You're doing great jellibeanz! You're so organised, well done!! x

Thanks Jessy I've just caught up on your diary - you are making fab progress. I am not feeling very organised. If I'm honest I am more spontaneous than organised, but doing this is making me more conscious of things financially. It's also got me making plans and smiling over the little things.

I had fun yesterday when I popped into a couple of charity shops in town. One shop had a £2 rail and I managed to get 2 brand new dresses = saving of £74! plus a skirt, top etc. Am popping some away for our holibobs, but couldn't resist wearing one today.

And came in this morning to find a refund from the tea kitty on my desk

I've had a good catch up with an old friend today whilst on training and even better still the lunch, coffee etc was provided and to cap it off I got a lift in with some colleagues, which saved on petrol.

It hasn't been the most spendy week, but not too frugal either. Last weekend's shopping came to £60 and it was the same again today. That included the wine, cider and chocolate - oops!

The sun is shining and it is very humid. Hoping it is going to be a good cheap weekend with the family. Plans are to use up some of the food we have in the freezer and keep going with the salads.

Training again on Monday, but it will also mean I get to travel and have brekkie with Mr J

And I've only just realised - one week til payday! I am looking forward to putting a little bit in the kitty as the Tilly Tidy Ups have not been as frequent this month. Either I am slacking or becoming less obsessed - either way it's all good.

Happy weekend x

It's weekend again and I'm enjoying a quiet half hour on the sofa with the kids watching TV. I need to check in with the Mco to find out the latest balance and have a quick TT. Housework beckons, but I am on a mission to relax for another half hour hopefully.


Haven't spent too much this week. If I'm honest I've probably been a bit too busy with work etc. Last weekend we picked up a couple of suitcases for our holibobs and whilst the kids were out we collated some of the bits we've bought and packed. It felt more like we were packing Xmas stockings as they don't know anything about it and will be surprised when we announce at the airport where we are off to. We've kept it all on the cheap though, sun cream from Aldeeee, tees from Primarni, playing cards and crossword books from the poundshop etc and with it being all inc. we should really need much whilst we are out there. I'm really going to miss the dog while we are gone. My eldest is staying home to look after her and play happy families with his GF. Am hoping I don't come back to any parties, but he hasn't let me down over the past few years.


Right off to call the bank and see where we are at. The monthly payment hasn't gone in yet, but I'm curious and at least once I done that I can start playing with the figures again.

Happy weekend one and all


Last weekend was positive. MrJ explained that he really wanted me to treat myself to some new clobber and encouraged me to have a look around the shops. Naturally I made a bee line for the sales rails. Having tried on 8 items in Vallis I left with a dress and the following day we popped into the local outlet where I found a £40 dress reduced to £15!!! It was really nice to get so many compliments when I wore it to work the next day. Today we popped into Deb's and scoured their sales rails. MrJ is getting really good at hunting out a bargain. We've come home with a sarong, a smart top and dress for £12. Plus we needed padlocks for our suitcases for holibobs. I figured I'd look in the £ shop and whilst there for some reason I thought I would start in the DIY section instead of the travel bit. Low and behold 6 padlocks for £2 rather than 4 x £1 each. Subsequently saving £2- making me a very happy shopper


There are little things that are being popped over to the mortgage all the time. Every few days I'm doing a TT-up, my share dividends have come through so we made a point of paying that in today; I keep a washing up bowl in the sink to catch any water and am throwing that over the plants to keep them looking good without wasting money on running a hose pipe and last night I transplanted the runner beans into a patch in the garden.


One or two other little things have happened over the past couple of weeks including me grabbing a couple of lifts with a colleague to our other site saving me on the 20 mile round trip and when ever there is food laid on at training I tuck in. Though I must confess it has been a stressful couple of weeks at work and I haven't always been organised resulting in me spending a couple of quid sometimes, but then if I didn't I wouldn't eat and it would be counter productive. I will make an effort to prepare something for myself after the summer.


I'm quite enjoying this paying it off business. I am feeling very pleased with myself for the £6k balance reduction in 4 months. It's just over a year's worth of payments if things go belly up. Never thought I would ever be in this position. Am kinda hoping that I can clear it all in 5 years. Just got to keep chipping away at it. Onwards and upwards.

Well done on the 6K in 4 months, that's great progress! I'm sure if you keep it up you could do it in 5 years easy!!

Well I'm back. We spent a couple of weeks in very hot and sunny Egypt with the kids and it was absolutely awesome. There were times when we weren't very MSE, but all in all it was well worth it and we didn't really spend too much on souvenirs, more on trips and experiences to make fantastic memories.

