Hugglemonster's homemade happiness diary

hugglemonster

Morning all, blimey how is it December this weekend! Days just pass by in a blur.

So what's going on - well ds bedroom is finished, the carpet was laid on Friday he went for black in the end which spoils my wish on blue throughout but it's better than the red he talked about at first! I budgeted £200 and it cost £180 so a bonus. Xmas shopping has started, I've brought quite a lot already and still have £80 left of the £2 coins, had lots of comments when I've been using them as to what a good idea and it really has made a difference.

We had to get a new battery for the car as on it's last legs for the last two years and as the weather is getting colder I need it to be running well. Hubby managed to get through a colleague who gets trade prices and will fit it for us.

F-i-L is still in hospital after his op, a few complications and not well enough but not serious just longer recovery. They found the original reason he was been so sick which had nothing to do with the cancer, but thank goodness in a way otherwise it might not have been spotted!

Need to cut back the spending now, far too much on food but have a full fridge, freezer and cupboards.

So plans now until Xmas:
* Carpet in ds room next month - done
* Xmas presents - try to stick to money saved for presents then food won't be too much - started
* Continue with surveys etc to keep chipping away at credit card - still working on.

H x

hugglemonster

Last day of November and budget is up to date, rubbish with food again this month so need to work on this throughout December.

Very proud of hubby this afternoon, he changed the battery on the car, believe me he is not the best at fiddly jobs but he managed it, had to send back the original battery as the company sent the wrong one so had to do at home. I now need to start putting aside money for new tyres next year.

F-i-L came home from hospital on Wednesday and sounded in good spirits but then had to be taken in to A&E last night, we still don't know what's going on as they are terrible at letting us know!

Made another payment to credit card, got itchy fingers and just wanted to stick another bit on there. Now down to £1600, keep chipping away!

Business ok still could do with a few more kids for original sessions and owed one lot of fees. The new session starting in January has had a few enquires already so hopefully that will take off nearer the time. Still not enough to pay myself back some original funds or pay myself per hour as I've left a buffer in the account, I'm sure I'll get there soon.

Work officially closes on 21st December but am quiet at this time of year as schools are preparing for Xmas and coaching is quiet due to the weather. Catching up on some plans and preparations for the new year. Need to go to head office in first week of January so an over night stay, it's on the first day the kids go back to school - hubby can cope.

I managed to cash out on some survey sites, preordered a book for ds Xmas present and a bit left in the account.

Roll on December, still lots to for Xmas including dh blanket which I'll try and finish when he goes down to see his Dad.

H x

hugglemonster

The start of a very busy and quite expensive week, working tomorrow all day and evening, then Wednesday have ds play, haircut for me and dd, then club, Thursday dh and dd going to ds play and I have a meal with my running group, Friday cat to the vets for injection and then all evening away with Mum to see Andre Rieu , Saturday volunteering and then family meal as brother and sister plus family coming up for pre-xmas get together, Sunday volunteering.

I need to get as much of dh blanket done whilst he is away but not much time :eek:

I need to also finish present shopping so that dh can take down the boxes for his family and post the one to my friends.

No financial progress, spending too much on food as usual :mad: need to seriously get a grip! Ooh just had a message to say my expenses have been approved so hopefully will be paid soon. Need to catch up on surveys to keep ticking away on the credit card.

I've been thinking about plans for 2019, had a good chat with dh and after all the news and people passing away this year it's really hit us as to how short all this is! We didn't go on holiday this year and we didn't go on any day trips with the kayak, walking in the mountains or much in the way of fun. Next year we're going to do so much more, it doesn't have to cost lots of money but the kids are growing up fast we need to spend some time with them.

So here are our plans for next year:
* Finances - pay off credit card, save an emergency fund, save for Xmas 2019, pay back Dad.
* House - decorate our bedroom and finish the attic - this is quite a big job so it doesn't matter if it takes a while. Attic needs old light fitting holes filled in, small amount of wall area on stairs to be stripped of wall paper, plastered and painted, carpet. Bedroom needs - built in cupboard knocked out, underneath of stairs to attic to be boarded and plastered, redo shelves in alcove and add a door, walls stripped and plastered, walls painting, new skirting boards & varnish, ceiling replastered and painted, carpet. New furniture including a bed (we haven't had a bed for years, currently sleeping on 2 mattresses ) , bedside tables, 2 large chests of drawers.
* Family - little trips in our local area plus a trip to Scotland at some point. Ds will be going to France with school in February and dd to Barcelona in May (also need to finish paying for that).
* Fitness - both dh and I are doing marathons in May, his is a week before mine in Scotland and mine in down the road from us but over many, many hills! need to up the training!
* Business - push new sessions after Xmas and hopefully will be able to pay myself back and start earning too!

