Washing Away My Debts By 2024

Keedie

I think you're doing exceptionally well Squirrelz and paying more into your pension and overpaying on the mortgage with the increase in salary will make all the difference to your future. Try not to be too upset by the amount that you are able to pay to CC1 over the coming months, as don't forget, you have a change in job and then Christmas, so it would not make sense to be too gung-ho this side of Christmas with overpayments as you will leave yourself short and stressed out.

I'm glad that the swelling is going down in Arwen's legs and the additional walk is helping her and at least she will have her boots soon. Hopefully the vet managed to get back to you today.x

LittleMissDetermined

I’m sure you’ll gain momentum in the new year once you’re settled in your new job and Christmas is out of the way.  These next few months is all about planning for the spendy season.

Squirrelz92

Thanks @Keedie It is so easy to get all hot and bothered about the here and now but I don't want to forget about planning for the future. I was just going to focus on my pension and leave overpaying the mortgage but then after re-evaluating, it just makes no sense to pay the minimum when you can afford to make a massive difference and save yourself a ton of interest in the long run! I have signed up to the MFW 2022 board and have given myself a £100 target to reach by the end of 2022 (£50 each for Nov and Dec). As tempting as it is to continue to try and pay as much off as I can, you are right with going steady on the run up to Xmas. 

I do dread Xmas @LittleMissDetermined I think because it has always been a financial worry as I am sure the majority of adults can relate to and understand. There is so much pressure now with kids wanting the latest technology at £400 a piece! I remember I used to be over the moon with a brand-new novel, a board game and some fancy scented pens! How times have changed It also doesn't help the festive spirit knowing that a lot of people can't go all out on decorating their houses this year with the cost of electricity. We always have lights on the outside of our house and going down our driveway but this year that won't be happening. 

PAD made of £1 to the CC1 pot. I do have £8 odd to cash out from Prolific but I am holding on to the last £2.62 owed to be approved so I can leave the balance at £0. Chance is a fine thing though!

Dropping my son off at school late this morning as him and his year 6 class are off on a 3 day residential trip. He is beyond excited and I am sure he will make some brilliant memories for life, as I did when I got to go in Primary School. The house shall definitely be quieter and far less chaotic! 

Arwens legs are still swollen but the vet rang and said that she will be ok so long as I keep up with the walking twice a day and get those stable boots on her 24/7 once they arrive  

sunshine_raincloud

Wishing Arwen a speedy recovery! Just caught up on your diary. You are doing so well, sometimes it might not feel like much progress is being made but bit by bit you will get there! Christmas definitely feels like it is approaching quickly now and I am also worried that spending will derail things. You are making such good plans though and it is great that you are thinking about all your options. Keep going!

LittleMissDetermined

Can't believe you're still waiting for those boots to arrive! Hopefully they will be here soon and her recovery can speed up.

I've been thinking about the Christmas lights this year, we usually have lots (inside the windows and down the bannisters) as well as the Christmas tree. Last year we left them on 24/7 so I think this year I will only have them on from when it gets dark until we go to bed. That's a compromise I'm willing to make haha!

For me, the cost of Christmas is all about hubby as it's his birthday 2 days after... and his list is usually full of expensive things.  But as we don't have kids it's generally accepted that I'll splash out on something nice for him. 

If you fancy it, you could join the sealed pot challenge for 2023 which will be a boost to the Christmas coffers for you? Every little bit helps and it's a friendly little thread hosted by @Sue-UU I'm sure it will be set up soon as we open them at the end of October

LMD x

Squirrelz92

Well, my horses boots finally arrived... the flaming courier has only gone and left them on my doorstep in the open where everyone walking past can see it and easily take it! Not happy at all as I put in a request for it to be delivered to my neighbour because I don't return home until 5.30pm with working I swear if that ruddy parcel isn't there when I am back there will be a whole lot of ugly as she needs those boots to save myself more vet bills! It got delivered 2nd class @LittleMissDetermined, and with the strikes that hasn't helped either. I couldn't get anything delivered any quicker so have had to huff and puff impatiently waiting. 

We attended the last of the open evenings for local High Schools yesterday for my son who is in year 6. Sadly he couldn't go to view this one with us with him being away on his school residential trip but me, my partner and DD went anyway! This was the school that I really want both my children to go to as its one of the best in Lancashire for both the grades achieved year on year, the number of opportunities both sporting and non-sporting available and because they are stricter than a lot of other schools. I know we have no say in what High School is offered to us come March 23 but if I have done anything right in a past life they will offer my son a place here In all fairness, if we get offered a place at our second choice I will still be very happy as this was also a firm favourite!

PAD made this morning of £1.67

I've been a bit naughty with spending today but it will benefit me longer term for getting more for my money. The cost of everything is shooting up including shavings and now with my local store having issues with being supplied the cheapest shavings they sell out (£6.80 a bale but due an increase again) I have had to try and find another method to save money. With Arwen being such a dirty horse (literally smothers her filth everywhere), I have decided to resort back to using sawdust but nobody local sells this in single bales so I am having to now purchase in bulk At £6.05 a bale of sawdust with the minimum order being 25 (he normally doesn't deliver less than 50 to my area but he was delivering to someone else anyway in large volume so said he can do 25 because he is passing through), the total cost is £151.25. This is currently being dropped off at my yard as I type. This lot will last me between 9-11 weeks using two bales a week and works out me gaining an extra 7 bales for same amount of normal shavings. It hurts losing that money today but it will hurt a lot less over time with gaining almost an additional 4 weeks of bedding for the same price. 

