Daring Myself to do this

Kitten868

For me the children are definitely going to get more expensive - I don't have nursery fees! I moan about nappies and formula but I know they'll get more and more expensive. Especially Christmas! I don't think they'll cost me £20k each up to 18 like they say though!
I just want to learn from all this and be savvy. Everyone around me seems flush with cash. Admittedly they're childless and on 3x my income and there partners are on 2x hubbys salary.
I think I have done so well but I've only been doing this 8 months. I'm definitely an eBay girl for life. And declutterer for life this journey has really shown me how far and how short our money actually goes. I think im converted away from credit cards. I think that's my big wake up call.
I think it's the gradual changes that hold more water chanie which is why you're doing so well.
Just think of when the have biggest loser USA winners that weigh a tonne again two years later. I don't want to do this again! X

chanie

My focus is on being savvy, as you say - that what my fabulous diary is about; I like us all to have nice things and in order to do that, we've made savings in other areas, but we don't feel deprived.

This year, I'm going to grow some veg (something I did successfully a few years ago) and learn to bake. These are frugal activities, which can keep me out of trouble!!!

Kitten868

I did the bad thing. I paid all my money on to my credit card to get rid of it. It's my only big payday. So I will have to use credit this month but I wanted a faster impact on my debt busting. Hubbys card is just proving too difficult for me. I think it's just because I can't watch/see it. Waiting on the statements which are never up to date is not my style! So challenge this month is to spend as little as physically possible without actually knowing how much I've spent.
But yay! I'm down to one credit card! I'm saving tackling mum & dad til after the move. They know this. I feel guilty but I think they can respect that ever since I fell down the stairs I need to get out of here. And as soon as we've got the keys they're my no 1 priority. If however the car does stand in our way I'll start paying them back before. So gear my plans up for hubbys payday now. Feeling quite lost without the other money :-/ no more selling. I've got the house fire up my bum but without constant money coming in I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. Still. Onwards and upwards we can do this!!! Xxx

Kitten868

I think having double the debt again is bringing me down. It's good as hubbys balances are actually going down which they didn't when he was in charge but I feel like I only want to deal with mine. I feel guilty when I pay my credit card and irritated when I pay his. Stupid me as its all 'our' money. I think it's because his debt seems more stupid. But it's easier to see other peoples mistakes than your own. I sound like the most evil wife x

Rebecca01

Hi Kitten. Keep at it. You will get there.

Try not to see it as your and his debt. I know easier said than done. Just thing of it as a barrier to your mortgage and you need to tackle it.

Good luck on spending as little as possible. Challenges are good x

Kitten868

I see it all as my problem to solve. And I'm the only one that's ever tackled it. I think it's because I know he sees it as yours and mine and that's what he's going to think when he gets home. I want 100% all of it gone by this time next year. And I think that's totally achievable. X

kirtsypoos

You're doing so well Kitten, it's normal to have little pangs of annoyance about things and even to get royally ****ed off at the situation - you've made the decision to tackle it and you want it to happen now! Especially when you have the house on your mind....you'll get there, and it will all be worth it! x

Kitten868

Feeling overwhelmingly guilty about the Hoover and the wardrobe now. I don't regret buying them. But I suppose these are the things that crop up and usually set me back but now I've stayed focused and kept going so it's not as bad as it sounds. Can't live without a hoover!
So going to my sisters wedding is going to cost £1000. £1000! I love how other people spend your money. Kind of feel like saying no - I can't afford it. That would go down like a poo sandwich though. Hmmm a problem for another day I think.
Another one down, four to go on the credit cards. Fingers crossed for another one gone next month. Bit of a mission but it can be done... I think. Really irritating that hubby won't be about to close the accounts. That's what feels best and I want them off his record in time for the mortgage application.
Onwards and upwards! X

Kitten868

So dd1 has outgrown everything so I've had to buy her a load of clothes again. And we need swimming costumes for centreparcs. I think that's it.
Really impressed with the clothes and she loves shopping so it's fun. She is the sassiest 2 year old. And when she likes clothes she just puts them in the trolley haha. I haven't been able to feed her with this week long diarreah so buying clothes felt like all I could do. Easter has been a bit pants this year. Dd1 loved it and got to do her egg hunt over and over. But I was supposed to go to a leaving do and couldn't go and my parents and nan drove me bonkers. Plus poor baby couldn't eat her eggs. I know this is pretty standard but I am just going a bit doolally. Dont get to see my friends. Don't get to sleep and I feel like I'm never going to see husband. It's been ages!!! And back to work tomorrow! Aargh!!! Dd2 still won't take her bottle and the dairy free diet is totally freaking me out. Dd1 really enjoyed time with her nannies and just went with the flow. Dd2 is so clingy and doesn't like anyone like she likes me. Plus I feel funny I'll never get this kind of time off with them again with my babies. Bit of a maternity leave fan.
Anyway. Let's just keep going. Should get tesco bank statement and hubbys pay in the next few days.
Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter and enjoying their time off xxxx

note3

Based on how I was I'm guessing your biggest reason for feeling pants right now is the going back to work part. Neither of my children would ever take a bottle/doidy cup/supply cup/straw or any other wonderful contraption that friends or manufacturers would get me to waste money on (oh yes I see some of my debt origins now! Lol). They both coped fine once away from me. DD1 started nursery at 8.5 mths and just drank water during the day from a sippy cup in the end (took water from this but not milk). After about a wk she accepted formula in small amounts this way too but really just fed from me as soon as home. DD2 started nursery at 11.5mths and just slowly started drinking cows milk but lived on water til then. DD2 was exceptionally clingy to me (to the point where she was worn all the time and wouldn't even let her dad hold her). Not gonna lie, for about 6 mths she'd be very upset when dropped.off but within 10 mins she was fine and smiley all day. The point being they are very resilient and adapt so your little girl will be fine I'm certain

Sorry to hear your other little girl has been poorly.

And my goodness £1000!!!!