14 months to go!

honeybee1234

joedenise said:

It's fine having a holiday when you've got debt as long as you save up for it and don't add to your debt which you would if you used a credit card.  Having said that it's worth putting the deposit on a credit card for the protection it gives but make sure you pay it off in full.

At the start of the year I actually was saving towards booking a little break in the summer holidays, but looking back I was trying to cover too many things at once and realised a couple of months in that I was stretching myself way too thin. The savings went towards other things that were needed more. 

It's hit me now really. I can miss a holiday without feeling bothered, but I feel so bad for both DSs. It's worse because my ex has been taking long weekends away here and there but hasn't taken the boys away. The boys haven't said anything but they must notice. 

I'm generally feeling rubbish about this and other things atm but trying to keep my head up 😊

weenancyinAmerica

I think the pricing on the housing is, because so many students drop out, the places want to get their money upfront. Then if the student makes it halfway, the landlords have already covered most of their bills, and aren't as stringent the second half.

honeybee1234

weenancyinAmerica said:

I think the pricing on the housing is, because so many students drop out, the places want to get their money upfront. Then if the student makes it halfway, the landlords have already covered most of their bills, and aren't as stringent the second half.

Makes sense @weenancyinAmerica and I had pondered this also! If we can work through this first year, then they can find a shared house in the second year and costs will drop all being well 🤞🏻

Woken up bright and early by the cats 😭

I have the boys here, and as we've had a quiet long weekend so far, I'm contemplating us venturing out somewhere outdoors locally, for a wander and maybe a bit of crazy golf.

I'm feeling apprehensive as my brain isn't keen on leaving the house and is telling me it's an awful idea and chucking bucket loads of adrenaline and anxiety at me so I feel sick, but I'm trying to push myself as I know being outdoors does help... The irony is not lost on me!

We have plenty in to take out for drinks and snacks if we do go out, and tea later is leftovers from yesterday's Sunday dinner.

Later I'll be revising my cc totals and pondering the budget again, so we'll see what I come up with. 

Have a good bank holiday Monday everyone! 

honeybee1234

Morning all!

We didn't end up going out yesterday as mentioned... I couldn't do it in the end so we all chilled out at home. I did my jobs and mowed the lawn, then perused September's budget for a while before indulging in some Netflix for a bit. 

Tea was leftovers from Sunday dinner - DSs used to complain about having the same thing two days in a row, but now accept that's what happens! I plan my week's meals like this, three different meals, make enough for at least two days' of each, then the last day is 'easy tea' - something from the freezer, anything in the fridge that needs using up, or an easy quick tea of beans on toast, jacket potato etc.

Feel mad at myself for spending the entire long weekend at home... Very moneysaving, but my mental health obstructs taking the boys out and I hate it. Weekends are always tricky as my brain thinks "loads of people out = avoid" anyway... Am vastly over-simplifying as obviously agoraphobic symptoms are a bit more than that and also very changeable but you get the gist!

I'm waiting on (more) therapy as something has to change.. I'm on a waiting list for therapy which should be coming round in September all being well but I fear it's not going to be enough and I'm going to need to pay for specialist therapy so we'll see how it goes once I get my spot.

Today is another quiet day - I'm going to do my end-of-month review and call in what the ex owes which is around £60ish, and finish the September budget. 

honeybee1234

Morning all!

Yesterday was a good day. We went out to a local National Trust place, using a free pass I picked up online last month. Every fibre in my being was telling me to stay inside the house, but I pushed through and made it out.

We had a wander around the house and the grounds, the boys found the house really interesting. It's a very historical place and was fascinating to look round. We walked around the grounds, and later on found a spot for a picnic lunch, only spends were an ice cream each for the boys as the free pass covered everything! 

Herein comes my post-going-out hibernation - it's a whole thing whereby after going out my brain just implodes and I have to decompress by staying in for a few days. I spent some time yesterday still puzzling over my budget, and I've decided to half my overpayment to my M&S card this month and next month, which will give me an extra £85 in the budget.

I'll use this for getting my various pots more established and will be able to fund my emergency fund, which is currently standing at 205.00 which makes me very nervous every time I look at it!

Today involves:

>> catching up with housework that has been neglected through mental health being low

>> menu plan and shopping list

>> stock check of toiletries and what needs buying (hair dye, shower gel and moisturiser definitely needed) then check prices online

>> keep an eye out for a H&M discount - I get these regularly and the boys really like their basic t shirts, but they've stepped up to the adult sizes so want to cushion the blow somewhat. DS1 needs more for going to college.