We did have a couple of MSE moments whilst there though including speaking to the house keeper about some lilos that were in the hallway and being told we could have them for free. I kept to the free wi-fi and browsed the forums whilst there too.

However, coming home is mildly depressing in that the house seems cluttered and messy. So project house sort out begins this afternoon. I'm going to aim to fill at least 3 bin bags for the charity shop and begin the Kon Mari approach. The garden is overgrown and tip runs are needed too. I think I will also look at what I can sell in the process. I've never tried selling on fleabay, but am up for a carboot sale if there is enough to justify it. I also need to make a room by room list of all the things that need to be done to bring them back up to scratch as the house is looking tired and needs some TLC.

Downside on the money front has been that our darling chocolate lab has burst the blood vessels in her ear, which meant she had to have surgery on Monday and is now bumping into everything with a lampshade round her head. She was in a lot of pain on the first night and couldn't settle, but she seems to be turning a corner and getting a little brighter now.

I need to touch base with the Mco and find out the current balance. I've done a few TT ups whilst away and haven't spent much since coming home. I did some grocery shopping last night and paid the solicitor a deposit for the conveyancing/transfer of equity. So I need to review how much is left and where it will be going.

Plus I need to arrange my car insurance renewal. Cheeky company had the audacity to send me a renewal figure of £800 yet I've had emails from big brokers offering me the same insurance from the same insurer at £500!!! It's a no brainer!

So project house and staycation begins this afternoon.

P.S. Cheers Jessy I'm determined to stay on track, life thows a few curve balls but that just keeps it interesting Hope you well xx

Glad you had a fantastic holiday! Oh poor puppy hope she's all better soon! Yeah I know what you mean about the curve balls and even if you don't meet your target at least you know you'll be better off than if you hadn't tried to do what you're doing (if that makes sense!). I'm good thank you! Good luck with the house clear out! x

My little four legged best friend is on the mend We had a check up at the vets yesterday and she is starting to heal up nicely. The bandage is off, but the cone remains. Have to go back again next week. She's still bumping into everything and even managed to turn the bathroom taps on with the cone the other night!

Project house is underway, albeit a little slowly. Three bags of clothes for the charity shop today. And I am still making my way through the holiday washing. I've starting using a cleaning app. to challenge myself to do bits in short bursts. The suggestion of using a basket to gather up the clutter was altered to stack the stairs and take up/down as I go. The oven is in the process of being cleaned and the dishwasher has had a cleaning cycle. Meanwhile the house looks a little like Widow Twanky's with washing hanging about the place as the weather looks unpredictable.

On the MSE front I need to go into town today so have raided the shrapnel jar for silver parking funds and am popping into the bank to deposit a cheque from my dividends. Once done I will send the money over to the mortgage account. Paid £11 already over this morning from the reward money and a TT up. I've also claimed a small amount on TCB. I was kinda good last night - DS2 needs school uniform so after a quick scan through various sites I found one that got me a weeks worth of shirts and trousers for just over £30 and a couple of quid cash back on top.

Hopefully when I get back from town I will have enough energy for a short run (I've been slacking loads and need to get back into this) and then begin to write an action plan for project house x

There were a few things I managed yesterday and few that were not so successful..... I struggled to get parked up, 5 car parks later meant that I was almost late for my appointment and there was no way I was going to spend an extra two quid just to leave the car there for an extra ten minutes so I could get to the bank. So the cheque remains in my bag for the moment. I did get out for a run with the dog and she managed it really well with the cone around her head. She had to stop at all the country gates rather than scrambling under the fences like she usually does and was absolutely shattered by the time we started heading back, but it was the first run in a few weeks and we both needed to take it easier than usual. I didn't do too bad though and I am not in agony this morning so fingers crossed I will get to fit another one in today.

I also managed to pop into MrT and picked up a fair amount of ys fruit and veg. However, I was not very assertive when MrJ came home last night and wanted a take out. Yes I caved, but it wasn't too shabby and we've agreed it will be the last one of this month.

The charity shop bags have been safely deposited and I need to start putting the clean washing away. I think I need to be a little more ruthless though as there is little room in the drawers for what I have without the holiday bits being added.

