From debt to freedom...

lucielle

Wow to your swim, I really want to do wild swimming but I’m not sure where or how to start. 

L

Drawingaline

I have a friend who has really got into sea dips all year round. Seems bonkers to me!

Glad you had a good Xmas and new year, here's to 2023 bring closure to certain parts of your life.

Sun_Addict

I have a friend who does wild swimming and absolutely loves it.  I can’t swim and hate cold water so it’s never going to be something I’d ever consider but admire those who enjoy it. 

Spendless

New Year's Day swim sounds awesome if very cold. 

savingholmes

Impressive on the swim. 

Glad you are taking time out with SO.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, Lucielle, SA, DAL, Spendless and SH.

A colleague is into wild swimming and extols it’s benefits. It’s more popular than I realise…at Job 2 we had about 20 women in for a Christmas do, who have formed a club and swim locally in the sea all year round. Probably a safe way to do it. 

First week back in with both jobs and it’s been a good week. £40 ( mix of part bonus and tips) and £30 ( from Job 2 wages) have been paid off the focus debt bringing it down to £245. I have scuppered a speedier drop in debt as I’m trying to help DD1 where I can. The wedding is in 5 months and she has sorted her dress out. She is being as resourceful as possible and has spent time searching for bridesmaid dresses in a colour and style that she likes. She found a bridesmaid dress reduced to £35 so I’ve helped her by  getting those. They were in a sale, so got them in one hit to ensure they didn’t sell out. She can modify and embellish them as she wants then.

On the wedding front, I’ve decided to get a bottle of wine a week with the groceries and put it aside so that on the day, they will have some drinks in and ready. Yesterday DD1, soon to be SIL and I went to the allotment to clear an area to grow flowers. It looked a huge mess but it’s mainly bracken that has died off so was easily pulled out. A fair area was cleared so just needs digging over and some compost adding. Hopefully the weekly wine and growing the flowers will help to keep the costs down. 

Off for a day out later to a local attraction. They have an offer on whereby at weekends certain job roles can get free entry for themselves and their family, so have taken advantage of the education weekend. Looking forward to it as the usual entry price is way beyond my budget. 

Trying to keep grocery spending to a minimum but am shocked at the continued rise in prices of fresh foods.  This week I’ve spent about £80 to feed 5 of us, although DD1 and soon to be SIL  join us for some of the week so feeding 7 some days. It’s interesting that I’ve menu planned for quite a while now that it’s become normal for the DDs. DD2 used to when she lived at home, now DD4 is ready to reach for the pen and paper to plan the menu with me and then build the shopping list from
that. Hopefully instilling  budgeting sense for when she is an adult.

Have as good Sunday everyone.

lucielle

That’s a good question plan buying the wine and love the idea of growing your own flowers. It is so expensive food shopping even my OH has noticed. 

L

savingholmes

Growing the flowers sounds enjoyable

Sun_Addict

What a lovely idea to grow the wedding flowers. They will be so much more meaningful than buying from a florists as well as save loads of money.

Honeysucklelou2

Been busy juggling the 2 jobs and trying to fit in some coursework for qualification I’m working towards. I have another essay deadline in a couple of weeks time, then that should be finished.

Last week was a complete wipeout with finances. Just a combination of trying to do things with the younger children, one child attending a party and therefore needing a present and buying seeds to sow. I’m just very conscious of trying to limit spending and focus on her tying these debts gone for good.

Today looks to be done taxiing duties, catching up at home and getting flowers sown.