It's time to begin.....

Kakiste

Thanks all. 
@alt80 I don't have a credit card anymore- I'm on a DMP so they all defaulted once I started that and the banks cancelled my cards. As part of the DMP agreement I'm not allowed to take out any more credit unless I talk to them first (I don't want to do that anyway) I own 5 pairs of shoes overall (heeled boots, lovely boots, trainers, gym trainers and work shoes) so there's not much scope for lots of multiples at the moment. Plus with my credit use and terrible credit score there is absolutely no way anyone would be giving me a credit card now! (not that I want one)
However I can pull it off - I have 3 outfits for work that are decent quality (was bought a next clothing voucher as a collective birthday voucher a few years ago) so that's enough to make sure I'm always in clean clothes which is the most important thing. After next summer I'll be able to give myself a small clothing budget each month so I'll build my wardrobe into something decent then. 

It's a possibility that the June budget could be tweaked. I'm not giving myself my usual budget of £25 to spend on myself next month as my car radiator is leaking and it's booked in at the garage next Tuesday so I've put that £25 towards the repair costs. I'll see how much the repair costs and then make a decision. At least it's dry for the rest of the week!

Sarahwithlove

I would use the rocket dog shoes and replace them in the future if needed. My rocket dogs lasted me ages and took a lot of wear and tear I don't see point in spending money on a decent pair of shoes to never wear them. They are designed to take more use. 

Kakiste

Yes I'm thinking something similar if i can't budget for replacement shoes need month.
At home I either wear the rocket dog boots or my trainers so they are worn frequently at the moment so making them work shoes as well would mean them being worn 7 days a week.

GeorgianaCavendish

Hi Kakiste! I read your entire diary from start to finish last night and I’m completely in awe of how much you have achieved in such difficult circumstances - you are a real inspiration! 

On the shoes, you could set up an ebay saved search alert for the exact style and size of your current Rocket Dogs so that if anyone does list another pair you’ll be the first to know. I used to use this function a lot for a particular style of clothing from a brand I always wear to work and I’ve had a couple of amazing bargains. 

Honeysucklelou2

Have you tried the Next clearance section for work clothes & shoes? My budget is very tight but when I get to the point of praying for dry weather so I don’t get wet feet from leaky shoes ( and I’ve been there) I’ve found some bargains on that area of the site . Tailored work trousers for £5 and boots reduced from the £60 mark to £10. Its helped me to afford smart work clothes at low cost.

Kakiste

Thanks both for the suggestions, I'll set some ebay searches up and have a look at the next clearance sale next month. 

Kakiste

Had a mostly nice half term. Brief horribleness from husband on Thursday; yet again sparking an argument over absolutely nothing. I used to record all our bad arguments on the advice of the counsellor because he used to twist the truth so incredibly afterwards I'd end up confused about why I'd even been in a mood. I've stopped doing it now because I've come to the conclusion that the vast vast majority of the time it's all him. (I'm not saying I'm perfect! But he will suddenly create an argument out of nothing seemingly through boredom/stress/anger at other situations) 

However he managed to contain all his crappiness to a single day and the rest of the time we had a nice time. Took daughter swimming at the beach twice, my mum came up and paid for us all to go out to the cinema and for a pub meal and took daughter to the fairground. 

Also in great money saving style I've managed to get us two free adult bikes! (Sat on someone's drive in a very nice village on the way to work with a 'Free!' sign next to them!   ) One of them needed the rear mudguard stripping off and the brake adjusting which bubble friend did for us as he's a keen cyclist, but they're in great nick so have managed to go out with my daughter on a few bike rides over the last couple of days. 

WinterWarrior

Fabulous win with the bikes, well spotted!

Kakiste

So we've been invited out with friends next Friday for a meal. I've been doing lots of sewing again recently so I think I can afford it, need to double check budgets again after this Friday's car repair- radiator and it's housing need replacing. I've got £450 put aside for it but garage are saying that it will be £370-something which if true would give me about £70-something over which I could use on my half of the meal and then the rest on small father's day presents. (they mentioned a £90 investigatory service charge but so far haven't charged me for it last week and it's not written up on the estimate of work invoice i've been sent for Friday; I'm not sure whether that was the standalone price if no worked needed doing and it's now not applicable or whether they have forgotten. Either way (slightly dishonest) but I'm not going to query it, if they don't charge me for it, I'll keep quiet (it's a massive national dealership chain not a small local business just in case anyone thinks I'm being hugely harsh)

GeorgianaCavendish

Amazing about the bikes!