From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

My parents have invited us for a new year meal today, so I have no cooking to do today . It's payday today, so I was up early to plan and budget. Looking back at the last month, the food bill topped £900 which sounds awful, although some of that will have included food/ choclate gifts to give and all the Christmas food. Still looks :eek:when you see it written down. Fuel costs were up too, I think partly due to the rise in prices, partly due to having to travel to various places for work and the trip to collect DD from uni. Jan's might be high too as I take DD back later this week.

WannabeFree

Hope you have a lovely day & Happy new year

All the best for 2019

x

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Wannabe. I had a relaxing day at my parents. I always appreciate any meal that I haven't had to cook, so my mum's roast dinner went down well. :)We had a quick walk around the harbour, to get some fresh air and walk my mum's dog.

In MSE news, the old phone provider has refunded £50, which I'm glad about. The new provider is half the cost of the old one.

I've paid £30 off a debt and £36 off DD5's school trip. (Another trip came up hence the increased amount in my signature). My pay slip showed that I have a slight monthly increase, I think it was a 1% increase across the educational sector, so I have moved that across to a savings account. I'm hoping to save up what I can and keep it there in case of moving costs or further legal fees.

:beer: Thank you to everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement and wishing everyone a happy, healthy debt busting New Year.:beer:

Honeysucklelou2

Paid the cc payment today. I've subtracted what the statement says my estimated interest will be next month, to give a clear payment off the balance figure of £18.18. It's not a huge start to 2019 but it's a start.

I spotted the 365 challenge on the challenge board with a printable tick chart so am off to print that out. Last time I tried I had a homemade chart on several pieces of A4 which didn't work. I shall print out and stick in my diary to keep myself on track.

A quiet day planned today. I'm hoping to get out for a walk this afternoon, but am starting to get edgy about work, so must get some bits and pieces done in readiness for next week.

Honeysucklelou2

I didn't get as much work done as I'd have hoped but have at least made a start. I spent much of the day tidying up. I got out for a walk late this afternoon with my 2 older DSs. It was lovely, we went around the local woods, then crossed 3 fields and through a hamlet in a circular walk. We hadn't done that circle before, so am glad we took time to explore. There are so many public footpaths near us, that cross each other, it is always good to add to our knowledge! The dogs benefitted from the walk.

DD1 made enchiladas for us. I've never eaten them before and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty and filling they were.

During the huge amount of tidying up I found a penny, so have put it away and ticked off 1p on the 365 challenge. My spend of today was to order an extending folder from Ama3on to try and organise my paperwork. I had bought one from Mr T's but had been demolished by the puppies and I need somewhere to file the growing amount of paperwork.

Drawingaline

I keep my paperwork in a metal filing tin. Came from @rgos I believe. Just incase the puppies carry on being destructive!

Honeysucklelou2

More tidying up done today..how does it get so messy??!! Found 5p on the floor so have added that to the pot and ticked it off the 365 chart.

Tomorrow I'm taking DD1 back to uni. It's been so lovely to have her home, I will miss her when she goes back. To prepare I have made some individual lasagnes ready to pop into her freezer when we get to her house. I made a gingerbread loaf too, but I merged a couple of recipes since I couldn't find the golden syrup. It doesn't seem much but trying to help her as much as possible.

Since it was DD1's last day at home, she wanted to get to the beach, so the DDs, the toddler and I went to her favourite beach to watch the waves. We even managed a bit of the coastpath although it's a climb for the little ones. On our return DD2 made us all some sweet potato and butternut squash soup, which was absolutely delicious. She makes the chopping look effortless but a good reminder that tasty lunches can be made easily.

The direct debits and standing orders left my account today. Another £27 paid off.

WannabeFree

Sounds like a lovely day HSL I don't know how you do it on so little sleep!

x

XSpender

Chicken and cheese enchiladas are DS (and my) favourite meal. I always think they taste even nicer heated up the next day.

Your walk on the beach and coastal path sounds wonderful.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Drawing a line, a good idea. I'm trying to keep my bedroom door shut as much as possible to limit their chewing opportunities!

I'd never tried enchiladas Xpender, but now that she has shown me how she makes them, I'll be doing them again!

Thank you Wannabe...I think after a while, you get used to reduced sleep, but am trying to get better before work starts again next week.