My debt free diary - getting my life on track

CoffeeCakeYarn

Found you I actually read your diary yesterday as a lurkey lurker!

Don't be to hard on yourself about the house! Mines tidy, I'm not a fan of clutter, but not always as clean as it could be. I seem to put off hovering until I have to, i.e. someone is coming over! The kitchen is always clean though and the bathrooms gets regular squirts of bleach, but the washing seems to sit in piles, and the dusting gets done once in a blue moon. I don't even have the excuse of family and pets, it's just me being lazy. The way I look at it though is it will still be there tomorrow, it's not the end of the world

Amazing job at the debt busting so far, have subscribed!

rexelpink

Hi pismo and coffee! :wave:

Pismo, I completely get you it’s so frustrating isn’t it!?! Luckily for me even though we are a team (obviously) we agreed to keep separate finances before we even got married, so financially I’m fairly independent. It’s a good job I love him, cos some days he costs me money!
He’s slowly coming round, but for a sad reason, basically his best friend has just inherited a house following the death of his Dad who passed away 8 months ago. Everyone’s still grieving, but it’s made DH think about the whole inheritance side of things, and that we should have some assets to leave to our children if possible.

I’ve joined the Facebook group you recommended. Will have a proper look later.

Coffee- see once again I am over posting! The struggle is real LOL!
Truth be told I don’t even care, although I know it’s boring to read, it’s really helping me to stay focussed.
Inspired by your diary I looked up the car MOT date and it’s the 13th of this month! :eek: I am also going to re-download the eBay app and start to look at things I can sell.

Drawingaline

Hi, just reading through your diary, I like your determination.

I am a cleaner for a job, I hate the fact that I spend all this time cleaning other people's houses and mine was a complete pit. But by the weekend I am too over it to do any cleaning. So I have started to do a clean when I get in on a Friday afternoon. Make the two teens do their rooms and then just crack on. I have made a massive effort over the past year to declutter which makes it so much easier, and by doing it weekly it gets quicker each time. Last week took 2hours (the length of time it would take me if it was a paid job) but I had to do a lot of dusting, this week it will be easier, but I need to focus on windows frames as they are a star. One a week.

I am also awful at taking my shoes off, and we have somewhere for them to go. Although I am the only one (apart from the autistic child, he follows rules religiously!) To actually put them away. I hate taking them off knowing I need to out them back on in half hour etc.

Well done on your money saving this month, I need to ring sky to cancel the sports package (or keep it if they do it half price) as hubby has it for the NFL and the Superbowl is next weekend. I too cannot give up netflix, the two teens would actually riot (if two people can be classed as a riot, revolt maybe?) And we use Amazon prime A LOT. It's funny to see on here what people prioritise in there life. Definitely dependant on family structure and circumstances.

Have subscribed so keep on posting

rexelpink

Hi drawing :wave: welcome to my diary (debt busting and random thoughts!)

I am full of respect for you, I can’t image cleaning other people’s houses all day then coming home and doing my own!

It is funny how we all prioritise different things. I found amazon prime was a really easy decision to cancel because I felt that if I don’t have free next day delivery I probably won’t shop and spend so much. But really struggled with whether or not to keep Netflix. And Sky was staying no matter what. Did get sky reduced by quite a lot, I would definitely call them, I didn’t even pretend I was leaving or anything - just called to ask if they could reduce my monthly payments and they found loads of deals for me. Every penny counts and all that! It’s quite rare that we go out on the evenings
Which is why I wanted to keep it.

Took DS to the dentist this afternoon, got to tak DD on saturday (dreading that a bit bless her as she hates the dentist so I’ve been really talking it up all afternoon) and booked myself an appointment for Tuesday morning. DH has a check up just before Xmas so he’s fine. My treatment was paid for back in November (paid the whole course upfront) and the kids is free so no cost at least.

Managed to call the council tax and I have been paying the 10 month direct debit so will have an extra £240 over feb and March! Either for the savings plan or the vanquis card. Will decide nearer the time.

DH is going to speak to the mechanic tomorrow to see about having the car looked at before the MOT is due. Fingers crossed it doesn’t need too much work!


1. Take off shoes. BIG TICK - I’m quite proud actually, came in took shoes straight upstairs and put slippers on.
2. Make bed - done before I left for work - tick
3. Wipe down kitchen counters - done after dinner - tick
4. Clean as you cook - again DH did this today
5. Wipe down shower - erm...
6. Sweep floors - DH did this!
7. Wipe mirrors and sinks - erm...
8. Put clothes away - didn’t happen. It really is a big job as I’ve got piles of clothes dotted here there and every where. Will tackle this at the weekend.
9. 2 minute rule (basically if a job will only take 2 mins then just do it now, don’t wait till later) - stupidly thought that the bathroom would be a 2 min job. Basically I spent 15 minutes just moving things from one shelf to another. And then gave up. Ah well will tackle it again.

