Wendy's "To get it out of my head" Diary

Keeping_Positive

Official hours are approx 35 a week but that is rare. I do a type of auditing job so my week is spent 2-3 days at various sites and the rest in the office or home writing up a report (I use spell check alot!!). An average on site day is from 8-6 including travel time and a lunch break is rare. Its a good job, well paid and the benefit of a car on top.

An extra job would need to be at the weekend when I usually rest. TBH I dont do enough at weekends, I shop, bath kids, cook dinner and wash up.I should do more. OH does almost all house work. I dont think he will be happy with me being away from him and kids for longer which would be tough but another job would make me get up and do something and earn money.

Penguins etc good idea I think will be top of list. Home made biscuits another good idea. Should be a short day tomorrow so remind me to think of baking cookies. DD2 got a cookie making kit for birthday with simple recipes.

Oh other things on list are bread making stuff for freecycle breadmaker I got last week (rushed shop this week so didnt get anything).

firesidemaid

k out the sky website - you can pick and choose all types of packages/channels to see how much you pay, you can then be armed with the info and know what you want before you ring x

Keeping_Positive

Good idea.

Went to doctors today because its more than just the cycle this month. Ive no real reason to be so low and forgetful. Got some anti d's to help and going back in two weeks. It is frustrating because every time I think I have got on top of this blasted depression thing it creeps back. Just have to live with it really and learn better coping stratergies.

Had a small Tesco spurge £19 of bread making (first attempt just started, I think Ive put too much salt in), chocolate treats and frozen stuff missed from yesterdays shop. Will try to avoid Mr T for the rest of the week and send OH if any emergencies crop up. Hes less likely to spend extra.

Good news is I've just filled in Feb expences form so got about £100 due back in a couple of weeks.

Right got one more vital work job to do then will tackle sky before kids home time.

Keeping_Positive

dont know why but Sky were being nice:j . I got a 3 month deal with same package for £33 instead of £45 (still have £10 multiroom for me and kids on top). A saving of £12 totalling £36:money: .

Not a great deal and I didnt threaten to cancel. Ive tried that before and not gotten anywhere. Will use the three months and then ring up to cancel movies and 1 mix like I had planned. That will save £7 a month.

Sassamac

ooh well done with the Sky, thats a bonus!

Yay for your first attempt with a breadmaker and lucky you finding one on freecycle. Ive been looking but not had any luck so gave up.

Sounds to me like you do enough work without needing a w/e job as well. You do a fair amount of hours for decent earnings, but I guess its all on individual circumstances. Whats the deal with your OH? You mentioned he is on benefits - is he willing and able to work? How do your finances work together - do you keep everything separate because of his DMP?
Going back a year and more my DH used to work massive long hours (all one job) and it meant that we had enough money that I didnt need to work (was when I was pg and then when DD was breastfed) and we had enough money to be comfortable, so I didnt mind being lumbered with the kids and housework 24/7 because it was my job. But I wouldnt say either of us enjoyed the situation, it was just out of necessity.

I found last time I kicked the depression that I was very conscious of the possibility of it coming and it nearly did a couple of times, but then it hit me when I was least expecting it. I think it makes you much more susceptible to getting it again. Do you know what triggers your depression? That for me is the turning point, when I know the cause, I can control it.

Keeping_Positive

I can usually point out a reason why my mood worsens but this time I cant think why?

Im dealing with the debt and its not too bad just needs careful monitoring there are luxuries I can cut if needed, my job has been made permanent and I get to pick a new company car and people tell me Im doing well in the role. There is a bit of family stress but had some form of that since I was 10 lol! I should be doing really well I have loads going for me so why cant I stop feeling sad?? Not going to let it beat me just annoyed its back.

Long story with OH will have to get back to you. Prefer to keep that to a PM.

dizzy_lizzie

Hey Wendy :hello: ...you've got a diary. I've just read the posts - quick wave to GR and you're doing really well. I agree with sazzacat about a spending diary. I thought I'd done well one day till I added it up and I was way over. Really helps to bring it into focus how much these little amounts add up. Keep up the good work.
Luvz Dizzy x

firesidemaid

well done on the sky thingy x

Keeping_Positive

Hi Dizzy I see you found me :T !

Sorry Sassamac OH about earlier he doesnt know Ive done a diary.

Sazzacat - DMP for me probably wouldnt help as the only debt is the consolidation loan at £224 a month due to expire July/Augut 2014. I do have about £500 on catalogue thats due to need about £50 from April onwards so I have two debts really. I use the catalogue for the odd big purchase ie tumble dryer. Wait for it to be in sale and then buy now pay later. Do not intend to use again until cleared.

OH will have c480 a month from April. £140 for DMP, £100 to me, £10 Setanta, £30 new standing order to my savings account for car repair due Nov, £40 ish Petrol (this shouldnt be so high but he loves driving and does midnight runs up the motorway!?!), £10 annual perscription card. Rest goes on cigarettes, coffee (£2 instore nescafe not starbucks, he gets it as its half the price of Tescos), kids pocket money, kids weekly sweet treat, school trips, some guides and brownies and missed grocery items on occasion.

I know the cigarettes should go but I cant force him and he does try to cut down. All this is such an improvement. A few years ago I got nothing while he was running up his own credit card debts. I split all finances just before this because he was useless with money. Managed to get him to claim bank charges early last year (£990 :j half cleard OH O/D rest spent by me cant remember on what). I want to do the same with CC's but he doesnt want to . Happy with DMP.

Keeping_Positive

Updated monthly bank position so far (month goes from 25th) and although have not been great so far this month.

£121 on Groceries is amost half the ideal budget.
£30 car
£32 kids
£42 me (not good but £30 covers a night out)
and theres more

I still have £200 left for the month. If I can keep this as high as possible it will cover most of the first holiday spending money leaving the bonus to cover the second holiday with some left to put towards the car insurance.

Need to remember though that the £200 can not be wasted as the budget clearly shows there is little room for manover. Maybe I need to set a monthly amount to the savings account to cover the yearly spends?