“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

Humdinger1

Positive

Congrats from the bottom of my heart! Didn't we all say how wonderful you are?!! And you are... the Greta Thunberg of debt busting inspiration. Love from your devoted Humdinger

WannabeFree

Thank you

It's definitely been a long time coming and I wouldn't be where I am now ifit hadn't been for all the help and support I've received along the way.

It will look like I'm going backwards once things settle and I post an update I'll have some bills and things to catch up on. But I'm not. It's all for good reason there's some debt building and it's worth it. You'll just have to trust me on that. We are all so much happier now and that's what the main priority is.

I need to get DS a bed as his has broken. We also need flooring still and painting etc. We have some deadlines need hitting this weekend and it's all feeling pretty heavy and crazy trying to do everything and remain aware of the financial side of things. I need to do a food shop and meal plan as soon as this weekend's out the way too.

All the smalls are still on top form. I feel like they've totally changed in themselves and are so much happier and less anxious. Youngest remains well - in a highly medicated bubble - keep everything crossed that it doesn't pop any time soon. It's all so unpredictable and I'm not stupid enough to think she's fixed. She isn't. But we are taking this time and making the absolute most of our little bubble and enjoying every second.

Thank you again for all the replies and as soon as this hectic stuff in the background settles I'll be back more often

x

WannabeFree

Morning. Just

Busy busy today. I have lots to get done. I have to get it finished today (thought I had until Monday but I dont) or it will cost more financially and to be honest I'm ready to be done on this stuff now. It's exhausting trying to juggle everything on my own and around the smalls.

Smalls are still all well and happy. So happy. It's a delight to see. They are doing wonderful at school and youngest speech has improved so much in what seems like just overnight.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

x

WannabeFree

Finally done the things I needed for today. Have spent more time than I'd have liked sitting around waiting for stuff than I'd have liked.

It has given me a lot of time to write my lists and check them though.

Things I still need to do tonight is cleaning and ironing.
This weekend I need to meal plan.

New budget wrote and Looks like this

Outgoing
Rent £480.55
Council Tax £85.40
Water £49.40
Gas/Electric £120
Phone Credit £10
Bus Pass £54
Tv License £12.56

School 'other' £25
Travel £25

Food/everything else £115 (This is £15 more than previous budgets as I've taken the separate school snack pot out. £25ish a week is working for us the majority of the time - unless something happens/the meal plan doesn't work)

Nearly everything is a month behind (or will be come the 25th). No explaining because it's just to long And doesn't change the fact I'm behind.

We have 17 days until money in day. I need to meal plan for those 17 days. School things are covered I think. We have trips./non uniforms/children in need and all sorts going on the next few weeks.

Its all about just surviving until the 25th now. Then the budget starts again and can be stuck too and it'll just be finding the month behind back before anything 'bad' comes of being behind. Then there's December.. We will consider that nearer the time :rotfl:

Just having a cuppa why the smalls eat dinner (late so egg/beans on toast it is) and then they can get ready for bed and I can clean and iron.

I vow to be back more regularly now. With meal plans. Lists and no doubt lots of boring things

x

WannabeFree

The meal plan will look similar to previous. Making the most of left overs and carrying things over to another meal.

Smalls are still on pack lunches. They won't eat school dinners I feel like the lunches I give them are very similar everyday. I keep asking if they are bored of them or would like anything different and they say no so they mustn't be fed up of them yet.

99% of snacks we bake. Although youngest has taken a liking to custard creams and could easily eat the whole packet in one go if left alone long enough! Biscuits are usually oat biscuits because they are cheap and enjoyed by them all.

Bread we seem to use a lot of and it's something I haven't mastered baking. Not sure how the cost weighs up between a 40p/50p bought loaf to homemade?

Breakfasts are mainly porridge now it's cold. But toast is requested sometimes.

I don't like the cold but loving it's perfect for soup/casseroles and all things cheap and tasty!

As always any ideas are appreciated!

x

teafor2

Hi WB I wouldn't worry about the packed lunches if they enjoy them. DS takes the same thing every day and I lived on cheese and piccalilli sandwiches all through high school.

As long as being behind with things isn't stressing you out or people aren't badgering you, that's the main thing. Sounds like you're OK with it all though so that's good.

I bake bread occasionally but only because I like doing it. I can't see how it would be cost effective to do it daily as opposed to buying a shop bought loaf for the price they charge and the electric you'd have to use.

It's certainly that time of year at school isn't it, but all good fun. Hope things ease off a bit for you so you get to enjoy everything rather than just crossing the next thing off the list which is what I felt like I was doing some years.

Have a good weekend. xx

WannabeFree

Thank you Tea. Reminds me I wanted to drop you a text about a school trip and forgot

I'm not going to say I'm 'okay' with being behind because that isn't me is it I worry about everything even the good stuff But I will say I'm managing my feelings about it. I still feel in control. For now I'm determined it's not going to ruin my mood. I've seen a big change in the smalls while I've been happier and it's made me realise how much I was sharing the anxieties with them despite how hard I've tried to hide it from them.

I had wondered on the bread. Having the oven on etc and the ingredients I don't think switching to homemade would make much difference and would definitely take more time

It really is that time of year. 3 different xmas shoes. A production on something else. Along with the non uniforms/craft days/xmas fayre etc then parents evening I think I'm at school nearly as much as the smalls the next few weeks :rotfl:

Everyone's in bed. Even youngest is sleeping so I don't really have an excuse not to be ironing other than I'm sat with a cuppa and don't want to get started:

teafor2

Yes, I get that you're not OK with being behind, but it's good that you're OK enough to deal with it better than you would have done in the past.

As much as we try and keep things from children I think they can sense a lot of things so it's nice to hear you're happier in yourself and that's having a positive knock on effect for the children. xx

Sun_Addict

Don't feel guilty, put your feet up with a cuppa, the ironing will save until tomorrow.

So oleased to read how positive you're feeling

WannabeFree

Thank you

Finally weekend.

We have no plans today really. Cleaning and homework to be done. I finally got the ironing done and I think I've finally caught up with it all.

We need to get the list of things on wrote down and planned out making sure nothing clashes with appointments and things. I also want to do the list of activities for through December (baking/crafting etc) for their advent.

Hope you all have a happy Saturday

x