Dancing through the rain with a smile and good cheer

beanielou

Good to see you

Bubblesmum

Hello one and all

Sitting in my summer house, with very few spoons today. So it’s definitely a go slow day. Despite yesterday in lock down, it was busy we had our first BBQ of the year - brunch, we baked, we had a virtual tea and then we went outside with neighbours it was hard to social distance, but we managed I think and as my OH said it was good for our mental wellbeing.
Fatigue fog today - defiantly too much cake and alcohol sugar..... and doing. 

However I wanted to make sure I touched base today to start recording what lock down means.. at the beginning of the year, I was really miserable that we were in so much debt, from a few years ago spending on our credit card, we had got to a certain extent a grip on our spending, but still stuff was going outwards. The chipping away was happening but very slowly. 

I kept praying for a miracle... now funny enough in my head I didn’t want to be given it or win it, I wanted to pay it off from our current income as in my head we have spent beyond our means....

So here we are in lock down, and we are managing to really make substantial in roads..., I can’t wait until next month.... 

Currently we have approx:
A  = £11,000 in credit card debit that is itemised ( yes on a spreadsheet - so we know exactly what we have bought 

B = £3,000 on ancient credit card debit that we don’t know what it was for..

On payday... 

We will be able to reduce:

A - reduce amount to a 4 Figure one

B - paying off a £100 a month while we are reducing A to zero. 

I am really rethinking our spending but very conscious that a lot of our current spending is due to lifestyle changes due to lock down - more on that in my next post....

I need a coffee 

Bubblesmum

Money we are saving in lockdown

Mortgage

1. the next dream after getting rid of the credit card debt is to start chipping away at the mortgage.
2. currently on interest only 
3. It is about 1/3 of the value of our property
4. It is current 
5. Ly costing is less than £50 a month interest
6. If we couldn’t repay it - either it would be paid off by parental inheritance or downsizing. 

As it currently stands it’s very small monthly outgoings.

Clothes 

This currently is a significant total on our credit card debit. 

1. Even though I am getting good vouchers codes pop up occasionally I am ignoring them and have bought no new clothes this year. 
2. I do buy good quality clothes that last for years and I do try and buy in the sales. 
3. I do buy from charity shops ! 
4. Having lost weight - body shaped changed
5. I had worn some clothes to they were only fit for the rag bag.....
6. Clothes don’t seem to last as long as they once did

So I have told myself no clothes at all this year - I will make do. 

For the larger purchases like my waterproof coat - £10 each week is being paid off.

Reminds me of my childhood when my Grandmother run catalogues like Little@@ds and she earned commission. I would love going through them and doing imaginary shops... not quite the same on the internet.  My clothes came from there, high street for underwear and school clothes  and home made. 

They are my weakness but not designer labels. I am the person who has 1 tea shirt style in 3 colours from Whit3st#ff

There is a couple of mistake buys in the charity bag but mostly I am wearing clothes that will eventually head to the rag bag.... 

I would say though despite being in lock down I am dressing well as it makes me feel good. I am really not a slouch in my pjs women.  My tops are better than my bottoms ( jeans with cat snags on them) but that’s ok for zoom.....

I always wear a bra !!!! 

Bubblesmum

Shoes

For me this is always a significant buy as all my shoes have to go to surgical Appliances at the hospital  to be built up. So are usually buy again decent brands my trainers for example are Asiacs - and there top range as it has the best shock absorber - I wear them everyday unless really wet in the winter when I wear boots so I reckon they are less than 50p a day wear that I get out of them. 

There are currently none on the credit card.

Make Up

As I get older I do wear more make up, Mainly light foundation, powder blush, mascara and lipstick ( eyeshadow on special occasions) I have favourite brands.... and have worked what’s best for me over the years. 

In recent weeks I’ve focused on paying off ones that were on that dreaded list. I think I have captured them all.... need to check. This week I have bought foundation mascara and a b3nEfit eyeshadow using JL vouchers we get from the JL credit card. This was very satisfying that I’ve had a treat and some retail therapy but it’s not cost me anything. 

Postscript - I’ve found one for £100.00 so - I need to focus on paying that off ASAP.

Postscript 2 - this is why we cant get a hold of our finances - I have two from last year. One B@@Ts one B3n3fit - totalling £156.50.

So this is my next focused pay off from my "pocket money" account. At £55.00 a week, this then is the next three weeks 15th, 22nd & 29th. Unless I get any windfalls in between times 

beanielou

Jeans with cat snags!! That's me!!
All my PJ bottoms have wee holes in them!!
Clothes are definatly not the quality that they used to be sadly.

beanielou

Have ordered Asiacs trainers.
WE will see!!!!

Bubblesmum

beanielou said:

Have ordered Asiacs trainers.
WE will see!!!!

Ooh I hope you like them as much as I do, I have everyday ones, and two that I keep for best ! 

What colour did you buy....... currently wearing the purple ones. 

I hope you don't find them too stiff when you first wear them, I like to feel the support and it does mean you keep the support for longer. Also will PM you on FB a photo as its good to use the extra hole at the top when you tie them for support round the ankle. 

Really been thinking of you - not having the physio or acupuncture x 

Sun_Addict

When I was young I used to love looking through catalogues. Those were the days 😁

beanielou

Used to love a good catalogue 

beanielou

Thanks for thinking about me, I have been thinking of you too.
I dident know what type you got so I ordered 3 pairs.
I will not keep them all obviously.
I got them ffrom their outlet & got extra money off.
When you have a minute send me a pic of your purple ones  & tell me which type you get.
Ta muchly   xx