ATB'S Frugal Foray to Freedom

atypicalblonde

Since Monday I have spent just over £7, so on track to keep spends under £10 for the week :T

I have set up a separate savings pot to put my daily Tilly tidies in, which I will OP at the end of each month.

It has also occurred to me we can increase our OP amount in April when DS turns 3 and we no longer have to pay for pre-school, happy days :T

Invoice still unpaid - on to solicitors letters next week x

atypicalblonde

Hi guys

Sorry for lack of upbeat posts. Unpaid invoice rumbles on, we will have to take them to court it seems. Thankfully a lovely fellow MSE'er has PMd me with an offer of help with the process we need to go through. I love this site.

Hope everyone is well x

PS - OP of £9 made and 7p Tilly tidied x

atypicalblonde

Morning all,

We have managed to keep our weekly spends under £10 which I am delighted about :j if we could do that every week we would be MF in no time!

Invoice still not paid. Bearing in mind £2k of it was allocated as OP money it's mighty frustrating. We will get it in the end, so I've just got to put it out of my mind for now.

Low spend weekend planned, mainly involving potty training DS and teaching DD her nativity lines - interspersed with lovely food, cuppas and wine of course - well it is the weekend!

Best wishes X X

Watty1

atypicalblonde wrote: »

Yesterday's OP has hit the account so it's already looking pretty good.

I have just paid yet another chunk of money to HMRC (VAT, DH's self assessment tax and the final corporation tax payment). I really wish I could an hour of the Chancellor's time to explain to him just how much the tax system cripples small businesses.

With a bit of luck now the taxes are paid, any "spare" money in the business can be paid to us in dividends this month and next. Lord only knows DH deserves to see a bit more of the money he earns, rather than sending it to the Revenue! Rant over x

ETA - Signature updated to show figure as at today's date x

Catching up on here and I saw this rant. I so agree with you. After I've paid over the VAT and Corporation tax and self assessment I am convinced the tax man does better than I do with me working! Sometimes I think about getting a job just to spite him


Enjoyed catching up with you. Fab on the low spending and the sales. Will join you in a cup of tea now

Katzen

Afternoon ATB, I've just finished reading your diary. I'm so impressed by your commitment and your OPs. We are in a similar position, just a few years behind. I'm currently pregnant with our second and at considering not going back after this round of mat leave. I'd still like to get the mortgage much smaller though so I shall subscribe and hope you continue to inspire.

atypicalblonde

Hello lovely Watty and Katzen, thank you for stopping by

Despite the gloominess of the unpaid invoice issue rumbling on, which quite frankly is limiting my ability to make OPs at present, the following positives can be reported:

- DS is out of nappies! He has basically done it himself this weekend, hurrah!
- I have drawn £10 out and will be doing the same challenge Mon-Fri this week.
- weekend spends have been low, just £30 on petrol.
- my library book will be ready for me to collect tomorrow :T
- I have a strategy for dealing with said unpaid invoice, so I feel more positive as we enter the week.

Slow cooker pork is nearly ready, and the dog is curled up next to me. DH is supervising the kids who are shattered and being grumpy with life :cool:

Oh, and another fabulous thing. One of the items I had listed on eBay (a beautiful dress DD has grown out of) was on the side in the kitchen following me photographing it. No bids as yet. My friend came round on Friday and loved it, asked where it was from so she could buy one for her DD who is a year younger. I asked if perhaps she would be happy with me wrapping it up for Christmas for her DD? She was delighted, I ended the item on eBay - feels good x

jodles16

Well done to DS! Glad there is a plan for the invoice which has made you feel better, so stressful!

What a lovely idea for a regift as well!

Jodles

Jessy103

Well done DS for getting out of nappies, I'm sure that will help you save a small fortune! Great news on the dress! Good luck with your low spending week!

Jess x

atypicalblonde

Good Afternoon all,

Feeling decidedly rubbish today. I know it's a culmination of tiredness (was up all night with DS, as in literally neither of us slept a wink, he has a really heavy cold) and money worries - our unpaid invoice for DH business still remains unpaid. I've sent a red letter by special delivery today giving them 7 days to pay. Failing that it's the county court for us, fortunately :money: has a good guide to the small claims process.

I am cross with myself too because I realised in the night I had made a mistake on DH VAT return and not claimed the VAT back for a rather large item. If I'd done that we wouldn't have any VAT to pay, and would instead be due some back. i think I can rectify it next quarter but our money worries are happening now

Sorry to be so gloomy. On top of this, DS is going in for a minor operation on Friday which is worrying me. He's only 2.

I did OP £10 though to make myself feel as if I have achieved something at least x

hiddenshadow

Sorry you haven't slept, I hope tonight is better for you and DS.

I'm sure the operation will go well but will keep you in my thoughts on Friday/over the weekend.