Puddleduck's Adventures

puddle_duck1

Yo yo!

Money issues are getting to us at the moment. We don't like this debt, we are not used to this debt. It's making us have sleepless nights! All the debt is from the house renovation and as nice as the house is, it still doesn't feel like our forever home. I know the debt is going down quickly but we are not living!! We can't afford to buy nice comfortable furniture so house is bare (we do have settees but they are old and worn). OK enough feeling sorry for myself.

Lots to do but I plan on coming back in later tonight

Lots of love
Puddle

puddle_duck1

I'm still here. I still read diaries mostly everyday to keep motivated.

We have just payed to have our front garden and drive extended which wasn't going to be until next year but was driving the husband crazy (he is a perfectionist. . . . his only downfall actually). This means we are back into our overdraft but the next few months are going to be very frugal. This weather certainly helps as we just hang around in the garden. We have never had a big a garden as we have now and it's lovely. I have a little patch and growing veg. I love the garden there is so much to learn. Little one has her trampoline and swimming pool amongst other things and we have been coming home from school and straight in the garden until bath time. . . Love it!!

The main debt is coming down but we are only paying minimum at the moment because of the overdraft.

I'm on top of the household chores and apart from the nagging debt we are happy and starting to enjoy this house and the gorgeous surrounding countryside.

I need to update more to keep more focus.

Puddle
xx

enthusiasticsaver

Is it worth you looking for a job, even if part time or are you working? It sounds like that sort of debt will only be cleared with two wages coming in but it is a bit unclear as to whether you work or not. Focusing on the overdraft is a good plan.

puddle_duck1

Hi there enthusiastic. Yes I work 25 hours a week. I don't think I've mentioned that the Tesco loan was to up the mortgage without upping the mortgage (if that makes sense) so even though it's in with my numbers it's coming down nicely. We can do this. DH can do overtime every so often which is a big help.

I am going to use this dairy to monitor my spends, fitness and health.

Puddle
xx

puddle_duck1

Been good this week. Taken lunch into work both days, which to be fair I always do but it's been a healthy lunch picked from my garden. Garden man has been paid and it was £200 more than we thought as we added a few jobs on. So this month will be tight. DH mentioned getting a waterbutt next pay day and lo and behold one turned up on a local free cycle Facebook page so he picked it up and it's perfect. We don't want for much but when we want something we normally go and get it so this few months should be good for us.

DH and I know that this month we can only spend on essential's like food. I had a go at doing a SOA but we have 2 cars and 1 motorbike and I don't know how to add that as there are outgoings from the bike.

We are enjoying the lovely weather and can't remember when the TV went on last. We have come home from school and straight in the garden until bathtime. I'm getting addicted to growing vegetables, only have a few on the go but it's so rewarding seeing them grow.

Have a basket full of ironing to do tonight when little one is in bed.

Going to put the amount of debt in my next post.

See you later

Puddle
xx

puddle_duck1

£21,150 3% tesco bank (£335 a month but pay extra £50 to this)
£7,192 3% Zopa (£133 a month)
£4,800 parent loan (£200 a month)
£1,350 overdraft
We have no credit cards
Total = £34,492

So this was Jan 18.

This is July 18

£18,692 Tesco
£6526 Zopa
£3800 Parents
£1800 overdraft
Total = £30,818

The overdraft went down to £200 but we booked in the front garden and drive to be done and it needed paying. It's done now, it's nice and if we stick to it, it will be paid off in no time.

Puddle
xx

puddle_duck1

So tight this month. We have £100 to last until payday which is 2 weeks away. I wish we had payed for the front garden half this month and half next but husband wanted it out of the way. Little one has £50 in her piggy bank so, if needs be, we will borrow and put back on pay day (will try not to do this as it feels like stealing!!).

It's really difficult to do housework in this weather. My house is so dirty!! I am enjoying it mind.

Going to try and do a little bit of tiding away and ironing later on.

Puddle
xx

puddle_duck1

Well this week and the next has/will be a good learning curve for us. We now have £50 to last until Monday(pay day). Will have to pay little ones swimming lessons out of her money and i will pay it back into her money box next week. We have used the food in the packed freezer (not packed anymore) and just bought essentials. DH has done 2 overtime shifts this month which is about £400ish and will put in for more over the next couple of months to get rid of this overdraft. This week's food is from sains.... as we have had a £20 off coupon and I have £30 in nectar points from surveys that I was keeping for Xmas but needs must! So this week's main shop is £10. Will need to buy something little for little ones teacher this week but we should be OK until Monday.

Also had £21 from Prolific just gone into bank.

Puddle

puddle_duck1

Payday has been. Waiting for direct debits to go out on the 1st. We need a few calm months to sort out this overdraft. We are doing well.

puddle_duck1

Busy day here. Run the local park run this morning. Went food shopping first to home bgn to pick up toiletries/cleaning stuff etc then to As*a where we found certain items we bought were cheaper than home bgn!! Little one needed new trainers so picked some up in George @ as*a for £8 bargain!

This afternoon I have been sorting out little ones bedroom. She needs a new bed and a desk before long. I wonder if she can make do until Xmas? The amount of old notebooks/colouring books etc I put in the recycling was awful. She has so many pencil cases, pens, pencils, felt tips etc. I need to go in there when she's not about to throw/give away some of them.

Little one will need new uniform for her new school year. Which shops do you all recommend? Do you wait for the sales?