Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!

Mumoffourkids

MrsMe said:

Hi Missymoo, 
I stumbled across your diary yesterday and have caught up this morning. Sounds like you certainly have a challenge ahead of you but you are doing great - lots of good ideas coming your way (I've just added dried beans to my own Tesco order so I've learned a thing or two from your diary too! 😉). 
I too am a curly girl and have been following the CG method for about a year now so thought I'd share what I've learned. Firstly - it doesn't have to be expensive! It is a learning experience, products that work for some people won't for others. If you can, invest in a scalp scrub. This massively helps to clean your hair and scalp when co washing (i.e. using conditioner to wash your hair). Look for cheaper conditioners to use too - I like the apple conditioner from Aldi. It doesn't contain silicone (which is the devil for curly hair!) and is only £0.59. I use this to Co wash but use the slightly more expensive Ultimate Blends Almond Crush as conditioner (squishing it into my hair in the shower). I only ever buy this when it's on offer somewhere - usually for £2ish. I LOVE Tesco essential gel (blue gel) for my styling product. It's £0.45 a tub and is gentle but really does give my curls definition and tames the frizz. I do need to 'scrunch out the crunch' once my hair is completely dry - but the end result is great.
The biggest lesson for me was patience (it's not a virtue I possess unfortunately 😂). Also, try to only wash your hair once a week. Use a scrunchie to put it in a pineapple on top of your head to sleep so you don't disturb the curls and then refresh it with a spritz of water in the morning. You'll save loads of product this way and your hair will thank you not being washed so often! I didn't get amazing results overnight, but over time I've noticed a massive difference. Take photos throughout your journey to document your progress otherwise you won't really notice.
I'm currently experimenting with CG friendly shampoo bars at the moment. Co washing is good but I occasionally like to use a low poo shampoo (Johnson baby shampoo) to give it a good cleanse. It's too early to tell how my hair is responding, but once I've got a better idea, I'll share my verdict with you.
Sorry for the very long post.
Good luck, you've got this! 😁
P. S. If you're not sure whether a product is CG friendly, put the ingredients through this website:
https://www.curlsbot.com/

Sorry to hijack your thread Missy, but I am really interested in the curly girl method. When I was young, my hair was dead straight, as I have gotten older, it has gone wavy and I am able to get it into loose curls if I put product on after washing and scrunch. This sounds a great method for me to investigate as I would love to embrace my curls but I really don’t have time each day to style my hair. Thanks for the tips, I am going away to research!

Oh and I do read your diary Missy, but normally just lurk rather than post.

missymoo81

Wow MrsMe, I can’t tell you how very grateful I am for your lovely long post! I really appreciate you taking the time to post about the CG method! And you have saved me spending money I don’t have on things I thought were good!  I’ve used that website for the ingredients about 20 times today! And have only found one suitable conditioner and it is the almond one you use! It’s £2 at Tesco at the min by the way! I really hope my hair gets better soon as at the moment my hair is not v happy! And thank you for the johnsons baby shampoo idea! 

Thanks Kakiste, I haven’t done any more FBing or EBaying today has turned into a bit of a nightmare!

