepuptothepl8

Big hugs.. Safe trip xx

pennywisepoundstupid

Sending you big hugs, my thoughts are with you and your family.

DFB35

I'm back, arrived late Thursday night. So emotional still and not feeling quite right... But I know that these feelings will pass. Also not been sleeping too well, keep waking up confused and disoriented

On the kids/house/animals front hubby has coped so well, I have came back to peace and order - well done him :T He is also very supportive and understanding.

On the debt busting front, I had a few realisations while I've been away, especially regarding my obsession with material designer things... You really cannot take them with you! I know it's sounds so simple, but I think in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives we forget this. The place where I'm from life has a completely different pace.. And it made me look at some things differently. As a saying goes sometimes we cannot see the wood for the trees (or something along those lines).

I'm resting this weekend and trying to gather myself together for my busy working days next week. Quite a few days until payday and not a lot of money left, even with the savings I had and the bag I've sold we coming up a bit short this month. But starting with next pay it'll be back to debt busting and I have a much clearer aim of what I want to achieve now :money: