I want to stop drowning

[Deleted User]

Well done debtaghh, you're doing really well.

debtaghh

Morning,

I have been offered a job and the hours are better but I have a dilemma and wouldn't mind some advice... I would take home approx £425 per month but this is me having to rely on some family members to help out with childcare weekly who are not reliable and I have severe back issues and am really worried that standing all day will aggravate it. The money would come in very handy but really not sure what to do.

debtaghh

Morning,

I've stuck to my £30 food shopping spend until tomorrow.

I've been doing loads of steps lately which is good.

Sales are slow but hubby's wage is a bit more than I expected. When he gets paid I will cash out the month's food shopping budget so I can manage it better. I've also been buying more Christmas presents and watching what I spend.

I'm going to try and meal plan today for the next month to work out out costings!

debtaghh

Goals 2017


Reduce minimums by £200 per month so things are less tight ( I'm not setting a goal of how much debt to clear as I would rather it be as much as possible)
Save an emergency fund of £2000
Lose weight!
Spend more individual quality time with my husband and children.
Learn to relax more

debtaghh

Hi,

It's been nearly 2 months since I last posted! I have been reading other posts. What's changed in that time... I have managed to lose a few more pounds in weight but am still not where I wanted to be but am pleased with losing some! I have been doing some work but that is due to finish soon but has by the end of it, I would have taken approx £400. I am closing my business down but am starting something else up which doesn't cost me anything to set up. I haven't managed to clear more debt other than the minimums as with Xmas and birthdays I haven't had any spare. Food shopping bill is now approx £70 per week but that is for five of us having three meals a day. I have cut back on eating out ( not that I did this much but had things booked in to celebrate Xmas but I cancelled them to save money). I have spent too much on Xmas pressies again but £100 less than last year. I think I def have had my proper light bulb moment this year, I know I have still made mistakes and could cut back further but I have been thinking a lot more about the way we spend money.

debtaghh

Morning,

I thought I'd try my diary again!

Money- I have managed to get a job that is just as and when they need me but fantastic money which will be a great help. My new business is going fairly well and what's great is it doesn't cost me anything. Debt hasn't seemed to come down but with Xmas etc and payments in Jan things have been tight but hasn't increased either.

I do wonder at times if I truly had my light bulb moment as I went and booked a holiday which has added to the extra payments in Jan. There is no point moping all I can do is focus on now!

Weight- I've managed to lose over a stone!

Food shopping- I've been keeping tabs and realised with little shops etc we are starting to spend far too much again! Average of £120 per week for fam of 5 for everything!

debtaghh

Hi,

I thought I would properly start again. I think over the months I even started a new diary. But after reading this diary back again I think I should stick with this one. It's strange reading back to last years. I've lost the weight but still booked holidays for this year and even next so obviously I didn't have my ' lightbulb moment'. I'm still looking for a job. Money is getting tighter as my husband hasn't had a lot of overtime and sales are quiet and about to get quieter due to the summer months. I've worked out we actually can't afford our outgoings the next few months but I do have some savings which was allocated for Xmas presents but bills get priority. I was feeling stressed but decided I will start my diary again to keep me focused ( not even sure if anyone actually reads it) and I have money to cover the shortfall for a few months and am hoping by then I will get a job or my husband's overtime will increase. I also have some other savings which was for holidays but thought I could use that for Xmas pressies as well.

Plan to improve my situation:

Get a job
Meal plan- cash weekly money for food and stick to tight budget
Hang washing outside as much as possible ( I've been doing quite well with this)
Continue with debt log ( I have set up an excel spreadsheet looking each month how much debt we have so we can see it go down even by just a bit)
Update diary and continue reading others for inspiration
Aim to have lots of nsds
Remember the positives!

pennywisepoundstupid

Good to see you posting again, I find if I keep up with my diary I always feel a bit more on top of things.

Good luck with everything.x.

tori.k

Good to see you back and motivated

[Deleted User]

Welcome back Hun xx