Countdown to the big 4-0 - time to get my life in order!!!'

[Deleted User]

So, as the title suggests I'm on the countdown to 40 - ok it's just over 3 years away but I figured it gives me time to action my plan to get my life on track. I've had diaries on here in the past and have found they've worked well for me as long as I keep posting!!!

A bit about me - I'm Mummy to my amazing 2 year old son. I went back to work part time so this has meant a 40% cut in my previous salary. We currently owe just shy of 9k split across credit cards, family loan and overdraft. This has largely come about off the back of a series of car issues (£2.5k in 18 months :eek:), subsequent purchase of a reliable car (£4.5k), horrendous vets bills (totalling another £4K!) and plugging the mat leave shortfall. If the truth be told the route cause is the fact we have no savings. We've been chipping away at the debt since I returned to work and are doing ok-ish but it could be better.

On a personal level the focus of this diary will obviously be our debt free journey but also my journey to getting a grip on my life. I currently have over a stone to lose (would like it gone by Christmas - may be wishful thinking!). My house is a tip and I need to get organised and also my work life is not great at the minute. I've arrived at the conclusion that I'm the only one that can do anything about this as speaking to my boss has fallen on deaf ears - the question is what do I do. I need to ask myself a lot of questions and may be push myself out of my comfort zone, but I'm determined one way or another work issues will not impact my home life or mental health.

Well done if you've made it through my ramblings - turning 40's going to be great :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Current state of affairs - 2017

Debt
Cc1 = £1080
Cc2 = £699.52
Cc3 = £5006.20
O/D = £872
Parents = £1050

Total = £8732.45

Savings = £0

Weight = 12 st 5lb

Target for 2021

Debt = £0
Savings = £2k
Weight = 11 stone
Work =

Let's see how it goes.....

enthusiasticsaver

It sounds like the debt is a result of specific spends (car, vet bill and maternity leave) so that is a positive.

Having a child is often a cause of debt, not only the additional cost of feeding and clothing the little one but also reduced income and childcare costs.

My advice would be to post an soa so you can see where all your money is going and get suggestions on cutting back. Building an emergency fund is also important to cover unexpected spends. Are any of the debts on 0%?

beanielou

It would be good for you to post a SOA & to start a spending diary.

[Deleted User]

Thanks both for stopping by and offering support.

All the debt except the overdraft is on 0% interest so that's a massive bonus.

Will get the spending diary started as it'll be really interesting to see where all our surplus goes. I know we spend way too much on food shopping so will be good to find out exactly how much so that we can reduce it month on month.

Looking forward and getting organised- forseeable spends between now and the end of year:
1. OH car - MOT and service due plus going in next week to hopefully get an issue resolved
2. Birthdays x 7 - just 2/7 left to sort
3. Christmas (obviously!!) Majority done - just a few bits for DS, my parents, bro in law to get. No massive spends food wise as will be at the in laws
4. Annual jab for pony - approx £35

I've been reading up on organisation methods and two tools have stood out as potentially very beneficial to us - the organised mum (for housework) and the bullet journal.
Organised mum is a bit like a simplified fly lady and focusses on just 30 minutes a day. My big issue with regards to the housework is time - I'm convinced things take longer than they actually do so if I've only got 30 mins or so I usually put it off!
The bullet journal looks fab and I've implemented on for work and one for home. Difficult to explain condensely but it literally captures everything - I love it! Will start the spending diary at the back of it too.

Right busy day ahead so better look lively! Have a good weekend x

Poor_Single_lady

Hello. :hello:

Hope your new diary helps. I love that you have a pony. That's brilliant. Personally I think it's very important to have things in your life that make you happy. (I know you're a mum also so children make you happy but in a much different way) but I just think think having a pony is great. But must be time consuming also.

Think as well the debt paying will take longer as you are part time but everyone I know who is part time is very happy with it - and really who wouldn't be. In your position I would do same.

Wishing you the best. xxx

System

Sea biscuit good luck with your plans .

beanielou

I find even 15 minute bursts work well.
Amazing what you can do in 15 minutes~~ & I am slow!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all the supportive comments - it means a lot,

Poor Single Lady - the neds are my little bit of escapism. Sadly lost my retired riding horse earlier in the year (hence some of the debt as the insurance policy I'd paid into for him for 15 years refused to pay a penny :mad: ) I just have my two wee Shetlands now - obviously I ride neither of them, so they're not hugely time consuming. One has some quite complex health issues that need managing closely but other than that they act like a couple of overgrown dogs! The part time balance is also fantastic - I'm getting to spend quality time with the little man rather than working to pay child care costs and for someone else to spend that time with him.

Plan for today is to keep the OH out of the supermarket!!' It's his favourite weekend pass time :rotfl: There's enough in the cupboards / fridge / freezer to keep us going this week. Need to make some soup to take to work and meal plan for the week. I've been awol from SW for a couple of weeks and really need to get my mojo back with it. Despite running 2/3 times a week and generally being fairly active my weight seems to be spirally out of control. I'd previously lost almost 3 stone on slimming world but have put half of it back on. With Christmas round the corner I need to get a handle on it sooner rather than later. Wish me luck!

-

[Deleted User]

Good morning!!!
Well not so good here - I'm feeling a bit bleurgh! Think DS cold that I've been escaping is finally taking hold!
Just entered the 2 week countdown to payday - hate this time of the month. All the dd have come out and it's now just a case of making the left overs stretch! It's been a long month this month financially as OH payday has fallen late in the month and been delayed by the weekend, never mind it'll soon be here!
In better news the issue with OH car was just a wire - £30 job done! Can't complain I was expecting 10x that!!!
Right best get out with the woofs - will check in later x

[Deleted User]

Eek! Been a week since I last checked in. Money is tight - very tight but on the side positive its 5 days til payday!!!! It's been an expensive month. We've had my car MOT and service, DS birthday and party and my sister's birthday plus a few Christmas pressies. All seems manageable until you get to the end of the month! But we have food in the house and petrol in the cars so essential spends will be minimal and the non essential can just wait!!!

2 days off work now to spend with DS. I have an annual pass to a local under 10s theme park so I think we'll make the most of the decent weather and head over there with a picnic. Should be a low / no spend day and lots of fun.

In non financial news, I had my supposedly monthly catch up with my boss last week (think we've had 3 this year!!!) and once again have told her how I'm feeling. I figured given that I'm at the should I stay or should I go point I've got nothing to lose in doing so. She sounded supportive but tbh I've heard it before and nothing changed so we'll see. It's out there now......

Weighed I yesterday and have put on the 0.5lb I lost last week, despite running 22 miles in the last week grrr! Time to meal plan for the coming week and get focussed again!