Here we go again

cmcavon

Been here before, facing up to debts, overspending and reaching panic stations.

The past few weeks have been hellish, I've discovered my Mum has cancer which we are likely to find out is terminal. I'm not making excuses but this has led to massive overspending as I've desperately tried to distract myself from what's going on. I've been spending stupidly online.

So, here I am again, trying to get a handle on things.

We're on a DMP which at the moment isn't due to be paid off until 2033. This depresses me massively. I desperately want to get this paid off but it's still sitting at over £18,000. I used to follow the boost your income section and make a fair amount of extra money on top of our wages but this has slipped. We have 3 children, hubby works full time, I work part time. I've asked for more hours but not got anywhere as yet.

So, the plan is, focus, stop spending, up my "boost your income" activity and pay extra off the dmp if that's even an option!

Feeling really down tonight with our whole situation and worried sick about my Mum.

I'm hoping that using a diary on here will keep me on the right track.

cmcavon

Day two.

I'm going to use this diary to get everything out in the open and try to get myself back on track with finances.

Yesterday I earned a little money from matched betting, keeping track of extra income in my signature using my LBM yesterday as day one. I earned £14.07, not mega bucks but it's definitely a start. I'm hoping to save up a lump sum to pay extra off the DMP if that's allowed. Need to get that paid off before 2033!

Working this morning which will help keep my mind busy then over to spend the afternoon with my Mum. Hopefully she'll be in good spirits today.

cmcavon

Day Three.

Yesterday was a bit of a down day all round. Spent the afternoon and evening with Mum. She was tired and down, up until the last few days she's been in fairly good spirits, it's not nice seeing her like this.

Hubby's car started playing up which sent me into a panic. Unexpected big expenses don't go down well with me. I like to have a safety cushion but never want to have to use it. Fortunately it has started this morning so at least he can get to work and I can use the other car to get to Mum. Time will tell whether it needs something doing/scrapping, it's 13 years old so I guess it won't last for too much longer.

Earned £5.21 yesterday from matched betting, not a lot but today will be better as there are a couple of good offers on tonight. Added it to my total in my signature.

Day off today which is a big relief to be honest, head isn't really in the right place for work at the moment. Heading to Mum's again later with the kids today, they should help to keep her distracted for a few hours. It's the quiet times when she's on her own that worry me. Too much thinking time.

Going to spend a little time doing a few bits online to up the balances in my survey/ptc accounts before the oldest two get out of bed, youngest is currently throwing my mobile around!

cmcavon

Day Four

The sun's shining here today which always helps to brighten anyones' mood I think. I'm working this morning and tonight but going to get the kids out to the park this afternoon. Hubby has a shopping list so he's off out shopping which will mean we don't end up spending on hot dogs or other junk at the park. We'll eat before we go.

Had a good day earning wise yesterday, earnt £54.97 matched betting which has boosted me a little. The extra is all going towards paying a lump sum off the DMP later this year I hope, still desperate to get that paid off beforee 2033! I should make at least £3 today, not a lot but again it all helps!

I'm finding writing this is keeping me focussed on watching what we spend and boosting our income. My main worry is getting a big expense such as needing to replace one of the cars, on a DMP it's not simply a case of getting a new one on finance. So we need to have funds to cover things like that.

Anyway, time for work, hope anyone reading this enjoys the sunshine

parsniphead

Sorry to hear about your mum cmcavon. These things can really throw you off track can't they.

From your signature you seem to be well. I never managed to get an emergency fund in place when on DMP. Keep going and keep posting.

cmcavon

Day Five

Yesterday's online earnings were £30.81, I'll add that to my ongoing total, quite happy with how the past few days have gone with the extra earnings.

Thanks Parsniphead for your reply. I've managed to build up the emergency fund purely through online activities to be honest. But, if the car packs up then that's a big chunk of that gone so I don't feel too safe. I'm a worrier I guess. Writing things down is definitely helping!

I've been working this morning, going to have a quiet afternoon with the kids I think, they can get out on their scooters whilst its still fairly nice out there. Today will be a spend-free day

cmcavon

Day Six

Feeling a little run down today. I think it's all the worrying I've been doing! Still, day off tomorrow which should help.

Online earnings are still going really well, to be honest I'm starting to feel like a right moaning Minnie when I'm constantly adding to the funds. But that DMP is hanging over me! Earned another £56.92 yesterday, I'll add that to my signature shortly.

Took the kids to the library after work earlier. They spent a quiet, happy half hour choosing new books. Then did the food shop at morrisons for a change. Picked up a morrisons more card which should mean a fiver off the bill every so often.

Doris17

Hello cmcavon,
Sorry to hear about your mum, don't be too hard on your self, everyone needs something to focuse on when things are not going well.
You are doing fab on the extra income,keep going on your journey.
Doris.

cmcavon

Had a rubbish few days, dipped in the emergency fund for various reasons, that's now down £500

Feeling low.

I guess I've got to focus on the positives, we have a little money building up for Christmas, we have a little for emergencies. I need to just keep adding to that, slowly but surely.

Extra earnings have slowed right down too since I last posted so nothing to add to that!

I've set up a separate bank account for food, petrol etc, keeping the bills separate. Going to start making use of that today. Also written a shopping list for the week so we're off to the supermarket in a min.

Not writing here has meant I've wobbled, overspent and now feel shocking.

cmcavon

Feeling slightly more positive and much more back on track, it's amazing the difference a little organisation can make.

Moved spending money over to the new account. Hit the supermarket with a voucher for £8 off on a £60 spend. Have enough food for all of us now until Friday, spent £60.31 after the discount.

Calculated the weekly budget for the rest of the month which is doable and should allow me to start building that savings balance back up.

I'll no doubt waffle on here a lot over the next few days as I get my mind back in the right zone and remember my goals - get rid of that DMP!

cmcavon

Today has been another good day money-wise so far. Zero-spent (although I think hubby will stop off to pick up some fizzy pop later as I didn't buy any yesterday and he neeeeeds it!). Managed to earn a little online, £11.97 so far, not buckets but it's all helping.

Going to have a nosy on swagbucks and a few other sites now, see if I can bump my balances up a little. Haven't withdrawn from any of these sites for ages, time to get my bum in gear a little.