Today should have been a NSD but ended up spending £6.14. Brought the kids new toothbrushes, toothpaste and also mouthwash for DS. Also brought 2 pints of milk.

Didn’t make a Vanquis payment as I’m waiting for DHs £50 to clear first.

Ending today at 10,565 steps

Night all

rexelpink

Evening diary

Total steps for day: 13,304 nicely on track.


1. Take off shoes. Tick - have actually found its more comfy to wear my slippers.

2. Make bed - done before I left for work - tick

3. Wipe down kitchen counters - tick

4. Clean as you cook - Sort of tick - didn’t need doing as DH paid for McDonald’s. Took DS’s friend with us so was a lovely treat for them.

5. Wipe down shower - DH did this after his morning shower

6. Sweep floors - Erm...

7. Wipe mirrors and sinks - sinks - tick.

8. Put clothes away - plan to do this at the weekend.

9. 2 minute rule (basically if a job will only take 2 mins then just do it now, don’t wait till later) - I’ve written a list of these jobs to tackle at the weekend.

Had a look at eBay earlier at selling some cds and dvds. To be honest the 2nd hand ones don’t really seem to be selling. Have downloaded the music magpie app. (Which has a handy barcode scanner thing - very easy) I’ve scanned in 64 cds and DVD’s that we don’t watch / listen to. Price quote so far is £8.99.
I’ve still got a few more cds left to scan - hoping to make £10 and I will be happy with that!

Got a friend coming over in a minute, looking forward to having a nice catch up

rexelpink

Ooh almost forgot - another small down day today and only because (annoyingly) I forgot to get my lunch out of the fridge when I left for work!
£1.25 for a small chips and a Diet Coke. Not very healthy...

CoffeeCakeYarn

But chips... drool....

Sorry. That doesn't help does it haha. Could have been a lot worse, a meal deal is £3 isn't it? Mini win I'd say

rexelpink

Afternoon diary.

Quick pop in as DHs Vanquis payment cleared this morning

Current balance: £1,282.85

Very busy weekend, still managed a NSD yesterday and spent all day out! Need petrol today and we’re out again this afternoon so will be back later

rexelpink

Evening diary. End of a busy but fab weekend!

Friday night catch up with a friend, she brought a bottle of wine over and we had a lovely evening in. Total cost 0.

Saturday, took DD to the dentist, then went with other friend to look at wedding and bridesmaids dresses. Champagne arrival, then we went to the village pub for a meal. DH brought the DCs up, bride and groom to be paid for dinner (I convinced the shop to do a 20% discount on the brides dress and 4 bridesmaids as we brought them all there - figured if you don’t ask you don’t get!) so they paid for dinner as a thankyou.
However sittinf round sipping champagne doesn’t help much with steps- total for the day was 4,720.

This morning we took the DC to the local park and fed the ducks. Met some friends there and I brought everyone a coffee... came to £20 for 5 coffees, 3 cakes, 3 ice creams, and 3 juices. Shockingly expensive, but as yesterday was a NSD and we haven’t seen these friends for ages it was a nice treat. I know they will pay next time. Steps total 7,612 thought it would be more to be honest as the park is big and we did a lot of walking.

Inspired by the wombling article on the main site I have signed up for asda online. We do shop at Asda and Morrison’s as they are the closest supermarkets to us. I will remember to log my receipts after every asda shop (and see if I can ‘womble’ some from the car park)!

I logged 94 items on music magpie and it came in at £13. Not a lot. I have listed 17 items on eBay (free listing 99p start) let’s hope that this week someone on eBay is desperate for late 90s/early 00 boyband Cds!
If they don’t sell then I will box them up for music magpie.

On the eBay account page it said I have 20 free listings for the month, I must look up if that’s every month and if so is it 20 listings per calendar month or on a rolling month...

rexelpink

Morning diary,

£2 paid to vanquis this morning, still pending - going by last week I expect that to clear on Wednesday.

Bed made

2 minute job - had a quick root through the DCs room and found an old pencil case, have transferred my daily makeup into that and put the rest in my proper makeup bag away in the bathroom. Now have 2 bags! However was sooo much quicker and easier this morning having the stuff I use to hand and not having to get half my makeup out to find my eyeliner!

Quick check on eBay, all my CDs have had views (between 5-7 per cd) no bids yet but I don’t think that will happen till nearer auction the end date.

900 steps down and not even left the house yet. Busy morning!!!

Can you tell I’m feeling really motivated today!