mumoffourkids! Hi! I read your diary too and am working my way through right from the beginning! You are my inspiration you do so well with so many little ones! So what I have learnt so far on the CG method. The satin pillow vase is lovely, my hair seems to like it, I got 2 white ones for £4.99 on Amazon. I haven’t tried sleeping with my hair in a pineapple (thanks MrsMe) I think it would actually straighten my hair as it’s not that long (it’s about 2 inches past shoulderS
when it’s curly) and  if I put it in a ponytail it tends to straighten it. I’ve used spray coconut oil on it which at first I didn’t like but it really softened my hair, but I had to shampoo it 3 times to get it out, which is against CG methods as you need to wash your hair is Little as possible! Washing my hair with just conditioner and being super gentle with it instead of pulling the tangleS through with my fingers has really helped It fall out a lot less, maybe half the amount. But I’ve done that 3 times now and my hair is dull and a bit itchy, So I th  in no I’m going to have to shampoo once a week. I don’t get greasy hair but after 3 days of not washing my hair starts to mat on itself and tangle, so I’d end up with dreadlocks if I left it! I need to invest in a new conditioner as the ones I’ve bought aren’t CG approved 🙄 even though I assumed they were. I got some curl cream but it just doesn’t hold my hair, it’s a noughty one. I just end up with very frizzy tight curls. Since doing the CG method my hair seems to have got bigger and curlier and it is a bit frizzier and has a mind of its own but as I said it’s falling out a lot less so it should grow. I currently use a mousse once it is damp, but that’s not CG approved but not sure what else to use. MrsMe when I was a teen I used the Tesco gel, held well but you’re right it’s rather crunchy. I don’t know what anyone else’s families are like on the hair front. My mums hair was blonde and curlyish and my sisters hair is the same but I have v dark v curly hair that seems to get curlier with age, I thought I’d have these beautiful dark curly haired Children, and my two both have v blonde v straight hair 🤷🏻‍♀️.

so that’s enough talking about hAir! I will post about my day shortly as it’s been a rather long and arduous one! X

missymoo81

Hi,
sorry I didn’t get time to update last night was just so tired! So went to a social distancing bbq yesterday afternoon, which was lovely but to be honest a little overwhelming to be with people that aren’t my immediate family and have them all excitable and talking at me! obv I’m not ready for lockdown to end!
Anyway, got home and the cat had been sick on the carpet and we had a massive Ant infestation everywhere, and the cats had weed all over their cat bed! So spent quite a lot of time sorting that all out! Need to go to Homebase and get some ant powder.
Have work this morning then lots of errands and things to do unfortunately. Have school work and a list super long to try and get through. Have my Tesco order to pick up tonight, OH didn’t end up paying for it, as he paid me my Actual wages this week, so didn’t feel like I could ask him. Shopping was £36 with voucher and Gousto is £31. Might be the last week for Gousto I’ll see. Just can’t afford to be spending £70ish a week on food and Tesco minimum click and collect is £40. Trying to have ten days between orders but couldn’t get another delivery slot, so I have one on this Friday then another one 11 days later. so I’m just doing what a can at the moment. 

Whilst home schooling the children I’m going to try and post a few more bits on FB. 

Right must get dressed for work. Have a lovely day all x

missymoo81

So cat is not happy, he’s weed on the beanbag and on the cat bed! So washed The cat bed and not sure what to do with the  Beanbag, it’s currently in the garden. I did my workout and have achieved some things today. Did an hour of maths home schooling along with cleaning the kitchen and sorting the dishwasher and lunch. Children had crumpets and me and OH had a sandwich. I’ve taken lots of photos of things for FB and eBay, have put 4 up on FB so far. Have had interest on one. Really need to sort through money and make a list of everything as I have no clue where I’m at, it’s more guess work at the moment. I did empty the old car and OH Is off out right now to get a new number plate do that we can sell it and this can go straight into the savings account as have  already spent the money on the new car just before lockdown, then couldn’t sell my car! (Had to upgrade as hAd a Tiny car and smalls are not so small anymore.)

This evening children have mash and beans left over from last night and me and OH have one of last Weeks Gousto meals. It’s a tomatoey fish pasta thing. 

I’ve not been great lately with taking my vitamins and drinking enough water so going to get on that again today. Got to get up at 6am tomorrow for the early class! Not looking forward to it. Me and OH have started to discuss when we reopen, all of the things we need to put into place. Shift patterns etc. It’s all so complicated. We’re working more but not being paid any more which is frustrating. But at least we should have a business to go back to!

missymoo81

Did the evening class then Dropped some things off to people. Then picked up Tesco order then OH went and got Chinese. Naughty I know but we’re just so tired at the moment. I’ve just put all the shopping away. I got a lot for £36. OH is currently working, he’s so tired and not very happy. I just want to go to bed. But I best stay up with him. So tomorrow I’m going to list my eBay stuff and sort the invoice and go through money I need to. Really wish I wasn’t quite so tired. Hope you’re all ok x

missymoo81

I’m up and don’t want to be, have already drunk too much coffee, so jumping around in a class in 5 minutes Is not the best idea! Yawning my head off!

missymoo81

Just about to start class number 2! coffee is my friend today! So list for today, wash car and list on trader sight. Washing! Meal plan, sort fridge, home school, eBay listing, Sort clothes. 

