Countdown to a new life...2.5 Years to Debt-free ....Revisited

Sellurgranny

Struggling is the title of this diary entry.

Its been a while since I've genuinely struggled with my money - or lack thereof.

Combination of it being the summer holidays (which I have off as Im term time), 3 kids eating me out of house and home, my niece staying with me for a few days (which means proper paid activities albeit cheap ones) and a plumbing emergency.

My mum very kindly sent me some money towards my DD3's new school uniform which was such a welcome bonus. This then got swallowed up with the plumber costs (blocked drain and replacement flush unit on the loo). I am going to have to ask her if I can borrow a little just to see me through the month.

I will do some ebaying in the next day or so but for some reason, this little slump has got me feeling really low. I really did underestimate the strain that the summer holidays would put on my finances. I usually have enough to cover me week to week with some slack built into the budget but it just isnt stretching as far as it needs to.

Up until recently I've been sailing along quite well, so I shouldnt really grumble. I guess its a lesson learned that I need to plan better for the times I am off work with children at home. Its far easier being at work/school every day where the temptation to spend is minimal.

Still.... Im thankful for food in the cupboards, bills paid up to date, and time off work to spend with the kids, family and friends.

Im sure things will work themselves out.

Sellurgranny

Mum came to my rescue with a small loan (she said she didnt want it back but will pay it back gradually over the next month). It gives me a bit of breathing space over the next few weeks whilst the kids and I are not at school/work.

I need to get a few things listed on ebay but finding the time is difficult at the moment due to children's activities and generally feeling too tired in the evenings.

Will try not to spend anything today unless absolutely necessary. Necessities may include icecream for the kids when we go out this morning. We live in a coastal city so planning to take them down to the seafront for a wander about. There is a nice park area too so perhaps take scooters and rollerskates.

DD2/DD3 are going to their dads this weekend (DD1 working so will be staying at home) so I am hoping that my spending will be kept to a minimum whilst I'm at my b/f's house.

Next week I want to start some gentle running. I have all the gear from before when I used to run regularly so all that I needed was a larger sports bra which I purchased a while ago. Can't wait to give it a whirl although I know Im going to be so out of breath to start with. Need to unearth my little ipod nano which clips to my waistband to motivate me around the circuit.

Will try not to eat too much this weekend too. Will be amazed if I achieve that!

Anyway, feeling a bit happier today though still really cross at myself for needing to ask for a loan from mum. Maybe need to think about doing a spending diary too next week to keep me in check.

Sellurgranny

Need to look at my food waste too next week - I seem to be throwing away at least one portion of food a day at the moment. Partly due to never really knowing who's going to want tea/lunch. So from next week I will ask kids if they want what I am making. If not I'll make less of it.

Simples!

Sellurgranny

Operation Food Waste Week: Day 1 - making a Bolognese sauce for tea with pasta. Remembered to ask kids if they wanted it and have hopefully put in the right amount of pasta. Not so worried about the Bolog sauce as it will keep for a few days and is bound to get eaten by DD1 who is a fiend for it.

The weekend felt quite spendy even though it wasnt really. Bought 3 things at a carboot on saturday: a small rucksack for 50p for DD's who like to take one when they go for bike rides. A pair of boots which if they do not suit one of the DD's will probably be fleabayed - were £2 so were too good a bargain to pass up on. 50p on a large zip up laundry type bag - brand new for storage purposes.

Yesterday I bought an Acer from B&Q for £6 reduced from £14.70. Have been wanting this particular one for ages and this is the cheapest I've seen it.

BF treated me to lunch yesterday plus paid for me and him to go to a local country fair/heavy horse show which was lovely.

This week's money has all be allocated according to my budget spreadsheet. Just doing my best to keep my head above water at the moment. Can't really see myself paying off anything other than the usual payments towards debts when I get paid at the end of August.

Tasks for this week are :

1. Find some bits to sell on fleabay to make a bit extra this month.
2. Sand down, fill the manky bits with polyfilla and paint the bathroom window sill and one of the kitchen ones too.
3. Have a NSD tomorrow.

Think that's about it for now..... happy Monday evening everyone.

xx

Sellurgranny

Morning All, A bit grey here but dry which is something.

Still in my pj's enjoying what I hope will be a quiet NSD Tuesday.

I have some free tickets to a film tonight (from HotUKdeals website - if you check under the freebie section they often have previewed films across various cinema chains that you can get free tickets for) so am going along with my friend. I am (not) confident that I will resist the ice-cream stand at the cinema but will take along my own drink and snack to try and combat the urges.

Will scour the house for things to sell on fleabay. I have a few items of shoes/clothes which should hopefully sell.

I dont need to do any food shopping today as went to Lidl yesterday but must remember when Im next passing Morries to load all my coppers into the Change Machine. I have a full bag which must have at least 10-15 quid in there. That'll do for the rest of the shopping this week.

Have a good day everyone x

Sellurgranny

Morning Diary.... its looking a nice day in my corner of the world.

Well I managed a NSD yesterday despite all the temptations of the cinema. My friend kindly treated me to an icecream as a thank you for getting the tickets. It was a very funny film and much laughter ensued. It was really nice to go out of an evening - not something I usually do during the week when Im at home on my tod.

I managed to list 8 things on fleabay yesterday too and have a few more to do later today. No bids as yet but a few watchers. I also sorted out the change pot that I keep for spare coppers etc. My DD3 helped me and we counted £14 just in 5p's. As Im going into town with my friend today (Chazza shops mainly) I will get some coin bags from the bank so that I can take the 5ps in at a later date. Don't fancy putting them in the Coin Changer machine at the supermarket and losing over a quid (i think they charge about 8p in the £) but I will do the coppers.

