Reality Check...

monz

love a spicy curry :P xx

SavingAtNumberTwo

Hi Reality :wave: thought I'd post to say I have read your whole diary (and loved every minute of it!) and having seen the determination, support and encouragement from everyone here it spurred my own LBM! So thank you for sharing!! x

reality_check

Hi everyone, I am back!! Been a while since I've posted on this diary but didn't have the energy or time. Thanks for reading Rebecca and I'm glad it's spurred on your own LBM! This diary was the best thing I have done in a long time to sort my money life out, let me know if you start a diary and i'll come cheer you on x

Lots of changes -

My mum was back in hospital, a different one this time and what a difference a hospital with the correct amount of staff have! She has came on leaps and bounds and is the best she has been in about a year, so that's more than we could have hoped for.

DS has moved out, he is living in a flat in the centre of Liverpool with his friend, it's been his birthday and he has a lovely little gf and doing great.

I have turned 35!!

My marine has moved in, so I am now that creepy older lady living with a 27 year old!! He is 28 in a few weeks so that will be better!!

It is my DD birthday tomorrow, not very MSE present wise, but will address that all soon.... anyway we are all set for that, just last few things to wrap.

And last but not least of my updates....the reason I haven't been on here so much as I have been exhausted and so so sick because.....I"M PREGNANT!!! I am so so happy!! It still doesn't feel real, but we had our 20 week scan on Friday and everything is perfect!! I didn't want to tell anyone before 20 weeks, I know they say 12 but I was so scared something would go wrong. For years me and my ex husband tried for a baby and we had 4 miscarriages and had to accept it wasn't ever going to happen, so this time I was reluctant to share the news with anyone and especially with being older this time, but....all is well! I can't believe it, doesn't feel real, but so glad the news is out as it is getting harder and harder to hide the fact, i'm getting bigger every day it seems!!

Anyway, this was a life update, scared to look at the money and do a money update, but that will come soon.

Hope you all well and having a lovely day - spring has definitely sprung where I am xxx

roomontheend

Oh my days, that is fab news. It was obviously meant to be. So you have a goal date to get rid of a chunk of your debt before your little pink or blue person comes along. Congratulations

monz

ah congrats!!xx

reality_check

Having a look at my credit card and bank statements...first time in a while!!

Been working out millions of figures and dates all morning - meant to be working, but this is all I have done for hours!! I have a new plan, and new increased debt!!

I have been far too caught up in life and living in the moment whilst slipping back to my old ways. Drawing a line under it and ready to start living off a budget and getting as much as this debt gone as I can.

Due date is 11th August so this is a mini goal to sort things out!!

Be back soon xxx

Eager_Elephant

Congratulations reality!!


Can't believe in 4 months you will have a baby in the house.


Fingers crossed you can get some of your debt paid off by baby's due date.

Poor_Single_lady

Reality I have just caught up on your diary.
Congratulations. Awww I'm so pleased for you.
I think my heart skipped a beat reading your post. This is great to readxxx

reality_check

Thanks so much ROTE, Monz, EE and PSL. We are so excited!! This little baby has been wanted for so long, but I had genuinely accepted it would never happen....never say never like they say! People think I am mad, with the other 2 grown up and basically adults and how I should be enjoying getting my life back and having money (other people said that, not me...little do they know I already have no money!) I know we have only been together just over a year and now moved in and expecting a baby, but I am the happiest I have been in a long time. I'm not sure it would have lasted without this baby, he knew about the complications I have had before and said if it wasn't meant to be he would be happy, but I knew he had always wanted kids. We just decided to try, and it happened so soon!! I know I'm older but my body is in the best state it's ever been. I lived my 20's and early 30's on processed food, copious amounts of wine and gin and no exercise so I'm sure this has played a major part. I really don't know why I am telling you all this, just waffling on!!

Sooooo....

