Trying to Save

In my last post, Creditcardfree asked about my catalogue debt. Unfortunately, I still have it. The good news, however, is that if I compare it to 7th of April this year - days before the loan was deposited - it looks miles better:

7/4/16:
2655.99 (my catalogue)
3251.45 (hubby)
2404.83

Total: 8312.27 (eeek!!)

Today's figures are way better, thanks to the loan:
659.00
829.15

New total: 1488.15

In other news, I've finally seen the dietitian. She prescribed me supplement drinks and told me to have a milky pudding every night.

Since then, I've been signing back into my fitness pal. I neglected it for so long before.

I think this is my first update this month. I never leave it this long normally. Things have been busy.

I've been spending a lot of time the past six weeks or so, working on a hobby, I guess you could call it that? I'm being optimistic and hoping that I can turn it into a career within the next year or so. I need to do some studying first, amongst other things.

I cancelled Amazon prime yesterday. I barely used it during the free trial. I barely had time to watch my usual programmes never mind adding more to my list.

Hubby joined something, I'm not sure exactly what it is. Anyway, every month he gets a 5GBP Amazon voucher. So that is sitting in my Amazon account now. It's something to do with tv or something. If I can make myself do a swag bucks survey I could get another voucher, for ten pounds I think.

Got the kids Halloween costumes. Spent less than a tenner.

I have one more BNPL item left to pay off. The catalogue keep trying to tempt hubby with offers but they're so bad. Also, he's not allowed to. He's banned.

I need to pay for nursery photos soon. We never got them last year, we just kept the little copy that they gave us.

I think that's all.

I got a letter from our utility company saying they have received my request for Warm Home Discount. They will be in touch within the next twelve weeks.

A few weeks ago, hubby got a letter from the catalogue company saying one of his extended warranties would be renewed if he didn't get in touch by the end of the month. He phoned today and cancelled it, 98 pounds saved.

Trying to figure out where we're going in February. Hubby thinks it's too expensive to go away, but I told him I'm desperate for a change of scenery.

I'm considering my future recently. I've started to be interested in a particular area, so I'm hoping it will help my career prospects in the future. Time will tell.

Started Christmas shopping. I went to a baby and kids market. Spent 20,got two toys each for both kids plus books.

It's payday in eight days.

Just a little update.

Nationwide sent me a letter about increasing my credit limit. I'm ignoring it; I don't want an increase.

I found husband's PIN in my budgeting notebook, so no need to get in touch with the bank.

I paid the last of my Christmas high street vouchers this pay. It's only half of what we saved last year. We should get them soon.

Bought a new winter jacket for J and some clothes, SG got clothes. Her jacket needs replaced next but J didn't have a warm enough jacket for winter.

I also bought a collection of Peter Rabbit books from Amazon. They were 29.99,originally over 100. When ordering I accidentally signed up for Amazon Prime so I'll have to remember to cancel.

Bought husband a book for his birthday. 12.91.

I planned meals for next week. I've got a Tesco order coming on Wednesday.

I applied for Warm Home Discount yesterday. I heard about it through Martin Lewis. I'll see if we qualify, it's first come, first served. If we do that's 140 towards our electricity.

I think that's all for now.

Yesterday was payday. Nothing exciting. I paid both catalogues and the last of one of the Bnpl items - a hoover- that hubby bought this year. Just one more item to pay off now.

I've updated my sidebar. I'm hoping that by June 2017 most of the catalogue debt will be gone, and I can put that money towards my credit card. Hopefully I qualify for another 0% card, but I'm not counting on it, just in case.

Husband switched bank accounts a few months ago. We were both rewarded 100. I've transferred mine to savings (holiday fund). Need to sort hubby's PIN before we can transfer to my bank, then to savings. He's lost it. I told him that I'm really going to have to save if we want to go *anywhere* in February. Nothing will be going on a credit card (only if hell freezes over, or pigs fly).

SG's is a great consumer. She keeps asking for every single toy she sees. I told her we'll be writing a list for Santa. J, thankfully, is none the wiser.

