Daring Myself to do this

lilmissmup

Hi Kitten, stalked you!

I will subscribe, and agree with the others, the diary is for you no-one else!

rainbowskies

Still, sorry about your sister. It's a shame when family of all people, can't be happy for you and don't treat you with the love and respect you deserve. I think she likes the reaction. I know it's easy for me to say, but smile and ignore!

I don't think you've blown it. It's a set back, it happens. We can all expect it in one way or the other. Life would be a little dull if it was plain sailing all the way. If it helps your little girl with her talking and makes her smile, then that's all that matters. I think lots of people slip up one way or the other during Christmas, it's to be expected. The time to save, save, save is January. Also, have you considered doing Secret Santa? You can all agree on a limit that's affordable. That way you're just buying the one. This could work for extended family and/or friends and it's a lot of fun guessing who bought what for whom.

Also, your diary isn't boring and you can moan as much as you want! I see these diaries as a place to just vent and unload all your concerns and worries. It's helpful writing them down and you also have a lot of supportive people on there cheering you along! xx

Kitten868

My biggest downfall is my babies. They cost money regardless and then Christmas on top and I go nuts! Plus they're dad being away I've bought them presents to show daddy's thinking about them. Plus I'm going a bit doolally stuck indoors so much. Need new toys!
Plus went out and only bought baby essentials and it came to £100. Admittedly it does cover us for a while but I forgot how expensive weaning is. Luckily only 1 month to go then we can give other stuff too.
When she sang let it go I totally melted!! Can't wait till she opens it. It came today and it's a beautiful doll!
But I am now drawing a line NO MORE PRESENTS!!! But I now need to buy for our siblings. Bit stuck on what to get everyone. Especially my sister that hates everything (same sister from earlier rant). And my baby sister who's 16 who's asked for make up but it all seems like it's for the stage or disguise. I don't understand contouring at all. I feel about 100 saying that.
Once that's sorted no more spending money. The kids have more toys than they'll ever need so thats covered. And no oh for 6 months so no meals out or fancy living should be easy.

Hope everyone else is doing much better than me money wise. So excited for Christmas morning though!! Xxx

Kitten868

Thanks chanie, I do keep reminding myself why I did this to myself (whilst talking to the smug 4 year age gap mums) 2 year age gaps are for the children. Playmates for life
Credit card statement came in so I'm drawing a line and moving on. !!!!!!ing up is fine but have to get back to saving.
I need my husband to come home. I miss him so much!!!! Xxx

chanie

It's good news that you've finished your Xmas shopping for your children. In terms of your siblings could you agree token presents with them as you are on mat leave? Your 'difficult' sister doesn't sound very nice, so maybe you shouldn't put too much effort into what you get her and let her comments wash over you. I have an aunt who is very much into material possessions and it can be tiring listening to get talk about 'stuff', although she is generous, so isn't entirely shallow. My mum just nods and smiles, as it doesn't effect her.

Your writing about Elsa dolls makes me smile as my 3 year old is obsessed with Frozen as well. We've resisted the singing Elsa doll as we think she'll get bored of it, but we still haven't decided what to get her.

My children have a 2 1/4 year gap between them. It has been difficult both financially and physically tiring, but we are are at the tail end of the pre school years. We didn't want a huge gap between our children either.