Loan to my Dad: £7,000
Barclays: £2180.70
Virgin: £2144.25

Total debt: £11,324.95

In January it was sitting at £9498.74 so it has increased by £1826.21 and will probably be about another £150 higher before pay day.

What have I spent £1826.21 on?!

Flights to Portugal £350.00 (staying at my friends place) - booked this for marines birthday and to make the most of some baby free time before everything changes.

I bought my daughter a purse for her birthday from YSL and was £560 - with duty free discount!! I ended up spending about £650 on her birthday when I had budgeted £500. I then bought myself Prada sunglasses at £200 - again justified with the discount....this was when I started slipping back to old ways!!

Spent aprox £250 in Boots on 2 electric toothbrushes, replacements were needed and were half price so that was £80, spent £99 on Giorgio Armani Si perfume, this wasn't needed, I just like it and wanted it (I can imagine people rolling eyes at me, it's ok I deserve it!) and then I needed foundation and bronzer so that's where the remaining £70 went.

I also needed clothes - essential since I am now the size of a house. I spent £180 on ASOS as refuse to pay maternity clothes prices, I'm normally a size 8-10 so have bought size 12-14's. I'll give in and buy some maternity jeans soon as these are the only things I do deem essential. My sister is going to have a look and see what she has, but she's 5'8, I'm 5'3 so doubt there will be much. Oh and I bought a bikini last night that was £45...amazing how you forget things!

Spent £80 on a haircut, eyebrow thread and tint and a manicure and pedicure as a "treat", because I clearly deserved that....

And the rest of the money I couldn't really tell you. Oh no I remember now, I spent £120 in TKMAXX on some cushions to go on the bed (as If I needed anymore, drives Mr Marine mad every night when I make him stack the 10 pillows all neatly!) also bought a few garden things, new bowls, that weren't really needed but I binned the old white ones for these new ones with a lovely mosaic sort of pattern on them and a tshirt for the marine. I have been off work for 6 weeks so had far too many coffee and lunch dates with my sister and friends.

6 weeks with limited commission which isn't great! I will get my full wage but that is needed for my basic bills really, so will be minimal payments for April and May. With my maternity pay in work we get 6 months full pay, 3 months half and 3 months no pay so pretty good compared to a lot of companies.

I said my debt will probably go up £150 this month as it is 8 days to pay day, I need petrol and tonight I am taking my mum and dad out for dinner with my daughter so that will be about £80 I'm guessing.

Mr Marine is working away this week so this weekend we are going pram shopping!! I am now feeling better, and getting excited that it is real and happening. Didn't want to jinx anything by going out and buying stuff, but the time feels right now. Also need to get nursery stuff and get the babies room decorated. Goodbye to my walk in wardrobe!!

I better post this essay before it disappears! xxx

reality_check

Also, how could I forget I had to put £300 for my car insurance and £14 to update my driving licence which was 2 years out of date!! I only noticed because I switched companies and they wanted a company of my licence and no claims discount. Well I knew it needed done, but clearly forgot the multiple reminders I have had!

I have also finally accepted to listen to the MSE experts and not just wing it myself and think I know what I'm doing, so, I am making saving pots!!

I need to budget for my car insurance, MOT, car tax and home insurance.

12 months of £25.00 for my car = £300
12 months of £25.00 for my MOT = £300
12 months of £12.50 for my car tax = £150
12 months of £12.50 for my home insurance = £150

BUT....only my car is on the 12 month plan as everything else due at different times.

Until the new 12 months start of each one my plan is -

£37.50 a month for home ins which is due in August
£18.75 for car tax, due in December
£75 for my MOT due in August

and then they will start their 12 month saving plans when they start afresh. I can't depend on my commission anymore!!

I am also going to start a £100 a month saving for an emergency fund.

So my debt is now taking the scenic route, I will still have budgets that i'll stick to, but I am going to make sure I have the above budgeted for as they are inevitable and an emergency fund is essential.

That's enough of my updates for one day, off to "work" aka look at baby furniture xxx