A Fresh Start, a year of growth and balance.

BudgetingBelinda

Thank you @Sarahwithlove and @debtfreewannabe321 much appreciated!
I am working towards some goals but it’s slow going! I’m feeling a bit better about it and reflected on how far I’ve come today

BudgetingBelinda

Youngest son somehow spent £60 on Amazon prime on films 😭😱 hacked my passcode I think? He was on his way to buy and 8 person tent next when I intercepted 😱. Oh well he’s watching one of the films now so having a peaceful afternoon at least! Cleaned inside of car and steamed it as it smelt like wet dog. Done all inside chores on the list, and mowed the lawn. Walked dog, had a good dollop
of self care and roast pork in the making. A good weekend on the whole 🥳 really looking forward to payday. More school uniforms purchased as they are growing fast. Over budget on groceries but better than I have been all year and absolutely £0 on any takeaways this month. Lowest since one month last year and then 2020 lockdown was the last time I spent so little on takeaways (because they were shut?!) anyway that’s a win 🏆! 

Next month is DS1 birthday and two weeks of school hols so might be an expensive month. 

Still nothing from ex with CMS, £700 in arrears. I’m hopeful that will be recovered but who knows. 

Also want to sort out the garden in Easter hols and that may need me to buy a jet wash and new hose. 

Apart from the £’s to be spent I’m really looking forward to April. Hopefully a nice balance of chill and productivity and fun 🤩 

Sarahwithlove

Could you get them to earn the cost of the films by doing chores or something so it doesn't go unpunished? 

BudgetingBelinda

Sarahwithlove said:

Could you get them to earn the cost of the films by doing chores or something so it doesn't go unpunished? 

Complex SEND so not quite there with that stuff. Gone through it and is remorseful which is a big thing for him. My fault for somewhere allowing a tech loophole/not careful enough?! Think sorted now! 🤞🏼

BudgetingBelinda

DS1 accidentally put his finger through his tv screen today. These kids are expensive! 😨 he was very sad, guilty and remorseful about it. Took him 4 hours to tell me, I wondered why he was so subdued. After watching adolescence I was becoming concerned about his reclusive ness today! Luckily just a TV. Poor EF though! I’ve done the same with a laptop before and other things. So another telly ordered and just rolling with life atm! He said he’ll have it as his birthday present. Bless him. Ahhh parenting 🥴

debtfreewannabe321

Ah gawd expensive weekend 🙈 if it makes you feel any better - years ago my DS2 bought hundreds of pounds worth of add ons to a game on my card (on my phone). I managed to actually get It back but not before a total meltdown on my part (I was in the midst of paying debt off and really didn't have it spare) I cried so much on the phone to them they just refunded to get rid of me I think. Also my ds1 has broken THREE TVs in his lifetime on purpose. All because he kept losing at games. I bought him one replacement because he'd said It was an accident by the second time I was sure it wasn't. He paid for that one then the third time he somehow talked a GF into paying for a new one then dumped her a month later (he was 16) I was livid and rang up her parents apologising - they didn't know anything about it and I insisted on sending money to cover it, so I actually paid for two. I was so glad when his hormones calmed down 🤣☹️🙄...
I'm sure boys are put on this earth to test their mothers. My DD is a saint compared to her brothers!

And thank goodness you had an ef!
Hope you have an easier week!

BudgetingBelinda

@debtfreewannabe321 ohhhh golly! Yes they are a real test! Sounds like you’ve been in the mix quite a bit with the glorious offspring’s offerings of mischief! Would be dull without it all I suppose! ? 🧐🥴

Years ago DS2 threw a remote at tv (then the only one we had) and we then didn’t have a tv for months (natural consequence and no £’s!) lots of things were dinged when we were in the thick of it with DS2 challenges. Much much much better now thankfully for DS2, and though DS1 loses things he also usually brings things home eventually and finds money on the floor etc, he’s a real swings and roundabouts one, loses a trainer (yes - singular!) and finds a coat that no one claims, and he then wears coat, finds his one trainer and loses coat! And (touch wood!) has not broken anything much before and nothing on purpose. He was tapping the screen on a call to show his friend something on FIFA and just tapped too hard. Tv was old and small and I was thinking about getting him a new one for his birthday so all ok about it. Definitely glad of EF. 🤩👌🏼 & I’m really accident prone/she hulk- thumb through laptop screen, paint spilt inside car 🥴 etc so I can’t really comment too much on the odd wooopsies! 😬🫣 xx

debtfreewannabe321

Haha 🤣 at the she-hulk comment, yes I'm very clumsy too. And my DS2 is forever losing things at school or at his dad's house I can't remember how many chargers and school jumpers I've bought over the years 🤣.

BudgetingBelinda

Owww youngest puked at school so I had to leave work to collect, he’s not allowed back til Weds midday if no more puke. He seems fine now, very ok!!... Lots of work admin to do so I can do some of that from home tomorrow. Felt really out of whack earlier as a lot to do work wise but I’m in the spirit of just rolling with it atm so will have a stay home day tomorrow and maybe do some bits around the house amongst work from home and looking after the DS2. I’m relenting into going with what we can control and what we just can’t.. so roll with it and make the most of it. I could try and get DS2 dad to do some childcare (😂😂😂) but he’s never done that when they’re ill and they don’t want it anyway. I also don’t want the stress of his nonsense as I know he won’t be helpful and it will just piddle me off! Again, taking control of what I can. If I message him he’ll be useless and I’ll be stressed about it. So I’m just cutting straight to the chase and dealing with what is what and making the best out of it. Movies, maybe some gardening, up to date on chores etc 🤞🏼. Feeling content in the face of life being life-y.

debtfreewannabe321

Oh no! Hope DS is well now? 
I also run through the same thought process usually with my ex. Sometimes I will message him for a giggle as to the response I know I will get as he gets flustered and annoyed and making up excuses. But sometimes I just think no can't be bothered today 🤣. 
Hope your days haven't been too stressful and you got to do gardening as well as catch up with some work! Balance... 😁