Debt free Munchin!! Now to stay that way.....

Munchin · 19 May 2018 at 8:21AM

Morning

Oh dear - confession

.. I have to admit my credit card balance has started to creep up and I need to reign the spending back in and pay it off. I can't complain as it's my own fault and most of the spends are for planned events (concerts, 2 short breaks away this year.....maybe some clothes:o). I'm still saying I'm debt free as my savings outweigh my debt but I don't want to touch them yet.

OH is only working in family shop and getting paid very little so I'm picking up most of the spends. My salary is good but now realistically have to budget with the one income. I think it's one thing getting debt free but unless I change my habits I'm not going to stay that way. On the positive side I do have savings and I will just chip away at the credit card and get it back down to zero. I've hid the card and taken it out of all my accounts. I've also decided to track my spends on here to stop the frittering. I've have to get the balance right in just about everything:).

This week has been fun

. I went to Balmoral show (agricultural show) with a friend and had a day of free samples (including wine) and make up being done:D. We had free entry and it cost me £4.20 on train and just under £10 the rest of the day.

This weekend OH is working (but £50 is not a salary) and I have two family events (still have to buy a card and give nephews a gift but opting for £10 each).

ED - therapist has mentioned again about what to do when therapy session comes to an end. I kind of want her to tell me the end date but it's a decision for me. This month it will cost me £250 as it's a 5 week month. I can't put a price on mental health but boy I could use that money. I feel really good in myself but a bit scared to go it alone. However, I have the option of check in sessions each month until I feel comfortable.

So I'm back tracking my spendings and keeping myself accountable. Kind of feel happier that I've owned up to the credit card. I do know when I post on here more often I don't fritter so much.

Update

Money - 19 May 2018

Groceries- £16.91 left
Diesel - £0 left (tank full)
Other spends - £85 left

Surveys & Voucher (Additional income)

Swagbucks - 528 SB (999SB = £5 paypal)
Receipt Hog - 2271 coins (1500 coins = £5/ 2850 coins = £10/ 5300 coins = £20/12000 coins = £50)
Topcashback -£5.43 payable / £17.16 pending
Prolific - £12.02
Travel expense (volunteering) - £xx pending

- 19th - 25th May

Sat 19th -
Sun 20th -
Mon 21st -
Tues 22nd -
Wed 23rd -
Thurs 24th -
Fri 25th -

Credit card - £1102:o

Munchin · 20 May 2018 at 8:45AM

Morning,

Yesterday was such a glorious day. Went to a 1st Holy Communion and had a lovely relaxing time with family afterwards & got a bit sunburnt

.

I have another Communion today but not joining the fun after (which will save me some money).

I also wanted to watch the Royal wedding but recorded it as I left the house at 10 so missed all the fun until later on. I love Royal weddings and she looked amazing.

Spends - Popped to shops just to get a bottle of wine and a card and then put £10 into 2 cards.

Week ahead - promised to have lunch with a friend tomorrow and an ex colleague on Tuesday and then the rest of the week is packed lunches and a free lunch

.

Sorry this is a bit of a depressing rant - We have another stupid team building away day thing this week but to be honest I don't like the place I'm in so I can see it far enough. I'm still coping with an aggressive bully and 3 staff who hate each other. I asked for an internal move and got told that the problem is that no one wants to work with that team. I knew I got moved to this post as I was new but had no say in the matter. For a while my confidence dipped and I thought I was useless but working with therapist I can see that it's not me but I'm in the wrong environment - no one should have to deal with the harassment that I get on a daily basis. The laugh is that so many colleagues say they can't believe how well I'm coping and they couldn't with that team but I don't think they realise how exhausted I am and that I'm not coping and if I didn't have my therapist I don't know how I would have coped this past year.

The escape plan is finally starting to look achievable as the post I'm interested in (back in my old place and at my current grade) has been submitted to their Personnel for consideration on how they should fill the post. Things are never straightforward and Personnel could stop them advertising it and filling from existing promotion lists. As this is the only thing keeping me from going on sick leave I don't know what I will do if it isn't advertised. Obviously I would have to impress them at interview but at least I would have the opportunity.

On the family front OH has finally admitted he might have a drink problem (not coping at all well with brother's death), he has an appointment with an addiction specialist this week so that could be the end of the alcohol but that is best for both of us.

In myself I do feel really good and life is so much better so if I could sort out the work situation and get OH on the road to recover (& pay off the pesky credit card bill), life would be pretty good.

Sorry for the woe is me part

Weekly spends- 19th - 25th May

Sat 19th - £28.29 (wine, card & £20 gifts)
Sun 20th -
Mon 21st -
Tues 22nd -
Wed 23rd -
Thurs 24th -
Fri 25th -

Lilith1980 · 20 May 2018 at 1:01PM

Sorry that work is so awful. Fingers crossed you can apply for the role and hopefully get it! I hope your OH gets the support he needs too. Admitting you have a problem is a huge step.

HairyHandofDartmoor · 20 May 2018 at 1:40PM

Sorry you have to work with such awful people, you're right it definitely isn't you it's them. Good luck with the new job, I hope you get a chance at it.

I hope DH's meeting with the addiction specialist goes well. I know what it's like to lose a sibling and it's really hard.

It's brilliant that you're in a good place though apart from the above

.

Seasidegal58 · 20 May 2018 at 8:34PM

Just caught up with you at last Munchin.

Thank you for your kind comments on my diary though I think your work problems sound worse than mine. I do hope something comes you soon on the other position.

So sorry to hear about your OH but as Lilith has said he has admitted to his problem which is a good thing. He's really lucky to have you as well as you are always so tremendously supportive of your family and friends.