Plan at the moment for today is to:
- Fill at least one bin bag with clothes
- Sort through the jackets that are hanging up by the stairs and making the hallway look very messy
- Mow the lawn
- Harvest some apples and make a crumble for pudding
- Sort through the mountain of bottles in the bathroom and prevent MrJ buying any more before the end of the month
- Sit on the sofa and watch something trashy for at least half an hour (this will be a struggle, but I need to be mindful)
- Go for a run with the dog
- More washing
- Look for birthday present ideas for MrJ and DS3

Well here is the update:


- Fill at least one bin bag with clothes - did two just sitting in the car waiting to go
- Sort through the jackets that are hanging up by the stairs and making the hallway look very messy - done
- Mow the lawn - done, but it was so long it nearly broke the mower and has left me shattered
- Harvest some apples and make a crumble for pudding - apples bit done, still loads on the tree, will make the crumble tomorrow
- Sort through the mountain of bottles in the bathroom and prevent MrJ buying any more before the end of the month - sorted
- Sit on the sofa and watch something trashy for at least half an hour (this will be a struggle, but I need to be mindful) - didn't really happen
- Go for a run with the dog - mowing the lawn did me in we can run tomorrow (may need nagging tho )
- More washing - done - still more to do
- Look for birthday present ideas for MrJ and DS3 - have some ideas now, will need to get them sorted on Monday


I did however save a couple of quid.... I had coffee round a friend's and she gave me a parking permit for the day, which meant I was also able to pop into the high st and deposit that cheque; decided it isn't a red wine kinda night so bought some tonic water and am now enjoying a G'n'T in the garden


Happy weekend one and all xxx

Just reading about everything you have done has made me tired! Lol! Well done though! x

We've spent the morning shopping for bits and bobs and school uniform. Had to collect my order from A$da and popped down to the school shop. Ended up getting 10% off DS2's high school uniform and another 10% in Clarx so am scooting the savings over to the mortgage account. Resisted the urge to buy a very nice soft chair for at the dining table - it would mean that I am more comfortable sitting in the dining room on a social basis, but the cats would also wreck it.


Kids are looking forward to making some crumble later and will be sent out to collect some blackberries too shortly so we can make a few and freeze them. Pears are also almost ready to be harvested too


I made too much stir fry for dinner last night so I'm going to reheat it and do something easy for the kids.


For the next half hour or so though my feet are up and I'm browsing the forum whilst the kids are watching a film and MrJ grabs a snooze.


Toodles x

Just read through your whole diary. Well done, you are doing fantastically well! And yes you do sound very organised!

Great read and such an enthusiastic approach. Keep up the good work it's helping us all to stay motivated.

Cheers SJ - I must admit having looked through others' diaries they help to keep me motivated too. I'm trying to power through it, but am cautious of being over zealous and putting us back in the position where I need to refer to my overdraft. On a positive note I haven't been in it since Feb thanks to this forum keeping me focused

We managed to keep the weekend fairly low key. MrJ wanted to go shopping on Sunday round our favourite DIY store, but I was on the red line with the petrol and wanted to stay home and chill. It meant he sourced what he wanted online for cheaper
It would have resulted in a NSD, but I ended up going on line and buying some new football boots in the sale for DS3's birthday tomorrow. It wasn't all bad though as I went through a cash back provider first to appease my conscience.

MrJ is beginning to think I've totally transformed his approach to shopping is now more mindful even picking things up he wants to purchase but putting them back down afterwards. He keeps asking what it is I have done to him!! We frequently talk about getting fitter, my preferred approach is to run with the dog as I like the open space and it's good for my MH. He previously has been a member of gym. However, this weekend he has been collating all his gym kit and taken it to work with him this morning in an effort to use the one they have at work for free!

I've also been called a squirrel this weekend.... on the basis that I don't like to throw things away, but I hate clutter. It has been helpful when MrJ has considered popping into town for a new sponge, water bottle etc and I magically appear with one. He has been fantastic though and helped with project house by kondoing some of his wardrobe too - though I have way more than he does. This means there are now four bags in the boot for the charity shop

Well today is an exciting day.... MrJ and DS3 have their birthday, DD1 is coming home for a couple of days (it was her birthday a couple of weeks ago too, so another one to celebrate) and it is DD2's very last day at primary school. This means lots of wrapping (we did some last night) and I've already run out of paper as I let the boys wrap MrJ's and they used oodles!

However, I am currently stuck in waiting for deliveries. DS3's trainers are due soon and a food shop too. I've completely overspent on the food shop because I didn't do a list or check the freezer so we won't need to do much for the next six weeks or so it'll just be the fresh stuff and cat food. Although with the tiddlers home on their holidays we will be using more anyway.