Squirrelz92

Afternoon,

PAD of £1 to the CC1 this morning. The usual Sunday jobs have been carried out (L!dl and diesel). Also needed to buy the monthly dog food today

I did sin quite substantially this morning but I refuse to feel crappy for it. My two haven't asked for anything the last few months and they haven't had any spontaneous impulse buys for a good while because I have been focusing so much on trying to save pennies to clear this debt. Me and my DD went into ASDA to buy a pair of trousers for herself as the few she has left are hanging on by a thread. I went from spending £6 to £60. Winter tights, winter dresses, a pair of boots that go with all the clothes, some leggings and some pj's. I felt bad at the beginning when I chose a dress for her off the rail but then thought 'screw it'. My children need new winter clothes and they hardly get anything unless its their birthday or Xmas so it was a lovely mini shopping spree. I shall be doing the exact same with my DS as he stopped over at a friends house so wasn't with us for the weekly shop/diesel run this time. Told him that just me and him will go to have a mini shopping spree of our own which he is really excited about as we don't get to do a lot together. They are both kids and never ask for anything so even though this was definitely not in my budget, I don't care. It didn't go on the credit card (debated it WITH GUILT but then realised I didn't have my purse so couldn't even if I wanted to!). My little girl is busy twirling about the house in her new dresses, tights and boots and that makes me happy seeing her appreciate it all. 

DS has his football match this afternoon. Every week it gets colder the more I think about buying myself a travel coffee mug. My old one broke early on this year and I haven't replaced. Trying to hang on until my birthday (mid Nov) so someone can get me one as a present as I am very difficult to buy for!

Receive my exam results a week today... more bothered about the fact that I am nowhere near finishing the syllabus for my new exam so I will have to make a big decision soon!

shell16

Morning

In all fairness, clothes are a necessity so I wouldnt feel too bad about it.  Yes unplanned but it has brought happiness to you and your DD and it sounds like you have bought a fair lot with £60 and it didnt go on credit so well done you!

Shell x

LittleMissDetermined

I agree with Shell, clothes are needed. Especially as we head into winter
LMD x

Squirrelz92

Morning,

Absent for a few days as have been feeling pretty down about the whole work situation alongside some other stressors that I could really do without at the moment. On Monday I was in tears after work to my partner because I am so mentally exhausted from doing absolutely nothing but trying to find something to tinker away at. It just came to a head and ended up spilling out when I arrived home from work. Debated just not finishing my notice period but then snapped out of it as I know I will be up crappy creek without a paddle financially if I did that. 

Yesterday took a complete 180 as my boss pulled me into a room and asked me what it would take for me to stay. I felt so awkward as I applied elsewhere because I need a better salary and because I genuinely want to work for my money! I told him the blatant truth about my opinions regarding him splitting up the role into two when the last lady left as I would have been entirely happy with being in charge of both production accounts, costing and the management accounts. It may have been too much for the last lady but it would have been perfect for me as I would have been busy constantly. Never mind I eventually decided to let my curiosity get the better of me and said if they could match my new salary and guarantee me a heavy workload, I would consider staying. Here is where I need my DFW friend's advice!!! I have asked my family their thoughts on what I should do. My two sisters say stay, my Mum and Dad say leave, my stepdad is essentially Switzerland and said do what you feel is right. 

Job One (current)
Salary - 8k less than offer at new workplace
Hours - 8.30am to 5pm
Break - 1 hour
Holiday - 22 days
Childcare flexibility - Family friendly and allow me to take holiday in half hour blocks so I can easily accommodate school plays/holiday club drop offs and pick up times
Travel time - 15 mins on motorway
Reason for leaving - Nowhere near enough work and feel crappy/stressed out/unhappy because of this

Job Two (new)
Salary 8k more than current workplace
Hours - 8am to 5pm
Break - 1 hour
Holiday - 25 days
Childcare flexibility - This is where I am worrying. They are also family friendly, but with no holiday clubs in the work area I will have to continue to use local childcare which means I won't be able to get to work on time and I will have to leave early to pick up. Unsure as to whether they will allow the same as above during school holidays for drop off and pick up or what their solution is regarding odd times when it's impossible for me to get to work eg. over Xmas period between Xmas and New Year where there is no childcare. 
Travel time - 30 mins on motorway

I cant say no to either of them because I am one of those silly people who feel I owe everyone something. I know I need to be selfish and do what is right for my career but it's so tricky when children are involved knowing you don't have any family or friends nearby for occasional support. I have sent the recruiter an email and plan on ringing her this morning as I need to clear up the childcare issue during the school holidays. Does anyone have an opinion? 

On a chirpier note, Arwen is getting her staples out today so looking forward to a ring from the vets for an update and to start the next phase of her long rehab

Oh yes, £1 PAD to CC1 pot too x