H x

hugglemonster

Good morning all, I thought I'd do a round up of the year as I know the next few days are going to be busy, it's been a busy and trying year at times but over all things are getting better. Still lots of work to do and although the majority of our debt will be gone in the next couple of years if we just paid the minimum, I don't what it to go on that long.

Whilst we haven't paid off as much as I'd like we have done other things such as ds bedroom, ds school trip, installment for dd school trip, car costs of £750 although we owe Dad £300 of that. We have changed supermarkets which has had a big impact but need to make sure we meal plan. We have recently remortgaged which has reduced our payment by £100 per month, half the interest and 3 years off the term.

I've also started my own business and it's gradually building, I still need to pay myself back some money and then I can start earning but it's ticking along nicely with the new group already having 4 kids booked in!

DH is really changing his attitude to money, e.g. only yesterday we were talking about what kit we need to replace for camping for next year so I could start saving and we discussed a few things and then he came back with actually no if we give the current tent a really good wash and check it over then it should be fine.

The plans I posted before for 2019 are the minimum I want to achieve so the need to be organised, plan ahead and work a bit harder is the focus. More surveys, efficient work planning and family time and recognising what has and hasn't worked this year. The saving of £2 coins for Xmas has been fantastic, even with buying 6 extra presents I stayed within budget and it was great going around the shops with my bags of coins.

Pay day tomorrow, no food needed for a few days as lots left from our club party last night, a few days to relax before a crazily busy January and February.

Best wishes for a Happy Xmas and for a wonderful New Year :xmastree::xmassign:

H X

hugglemonster

Hmm well after the success of sticking to the budget to buy the family xmas presents it seems that we have spent a fortune on the kids and each other I've also put a few bits on the credit card too. Seriously need to remedy this and also make sure I save more for xmas next year.

ynab is up to date and I have worked out how much I need to save a month to pay for insurances etc in full this year I have little envelopes tucked away for this, plus I also have a plan of what needs to be paid for each towards debts.

Jan - £91.50 to Mum
£150 dd trip

Feb - £150 dd trip
£150 Dad
50 euros for ds trip

Mar - £150 dd trip
£150 Dad

Apr - £49 dd passport

Surveys are being used to save vouchers for Hallys to get roof bars for the car so we can take the kayak with us on camping trips, cash payments for credit card and Amazonian vouchers to save for whatever we need.

We currently still have stacks of food in the house to last a few more days and I have written a plan of the fruit and veg to grow this year plus have my seeds at the ready to get going.

Next week I will be pushing my business sessions to get some more to hopefully sign up and still need to get a few things sold on fb or ebay.

It's hubby's birthday in January and our anniversary so need to try and scrape some money together for those.

Hope everyone had a good xmas, I know we have stacks of toiletries to last quite a while!

H x

pennywisepoundstupid

Hi Huggle,hope you have had a lovely Christmas. We also overspent on the kids and each other in the PWPS household so your not alone.

Wishing you a Happy New Year now just in case I don't get on next week xx.

hugglemonster

Well yesterday was spent in bed feeling really sick, and actually was sick, and horrible cough, sore throat and banging headache. I'm really fed up of how many times I've been unwell this last few months. Dh and the kids looked after me but although dh did some washing nothing else was done until this morning, dh is terrible at hanging washing on the line I've discovered :rotfl:

Got myself up this morning and after a lovely shower went out to the shops, I returned an adapter for dd new phone as it was surplus to requirements so £8.99 to go back in the account, then went to Mr T as cat is really fussy and will only eat their own brand fish varieties. Then went to Lidl to get a few bits and pieces, stopping at Iceland as their milk is still only £1 compared to £1.09 at other shops.

Need sort out more washing today and suggest to the rest of the family about get the decorations away.

No surveys today which is annoying as a couple near to payout.

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday, H x

hugglemonster

Happy new year everyone! I managed to stay awake but the kids and dh came up to the bedroom as I've had a bad back for a couple of days. Looking forward to feeling completely better as my job is physical and I need to be fit.

DH actually got paid today which is a miracle so I've updated ynab until I get paid on 25th, it's looking poor and I haven't included food, fuel or kids bits and pieces yet. I do have a small amount of expenses to come in but as we know that could be at any point in the next century!

I also need to pay back my Mum £91.50 and the next installment of dd trip of £150. Instead of just hoping, I'm going to list lots of things to sell and be proactive this time. I may not have enough to put away my first installments for the insurances etc but the next 2 months there will be no council tax or water payments so that will help.

I managed to redeem another £10 voucher this morning which will be used for the roof bars.

I have lots of things I want to do but my back is so sore so will be full steam ahead tomorrow.

H x

hugglemonster

Just making a note of current debt (without mortgage) is £13,111.79 as of today. I know lots of MSEers that have paid this figure off within a year, worth a try!

Back felt a little better after going for a short walk with dh so have managed to do a few things including listing a bike that ds doesn't want.

H x

pennywisepoundstupid

Glad to hear your back is feeling a little better. xx