New mindset

Clouds88

I have decided to start a diary to try and keep track of my spending and see where I go wrong, my triggers ect and good by writing it down it will make me think more about my decisions.

So a bit about me? I am not in any debt anymore thankfully, but that’s only because I was declared BR in May 2018. However, I never want to own a credit card again. I have stripped my outgoings back as far as I can and looking to tackle my food budget so I can save some money for Christmas, birthdays ect. And then maybe a new car or house deposit as the long term goal.

I’m due to go food shopping again on Tuesday so I am planning on sticking entirely to Aldi and choosing one meal to batch cook and freeze some portions- varying the dish each week and then obviously making meals as I go for the rest of the week.

There are 4 of us, DH, me, DD 9 and DD 3

Clouds88

Morning everyone,

Today I’ve got both my girls home and I think we will go to a play area we’ve got a membership at this morning (it’s indoor and outdoor so lots to do!) and it’s free.

I’ve tidied out my food cupboard already this morning and planned to use up what is in there over the next few meals. I’ve got some garlic bread in the fridge use by today... I’m wondering if I can freeze it on its use by date or I might cook it instead tonight- kids love it and it goes with salmon and Couscous right 🤣🙈

For the afternoon I’m going to tackle the children’s wardrobes and make a pile to list stuff on eBay (they grow so quickly 😭) and hopefully DH can entertain them with some indoor play.

Have a lovely Saturday xx

pidge04

Good luck with the eBay sale!

Clouds88

I’ve only managed to sort through my smallest DD wardrobe, she’s 3, but because she’s so tiny, she still fits in lots of dresses from last year so her summer wardrobe is looking good. This is the opposite for my ever growing eldest DD I buy her something and a few months later she grows out of it, I hope she slows down at some point (9 in a few months 🙈)

This morning we went to Aldi and did a weekly shop. I usually budget £100 and that is what I spent in Asda last week, but today spend was £56 and we bought some treat ice creams as well as the usual stuff so very impressed. Midweek I think we will need to buy another pint of milk, bread and some peppers but hopefully not much else. I do love Aldi. There ‘raw cacao bars’ in chocolate orange are sooo yummy and better than reaching for cake which is something I’m trying to cut down on.

I only work part time but working tonight and tomorrow night so not looking forward to that roll on Wednesday so I feel normal again. Tomorrow DH will be taking DD 1 to school and DD2 out for the morning so I can sleep.

I really struggle with two nights in a row, I am a bit OCD with cleaning and it just doesn’t get done when I’m not there. At least I won’t be able to spend any money though.

Clouds88

Finished my night shifts Tuesday morning and they just wipe me out. I never sleep well because my 3 year old always wants me, anyway following 12 hours of sleep last night I feel full of energy again.

I spent another £10 on groceries today which has taken my weekly total to £66 but I’m still under for the week as a whole. I feel as if I’m taking on too many new changes at the moment, trying not to spend, trying to exercise more and cutting down on sugar. Never mind doing well so far so I’ll keep on going, no money spent on anything unneeded this week so far. My husband is going to cut his therapy sessions down to twice a month so that’ll save us £80 (he is feeling ready for that I haven’t forced it, health comes first and all that)

Also my daughter wants to go to this child club for the day for the next few weeks, I’ve booked her in for two sessions as she knows a few friends who go and they are having a party one day and then other activities on the other but it is £50 in total. I am so glad we do not have to pay for any child care other wise. I hope she has a good time out of it.

Off to bed, another busy day tomorrow trying to engage the toddler, she’s 3 and full of energy so we’ll probably walk to the park and see the ducks ��

Clouds88

So it’s been a while since I last updated.

My husband has got a job eeeek. I’m so happy for him, we won’t benefit financially from it though as he is under a DRO until Jan 2020. It is part time hours and the wages just replace the UC we won’t qualify for any more. But it means he can buy his own banger and have a bit of freedom and will be hopefully good for his mental health.

From the shopping point of view I can’t believe how well we are doing. I’ve got new pots for savings. The food budget remains at £400 and anything left is going into the holiday fund for now and we’ve got a spare change pot.

I sold two items on eBay which made a profit of £12 so at least that’s something. Got lots to list again and still need to go through my wardrobe but it’s finding the time especially with both the kids home and taking advantage of the nice (ish) weather.

I don’t know what to do re our family membership to a local attraction. We paid up front last time and we go at least once a week (especially with my youngest who is only 3) but they have massively hiked their prices up and I’m undecided wether I want to commit. It’s gone from £13 per month (or £150 a year which is what we paid) to £240 or £20 per month. I’ll have to think about it. It’s both indoor and outdoor with a play area swings ect and animals, there is a lot to do there but I’m not sure it’s worth it.

pidge04

Good news!

