When I grow up

sugar-walsh

WinterWarrior said:

Self employed variable wages must be so hard to budget with. I would worry too. I also hate this point in the month, where everything is paid and it’s just a battle not to spend the savings until the next pay day.

I'm so pleased it's not just me. I try to remember the money is coming, and that as long as there is a roof over our heads, heat, food in our bellies, it's all OK. 
I'm yet to get to a 'savings' stage, but feel it's achievable this year. At the very least I'd like to pay debt, and have our summer holiday, without accruing more debt. Best case is we do those and we have some savings.
Self employed wages are really hard. Especially as any time off isn't covered, so every time you think you're ahead, 1extra day off can throw everything. It's not for the fainthearted!

sugar-walsh

jusferbrowsing said:

You're doing amazingly well. I'm also a fan of little luxuries that make you feel its not all hard slog. 

Cocktails in the garden with some (quiet) 70s disco music was our alternative to going on holiday last year... and what a hoot, I can't wait for this summer to do it all again. In fact we bought an adult size blow up paddling/swimming pool to make the best of any heatwave. 

Its all to easy to sleepwalk onto overspending and the fact you are aware and react to any potential deficit in your budget means that you won't stray too far from your path to being debt free. 

...and as for growing up... *raspberry noise 

You sound like my kind of people! We only have a deck, but we managed some mini family discos and s'mores nights last summer. Even got the old disco ball and uplighters out.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. It's not been as tough as I thought, now we are both focusing on a goal. Until recently I've been the only one to look after finances, but now (after 17 years 👀), my husband is on board. So it feels much much easier for me to keep pushing for our debt free life.

And yeah, who wants to be Ana actual adult? 

sugar-walsh

So today went better than expected. 

£40 to fix the handbrake on my car, so it should now pass its Mot. I had visions of it costing loads and having to cut back to 1 car. Which we could do, but my car is a really old Panda, which basically costs a few quid to run, so as long as it keeps trundling on we will keep it for ease.

And then I suggested going out for a couple of drinks tonight. Fancies a bit of a change of scene. But, due to a b12 deficiency, I was flat out on the sofa at 7pm. Winner winner.

Last day at work tomorrow, then off until Wednesday. Planning a trip to Manchester with the family on Monday. Train tickets booked and paid in advance, restaurant booked and deposit paid. It's half term and I don't get to do much with them, so whilst it's not mse, it's important to me. Let's see what damage is done to the old finances during my weekend.... 

sugar-walsh

It's my weekend! Plus I booked an extra day off to spend with the kids in half term. 1 of them has already arranged to go to a friends house on Tuesday... Guess that's what happens when.theyre teens. 

Manages to pay a bit more off the credit card, decided it's better to make daily notes here than forever changing my signature. That can be done monthly. Not touched my big overdraft, currently at £1100. The small one, which can be £250, is not being used, so that's better than normal. Usually I'm tempted to empty this to pay the credit card, but now I know the overdraft is at 40% interest, I'm trying to not use that one, whilst simultaneously paying down the credit and large overdraft. 

All that being said, I'm off out to spend some tips tonight. Again, not mse, but I can't be an angel all of the time. 😇

Today's totals:

Cc £3447
OD1 - £1100
OD2 + £35

sugar-walsh

Went out for a few bevvies last night. Been in bed with a terrible stomach and blinding headache today. So that's a bit rubbish.  However, it has meant no popping for a coffee n cake anywhere. 

Also sold a table, which my mum bought from me as a temporary measure a while ago. She's decided she wants a new one, so sold it on for her. As a rule I get 50% of anything I sell for her, but as I had already had a profit from her I wasn't expecting anything. A cheeky £30 was gratefully received.

It's going towards our big day out tomorrow. 

Now I'm finally peeling myself out of bed in an attempt to find some vegetables for tea. 

Today's totals:

Cc £3487 ( mot retest and handbrake fix) 
Od1 - £1100
Od2 + £25

sugar-walsh

Yesterday was fun. We took the kids to Manchester, spent far too much, but had the loveliest day. It's set us back a bit, but crikey, life is meant for living, not spectating.

Today I collected a picture I bought at auction for my lounge, and a £12 punt on a scrappy dressing table. I'm sure there will some profit in it once I've tidied it up. 

An aldi shop was thrown in for good measure today too.  Got to keep those teens fed in the half term. 

Today's Totals:

Credit card: £3720 (day out, auction buy) 
Od1: - £1215 ( water, aldi) 
Od2: -£25 (clothes) 

Scott_Weiland79

sugar-walsh said:

@Scott_Weiland79 I know just what you mean. Debt dictated your thoughts and decisions.
I'm doing a job I don't particularly like at the moment, but it pays more than anything else I've done and it's a means to an end. 
Thing is, I still don't know what I want to be when I've got rid of the debt.... 

I dont like mine either but it pays the bills

My plan is a clear debts then get out of being an extra on the set of "This Life"

sugar-walsh

2 no spend days means I'm feeling a little less stressed about our overspend on Monday.

Really glad we did an aldi shop, stops any more slip ups. Plenty of lunch options, and snacks. I think next month I might try the grocery challenge. We don't really waste much, but we are prone to not doing a big shop, so it will keep us on track. 

No extra cash made this week yet. But there's still time. 

And my concerns that my husband might drop his work load during half term were unfounded, he's working and should reach his weekly target. So for once I'm not stressing, despite the numbers sliding the wrong way. I know shortly they will go back in the right way. 

Here's to more positive days like this. 

X

Today's totals

Credit card: £3732
Od1: - £1244 (interest) 
Od2: - £28 (charges) 

sugar-walsh

Today I even resisted getting a chocolate bar whilst getting petrol. Small victory, but I will take it. 

Also made tonight my 'me' night. A bath, facial, earlier night, no alcohol. Finally I'm learning that self care is important.

Tomorrow I'm being taken out by my son for my christmas/birthday treat to a fancy restaurant. Really looking forward to a treat that I don't have to pay for. Then Sunday I'm cooking a roast with a friend. It's looking like a good weekend. Just 1 last day of work to get through...

Hope everyone coped with Eunice. 

Today's totals:
Credit card £3732
Od1 - £1264 (petrol) 
Od2 +£50 

jusferbrowsing

Sounds like the perfect beginning to a wonderful weekend