Have a good week Munchin.

Munchin · 21 May 2018 at 7:12PM

Thanks L, HHD & SS - I am relieved he's finally seeking help but heaven knows what is ahead of us but at least it is a start.

Work - absolute pain in my a*** is on 2 weeks leave from Thurs. It will not fix that problem but will give me a break from dealing with his aggression.

Money front - well I took a big delete button to my YNAB today. I have lots of categories and then when I fritter money I move money from 1 category to the other to cover the expense. I'm not supposed to be doing this for frittering

.

My YNAB now only has 4 categories -

Personal - which is the therapy sessions
Monthly - which funny enough are all the direct debits or expenses such as vitamins that go out each month.
Savings
Everything else

My thinking behind this is that I have to be more careful with spends to stay within the amount in 'Everything' which covers groceries, diesel, nights out etc, I can't just drag money from another category (it makes sense in my head

).

No harm in giving it a go and see if it works out any better for me. If I have money left over at end of the month in the Everything category then 1/2 will go to my spends and the other half to the credit card debt.

I did have a spendy day as I was out for lunch with a friend and I paid this time but she will pay the next. I knew it was nephews birthday but I forgot it was my SIL big birthday this week as well and I haven't got her anything..... I will probably not see her until this weekend so I have a bit of leeway. I'm out for lunch tmw again but will try and pick cheapest thing on menu:o.

Weekly spends- 19th - 25th May

Budget left - £51.26

Sat 19th - £28.29 (wine, card & £20 gifts)
Sun 20th - NSD
Mon 21st - £18.70 (lunch out & card)
Tues 22nd - £2.99 (lunch) lunch with friend cancelled because of work so had to grab a sarnie
Wed 23rd - £21.68 (lunch) - friends turn to pay but she forgot purse
Thurs 24th - £14.15 (Sainsbury!!!8217;s trousers)- linen trousers in sale as old ones have - shrunk -in wash

Fri 25th -

Munchin · 22 May 2018 at 6:53AM

Morning,

On train bright and early:). I cant understand the trains WiFi as sometimes it lets me into MSE and other times I just get the circle of doom.

I’ve been thinking about my spends for the week ahead and what I have to budget. Today could be an NSD or £30 if it’s my turn to pay for lunch (can’t remember). I also have to buy a birthday gift. Thurs should be an NSD. The weekend might be 1 takeaway and the rest will be raiding the cupboards. Next week starts with the bank holiday then a podiatry appointment followed by the dentist ... fun, fun, fun. I have the podiatry and dentist funded in monthly spends.

I’m going to do some surveys now but don’t have the heart as I nearly always get screened out.:)

Munchin · 25 May 2018 at 7:07AM

Morning,

On train into work & doing ok.

I had a really productive therapy session on Wed and everything seems good.

Spends have been a bit higher than planned but sometimes that’s the way it happens. I bought a pair of trousers from Sainsbury’s yesterday but I was going to get my usual ones from Next but the Sainsbury’s ones look the same and are cheaper. Funny how I’m happy to buy Primark clothes but turn my nose up at supermarkets. I didn’t think I was a retail snob but there you go... learn something new everyday

.

Went to a friends house for coffee yesterday and she has some health problems. After she told me her woes she said ‘OMG we are at that age when we are comparing our ailments’. I’m more optimistic than her and I reckon we have a good few years of comparing our silliness still in us:D. I also found out a friend has cancer in multiple places and it’s knocked me for 6. She is such a good person with a hubby and young son, as if cancer should discriminate on personality:o. Hopefully the treatment which starts next week will be successful.

Last night I made myself an omelette with chirizo, peppers and tomatoes to have for breakfast but as usual I ended rushing out door with it stuffed in my lunchbox.. but it is calling to me

. I’ve also got my lunch packed so at least I’m attempting to be more organised

This weekend OH is working on Sat and then we are planning to go for a walk and a local fair on Sunday. Monday I’m not sure about yet but We will see:D.

Munchin · 25 May 2018 at 3:59PM

Afternoon,

It's a gorgeous sunny day and it's a bit of a pain watching people sunning themselves on the steps of the city hall while I'm in work

.

I popped out today and got SIL her birthday present and with buying a gift bag I spent £25.98. I then popped into M&S and got their Dine in for £10 offer + other bits for £14.35 but I had our final gift voucher to use so only spent £4.35. I got a chicken so that will cover a few meals. I have £20.93 left in the budget and on one hand I'm really pleased I still have £20 left but on the other I should of hand at least 5 times that if I hadn't been frittering:o.

This weekend the big spends will be -

flights for 5 people to England - (sister will owe me 1/2)
Deposit for our sunny holiday in Sept
Cost for accommodation in England.
£150 for lorry load of stones for yard.

1 hour to go and then I can escape to my home:)

Weekly spends- 19th - 25th May

Budget left - £20.93

Sat 19th - £28.29 (wine, card & £20 gifts)
Sun 20th - NSD
Mon 21st - £18.70 (lunch out & card)
Tues 22nd - £2.99 (lunch) lunch with friend cancelled because of work so had to grab a sarnie
Wed 23rd - £21.68 (lunch) - friends turn to pay but she forgot purse
Thurs 24th - £14.15 (Sainsbury trousers)- linen trousers in sale as old ones have - shrunk -in wash

Fri 25th - £25.98 SIL pressie + £4.35 M&S.

Lilith1980 · 26 May 2018 at 7:45AM

I've been guilty of frittering more than usual this month. Maybe there's something in the air lol.

Hope you have a nice weekend

Debt free Munchin!! Now to stay that way.....

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