Building The Goode Life

MrsGoode

I've written and rewritten this post so many times, explaining exactly how we got to this position. Our debts are relatively low now, around 3K, after years of fighting a 15K monster. I wrote how the debt isn't our fault, how other people's actions left us with no money to pay the bills and feed our children. That's mostly true. I've spent years struggling not only with juggling money to give our family everything it needs, but with my feelings of bitterness and resentment.
I've read diaries on MSE for years, and picked up so many little things to help me through. There are so many supportive posters helping each other through tough times. It took me a while to realise, but feeling bad about the situation isn't solving anything. The people who put us in this position are long gone, and now it's just us. Me, my partner Mr Goode, and our three beautiful Goode children. Just surviving is over, now we are going to build a good life for us - home grown veggies in the garden, fun free days out with a picnic, and lots of love. What more can we want? I've always loved the Good Life (despite being only 30!). If the Goodes did it on TV, I'm sure we can do it now (although i'm not sure how the Goode's would have coped with a Marvel obsessed boy at home lol!). I'm not sure Mr Goode would be too fond of chickens, or Geraldine the Goat either though!
Just writing this down has made everything more positive. From dark days to fun challenge, we will get the debt paid off. We will save enough to buy a house in a nicer area, and we will give our children a brighter future. Our financial situation is better than it has been for a long time, and with regular posting here, I know we can do it.
Here's to the Good Life. 

MrsGoode

Right, a plan of action. I don't want to go into an SOA yet, although i know all debts and bills figures, i am not entirely sure where the rest of the money goes. I have a good idea, but i'm going to keep a spending diary for a while to keep an eye on our spending. With lockdowns etc, most money goes on things the children needs (and with three of them, there is always something!) and food, so it shouldn't be too difficult to work out.
I have to admit, I am not the greatest cook in the world. In fact, only this week I am really proud of myself for ditching the expensive micro rice pouches as I seem to have finally mastered proper rice. On the stove. It seemed fine to me anyways, and I'm not sure the others would tell me if it wasn't. We go through an obscene amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially as my son has food issues. He will only eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and until very recently dinner. I've finally persuaded him to stretch out into three different meals. The dietician he saw said to just go with it, feed him what he wants and slowly branch out into different foods. Until then, i'm stuck buying which ever fruit and veg he is willing to eat. I don't think his stomach cares much for my budgetary concerns. 
So food has got to be the first focus i think. I've got several veggie plants either in the garden, or waiting to be transplanted so hopefully that will cut down the bill a little come summer. And if i actually use some of the mountain of cook books I've been given over the years (is my partner trying to tell me something?) with some of that home grown produce, I might just cut down on Lidl's profits. Who knows, in a few months time, i might be able to call myself Nigella Goode instead!
Bye bye for now xxxxxx

Blackcats

Lovely to meet you Mrs Goode.  You are right - there are such a lot of helpful and supportive folk on here.  Like you I ummed and aarghed about having a diary but I'm glad that I have one - it keeps me accountable and I get so much helpful advice and support.  I look forward to following your journey.  

foxgloves

Hello Mrs Goode,
We are also fans of the programme. We sometimes laugh that we are getting a bit like them! I've defo made Christmas crackers, tho a little more classy, lol.
I started out on the 'Small Things' thread on here, a lovely little  community, then after some thought, decided to start a diary to try & show people that it truly IS possible to change even longstanding bad money habits. I was in debt from age 19 to my mid-40s. I am a very keen gardener & the harvest season definitely helps with the food budget.
Good luck, let's see you kick that last chunk of debt into touch.
Foxgloves

findingthisdifficult

Goode Luck (see what I did there) clearing that last chunk.  Sounds like you've made a great start already.
I still get good ideas from this place now and I also find it keeps me on the straight and narrow when temptation comes along, it's a great place to be.

Honeysucklelou2

Hi Mrs Goode - another Good Life fan here. Well done on clearing so much thus far.

Four_Seasons

Welcome, I look forward to hearing about your debt busting and cheering you on.

elbree

Happy diary 👋 @MrsGoode, welcome to diaryland and you're right everyone is very supportive. Good luck on trimming the grocery budget, I remember a few years ago I read about little ones diets (when my own was going through a phase) that a 'balanced' diet doesn't necessarily have to be a 'varied' one. That made me feel a lot better 😂. 

anjyeah

You can do it! Your thread actually convinced to possibly start my very first one soon. 
And you're right, even just by reading through this forum itself has its learnings. We all learn one way or other from each other. You have gone through your big journey, no doubt you will finish this phase with grace. Good luck!