From debt to freedom...

Spendless

Every cleaners cupboard in the country I think has a Henry! I don't have one as my Dad throughout my childhood insisting on keeping a cylinder vacuum cleaner (not a Henry) that was really rubbish just because he'd paid a fortune for it  because he added it to his electric bill.  As a teen I'd do any job other than vacuum! It created me a vow I'd only ever have an upright as an adult. 

Kids shoes! I remember these days well. IF mine had managed to survive beyond October half term (and they frequently didn't!) then they would fall beyond repair around May half term! For son in his Primary school years I resorted to craftily buying the 'trainers that look like shoes' for the last few weeks and then he could use them during the summer hols too. That became more difficult as he got older and Secondary school demanded a more 'traditional' shoe. 

Glad you managed to sort out your shifts at job2 so you can keep at arms length from ex. It sounds like it's becoming very stressful, so glad you're getting some breathing space - and earning additional money too! 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, DAL, SA, MeandO & Spendless.

Meando - didn’t realise that Henry hoovers came in blue!

Yesterday was a slightly spendy day as it was my lovely dad’s birthday. Thankfully the rules have changed so that my parents could come  inside. We have been careful to only have outdoor contact since April 12th but yesterday would have been impossible to have sat outside with the rain and almost gale force winds that we’ve had. We went out for a meal to a favourite place. We went there for afternoon tea, 6 years ago, to mark my dad’s birthday and DD1 leaving school. Incredible to think that something like going out for coffee or a meal, that we have taken for granted, felt like an enormous treat yesterday.

It almost feels that we haven’t been away from work, now that we are getting back into the old weekly routines! I’ve been able to do 4 shifts this week, which I’m hoping I can continue to do. It has been great to have tips again - I think I have £20 which will help to replenish a savings account!  I sat down yesterday for half  an hour and went through the finances. To clear the first window loan, I sent every spare £ to it which helped to clear it. I’ve set myself a slightly ambitious goal of clearing £500 across debts by the end of June. I’ve decided to save £15 a week of any tips and should there be any extra, it  will go straight off a debt. Similarly my income from Job 2 will be split between the Help to Save account, car insurance and then off the debts. I’m hoping that being focused and careful will help to bring the debt figures down.

£20 was paid off a debt yesterday and I intend to pay a further £11 off today. This will bring one debt down to £799. This debt was £2k at its highest, so glad that it is coming down, albeit slowly.

Hope to have more of a relaxing day today to get ready for the week ahead which looks to be busy! DS2 has just this week left at school, which does seem odd. 

Have a good Sunday everyone.

crazy_cat_lady

I think the blue Henry's are called either George or Charlie (one is blue and one is green).

Cherryfudge

It's great that you were able to celebrate your Dad's birthday in person and indoors!
You're doing an amazing job shrinking the debt. Having a goal (or several) does help focus the mind.
I hope your DS enjoys that last week of school! 

Spendless

Glad you enjoyed celebrating your Dad's birthday. Yes, I agree we took many things for granted.  Good luck with the new challenge. Another one left school. You seem to be racing through this too hahaha. It doesn't seem 2 minutes since the eldest one was at Uni. Has DS2 got any plans on what he does next?

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you CCL, Cherryfudge &Spendless.

Spendless - it does seem that my children are now speeding through the education system - only 3 in school as of today. DS2 has a place on a Vocational course in September but the college ( a new college to me ) said that if he found an apprenticeship, to go for that as it’s more of a hands on learning approach. He is keeping an eye out for available apprenticeships.

It has been an even busier week this week. I worked an extra day but don’t think I’ll get paid for it, as I was in a “ making up the adult numbers to fit the ratios” role. It was a good day if a little wet! I had an interview this week, which took time to plan and prepare a lesson for, but didn’t get it. The interview experience was valuable though. I’m trying to think ahead a little. I’m conscious that the tax credits will continue to fall over the next couple of years, so I need to be able to earn enough to live off, just through my job. Hopefully some costs will start to go down too such as driving lesson costs ( eventually) and legal fees.

It looks like DD1 will be elsewhere in September as she recently found out that she has a place on a Masters course she had applied to. I’m really pleased for her, especially after her  disappointment of not being able to travel abroad to attend her Masters course last Christmas due to Covid. We’ll miss her hugely.  It will make me treasure the summer even more while I have all the children together. Mercifully the course is in this country, so we’ll have chance to visit🙂.

Yesterday was my first proper pay day from Job 2 since going back. My income has doubled compared to furlough pay which is welcome as I really want to crack down on these last remaining debts. Having tips again has been great. Over the last 10 days I’ve had almost £40 in tips which will boost savings 😉.

I’m very glad it’s half term next week. My garden is looking somewhat neglected and I will relish getting out for some walks after missing out over the last 2 wet weekends. I still have quite a lot to do in the back garden to get it into the relaxing place I envisage it can be.

savingholmes

Glad the divorce is progressing even if your ex is stressful - just makes it all the more important.
Well done on all you juggle. Glad your faith is helping. I love the Psalms too - they show it's okay to have a good rant!!!

Cherryfudge

Well done to your DD!

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH and  Cherryfudge.

Today was an early start...DD1’s shift started at 5am today which meant we had to be up at 4am 😳😬.  That would have been fine if I hadn’t had more of  an insomniac night. I drove her in to work, got home and staggered back to bed!  😴 I got up later to do the school run. Youngest DD’s school is down a narrow lane about 1 and a half cars width. I was running about 2 minutes late so got caught in the inevitable bottleneck of parents manoeuvring in cars after drop off. To add to the busyness, the local farmer decided to send a bull down the lane from the field to the farm near the school😳. The bull went past my car which made me feel a little vulnerable in comparison to his vast size but the farmer was present m so all was  fine. The  group of heifers 🐄 behind were a little less calm and were a little spooked so I took care to make sure that headlights and wiper blades were off. They all came forward at once which given I was pulled into the side of the narrow lane and the hedge was on the other side, didn’t give them a lot of room. At one point I really thought I was going to end up with a broken windscreen as one heifer seemed to try and jump the corner of the bonnet! I was mightily relieved when they reached the farm!

I worked for  job 2 today and got chance to pay in some tips. I’ve banked £34 and used £5 as pocket money for youngest DD as she is going shopping with her friend over the weekend. It has also been payday for Job 1 so have been allocating money to savings pots before the direct debits come out on Tuesday. £30 sent to my 2021 savings challenge pot and £20 off a debt. Debt 3 is now down to £779.

savingholmes

Great progress. I had a similar experience with a herd of cows once. I was very intimidated