Trying to keep on top of it all.Busy,crazy ,life!

savingholmes

Sounds like a positive way to end the year.

Catty89

Decided to start the 1p a day challenge. Not sure how people usually do it but iv decided to choose 7 random numbers a week and score them off so that I'm not paying a heap of it in December. This week's amount was £2.92, seems like nothing but I'm sure some weeks will seem more.
Trying to think of ways to pay off debt easier this year and think for a very easy start I need to get into my Tesco loan account. I don't have the password and can't seem to pass any of the security questions..... So I just stopped paying any extra, I think if I had it on my phone I'd be much more likely to add bits and bobs when I have it. 

Catty89

Not been on here in ages, been so busy with work and kids and nothing much seemed to be happening.
Iv started my new contract of 25 hours (get paid 22.5 as work term time and this means holidays are covered) alongside that I'm working 2 Sundays a month in my cleaning job and a few evenings a week, it's really taking its toll I'm really tired but all worth it when I'm paid.
We ended up selling our car the suspension went on it and rather than fix it we traded it in. We bought it for £12000, 6 years ago and sold it for £8000. The car we went for was £16000 so it does mean we have £8000 of debt back on which we hadn't planned to do. I am really happy with the car though I feel comfortable driving it unlike the last one. We now have to pay £170pm for that so lucky that I took on extra hours at work!
Apart from that not a heap of change our loan is now down to £14400 and we've paid off the laptop that we had. So not great that we've added more debt but equally it could have been worse

Catty89

The kids used there Xmas smyths vouchers tonight so felt like a fun night out for then that cost me £0, we then all had a chipper with a voucher from a fundraiser night. I couldn't believe for 4 fish suppers it would have cost £32!!!!! Maybe why I never get one haha.
I have also booked the cinema for Mon night in the school holidays using my tesco club card points (free) and signed the kids up to a tennis day through the school (free) and a day out at the football stadium for only £4 for all of us so really happy with these little changes. It's hard to keep on top of it all the time but normally when I'm in the money mood I can make changes. 
We also went to home bargains and stocked up on heaps of snacks, crisps, cereals and drinks for the holidays I spent £20. Sounds alot on snacks but will do 2 weeks and when we go to a park the drinks are probably £6 for 3 little fruit shoots so it really is a saving

Catty89

I also thought whilst I'm at it I'd include some very expensive things iv been doing. I went to see a therapist which was soooo expensive £80 per hour but after 6 months waiting for an nhs spot we decided it was needed. Alongside that iv been going to yoga once a month that is £15 and I had a day at a spa which was also pricey and I honestly feel amazing! I feel better than iv been since covid began. It was well worth the money even though it was alot the therapist was about £500, I can't even believe I paid that. 
Anyway what I'm trying to say is some things are needed, and I feel OK spending this on myself as I now feel so much better. Some things are worth paying money on

Catty89

My direct debit for my electric went up from 110 to 139 today and gas 55 to 98. I gave them a call and told them I was in alot of credit and I don't think I'd use all that so he brought it down to £167. He said even then I probably won't use all that in the summer so I'm happy with that I thought I'd have to be really pushy on the ph9ne but the man was absolutely fine

Catty89

No spend day today. Got my husband  to take the car to work so there was no temptation on my day off

Catty89

Half way through the first week of the holidays and iv managed to spend £5. Had friends round today and got pizzas and cakes. I normally use things from the cupboards but had nothing in for lunch for that amount of kids. 
Kids had a nice day having friends round and I enjoyed a catch up and coffee. Made spaghetti bolognase for dinner which is cheap and easy. 
Do feel I'm at the stage of how much more can I cut out and how do people enjoy luxuries! Maybe if I didn't have debt to pay I'd be feeling fine as obviously that is a big chunk of money.
Been checking me electric online but my gas isn't set up on it. Electric for 2 days was £5.50 so that has definitely gone up even though iv been turning lights off and turning plugs off that aren't used etc.

Catty89

£15 spent today at the cinema. Managed to get into a kids screening so was £2.50 each then went a walk along the beach. Juice and sweets brought from home. Quite happy with that as can easily end up being £50 for cinema, sweets and something to eat. 

Catty89

Haven't wrote in here for quite a while!
Currently my 'big loan' hasjust over £12000, crazy to read back to when it was £17000 etc!

Sadly apart from that I don't feel Any better with money. Food, bills, basically everything seems to have gone up and when trying not to use any credit it is hard but luckily the only credit iv been using is an argos card for things if I reallyyyy need it and getting 3 months to pay it back. 
I think iv 2.5 years left of my loan I honestly cannot wait for it to be gone I think il actually be emotional the day it's payed off! 
Kids back to school tomo and iv been off work past 7 weeks as work term time so going to be easier to spend less when we're All out the house all day.