The Spreadsheet Diva's MF Diary

Karmacat

Well, you've got the information on where you're spending what, Sue, and that gives you choices - good for you. I can understand its discouraging when there's always something, and there always is - my storm damage being a case in point, actually

I wonder if you need to go "down a brand", in Martin's terminology? £8 tennis balls for the dog - maybe you got a billion tennis balls for that, I don't know, but you can get a lot of them for that sort of dosh on Amazon, cheap ones, or even from Poundland etc? Just thinking out loud. Might help with the food bill too. Information is power, yay

SueP19

Lol he is a German Shepherd, we did buy cheap balls they lasted 1 minute so the more expensive one are the cheaper option as it was 2 tubs for £8

LadyGnome

I have just finished reading your diary and I think you have done an amazing job given the fact that you are effectively carrying the whole family. Both your DD and your husband are using you as their emotional punchbags and that is not fair. You are a very strong person but I do think you need to protect yourself too.


A couple of thoughts, my husband had PTSD and it did make him a real pain in the @rse to live with for years. He is coming out the other side now but still tends to be a bit of a blamer. I just turn around and say "why is this my fault? when do you take responsibility?" Your DH may not be ready to hear that yet! One thing that does work with him is mentioning something that I want to change in passing and then leaving it for bit so he has time to get used to the idea. I have gradually been making him responsible for some things as well.


Hide the tin or put most of the money in a notice account to earn interest so you can get to your dream caravan faster.


Does your husband eat stuff because he sees it. Do you have somewhere you could stash extras and keep topping up so there are always supplies. That way he might see 3 brunch bars, eat 2 over the weekend then on Monday you just replace the missing 2 from your stash. That might help him feel that there is always enough without you having to massively overbuy.


As for your work colleague
Why do you say that? - if he makes a chippy comment
I'm sorry to hear you couldn't cope - if he suggests you gave him something too late etc. (aim for a caring worried frown with this one)


Keep plodding on. Every pound you overpay is one in the eye for the bank.:T

A_Frayed_Knot

Excellent advice above.

There is one thing I've been meaning to mention, and now that it has been brought up again, and fresh in my mind, don't really want to be a party popper

This caravan you both speak of; is it the touring, mobile kind or static, its just that if static, you could be taking on another mortgage :eek: the ground fees are not cheap, then there's the insurance, rates, elec and gas, and upkeep, plus anything else I've forgot. Touring may be a different kettle altogether, thought I would just point this out, just incase. We just paid the yearly ground fees today and that was more than my 10% o/p allowance on my mortgage for the year:eek: when I say we - I mean my mum:A

SueP19

Touring so rest easy Frayed lolol xx

Petal88

Sue I've never seen you so quiet before! Hope everything is okay :grouphug:

SueP19

Ah bless you Petal

I'm ok, things are crap as usual and I just worried my posts were always doom and gloom. :( and people would get fed up of it

Currently in the wings are Swinton, still disputing my change over of car insurance (£88 charges) New one Post Office disconnected me on 24th March to change to BT but are now saying that BT didn't do it right so they are continuing to bill me, in fact called them liars this morning as they did disconnect me on 24th. Anglian water direct debit not taken, turns out they not actioned it!!!

Money running out my pocket/bank like no tomorrow, DD needs some and OH suddenly decided he now needs to buy that part he said he didn't need about 6 weeks ago :mad::mad::mad:

Still trying to keep to my new MSE ways...............not got a lot of money for my hols but hey ho :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

KM'd me knee high and OH's socks, they are very happy :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Petal88

Ah I'm glad you're okay - got worried there!

Can't believe all the admin faff you have to deal with over BT/post office and car insurance! It always amazes me how difficult these things can be considering how many customers they have. Over the past year I must have spent countless of hours on the phone to €on, t@lkt@lk, np0wer, council tax etc as everyone keeps messing up. Surprisingly enough they're always quick to take my money but super slow on giving it back!!

What's the update on your DD btw, did she find a new job in the end?

SueP19

No job yet :( not through trying she is applying everyday for stuff and has broadened her choice, too qualified for this but not good enough grades for that. Housing still have her benefit wrong :mad::mad::mad:

I think these companies must pinch millions of people in small amounts...........the Post Office owed me £6.32 but managed to claw it back to me owing them £1.68 but in reality they owe me about £9!!! To outright lie and tell me my service has continued when I got up on change over day to have no broadband is despicable, she told me it would take 15 days for it to be investigated and paid back.............my parting word were you had better not take any money from my account else there would be hell to pay but I know they will

Moneyfordreams

Just wondering how you are, then realised you must be on your holiday. Hope you're having a lovely time