My journey to a debt free life

Onebrokelady

redofromstart wrote: »

I get that with the emotional spending and the little buzz, although with me it tends to be little treats for the boys. I over compensate for my relatively frugal childhood I think.

I've been a lot better at managing since I've put more thought into it, and the refusal to buy 'it'll do'.

I get the buzz no matter who I'm buying for,which is why I think I used to get so carried away at christmas,I love finding something that I know a family member is going to really like

I had a comfortable childhood and didn't really want for much but when I left home and moved in with my now ex partner money was always an issue,he was made redundant several times and also had a drug habit which sometimes took precedence over other things,we ended up on benefits for a few years when the children were small and I remember selling things so we could buy food ( didn't stop him from finding money for drugs though )

I was young and thought I could change him but soon learned that wasn't going to happen,I think once he had gone and I was in control of my own money I just went mad treating the kids because I thought they had missed out when they were young,thinking back now they actually didn't miss out on much but it felt like they did at the time

Since I've joined this site and started to take notice of my finances I'm learning more about why I shop and how not to spend money I don't have ,Im aware of the fact that I am a compulsive spender and need to vigilant constantly because I could quite easily go back to my old ways if I'm not careful

Onebrokelady

Hi everyone, I wanted to post properly on here last night but left my glasses at work so couldn't see to type anything,I tried reading a few posts but really couldn't see properly so I gave up, I bought a cheap pair of reading glasses in town today so I have a spare pair now to use for work and I will keep my prescription ones for at home

It's been a lovely day here today and I managed to get some washing dry out on the line,it didn't start getting dark until gone 5.30 so that was also a bonus, I love it when thendays start to get longer and the sun shines,I can feel my energy levels increasing even though it's still February

I met my mum for lunch and a catch up today so that was nice,we had a little wander round town and she bought herself a couple of tops from her favourite shop,it's a little boutique in town and it sells really nice things,they have a sale on on handbags at the moment and they really are quite nice,I saw a lovely one and it was only £20 and looked like real leather so a really good price,I didn't buy it though because I don't need a handbag
I use a Fallraven Kanken rucksack as my handbag as it holds everything I need and doesn't hurt my shoulders,I can also fit DGSs bits in it when I take him out,I got this one for Christmas 2017 from DDs ex boyfriend and I love it, they are expensive though so I'm thinking of starting a savings pot ready for when I need a new one,this one should last me for a long time so I don't need to replace it yet

I'm still looking for items to declutter but need to crack on with the bathroom ceiling,I'm working tomorrow but then have Monday and Tuesday off so I'm planning on getting up fairly early on Monday and getting it done,I can then concentrate on the skirting boards and laying the floor which is still cluttering up the spare room,once that is out of that room it will almost be finished,I just need to decide whether to leave the bed in there or take it out and put the travel cot up,I just can't make up my mind

I'm still listening to The Minimalist podcast and watching videos on Tiny houses,Its giving me lots of food for thought and encouraging me to keep on decluttering but more importantly to not buy anything I don't need
It's payday on Wednesday and I'm looking forward to setting a new budget and planning for the month ahead

I'm still not feeling too good but have been giving myself a stern talking to because I have to admit to not looking after myself properly,I'm not eating properly at the moment and have put back on some of the weight I lost,it's not loads in the grand scheme of things but the lack of good food is probably not helping my body deal with pain
I'm now back on my healthy diet and have been and bought healthy food for work,so hopefully I will soon be back at my goal weight and have more energy and less pain

Right I have to get up early for work tomorrow so I had better go to bed,I hope you all have a lovely weekend and that the sun is shining wherever you are

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well done on not buying the handbag, I really admire your will power. I hope the healthy eating helps you to feel better, I do think it can make a massive difference.

I hope you're having a good day at work today .

foxgloves

You'll have to get that sock knitting lesson from your daughter, OBL, as hand knitted socks (esp the seamless ones knitted on 4 DPNSs) are so comfy on your feet. They seem to provide good cushioning & support but also let your feet 'breathe'. And there are loads of gorgeous self-patterning sock yarns out there.......plus it's a very small portable project which only requires 1 x 100g ball, so shouldn't clutter up your newly minimalist home, lol x

Onebrokelady

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

Well done on not buying the handbag, I really admire your will power. I hope the healthy eating helps you to feel better, I do think it can make a massive difference.

