Adventures of the Boy & Me..

SpekySquarehead

You've done fantastically over the last year, and you rightly deserve some time to give yourself a pat on the back. A lot of people can learn from the techniques you used to save yourself thousands, really well done.

Chandelier.

Thanks Hidden.

At least it's something that would be worth it. It's not as if I'm spending thousands on tat or rubbish. I don't. I'm very careful with my money.

I can use the 0% purchase card and use some savings. I might then pay minimum on the finance for my teeth and focus on paying off the car. The two new credit cards are with Halifax and MBNA so still the same two providers.

I'm back at dentist on 2nd August so I've got until then to decide what route I'm going to take.

Even though my debt will increase, I'm excited.

Chandelier.

Cumbria.. I pay a private denplan anyway. I'd be entitled to 10% off the total costs. I've been looking into it for a while. I'll discuss further options at my next appointment.

I am determined to clear the debt and I'm mindful of ways to go about it.

One idea would be to pay minimums across each credit card and when I've built up a decent sum, to make lump sum payments.

Or another idea is that I carry on focusing on one card at a time, reducing the debt bit by bit whilst paying minimums on others.

Either way it will work. It's just deciding which route to take.

But I think having the dental work done will be life changing for me and improve my confidence and the way I think of myself.

I've all the time in the world to save for a house deposit. I'm not planning on leaving home anytime soon.

I've also got a holiday to pay for by next May. I best get my saving boots on.

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Me and the boy have just been for a meal with his grandparents (dad's side) and it was a lovely little get together. Total spends were £20 but it was definitely worth the money

Chandelier.

Morning, it's a lovely sunny morning here. I'm currently sat in the garden watching the boy play tennis with his Nanna.

Today we have a rather busy day ahead. The boy has a birthday party to attend so I've put £5 in the card for his friend- I don't really know him that well so thought money would be better then a present they may not like.

After the party me and the boy are going to our local theme park which we have passes for. I'll probably take some snacks with us to minimise spending. The boy never asks for food to eat there and is happy with a picnic. A lot of the time he requests we take picnic food to keep costs down :rotfl:.

I'm working a 13.5 hour shift tomorrow so I'll need to get plenty of zzz in tonight.

There should be minimal spends these next few days as I'm working. I need to look at what's left in the budget for the rest of the month.

I've joined the PAD thread and have made one payment today of £20 to the MBNA card so my total debt is £4980. I will aim to reduce this as much as possible before I take on further debt to get dental work done.

I'm excited for the future and I know I'm disciplined enough to pay the debt off. I'll bend over backwards to do it. I'm also excited at the thought of being able to smile again without being self conscious.

The next to few months are going to be rather busy. I have lots I want to achieve and I think I'm going to focus on losing weight now. Maybe for every lb I lose, I could pay a £1 off debt

The summer holidays are also drawing near. There are plenty days out planned for me and the boy . I'm going to pencil them in my diary and fill with ideas of things to do. I may get the boy to write a list of things he'd like to do over the summer hols so he feels like he's involved with the planning. I also think I'm going to put him in a sports camp on days I am working as I believe he'll thoroughly enjoy it. He loves sports.

Anyway enough for now,

Happy Saturday everyone

Chandelier.

Afternoon,

We are just back from the party the boy attended this morning. Lots of fun was had and I spoke to quite a few of the other mums during this time. I must confess I did have some spends at the party, £4.35 on a sausage and bacon barm and a hot chocolate to finish it off :rotfl:

The theme park we are going to is open until 7pm, so we're setting off at half two to go there for a few hours. Hopefully it won't be as busy as the day goes on..

I'm going to make myself some lunch now and get ready for the day ahead.

No doubt once we come home, we'll have tea and it will be an early night for all of us. I have my sleep pattern all lined up for the next couple of days. I'd like to be asleep by 9 at the latest as I'll be up at 5.30am tomorrow. The day after I have an early start too so I need go get the zzz in whilst I can.

I was offered an extra shift to work today but I declined it in order to spend time with the boy. It could have meant extra money in my pocket but I'd rather cherish the time I have with him. We don't always get to spend one on one time with one another with all that happens in life. So we mays as well enjoy it.

Happy days.

Chandelier.

Evening,

We've not long got in from the theme park. It was very busy but we did manage six rides in the three hours we were there so didn't do too bad really. Spends were kept to a minimum £2.49 for a milkshake and an ice cream.. rather then pay theme park prices we went to the BurgerK in there and got the cheaper items on the menu lol :rotfl:

I'm about to make tea and then will settle for the night. My legs are aching from all the walking we've done and I've a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

Have a good night everyone

Chandelier.

Morning

I'm currently sat in the garden with a cuppa, listening to what sounds like the birds arguing with one another . They are very chirpy this time of the morning.

Last night I fell asleep as planned just before 9pm. The medication I'm on does make me sleepy hence me getting such an early night. I'm not as drowsy in the morning as I used to be when I was on previous medications.

Before my diagnosis it was common for me to only get three hours sleep a night and I was horrendous during the day. I'm a lot calmer now and can see things clearly. I still have my depressive and manic moments, but it's not as much. Lately it just seems like my anxiety is through the roof. I need to talk to my consultant regarding this because it does affect many things that I do. It's like I'm scared to do anything sometimes.

Yesterday overall was a good day, even if at times I didn't want to do anything. I have to force myself a lot of the time to partake in activities if I'm feeling naff.

The boy is absolutely wonderful and such a gem. When I led down to chill out he kept coming over to me to check if I was okay and kissed my head. He's such a lovely boy and is so caring. He's definitely going to make someone so happy in the future. At times I do find it hard being a single parent but I know when I look at him, that I've got something right. I may be bias but those whom have come across him have all agreed he is lovely.

Anyhow I suppose I best get ready for work. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on things and I'm glad I have somewhere to write it (here).

I know this is a DFW board but sometimes I don't always have something debt/money wise to talk about so I just figure I'll post other aspects and thoughts that go on.

Happy Sunday everyone

Hiddenidenity

You've done a wonderful job at being a parent, your boy sounds like a lovely polite little boy and you should be proud! x

Chandelier.

Debt repayments

MBNA: £200.00
Total repayments: £200.00


Current Debt: 09/07/17

MBNA:£2000.00
Halifax: £2800.00
Total: £4800.00

Chandelier.

So I've finished my long shift and I'm absolutely shattered. I'm back again tomorrow for a 10.5 hour shift.

I need to stay mindful and keep positive. My mood dipped quite a bit earlier and I somehow managed to keep going and keep it altogether. It's not always that easy though.

I've made a debt repayment as you can see above and that's it for me now until maybe the end of the month.

I'm so tired I best head off to bed!