I’ve had a banana and some biscuits so far today and children and OH have had toast. Brunch wise I’m not sure! And dinner we’re having the Gousto we should have had last night. Having my new Gousto order delivered today, which will possibly be my last. Anyway need to get on with the class! Speak later! 

missymoo81

Ok! So did my workouts, honestly it was awful! Felt completely drained after and my body aches so much! Ended up having a nap this afternoon as I just couldn’t keep my eyes open. Did manage to home school the children for an hour. Sorted the fridge and did some washing, although I am yet to hang it up as I just can’t face it right now so it will probably need rewashing. Helped OH with lots of work but started to lose the will to live a bit. Got my Gousto box and cooked this spicy haddock thing for dinner. oH didn’t like it and it’s too spicy for the children and I have an awful tummy ache! What a waste of over an hour Cooking. And I didn’t relish OH’s big distaste for fish cooked in that way!! He eats fish pie 🤷🏻‍♀️ And the worst thing is I have a fish dish for this week too 🤦🏻‍♀️. OH I’d majorly stressed about work, and super grumpy, he’s currently shut himself away in the garage! 

Ok good news..... I’ve managed to list one thing on eBay, and it has a £5 bid which is good. And I have someone picking up a £3 thing tomorrow. I have managed to find my curly girl perfect combination. Thank you MrsMe! I am using garnier blends conditioner, and Tesco essentials gel and my hair looks better than it has done for weeks! I also bought some Johnson’s baby shampoo for when I need to wash it! So grateful! Also sat and went through money, I need to find at least £31 by the beginning of July. And if I can build up a contingency as well that would be perfect. I can’t work anymore than I do as I wouldn’t get paid for it. So I just need to sell, sell, sell. I have taken photos of other things, I just haven’t managed to post them up, but I will tomorrow lunch time. Also as of December, if I can make another £130 a month then we’re on track to get the deposit together we’re after for a house. So just need to keep this up. Unfortunately Gousto is going to have to go after tonight’s debacle. But should save me some money bit to mention faff time. Hope you’re all ok x

missymoo81

Hi! Soooo I have spent lots of time going through my accounts! Speaking to my accountant as well. I have come out with a long drawn out plan of which I will try and explain.

ok so I am currently paying myself back for paying off all of my credit cards from my house deposit. I’m paying £450 a month back. OH is paying back £889. Have just realised I’m going to have A tax bill in jan, which I hadn’t accounted for as didn’t really think about it as only been self employed less than 2 years. Just completely forgot! So I need to save up for that and to actually manage to pay the bills as I’m not getting paid as such right now. 

Soooo I have £64 in contingency and another £50 in premium bonds which I think I’m going to have spend on school uniform as have most of it but not jumpers etc. Going to put house deposit as is in premium bonds. I need £31 extra to pay for bills up until September, so I need to make that somehow, hopefully from EBay/FB sales and I really want to make an emergency fund as haven’t factored in MOTs or anything like that. Groceries need to stay Under £250 a month. I absolutely need to get that £200 invoice in. And I really need to pay cash into the bank. Gousto is going to have to go! 

I should hopefully be back in business in sept, so need to save an extra £333.50 a month from Oct, to pay bills and to save up for tax bill. This should be ok. Anything I get for personal training etc. I will put in the emergency fund. It’s all ok in my head hopefully I can remember what I’ve sorted I’ve written it all down but it is slightly confusing! 

missymoo81

Ah have forgotten other bills from normal life! Such as dancing and after school club!!! Need to factor those in too! Argh notepad out again! So that’s approx another  £120 a month I need to find!!!! So approx £450 Hmmm thinking this may not be doable!