Drew down every last scrap from QMee and TCB into my paypal account so that I can put this in my current account. Only amounts to £11 ish but this week is very tight for money.

Food wise I cooked a yummy roast chicken last night for tea and there is plenty left so I'll make something with the leftovers tonight. Not sure what yet though.

DD3 has some old nintendo games to take to CEX today while we're in town so that will give her a few £££'s pocket money.

I have about £10 in my purse at the moment but I really dont want to have to draw anymore money out today (town = temptation). I do however have a few vouchers lurking in my purse which I can use if I get desperate.

Sellurgranny

So town was ok, I was very foot sore by the time we got back.

I purchased a couple of pairs of shoes from the Chazza shop for £1.00 each. Also one of the Ltd Edition Orla Kiely coffee jars that have been about recently. That was £1.00 aswell. I got the orange and black one.
http://http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/151746778717-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

Not sure what I'll do with it yet - maybe use it for mini marshmallows when we have hot chocolate.

Lunch was a Borger King meal deal for £3.99 - didnt enjoy it much

Ended up breaking into my reserve £10.00 but only for a small spend of £3.00 in Wilkos. All in all, I think i came out of the day unscathed as far as spending goes.

Planning a low-spend day tomorrow. Cant be NSD as I need to get some groceries to take to my b/fs this weekend as I am taking DD3 and her friend and can't expect him to foot the bill for all our food/meals. Will take a homemade lasagne with us to have on Friday night.

Listed a few more bits on fleabay - no bids on anything yet - very slow this time of year but as they are all just surplus items any extra £££s will be welcome.

I've just finished trying to dye some towels using a fabric dye. From White (or grubby white now they are a few years old) to Purple. The results are a bit disappointing as there are areas where the dye has taken more than others. The overall colour is good but there are some bluey patches that look a bit conspicuous. Oh well, i guess its better than dirty white!

DD3 is currently in a huff as she is wanting to start a gymnastics club after school. She has just quit Guides and I told her she wouldnt be doing anything in its place.... mainly because she starts secondary in Sept and I am hoping there will be a wealth of 'free' after school activities that she can try out. Gawd knows why she is so intent on gymnastics. She spends a large proportion of her day doing handstands around the house and garden and its been going on for MONTHS! I'd like to say she is improving but I dont think she (nor I as she takes after me) will be giving Nadia Comeneci a run for her money. :rotfl: Makes me feel inadequate to keep saying no to her but I already pay for riding lessons when we can afford it (which hasn't been much lately I must admit). Makes me angry as her father never pays for her to do anything (least of all give me any child support but that's another story) and yet she accepts his excuses when it comes to money. Makes me spit :mad:

Well its corrie time I think, time to get the jim jams on and relax for a while.

Night all xx

Sellurgranny

Quick update..... went to Morries with my bag of coppers and netted £18.80. Managed not to spend it all in there on food. Will take it to Ald!'s later for essential spends only.

Still need to get to the bank to get some cash bags. Does anyone know how much banks will accept in change these days? I've got £5 in my head?

Sellurgranny

A few money related things to report...

Bagged up 2 x bags of 5p's from my change jar. Will take them to the bank next time Im in town. Apparently there is no longer a limit of £5 worth of change at the H@lifax. Not sure if its the same elsewhere. Just short of a few 5ps for a 3rd bag. Will try to scrounge some from the kids to make up the 3rd bag.

Had to raid my £2 coin jar this morning to the tune of £30. Felt v guilty about that but its most definately a rainy day in all senses.

I am taking my DD3 and her friend down to the farm where my fiance lives for the weekend so needed some extra £££s to tide me over. Im not saving the £2 for any particular reason - I told myself that its for absolute emergencies and as it would otherwise mean me dipping in bill money I think it qualifies as an emergency.

Only 1 bid on my fleabay items, a few more watchers though. Maybe with the rainy weather there will be more people indoors browsing this weekend.

DD1 went out last night and had her debit card eaten by the cash machine. She's cancelled her card via the bank there and then so hopefully nothing untoward will happen to her account. Poor love, last time she went out she got £10 stolen from her bag on the dancefloor.

Sandwiches made for lunch for the littlies, will save me money as Id have had to stop enroute to the farm to buy lunch.

Im loving being off work but the cost of the holidays is crippling me! I think next summer Im going to have to try and find something extra like a small part time job just to bring in some extra. Either that or be more prudent.

On that note, I've downloaded the free trial of YNAB - had a quick look at it last night but it was a bit late to get my head around it. Will have a little read up on it if I get a chance over the weekend. I like the idea of budgeting every £ of income but I think it will take quite a mind shift to be able to successfully utilise it.

Sellurgranny

Back from my weekend with DD3 and her friend, managed to keep hold of my money but only because my lovely fiance treated us to cinema & tea.
I took them to the beach on Saturday and today they just wanted to stay in and play on the xbox with older boys. We did try to coax them out but to no avail and in the end decided to give up trying.

The weather was kind to us and the girls enjoyed playing out in the big garden/field doing gymnastics.

Tomorrow I need to go and get school shoes for DD3, plus a few other bits of uniform. I was hoping Sainsbobs would have their 25% off by now as I quite like their clothing range and school uniform is reasonable yet good quality.

I haven't had a chance to look into YNAB any further but will do some reading up on it tonight. Really hope its something I can use in the future.