2018 New year, new focus and new mission

Choccygirl123

Debt update after decembers Direct debits have cleared.

Zopa 1 - £3792.49
Zopa 2 - £8887.65
0% CC - £3523.63 (payment due 31/12)

Total - £16203.77

teafor2

Hi Choccygirl. Just popping by to say hello I haven't read all your diary so I'm jumping in at the deep end and then I'll swim towards the shallow part over the weekend :rotfl:

teafor2

Back again You've done loads this year so I wouldn't worry about the debt not moving much. We have the same amount of spends as you and your hubby and although it seems a lot and it is a lot, it really doesn't go very far does it. That's why I started my diary, I was fed up of it disappearing with nothing to show for it.

Reading everything you've paid out for your DC I'm glad my 2 are anti-social :rotfl: That's not quite true but they'd definitely rather chill out with their friends at home on the dreaded Xbox or watch a DVD than run around outside doing something healthy. DD went abroad with school in Y8 but I think she was shocked at where they stayed and never asked to go on another trip again. DS is a real home bird. He wouldn't last one night away.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Choccygirl123

Thanks for popping in teafor2.

My children are such a drain on our spare cash:rotfl: but I don't mind. Hubby and I grew up without the sane opportunities so we said if we can scrap trip money together then we will. Both play rugby and cost a fortune in kit, youngest does music and both want to do every trip going. They are good kids and realise the cost of everything. They take sandwiches or soup 90% of lunches which helps me cover the costs. Their friends spend £3+ a day

I'm gutted the debt is virtually the same a whole later. I do look around the house st all the jobs we've done and think at least we have something to show for it. I'm looking forward to updating debt totals on 31st dec with my final update of the year.

I'm hoping fir some better luck in 2019, getting out a wheelchair, back to normal fitness and back to work earning my wage rather than living in sick pay.

Lots to do with £16,000 to pay off and budgets to keep! Onwards and downwards.

teafor2

Yes, these pesky kids have a lot to answer for If you can see where you money has gone that's the main thing and if the debt hasn't gone up while you've done everything that's a massive positive.

Fingers crossed you're out of the wheelchair as soon as possible

Choccygirl123

Thanks for teafor2. In for a long recovery, but I'm getting there. I've been trying to use time off work productively and keeping a close eye on the cash. I do feel in more control and for first time in long time, we've got Christmas covered and still have cash in the bank.

teafor2

I can relate to the 'more in control' feeling. I've only been doing my diary for a few days but already I feel like I know what I'm doing rather than lurching from one spend to the next without having a clue what's going on.

2019 will be about keeping my eye on the ball with my spends and also getting as much paid off the CC.

Hope your recovery keeps heading in the right direction It must be frustrating for you at times.

Choccygirl123

Morning tea, I think it's about forming good habits for me. Not thinking st the end of the month slipping into overdraft won't matter or the odd thing on a credit card because we 'need' it.

I'm looking forward to 2019 a shiny new year to battle the debt!

The spendy Saturday has caught up with me and I'm thinking we will have to dip into the £250 stashed in EF. I still have the two cheques and £15 old notes in my wallet, which should go into my account. My account looking healthy with £180ish so will throw it into the joint.

Planning another NSD today and will be trying to tacklethe stack of ironing and blitzing the kitchen.

Balance joint £239.55 / available £237.55

To pay :
£56 for the cleaner 2 fortnightly cleans, have discussed about cancelling but hubby insisted I need the help. He's right with my health way it is.
£150 Christmas food week veg, fruit, turkey from butchers nibbles, beer and treats have been buying extra last few shopping trips and hubby bought 10for£10 cheeses at Christmas markets
£50 post Christmas food....lots of leftovers!
£20 fuel just in case...but hopefully not

Total £276 budgeted with cheques & notes £50 to be paid in we should be on track.

Lots of waffle, but finding writing it all down a huge help.

Choccygirl123

Hubby nipped to shop on his way to work for me to get me a bag of oranges, block of butter and post another parcel. I'm finding these little spends frustrating, but hey-ho!

Hubby brought a bag of silver shrapnel home which he'd had in his desk at work. I'll pay the old £ coins into our account and rest will go to the spc. I really need to get to the bank hopefully on Saturday. It's driving me mad I can't drive.

Balance £239.55 / available balance £229.34

teafor2

It's the little bits that all add up isn't it, especially at this time of year, although I don't find it much different any other month really I'm going to have to dip into my savings - all £25 of it :cool: but not too worried about that with it being an expensive month. I'm looking forward to starting properly in January as well and budgeting for 'events'. If I add up everything I've spent on Christmas that I won't be spending next month then I should be much better off. That's the theory anyway :rotfl:

Keeping the cleaner for the time being is a good idea. No point wearing yourself out so recovery ends up taking a lot longer.

Have a lovely day. Hope the ironing has disappeared