Crunchy pays it down....£20k...the final chapter

t2rry

All sounds very organised Crunchy! Looking forward to seeing you smash through the £20k barrier!

crunch_time

Thanks t2rry! Me too! Although it must just take a little bit longer!


I've just been refused a balance transfer credit card:mad:. Never been refused credit in my life before!! Feels a bit weird.


Perhaps it because I am only on £11,600 a year now I'm 2 days a week, have £2300 on a credit card and a £1800 overdraft, just got my first pay cheque since being on maternity leave and only been in the house for 6 months!


I'm going to have to suck up the whole '£85 a month on minimum payments malarcky,' knuckle down and pay it off.


I wont be able to apply for any more credit till after Christmas now so this will (helpfully) throw a spanner in the works for husbands 'lets get a new car' dream.:rotfl:

crunch_time

AND onwards with the challenge.


Went to the park today for half an hour. There was a sign for the playgroup but it wasn't on. There were signs for a funeral around the same time though so perhaps that is why. Will go back again next week - got nothing to lose!


Went to butchers to get meat for the week. Only got half a pound of mince for a chilli rather than a pound and I'm planning to bulk it out with lentils.:money:


Now waiting for the health visitor whilst baby sleeps and toddler gets 'crafty' with the contents of my pencil case. Not planning to go out again today and meat was planned spend so its a NSD


Yippee!!


Crunch xx

crunch_time

So yesterday the health visitor diagnosed me with post natal depression. I'm relieved as I feel like I've been battling something for months. I already feel much better compared to how I did in March. The move has been a trigger and I have felt so lonely since moving here. Glad I have a label now and it is 'something' rather than just 'me.' I'm determined to overcome it.

Hair cuts today from budgeted spends and then going out with the hubs tonight but he is paying. We also need to get baby the next size car seat earlier than I planned as she is over 9kg. I will have to use the shed fund and sell our old pram and some other bits to make up for it. That will be the last piece of baby kit I buy though. Feel sad and relieved all in one.

Onwards and upwards
Crunchy xx

crunch_time

Evening diary


I've had a really up and down few days. With all this going on now husband and I have decided to postpone the shed delivery until after I get paid so we can use the money saved for it so far to pay for some bits we need like my counselling sessions, and baby's new car seat. I think getting back into exercise will help me so I have bought some new exercise wear as my old stuff is too small.


Its made me consider how all this money saving stuff can make me miserable when I sacrifice the things that I need because I feel so guilty about being in debt.


For good news husband got offered a new job today!!!:jIts £10k more than the old one but we wont get child benefit anymore as he will earn over that threshold. Its what he wants so I'm really happy for him and it means he can work from home more and hopefully wont be as stressed.:T


Crunchy
xx

t2rry

Morning Crunchy,


I'm glad you've been diagnosed. I know that sounds strange but I had a friend clearly going through it after her little one and she refused and refused and refused to see someone until it reached a serious breaking point. She was lucky her husband knew what was going on else I dread to think where she's be now. That might be an extreme case but it's not talked about enough I don't think. As a first time mum to be, I've really noticed how nobody wants to tell me about the crap part of it, the sleep deprivation, the fear, the 'oh my god how the hell do I keep this miniature human being alive all by myself' and the crying moments!


Fantastic news for your hubby, that should make a huge difference shouldn't it? Wish my hubby was over that threshold :rotfl:Actually, if I'm wishing for stuff, I wish I was over that threshold! One day maybe!


So long as you're going in the right direction, you need to look after yourself else debt busting doesn't mean much anyway

crunch_time

Hey t2rry!


Thanks for replying. I'm glad too - for the diagnosis. I've spent the last few days looking back over this year thinking wow - I was actually under a lot of stress and the symptoms were there I just didn't think it until about a month ago (Baby had settled into a routine and thought it would get better in some aspects and it didn't).


I don't think I have it very badly however I've decided to see a counsellor anyway as lots has happened over the last few years which I probably should talk about with a professional. Nothing major, just a case of 'one thing after another.' On the other hand I might be a can of worms just waiting to be opened..


:rotfl:


You are right about the debt busting - I am a priority (and my family of course.


On the debt busting front I have a load of stuff to put on ebay - hoping it sells. Also nagging husband to do his expenses again so I can work out exactly is his spending. (I feel like I am constantly nagging him about this).


One piece of very good news is that husband is finally agreeing to my plan of 'lets pay down the debt good and proper before we even think about buying a new car.' I thought he would struggle with the notion of earning so much money yet driving around (and he does a lot for his job) an 8 year old hatchback with kiddi sun blinds in the back. All his colleagues driver flashy vehicles so he has been feeling hard done by for a while but their life circumstances have been different. And a new car wont make either of us any happier.

barnsleylass83

Hi Crunchy,
I am a keen follower of your diary and find myself in a similar situation to you. I just wanted to say well done for being honest and open about your post natal depression, I too experienced it and it can be a lonely time, I attended counselling and it really helped. Keep focussed and enjoy your gorgeous family, look after yourself! BIG HUGSXX

crunch_time

Thanks barnsleylass for your support. It means a lot. Looking forward to my session next week.

The hubs and I had a rare date night last night and ended up talking about money. We are both sick to death of feeling low and like we can't do stuff because of debt. I think its partly what is making me ill. We are going to look at our budget again this weekend and make it a lot more realistic to make this easier for us to stick to.

I parked ynab a few weeks back as it was getting so complicated to keep on top of that and our bank accounts but perhaps it really is our golden ticket to living realistically in budget.

I hate myself for thinking this but I'm looking forward to autumn now. We have been having far to much beer garden and bbq fun! But I will make the most of these next few weeks before back to school!!
Crunch xx

abba1772

So sorry to hear your struggling a bit but glad you're getting help xx