PawsForThought

Hi Clouds,

Sounds like you are doing amazingly well! I've also tried to exercise more and eat less sugar this year, it's so so hard but actually I do have more energy and feel a bit better mostly. Unless I'm tired. It must be an extra challenge on night shifts! I've finally started to have fewer cravings too - but it's harder in a big household when others are still enjoying the sweet stuff, takes real strength!

Congratulations to your husband on getting a job - that's brilliant! I know having more structure and social support is really important for my mental health so fingers crossed! And well done for making progress with ebay, it all adds up!

Sounds like you're doing everything right so far, keep it up 😊

Clouds88

Paws I have had more energy recently too. My work friends describe me as a ‘Duracell bunny’ as I am always full of energy anyway but I’ve found on a night shift now I can cope so much better and I think it’s to do with my new eating. I can’t believe how much sugar I used to consume on a daily basis- pain au chocolate for breakfast, full fat coke with each evening meal, pudding, biscuits for lunch. i have found full fat Greek yogurt and 85% dark chocolate the snacks I reach for at the moment. Both low sugar and curb my cravings for the above foods. I’ve completely kicked the full fat coke thing and so proud of myself!

I love the sun too and I think my mood is overall very happy at the moment because the sunny days are coming eeeek.

I’ve managed to clean my kitchen this morning whilst the girls do painting and playing. Think we might head to the beach this afternoon and take the football- no spend day.

I’ve also got gammon in the slow cooker for tea so we’ve just got to be back at 4pm so I can start the potatoes. Have a lovely Sunday anyone who is reading my waffle

Clouds88

It’s Saturday! I have just finished two night shifts (wed and thurs) so this is the first day of having energy again since Wednesday yay.

DWP eugh I’ll be SO glad not to deal with them anymore soon!! So we got our (probably last?) UC payment and they have taken an extra £100 off without asking for a tax credit overpayment they shouldn’t even be recovering (but that’s a different story) anyway. The refund was apparently ‘authorised’ last sat and it can take 3-5 days to make it to my bank- because it’s a bank holiday that won’t be until next Tuesday rather than yesterday mehhh.

Also our child benefit was suppose to arrive Monday and that will probably be delayed until Tuesday too. So we are short on funds right now but trying to make the most of what we’ve got. I’m taking the girls to our local water park today near the beach as the weather is beautiful! So that will kill a few hours. I also need to do some food shopping as we’ve got hardly any food in, I’ve got £20 to last 3 days for food so hopefully that’ll be enough.

I hate it when money is tight, it is my fault as I booked a little Butlin s weekend away in June but it was only a few hundred and this was before I knew UC was going to take the excess money. But on the positive side we will get £238 Tuesday and then I get paid again Friday so once I’ve paid for more groceries, petrol and my husband should really have another therapy session (it’s been 2 weeks since his last) then we’ll have £100 ish to put in our savings pot. Sorry this rambling is all about my finance workings out....

DH is working 6 days training this week, I was worried how he was going to cope getting up and having to drop him to the bus before 8.20 each morning but he’s doing soooo well I’m so proud. He said it’s nice to learn about something he is interested in. Next week he’s only got 2-3 days I think so at least he can have a rest then.

Enjoy your Saturday, I can’t believe how sunny it is, love it.

Clouds88

Hello everyone. I’m back to catch up on this thread.

So much has happened since I last posted, I stopped because my life was stressful my OH and me were on the edge of separation and his mental health had never been worse.

BUT things look like they are turning around? I hope, so I am back to try and target my savings. I want a new car so bad! But I do not want any debt so saving it is, and we are saving towards a mortgage but being ex BR (and husband was DRO) we won’t be touched for 3-4 years so gives us time to save.

So far: £1000 in one savings pot, £100 in another and £200 in my Help to buy isa.

Plan moving forward: £400 a month (just about to open husbands Lifetime ISA) into these, £200 each. £50 in my other savings pot and then whatever else I can saved generally.

I am going to see what savings I’ve got in November then think about buying a car. We only need one thankfully, my little old Peugeot that has just had something else wrong with it and I can’t take my DD and another child out if we’ve got OH in the car too so a 5 seater bigger car and newer will be great.

Husband has just got a new job after being unemployed/tried a few for over a year. He’s only been there a week so I’m not getting too excited yet but if he sticks it I think it will be so good for him, he likes the people and seems positive so far. Also set shifts means he can get into a routine.

My baby starts pre school in September omg I am so sad but so happy! I hardly leave her, except for work twice a week and she is my little cling on. I’ve no idea how it’s going to go but they said we can do phased introductions so that’s good. My eldest is going into year 5! She can’t wait. I still need to get a new lunch box and drink bottle (for both) but the uniform shoes and bag are sorted. Oh yes new coat needed to.

I have to pay my fees for doing my job in September I hate that, £120 for what?! Never mind.

Right so, today I need to pop to Aldi and get a few bits, pick up my eldest from a sleep over then head to the park I think If the weather allows.

Have a lovely Sunday