Geriatricmum vs inner voice: A monologue

redofromstart

My boys are 20 and 18, they don't remember ANY of the personalised things mr redo made (or that I bought) or many of the expensive trips out that we took them on. They say that the happiest joint memory is a very wet walk puddle jumping around the local reservoir when they were 5 or 6, and being so wet that they had to drive home in underwear sat on a carrier bag 🤣

Geriatricmum

redofromstart said:

My boys are 20 and 18, they don't remember ANY of the personalised things mr redo made (or that I bought) or many of the expensive trips out that we took them on. They say that the happiest joint memory is a very wet walk puddle jumping around the local reservoir when they were 5 or 6, and being so wet that they had to drive home in underwear sat on a carrier bag 🤣

That's so lovely! We luckily live in a small town so have plenty of lovely walks where we are and a beach just across the road. Those experiences exploring is one of the reasons we moved out of the city.

In other news I sold those vests I stuck on vinted tonight, that's a pound in the kitty! 

Spendless

I'd say you need to start building up an Emergency Fund (EF). For some it seems alien to do this and have savings whilst they are trying to pay debt but it's for things such as the car repairs, when life throws a curveball at you. Re the grocery budget, do an inventory of what you've currently got in the fridge/freezer/cupboards and meal plan as much as you can from what you already have. Then look at anything that needs adding to create another meal and write that down on your shopping list. Keep to the minimum even if it means some creative meals. I've never used it but what about the food app Olio? That's where people give away stuff they don't want  https://olioapp.com/en/

Well done selling items on Vinted. My DD has been successful  selling on there recently, though prev it's always been slow. Not sure why it's picked up - people sat at home browsing the net cos it's too cold to be out - maybe. 

phizzimum

Hi geriatricmum - or can I call you Geri for short? Just wanted to delurk to say how much I’ve enjoyed your diary. There’s loads of great debt free challenges on the forums, you’ll soon be getting a dopamine kick from paying off debt instead of spending 

enthusiasticsaver

Thats a good start to your diary.  Love the introduction and the constant battle between the inner voice and your  brain.  

Tackling the Barclaycard given that is the most expensive card and building up some savings for emergencies seems to be a good plan moving forward. It must be tricky keeping track of all those different 0% deals as well. 

Geriatricmum

Thank you for all the lovely feedback and the tips! We did a review of our freezer and pantry today and we have about a weeks worth of dinners, so we'd only need to buy milk, eggs, bread and butter this week. Found some lentils so I'm gonna make a nice soup thing tomorrow with a leek we have and some sweet potatoes - God help my family.

Inner voice and I have been in an ongoing debate about the EF, it does seem massively contradictory to save whilst trying to get out of debt, I've been ignoring inner voice who has been telling me to just save even just a tenner a month. 

Inner voice: "see, they agree with me, once again I. Told. You. So." 

You guys gotta stop backing inner voice up, you're giving them a big head. 

Geriatricmum

enthusiasticsaver said:

Thats a good start to your diary.  Love the introduction and the constant battle between the inner voice and your  brain.  

Tackling the Barclaycard given that is the most expensive card and building up some savings for emergencies seems to be a good plan moving forward. It must be tricky keeping track of all those different 0% deals as well. 

Inner voice told me to make a spreadsheet! So I asked my husband to make one ha! I was going to pop a screen grab of it on here but it doesn't seem to work, there's colours and everything, DH is so talented.

enthusiasticsaver

Having emergency savings mean you don't need to rely on credit if you have an unavoidable bill.  It is very demotivating to pay down the cards then have to put an expense on them increasing the debt again.  However if you have debts on high interest I think there is a case for throwing all spare income at the debts until a plan is in place before saving for emergencies. 

Geriatricmum

enthusiasticsaver said:

Having emergency savings mean you don't need to rely on credit if you have an unavoidable bill.  It is very demotivating to pay down the cards then have to put an expense on them increasing the debt again.  However if you have debts on high interest I think there is a case for throwing all spare income at the debts until a plan is in place before saving for emergencies. 

See inner voice! Someone who thinks like ME! I'll have a chat with hubby and see what he thinks, we're on the same journey.  

Spendless

Some emergencies/life-curves  aren't able to be bailed out by credit or if they are they might cost more. Eg I take my elderly car to an independent garage for it's MOTs and repairs. I've been going for years the garage owner knows my car well. I'd be reluctant to take it elsewhere but the garage accepts cash or bank transfer only. Without enough money to pay this bill I'd need to look for somewhere (potentially more expensive) that took Credit cards - alternatively I'd have to borrow from a relative/friend - assuming one was in the position and willing to help out. 

How's your credit rating anyway - can any debt by transferred to 0%?