I hope you're having a good day at work today .

:rotfl: I'm still thinking about that handbag but I don't need it so I'm not buying it:A
Work wasn't too bad actually,I had quite a pleasant day,I was a bit sad though becasue the weather was lovely and I could feel the sun through the window at lunch time and it felt sooooo nice I really wanted to be outside

Onebrokelady

foxgloves wrote: »

You'll have to get that sock knitting lesson from your daughter, OBL, as hand knitted socks (esp the seamless ones knitted on 4 DPNSs) are so comfy on your feet. They seem to provide good cushioning & support but also let your feet 'breathe'. And there are loads of gorgeous self-patterning sock yarns out there.......plus it's a very small portable project which only requires 1 x 100g ball, so shouldn't clutter up your newly minimalist home, lol x

I can't wait to get started, I've got some lovely wool here for my first pair, I'm following a woman on FB called The Winwick Mum and loads of people have learned to knit socks following her method and she has some free patterns so I'm thinking I will make a start on a pair and then ask DD for help when I get to the heel,this woman uses a round needle I think but she says you can use DPNs if you prefer
I have been treated to a couple of pairs of Bamboo socks over the last couple of christmases and they are soooo lovely to wear,they are really soft and your feet don't get sweaty either,they aren't cheap though so I haven't bought any myself

Re the adding to the clutter,I'm allowed to bring things in to my home so long as it's adds value to my life and is something I wil get use out of,you can never have too many pairs of socks so far as I'm concerned:rotfl:

Onebrokelady

Hi everyone
I didn't get on here last night because by the time I got home from work and had a shower I was shattered,I sat and had a lovely chat and a cup of tea with DD then went to bed

I have two days off now so today I'm planning on working on the bathroom first,I want to get that ceiling finished today so I can crack on with the rest of it
I'm hoping it won't take too long as the weather is lovely again and I would like to do a couple of bits outside. The first job is a bit unpleasant though,we noticed an awful smell at the bottom of the steps in the front garden the other day, DD thought it was from a cat spraying but it doesn't smell like cat wee to me,it's really offensive,I'm thinking fox or badger as I have both in my gardenag night,the badger has been here over the last few nights judging by the holes that have been dug up in my front garden,they are made by badger shaped feet with longish claws,so I think that the likely culprit,so today I need to clear the leaves off the steps and disenfect it all
The other job is to line the square pallet I have outside so I can start filling it up with compost and soil,I have half filled the bottom with loads of cardboard and now I've added the packaging from DDs desk it's full enough to be lined,I jut need to find the stuff I bought to line it now, then I might ne able to grow something at some point

HairyHandofDartmoor

I hope you get your bathroom ceiling finished and manage to find time to do your work in the garden in this lovely weather.

I'm lucky that my new job involves me being outdoors most of the time, so I can enjoy the sunshine . It won't be so good when it's freezing cold though or spotting with rain :eek:.

Onebrokelady

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I hope you get your bathroom ceiling finished and manage to find time to do your work in the garden in this lovely weather.

I'm lucky that my new job involves me being outdoors most of the time, so I can enjoy the sunshine . It won't be so good when it's freezing cold though or spotting with rain :eek:.

I've finally finished the ceiling but only just,so my outside jobs won't be getting done today:(

Onebrokelady

Finally I have finished the bathroom ceiling,it's only taken me 4ish years:eek: I put my new lampshade up.its a Matt white caramic one with a lacy cut out pattern on it and it makes really pretty shapes when you turn it on,I'm really pleased with it:j
Now I just have to do the rest of it,but that will have to wait for another day,I'm just having a coffee then I need to hoover the house,I've got DGS tomorrow so won't be able to do much with the house then
Someone is coming to pick DDs old desk up tomorrow so I have to wait for them but then I'm off out,my friend how I work with was on about meeting for lunch with a couple of others friends but I'm not sure if that's going ahead yet,she will probably text me later,I've also got a bit of shopping to do and if the weather is nice I might take DGS to the park