I Need A New Me

MuffinTops

Wow Tink. What a productive weekend you've had. Well done on the huge amount you achieved.

MTxx

Tinkerbelle2000

Thanks MT. Just coming back on here has made me so much more positive on everything.

Tink xx

doingitanyway

Impressive. I wish could report on a similarly productive weekend. You are doing great.

Tinkerbelle2000

Thanks MT & DIA. I might be back at work but things are still happening on the home front thanks to DD being bored in her school holidays.

I don't know if you remember when I got a writing/drop leaf desk from the charity shop when I first moved in, but she finished painting that for me yesterday. Three coats lol.

Today she is painting a couple of the walls in the hall and undercoating the front door. It's stained at the moment so I think that will brighten it up.

I must admit I crashed last night after dinner, I was so tired but I didn't get a takeaway, I cooked. YAY!!

This is the main thing I waste money on. I went through my freezer Sunday night and wrote a list of what is in there so I have no excuse. I have also started a shopping list for when I use something up, it goes straight on there.

I think I need to get a meal plan going in my planner for the next couple of weeks too.

Pay day on Friday and as its not a work day, DD and I are going out for the day. I have budgeted for this as we are not having a holiday (again). One day out now and then one just before she goes back to school. She also knows we have a budget and I won't be taking my debit card, just hard cash!!

Then Saturday is MOT :eek:

Take care.

Tink xx

bellevie

Im glad things are on the up again Tink.
Fantastic progress decorating, and it sounds like you may potentially have the beginnings of a friendship with the neighbours!
In my housing role, it makes me so sad that there are people who call me up because they have no one to help them do little jobs around the house. I remember my nan having really good relationships with all of her neighbours, its rarely like that now I find. That said, I get on fine with mine, but its the first time in years that I have had neighbours that interact. Most keep themselves to themselves.

Congratulations on the new job!

xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Thanks Bellevie. I had lovely neighbours in my old house, I do miss them a lot. Neighbours in adjoining flats are ok, say hello, but these neighbours are just up the road. I started talking to them through another neighbour and they have had Mr D on the odd occasion for us. Also helped with some car issues and basically can put their hands to anything. Its so nice. Sadly they are on holiday now.

It is a shame more people are not like that anymore. I remember being younger and you knew everyone in your road.

Tink xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Where do I start? Basically I need one huge kick up the a$*e. I only got paid on Friday and my budget is shot. Did I have a budget this month? Sort of but it has totally been ignored.

I feel guilty. Guilty that I have not given DD the most stable home life she deserves. Guilty that we had to start over again and that she has just plodded along with me. Guilty that even though she hardly ever asks for anything, I can't buy her nice clothes all the time like her friends have and guilty that it has taken me so long to get off my backside out of the black cloud that has been overhead for the past couple of months and get this flat something like home.

So....I had planned a day out with her on Friday. Just going to the closest city for a walk round with a budget of £50. This was to include lunch and I promised myself I wouldn't take my card with me. Hmmmm who was I kidding. As soon as I saw how happy she was that we were going out for the day, I ended up spending quite a bit more than was budgeted. Can I make an excuse that it was worth it because she kept telling me on the way home that she had had a lovely day and also when she was admiring something I said do you want it? You can have it if you want. I'll admit we went to Primark but still I should have kept to budget.

The thing I can't seem to get my head round is my mind set towards money. I always feel super confident just before payday that I am going to stick to my budget this month but I never seem able to. I do pay my debts, minimum repayments and my rent etc., but what should be budgeted for other things gets totally pushed to the back of my mind.

How can I stop this? I've tried keeping a spending diary, I even went through my bank statements for the last six months and it was shocking to see where my money went. The only thing I have been good with the last couple of weeks is that we have had no takeaways.

I would love advise on how you changed your mindset. I think I might have to post my spending on here. That way I need to be totally honest with myself and think how embarrassing a stupid/not budgeted for spend would look.

Sorry for the long post.

Tink xx

doingitanyway

Tink, you had a lovely day with your daughter and bought her a few treats you had not budgeted for. You didn't blow the money on rubbish you regret. Think of a plan to avoid repeating in future? Just taking the cash you need out with you? Now is the time to draw up a new budget based on what you have now and move forward. It's a blip. You are doing great. Keep going.

Tinkerbelle2000

Thanks DIA. I really was just going to take the cash budgeted for them thought sod it.

Thought of another thing I feel guilty for. I can't remember the last time we had a proper holiday. Just because of my stupid debt. I'm going to make sure that DD is better with money than me.

Tink xx

bellevie

In you new budget include a savings plan, so you can have a repeat of one of those days, perhaps for the autumn when she will start to need warmer clothes etc. And next time yes take the cash!!

We have all done it guilt + children = dangerous place!! You have nothing to feel guilty for though, she will remember you walking away and standing your ground, putting your needs and her needs above those of your exes. Just the fact she doesn't walk on egg shells anymore is a massive improvement.

Could you set aside enough money for a cheap weekend by the seaside, in a B&B or something? Weather is usually warm well into September so you have time!