Kitten868

Oh chanie. It's not just the doll. We have Elsa cereal, Elsa pasta shapes, Elsa coat, Elsa wellies, Elsa handbag all of her clothes... My mum bought her an Elsa to go on our tree. Plus I think she's just grown out of her clothes. I have to buy more. Nooooooo
Of all the Elsa toys I think it's the least objectionable. Didn't want the spray guns or the plastic shooting one lol. And she's too young for barbies. It might end up forgotten in her toy box by February but you never know.
How are you feeling now you're getting to them both being at school? More expensive? Easier?
I know all the Elsa stuff isn't mse but I'd rather her eat and wear clothes. Other clothes I buy don't get worn so it's less money wasted.
She is like your aunt very generous but short temper.
I've just worked out how much I've made on eBay since August. £720!! On 96 items. It's a long slog but it's worth it. My home is much clearer of crap (well mine, hubby has a firm grip on his). Not including all the other stuff I've sold on Facebook, cex, we buy books, Amazon and ziffit. Shows where I've made the push on the credit cards. Have to focus on the positive that I've done this not that I've lost this ability. I don't think I have any possessions left lol.
Need to sort through my clothes but i think they're all summer clothes so might as well leave it for now. Got loads of summer shoes to sell too. Determined to get it all gone before Mr kitten comes home in July. When it comes to packing I want it to be streamlined and easy. Except the kids stuff. Have to let that go though lol.
I think my next big step needs to be budgeting rather than just trying not to spend any money.
I think until he comes in July I'm just going to plow the debt. I'll work on savings when he comes back. I know that's not very mse but I can't have savings. I have to see debt go down right now til it's reasonable sized.
Has lending/credit criteria changed lately? I can't seem to get any credit cards on soft searches!!! Except the bad ones. It seems like repaying what I owe is going against me rather than for me. I want to move my overdraft and £2000 of the Barclays so I can feel better about it reducing as its running out soon. And i can't get a loan. Not too sure what to do. Any ideas? X

chanie

Guess what? We bought the singing Elsa doll!! We bought last year's version, where you raise her arm to sing, as I wasn't keen on the microphone one. Plus I found an Elsa costume. Dd has only recently gotten into Frozen, before, it was all about peppa pig, so she doesn't have much frozen stuff yet.

School is bringing a new set of issues. We haven't found it too expensive yet, as DS is only 5 and his year 1 class are still quite innocent. The stressful parts are that he is always loosing his uniform and having to manage the holidays, as me and OH work.

In terms of your finances, maybe you should speak with your bank and see if they can help.

Kitten868

No, it's all computers nowadays. I have a 'high utilisation of credit' because I'm closing credit cards. I'm just worried because I want a good credit rating for when we go back to having a mortgage when he changes job in however many years. I think I'm good. I always make at least my minimum payments, never gone over my limit, never late and they often get interest and balance transfer fees. I know they like making money too. I'm stumped.
My poor 5 month old is so poorly. Got this hateful cold and cough, I'm getting no sleep and I'm ill too. Went to my mums but she barely slept as she wanted to see all the goings on. So nosey at least dd1 got to have a fun day. She's poorly too.
Don't know if play group is going to happen tomorrow morning. If she just played then of course. But she's such a leechy thing!
Only 1 eBay sale tonight. But I only had 4 things on so not really bothered.
I need to go to bed. Please let me sleep. X

rainbowskies

£720 since August on eBay is fab! How about something for the home for 'difficult' sister? Something like a Yankee candle or a incense burner or something. As for younger sis, how about good make-up brush kit? I love my beauty bits but contouring sounds very technical! Tried watching how to do it on YouTube and made such a mess of myself! I think I'll stick to plain old blusher, thank you!

I'm sorry you're all poorly and hope you feel better soon! xx The weather isn't doing us much favours. Have soup! Regarding your finances, best thing may be going to your bank first as Chanie says. Or you can try posting on other areas of the forum for advice?

Hope things improve soon for you. x

Florence_J

Just been reading the whole diary and want to say well done. All my debt bought me was a lot of clothes, some of which I barely wear, and a lot of meals out that have contributed to my weight gain that means I have to spend more on gym fees, gym clothes, trainers and slimming world!!! At least you have a home and 2 beautiful girls out of yours!

I find your ebaying inspiring, I need to do more, sold some DVDs on ziffit today, when you haven't watched a DVD in the whole 4 years you owned it you have to wonder whether it is worth staying in debt for. Answer No!

Hopefully another NSD tomorrow, I am still so new to MSE that I hope it means what I think it is which is No Spend Day!