Living within my means-the challenge

beckseven

Hi Jak. Thanks for the gardening tips-I think I'm going to have a look on that board. It's so funny but I've been dipping in and out of the boards for about a year and saying I've had LBM but I think that I've only really seriously just had it as I seem to being far more proactive in living more frugally. That's a brilliant idea asking for money-don't think it's cheeky at all as I think people would rather contribute for stuff you needed rather than buying you something you never used. The money can then go towards things you find you need later on such as highchair, the second carseat or proper shoes when they start walking (they cost a fortune-it's a scandal!)

beckseven

Well I put two things on ebay last night and just as well as I've just checked on the guinea pigs and one of them has developed a stinky cyst near its bottom (sorry TMI for those with weak stomachs) so we've got another vets appointment this am. I know that this is going to cost me at least £35! Argggh-I've very little spare money this month so need to sell sell sell on ebay to find the money. Just sent off two ebay bits just now so should get some money to put towards it. Why are vets so expensive-dont' know whether to get them insured but don't think they would be covered any way cos there's normally an excess of £60-well there was with my dog. Oh well-can't leave the poor little thing suffering so no argument! Better put some more stuff on ebay tonight and see if there are any mystery shops about. Just spent £1.99 on a pair of kids sunglasses this am which wasn't bad. going shopping this afternoon and hoping to spend as little as possible-value value value and reduced stuff! Off to pigsback as well

beckseven

Well the vet's did cost me £35 and I nearly threw up in there as well-not pleasant! Oh well-now trying to pull out all the stops to get the £35 back! I currently have 7 things on ebay at the moment so fingers crossed and I know I have already made £7.98 already so will get there. Have got some coppers so will count them up as well. No mystery shops as yet-I only use Retail eyes at the moment though-could do with signing up for some more. Did my pigsback but think I need to sign up with some more. My weekly shop this week came to £65.47-not great but getting better I guess! Hopefully next week will be cheaper still. More nappies this week-I'm drowning in the things but think that nursery are going to ask me for some more this week so need to be prepared. I'm on nights tonight so earning about £30 extra shift premium which is always good! Felt a bit down today after the vets bill but now am trying to be as inventive as possible to make the money back up.

beckseven

Got a Mystery shop for my local wacky warehouse as well so woo hoo! Should get £8 for doing the shop plus I get a panini, hot drink and a fruit shoot for DS. Hurrah!

jak

Brilliant news on your mystery shop! I know what you mean about LBM's. I've been hovering about on these boards for 2 years but this is the first time i've really changed my lifestyle. It's funny isn't it, like you have to be really ready.
I'm sorry to hear about your ginuea. I hope he's ok? Poor little thing...
Also sorry about the bill. YUK. Good luck raising the money. You must feel proud that the first thing you thought of was how to RAISE the money, NOT where can I borrow it from! It shows how much your attitude is changing.
Well done.
J
X

beckseven

Thanks jak-the guinea pig Peter is absolutely fine now-expensive little monkey! You're right-I have changed my attitude because previously I would have thought-i'm a bit short I'll use my cc whereas yesterday I thought about my diary 'Living within my means' which means no credit card! Anyway good news today-I went to a Ann Summers at the end of April and had a few drinks and ending up ordering £36 worth of pretty underwear. However the money never came out of my account and apparently everyone got there's delivered last week so hopefully my order got lost! I wont' fit into it soon anyway so hopefully that's the vets bills back! Got to look for travel insurance now so will report back

beckseven

Got travel insurance for £18.79 for a family of three for two weeks-didnt' bother with an annual as we won't be flying again this year methinks! I went through MSE and took Martin's tips on board so at least that is all sorted. Now I'm going to do my pigsback, quidsco and am going to register with quidsin as well tonight and will see if I can nab another mystery shop. I've applied for a Post office credit card to transfer my HSBC onto. I am going to snip up my HSBC credit card as well as that is the one I always spend on and enough is enough. My minimum payments come to £140 which I am struggling with really so I really need to cut it up.

beckseven

So fed up-checked my bank balance and the flipping Ann Summers things have gone through-blast and botheration. I really don't want them-not sure if I can return them as they're underwear as really could do without them. Arrrgh! just when I thought I had sorted myself out. Worked out that I have made £12 from ebay sales so far so £23 to make back. Got four items to end on ebay today so will see how I do. Hopefully my Karen Millen top will make £10.

beckseven

I'm posting again because I'm sitting here on nights feeling sick and worrying. I'm hoping it's because i'm tired and that I'll feel better in the morning. I just feel that everytime I think I've got myself sorted out something will come along and mess everything up again. Desparately worrying about paying the £35.26 back-well actually £23 now and sitting here really fretting about it. I had budgeted for the underwear but really was banking on it being forgotton-some hope eh? Not sure what their returns policy is. Running out of things to try and sell on ebay-think I'll have a good look at home tonight to see if I can find anything else.

lucielle

Hi Becks seven, just to let you know that I have read your thread and think you are doing incredible well. So keep your chin up.
L