Hugglemonster's homemade happiness diary

pennywisepoundstupid

Glad you managed to get the cheque sorted out, have a great half term.

[Deleted User]

Have a great half term xx

hugglemonster

Good afternoon, having a nice cup of tea and a rest. Somehow it's turned out to be a busy day although I haven't achieved much, volunteering this morning and then home and did a small food shop. This afternoon we have been into town as dh, ds and I needed new boots/trainers, somehow mine cost a fraction of the boys.

Pay has gone in early and expenses approved for the month as mine has finished early due to being off next week and then it's March. Although I'm off I need to do a 2 hour round trip one day to collect a piece of equipment for a course next weekend as I completely forgot in the week.

I'm still not sure if I can reduce the overdraft this month due to the amount of spends needed for dh trip, dd trip (which I'll do in a mintue) and a couple of birthdays plus I was going to pay some back to Dad. Instead of paying Dad £150 and overdraft £200 I may see if I can pay £100 each to begin with and then aim for the rest over the month.

Tuesday sees the next payment for the car go out, then when dh gets paid on Friday I will make next payment to credit card.

On 1st January outstanding debt was £13,111.79 after car payment on Tuesday the balance will be £12,581.91 so that's 4.04% paid off. I will update after I pay Dad and the other bits.

OK I will be doing some surveys this evening, I have some money to cash out from Pro-lific just waiting for a couple of studies to be approved before I do so.

Have a good evening, H x

Pauper1

Just spent some time reading through your diary, it sounds like you're doing really well! 4% paid off in what, 6 weeks? That's amazing! Keep going

hugglemonster

Pauper1 wrote: »

Just spent some time reading through your diary, it sounds like you're doing really well! 4% paid off in what, 6 weeks? That's amazing! Keep going

Thanks, actually I've never done a percentage before on the amount paid back to I thought this would keep me on a good path. I really want to get rid of this debt and start being able to use our money more wisely. Still a few things to work on to cut costs but we've certainly been better.

Kids and I have been out to a science centre at Widnes, for a small place it was quite good, I also treated the kids to lunch in the cafe there which again was really good value for the amount of food we got. Had to pay for the toll on the new bridge but it was factored in to the expense.

Lots of washing out on the line drying in this lovely weather, day at home tomorrow but may look at baking some things with the kids. Yesterday ds and I tidied up the garden and planted some veg and herb seeds, we just need to get some more herbs and seed potatoes.

I cleaned out the shed yesterday so all my sports equipment in now in there and not all around the house, we still could use a shed for the bikes and the equipment but it's manageable for now.

I've updated ynab, paid for the next installment of dd trip so £200 left to pay on that, I've withdrawn some survey money and also child benefit went in today. I've just paid £100 to my Dad so the debt balance is £12,481.91 that's 4.81% paid.

I need to pop to the bank to get out the money for my savings pots, the first bill will be the car insurance in June then I can reduce the amount to save for that as will have 12 months instead of 6 that I'm working on.

Ok so bank, dishes and then relax for the rest of the day as I'm full of cold! H x

[Deleted User]

Wow you've been busy H! I'm envious that you have been able to put some washing out....hoping to do some of that this weekend (watch it, it'll now rain! :rotfl: )

Yay to being paid early too.

Hope you feel better soon xx

hugglemonster

Just having a sit down between making dinner and having done 40 items of ironing, the only downside to have done all the washing whilst the weather was good!

We popped over to see my parents, they're only a 5 minute walk from us, and then went to get items for tea. I had already made carrot soup for lunch which was delicious. Tomorrow is a full food shop but only need to do a menu until Tuesday as we're not home Wednesday or Thursday plus I can do cheaper for me and the kids on Monday and Tuesday when dh isn't here.

I've only done a few surveys on my mobile but have cashed out £5, I will spend the evening doing other survey sites.

Payday for dh tomorrow so a small amount to debt via the credit card and then money for dh to take to London. My expenses this month will be nearly £200 so I have changed my mind again and will try to reduce overdraft by that figure. As I have another 2 weeks of leave this month and not a lot of travel except Wednesday I don't really need to keep much in reserve. The percentage paid off is really giving me the enthusiasm to get this debt cracked this year, although I must be mindful of other expenses that could creep up on us if not careful.

In fact if I write it here I won't forget:
* Dd final trip payment £200, passport £49 and spending money ?
* Dad £200 to pay.
* Spending money for festival in July plus fuel to get there.
* Need to get quotes for decorating bedroom and finishing attic.

That's not even including saving an emergency fund or Xmas, hmm how to stretch your money!

H x

hugglemonster

Good morning, ooh good to see progress but how easy for money to just go out. Paid for dh train tickets, they were twice as much as a couple of weeks ago when we checked but hey ho. I've been down to the station to pick then up and also to the bank to get his spending money.

I've also paid credit card and pleased that this balance now starts with a 1, lots of £1s to go but all looking good. I was also really pleased to see that with the updated website they have introduced a credit limit reduction function, so well done to them!

You may have noticed that I'm loving this percentage paid malarky so be prepared to be bored of it! Anyway a small reduction with the card payment but a reduction it is, £12,431.91 left of debt on St Davids Day that's 5.19% :T

Not much planned for today apart from the kids and I cleaning all the bedrooms, we are having a family 'bake off' tonight which is fun, we each cook either a starter, main course or dessert and then vote on the best. We then swop on the next occasion which is every few months, I'm doing a peach dessert tonight - yum

See you later, H x

hugglemonster

Flat tyre with nail in it, £96 gone - bah!

hugglemonster

Another weekend gone, kids are back at school tomorrow but everything is ready so just chilling out for the day although ds will need to come with me to my session this evening as dh has been waved off to London.

We have plenty of food in the house so determined not to spend any money except maybe for milk as there will be no-one here Wednesday and Thursday. DH has left lots of mushrooms which I'll cook off and freeze so he can use another time.

Replacement cheque has been paid in to the bank, I've transferred £25 to each of the savings accounts - it's a start.

I realised the other day that with the extra savings for the insurances etc that there will be more free money once I've made the first annual payment and then this will be easier with no monthly direct debit going out too. Mortgage payment has gone out today and looking forward to the balance updating and being in the £93k band.

A couple of weeks now until the next debt payment, must fill the time with surveys otherwise I'll get withdrawal symptoms!

H x