Adventures of the Boy & Me: Part 2..

Chandelier.

Morning,

There is not much to report back on regarding debt. I have checked all my online banking and all seems to be fine for the rest of the month. At the beginning of next week, I shall review what is left in my different accounts and move money around to make a further repayment before doing next months budget. My debt shall be increasing at the beginning of next month to cover some dental work that needs doing, I am yet to receive final figures for that so once I have been to my next appointment I shall have a better idea. I think I will work out what needs to be repaid over the rest of the 0% term and set up a standing order for this and then I will overpay whenever I can.

My 5% savers account matures at the beginning of January so I will use whatever interest gained to pay off the CC. I will then move the money to a seperate account and let that build up. My next plan is to access another 5% account and will start saving the maximum into that for the rest of next year.

I really need to look into a longer term account to place my savings in. I will possibly head over to the savings/investment boards to get some advice on this. I try to utilise offers where I can. I want to increase my savings over the next two years so when it comes to me moving out, I have enough funds to do cover everything.

I am up to 10/15 NSDs so far but I am unsure whether I will reach target this month, even if I only reach 12, I will be happy as I only started the challenge 1/3 into this month.

I have a few things planned for the rest of the week. Tomorrow I shall be clearing out the rest of my car and taking it to the car wash for a mini valet. I hate doing this job myself so it is easier for me to get someone else to do it as it means less stress. I also have my consultant appointment tomorrow which should be interesting- I am unsure of what I have to say and how I feel at the moment. My mood is rather low and flat. However I can't keep dealing with medication changes. Sometimes I wonder if it is just the circumstances around me. All I want to do is be happy and content, it isn't much to ask. I guess only I can change things.

The atmosphere at work is terrible at the moment and isn't helping things. I feel like I need to write it all down and speak to the manager. I have always been happy at work but just lately I find it really draining with all the conflict between people. I try to be assertive and manage my team effectively but sometimes it seems to go ignored. I get told that only I can deal with it but I do need the back up support. If things don't improve then I will sadly look elsewhere even though I don't want to.

The boy went to a new extra curricular activity last night (football) and seemed to enjoy himself so he now would like to do that as well as everything else. I will make room in the budget to cover this. He also does football before school one morning a week so I feel this will be enough for him. He doesn't play for a team as it would take up too much time in our already busy schedule. This activity is more football skills and they play a friendly game once a month which will suit us much better. I think the cost is around £50 every eight weeks so roughly works out at around £25 a month which is okay.

The boy is so active! He does swimming, football and ice skating so it is definately a variety but he enjoys each one and benefits from them immensely. He gets to make new friends and interacts outside of school with kids of all ages so I am happy for him to carry on as he is. As long as he is happy, I am happy.

His dad spoke about increasing his maintenance from this month onwards but that is yet to happen so I may broach the subject with him carefully. It was him who suggested it a couple of months ago. I have little interaction with his dad as he lives his life as he pleases and doesn't see the boy as often as he could. It isn't my problem though.

I met up with a friend yesterday and we had afternoon tea and had a catch up. She has suggested we book a mini city break somewhere. I think it will be a good idea and a bit of respite for myself. It will give me something to look forward to,

My car is going in for repair this weekend, so I need to withdraw the money for that. I am going to slip an extra tip to the man as his quote seems so cheap compared to what other places may have given. He is highly recommended though.

I have a few things left that I need to do but I am going to take my time. I really need to get my head sorted and back in the game. I refuse to give in and will do whatever I can to get myself back to where I was.

That is pretty much it really. Next week is half term so I need to make some plans and arrangements for that. I won't be going overboard but will do just enough to keep the boy entertained.

Chandelier.

A while back I spent some time looking at ways I could increase my savings/utilise my money better and wrote things down. I created a long list of different ideas and I am going to revisit this and maybe even post them on here, they may possibly help others.

I just want my CC debt to be gone. It has only been little things that have added up due to other expenses occurred this year. It isn't the end of the world but it matters to me. I should have no reason to carry a balance and I only really used it to utilise the 0% offers but I have realised I am more into saving for things then anything. I use one other credit card card for other expenses which I pay in full every month and use it for rewards. Once my debt is paid off, I shall carry on using this card just to build up a steady credit history. At least with this one, whatever I spend I put the money into a separate account to cover for the monthly direct debit, so it is never an unexpected payments. I am probably best to stick with this for the long term.