The birthday shopping turned out well in the end. Saved a few quid here and there. Managed to pick up a nice little candle/joystick gift set for the teacher in the pound shop. Visited the local gadget exchange place. So the youngest will now have his own phone and I've put that on a sim only deal that once all the discounts go through will work out to £4 a month with £2.50 buffer. It's not an amazing phone as was only £30, but tbh it is safer that way and it will prevent arguments as the boys are currently sharing.

I've got loads to do and yet am in the mood to curl up on the sofa and veg. So by putting it here hopefully it will give me some motivation and accountability:

- Tidy up accounts
- Chase solicitor
- Put away washing
- Vacuum the house
- Fill a bag for the charity shop and drop off
- Update my CV
- Get some more gift wrap
- Collect daughter from the station
- Start considering DS1's birthday presents
- Tidy the patio
- Strip beds
- Create a new sealed pot that no-one can raid and hide it!

I was toying with the idea of booking a table for all of us at the local taverna, but MrJ is on a health kick and DD is kinda fussy. I reckon we could easily blow £100- £150 on a meal there. Nice as it may be I am hoping they will all settle for frozen pizzas and salad. Fingers crossed

Hope they both have a lovely birthday! x

Thanks Jessy. All three had a fantastic time and loved their pressies. Little man was over the moon with his phone We settled with frozen pizzas in the end and they were quite content with that. Plus when I was in town I almost picked up a PS4 for MrJ, but was torn and am glad I didn't now as he reckons he is too old to be playing with toys and wants to put all money into the house!!! I dispute this completely, well the being old bit anyway.

I've had a play around on the over-payment calculator this morning and am impressed with the interest saved so far is £8847!! Plus I've saved at least 2 years, 7 months on it - bringing it down to 15 years without any more OPs. I am definitely going to continue though. I want this gone and then start to consider plans for the future.

MrJ and I keep talking about buying a caravan that we can use frequently as we are both in very stressful jobs. I'm also thinking of potentially saving up for a deposit on a buy to let. However, this house needs some work doing to it including new double glazing. So that will be the priority.

In the meantime I managed to save a little money on invitations for DS3's birthday party by printing them at work and using a website that does graphics that you can manipulate for posters etc. Yesterday I had some YS fish that I'd bought in MrT that went down a treat and the cats were very happy to eat the left over skin, thus saving me a little on cat food. Whilst in MrT's I got the kids to pick up some free fruit and eat it as we walked around - I quite like this idea as it encourages them to eat healthily and prevents them asking me for junk food as we shop.

And the other good news is that our beloved dog has had the cone and stitches removed!!! She spent last night bashing into everything, which lead to minimal sleep. So hopefully we will sleep better tonight. It's meant buying her some antibiotic meds for her ear, but if she is more comfortable and we can sleep then it is more than worth it. Plus I can bath her later as she is getting a little smelly.

Some bits weren't done yesterday so here is the amended list:- Tidy up accounts
- Chase solicitor - haven't managed to get through so will try again later
- Put away washing - done
- Vacuum the house - need to do again
- Fill a bag for the charity shop and drop off - filled but not dropped
- Update my CV - still to do
- Get some more gift wrap - done
- Collect daughter from the station - need to take her back this evening
- Start considering DS1's birthday presents - got some ideas, need to research them
- Tidy the patio - done, now needs weeding
- Strip beds - 1/3 done
- Create a new sealed pot that no-one can raid and hide it! - off to look for the supaglue

Toodles x

It's been an eventful but rainy couple of days. Part of the hallway ceiling has fallen down due to a leak. We got the boiler cover people out to find and fix the leak as it was under the boiler bumpf in the loft. After much tooing and froing they couldn't find out exactly what was causing it, but are going to replace the tank next week - so that will be another day at home. It took most of the day with them trying things out and we established it definitely wasn't the roof as there were no stains on the joists etc and the boarding is in mint condition. Their policy doesn't cover the plaster that has been ruined, but until they installed the new one I'm not even going to consider getting it fixed. I could put it through the home insurance, but that would only in turn put the premiums up.

Whilst waiting for them to work out what to do and how to resolve it I skimmed the forums and some blogs. I've now got Shopprize and Hog installed on my phone so hopefully that will return a little something to the pot.

DD went home yesterday and hopefully we will see her again in the next few weeks. DS2 and 3 have been in the house for a fair amount over the past couple of days so they got kicked down to the park for an hour when the sun eventually came out. I need to plan a few things for them to do over the next week whilst I am still at home. They are not going to sit at home on gadgets for the whole holiday so we need to make use of the good weather whilst it is here. I may take them blackberry picking later with the dog and see if the sloes are out yet. Then we can start to make a few Xmas pressies.

TTFN x