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

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi @missymoo81,
Sending virtual hugs, not been feeling it myself either over money worries, job etc. I think right now just savour the nice moments and try not to worry about the difficult stuff. The year's been hard enough. Cheers for the nudge on the diary, will do an update this weekend. 

missymoo81

Hey,
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Ours was ok, children had a great time which is the main thing. OH went back to bed for 4 hours, so ended up making Christmas dinner on my own 🙄. He struggles with Christmas! 

We’re now in tier 4 and business has had to shut again. OH has not taken it well and is really unhappy and difficult to deal with. Very worried about money as have very little income right now. So much for thinking we’d be able to buy a house soon. OH can’t afford to pay some of his bills so I’m helping. Hoping the government help will come in. 

I really struggle this time of year as we don't do Christmas presents at all (apart from for the children) Literally nothing, so I always feel a bit sad and want to treat myself.
I keep putting stuff in online baskets and leaving them there. I don’t NEED anything it’s all wants. It’s really important that I don’t buy anything, I literally can’t afford to buy it’s so tempting! How ridiculous is that! 

I’m in cleaning/sort out mode as we have too much stuff right now, with all of the children’s Christmas presents. So will
spend the afternoon/evening sorting toys and clothes. I’ve already put both Christmas trees away and have taken the outside lights down, and everything is back in the loft. I’ve hoovered them lounge and it’s back to normal. I have lots of bags for the charity shop. I’m hoping it will be open tomorrow. 

Need to have a super frugal jan and feb. I need to get the food bill under control. I’m thinking the best way to do this is by getting click and collect. I spend far more in the shop especially when the children are with me and I never have enough time. So that’s what I’m going to do.

dawnybabes

Merry Christmas. 

Its technically a bank holiday tomorrow so don’t think the charity shops will be open.

Do you do anything about the maintenance ? Every little helps 

missymoo81

Hey Dawny babes! just realised as we’re in tier 4 the charity shops won’t be open anyway 🤦🏻‍♀️. And yes with regards to maintenance. I spoke to my solicitor. She said not to do anything as as he is having the children for 50-60% of the time at the moment I can’t make a claim against him as our agreement from divorce is over a year old and whilst he is on furlough he is having them more often as he’s not working and I am. But I don’t get anything from him. Despite him getting paid about 4 x more than me right now! Obv the system is floored!!!

WelshKitty85

Since the charity shops are closed, is there anything in the bags you could list for sale? Even if you just get a couple of pounds, it all helps towards the grocery bills. If not, could you list them free to collector just to get them out of your way?

dawnybabes

Just run it through the cms calculator, sometimes if they are a big earner they still have an amount to pay even if they do 50/50.  At least then you’d know. 

missymoo81

Hey Dawny thanks for that. My solicitor was very clear on it. So I’ll just have to wait until he goes back to work. Thanks though x

Thanks Welsh kitty. A couple of the things I’ve listed in the past and haven’t sold. I might try again. There’s things like evening dresses but of course they’re not selling at the moment as no one has anywhere to go! I’ll see what will sell and put the rest in the clothes bank. Thanks for the idea.

ive got to go into work for 4 hours tomorrow won’t get paid for it though. Ill Do some training though. I do need to finish sorting the house. I’ve mostly sorted the spare room and the children’s room but need to finish off and hoover tomorrow. Will take a few Hours. Haven’t done the playroom yet, but Lounge and kitchen look good. 

Need to go to the shop tomorrow. As have no cat food, toothpaste or saline eye stuff for OH. Not sure what dinner will be....

jwil

I agree with trying to sell some of the stuff you are donating if you can.

Hope you get the money from the Govt soon.

missymoo81

Ok so my heathy eating starts now. Already want to start on the biscuits. I absolutely must not! I have eaten about 10 a day for the past 2 weeks! I’m going to have porridge for breakfast.

Kakiste

I'm starting to ease off the grazing in preparation for going back to no snacking between meals! I've grazed my way through the last 4 days.