Anything else I decide I want a long the way will be budgeted for and saved for. It is far too easy to let things build up and before you know it you carry a sufficient balance. The debt does not keep me awake at night as it is manageable and I have funds to pay off, it just irritates me more then anything.

The good news is Christmas is all budgeted for and saved for. I intend to come way under budget and have really cut back on things this year. I want December to be about fun and spending time together as a family- not all the commercialised stuff that floats around.

beanielou

If you find having the debt hard would it be better for you to pay it off with some of your savings?

Chandelier.

Morning,

So after rummaging around my bank accounts and moving money left, right and centre, I've paid the total balance off my remaining CC, meaning the total is now £0.

I'm still yet to know what will happen at my next dental appointment but hopefully it will be minimal and I'll just use savings.

beanielou

Time to update your sinature then

Chandelier.

Hello,

I haven't updated this in a while as life has just got in the way. It's been a pretty busy month overall for us and I've just kept my head down at work and with my social life.

There have been a few unexpected spends here and there, so I've been rejigging my budget accordingly.

I've been utilising my bank accounts to benefit me in whatever way possible and all seems to be going smoothly.

After my last dental appointment, I put the expenses onto my 0% credit card which now stands at £350.00. I'm not too worried about this and have set up a plan to pay off £50 each month and shall leave this to tick over. If I decide I want to throw more spare money when possible, then I will. The regular payments should contribute towards a more solid credit history.

I still use my AMEX card for any expenses each month and always pay that off in full, so it's another stepping stone to show I'm responsible with my money.

All my income from November has gone into a seperate account which earns me 5% interest each month. I'll sort it all out into the different budgets account at the beginning of next month.

And Christmas is just around the corner. I've a few things left to buy for others and hopefully I shall come within my budget. I'm not too fussed if I go over slightly as it won't affect me money wise too much. I've really cut back this year but have bought the boy an expensive gift he wants, however I got a good deal and this is only a once off.

December will be a busy month, with everything we have on but I'm just going to take it in my stride. The boy has lots of ice skating performances coming up which he is excited about. They do an annual Christmas show which is kids only. It always has a theme and this year its Mary Poppins which should be good to watch. They've all worked very hard for it.

I'm looking at other ways to save money and one of my big yearly expenses is my car. I'm possibly looking at changing it for something more economical but I'll take my time and work out costings/savings. If I'm lucky, I may even get some money back from my current car. I've just realised it's far too big for our needs and costs me a fortune in car tax/insurance and petrol. It guzzles petrol like there is no tomorrow.

So I'll try to keep up everything as I go along.

My mental health is stable at the moment and my consultant is happy with me. There isn't too much going on at the moment and I'm just taking things in my own stride and as they come.

I went on a couple of dates the other week but I don't think its come to much. It was fun while it lasted and boosted my confidence a bit. I think I'll stay friends with the person as they are nice enough. I just don't think we are right for each other in a romance sort of way. He admits he has commitment issues and I just don't have the energy to put a lot into it if I'll get nothing back. I'd rather just go with the flow and allow space between us. If he changes his mind further down the line then I may reevaluate things but for the time being I'm not chasing. I'm not five years old and wanting to play games with others emotions. I have a lot more respect for myself then that.

Work is work and has its good and bad days. Mostly they are alright but a few changes have happened and more upcoming. I've now got my off duty for the rest of the month and for Christmas/New Year. My shifts are pretty alright considering all that is going on. I'm just trying to adapt as much as possible to the new changes and challenges. I need to be more assertive and stick up for myself more. That's something I'm working on.

I'm looking into planning our adventures next year. Some will be on my own with friends and I will plan something different for the boy and me. I have a savings account that will mature in January so may use that as a holiday fund pot. It doesn't have a home as yet. Amsterdam and Italy are on my agenda. I just need to sort out dates/times for them all and get my annual leave booked. The boy maybe going to Disneyland Paris with his dad and their family. I had planned to incorporate this into our travels over the summer but will now leave that be. I'm sure I'll come up with something just as exciting and educational.

So that is pretty much it really for now. I became quite money orientated and obsessed for a while but I've loosened my belt a bit and become more laid back. Everything is manageable and I'm doing the best I can.

That's all I can do.