I thought of a few more things:

11. I've never broken any bones
12. I hate sports
13. I'm Facebook friends with a few bloggers
14. Once I get round to it, I'll have one as a friend on My Fitness Pal too (it's on my list, luckily this password is easy to remember)
15. I've had two emergency surgeries - both while pregnant
16. I'm not religious at all
17. I hate haggis and black pudding. Not really a fan of shortbread either (these are all Scottish)

Ok I think that's all. There's some lame stuff there.

I don't have twenty interesting facts, but here's some:

1. I started this blog ten years ago
2. I took a two year break when I forgot my password
3. I've got a psychology degree
4. I met my husband when I was 17
5. My husband went to the same primary school as me.
6. I've met one fellow blogger - I want to meet more!
7. I've been to Greece, Paris, Spain and Dominican Republic
8. I think my blog has made me more sociable - weirdly, well as much as an introvert can be
9. I want to see a lot more of the world
10. Still dreaming of the day that in debt free

I've had to change the amount I put into savings. Well, as of Saturday it will change. I've decreased it by 18gbp; I'm now saving thirty pounds each pay period (Four-weekly) I still dream of paying back the money I withdrew this year - that's why I increased it in the first place - and having five hundred pounds in it, but hopefully next year.

Paying Hubby's credit card each month has added to the budget (thirty something pounds). I hate withdrawing from savings so I thought it made sense to decrease it.

In other news, hubby's birthday is fast approaching. When I got him the tv from my rewards in April/May, I said no presents on his birthday since that is a big enough gift. As it turns out, I've bought him a game he wanted and a book. I'll be making a cheesecake too. I'm going to get SG to help bake the cheesecake and blow up some balloons. We might get a takeaway, I'll see.

It's nine days yet until payday. My plan to buy value products hadn't worked. Shopping hungry after work means I might have to dip into savings.

Sigh. I hate doing that.

And my new budgeting app doesn't like that I get paid every four weeks (there's only monthly or weekly options).

Ok I'll get through it. There's no point complaining about it. I'll just deal with it and move on.

There will be a happier post from me in the future, I'm sure.

From now on I'll reward myself at certain milestones (not sure when). I'll need to think of something that doesn't involve money - or a lot of it.

I'm also going to start breaking my goals into smaller steps and just focus on that. Aside from debt repayment, I want to get a new job and gain weight.

Ok, I think that's all. Just short and sweet to get this on paper, so to speak.

And I basically have nothing to show for it.

I wanted a new job - I'm still in the same place. I have been looking but it's taking ages.

I still have debt - and it's not getting paid off an at an alarming rate. It's just the same.

I'm just all talk and no action.

I need to reign in my spending. Friday was a high-spend day for us. We took the kids to get new shoes (44.85) then we went for lunch (17.17). We actually went to the same pub restaurant that I met VS in a few months ago - well, the one in my hometown. While there, we found out its closing down within the next couple of weeks. After lunch, we went to asda where I spent 10.58 on some packed lunch stuff and some food.

I'm going to introduce more meat-free days. I got a burrito while out for lunch. I let SG try it and she loved it. I told hubby I'll be making it soon. I also still need to try the lentil bolognaise recipe from Eat Well For Less.

Catalogue debt is now under 2k: 1972.66. So, not my much, but it's something. It's just my credit card debt, and the loan, obviously, that's much higher.

The plan for the next few weeks: using what we have and shopping the value range.

I'm on my phone, so excuse the typos.

I picked SG up from nursery today and she told me that her feet were hurting her. After I dropped her off at home, I went to tesco to pick up an emergency pair of trainers for her. I found a pair half a size bigger than she was wearing, on sale for two pound.

I've been using the Notes app on my iPhone to keep track of spending. It seems to be working.

I finally added another ten pound to my Asda Christmas savings card. This should cover the cost of what we spend at the butchers in December - hopefully.

It turns out that my mum actually didn't have a stroke, at least according to her specialist. She is getting an mri soon to confirm or find out more.

Spoke to a random guy at work today. His partner works in the same place as me too. He was telling me that every two years they take their entire blended family to Florida, costing them 9k. He suggested I do this in the future with the kids (we were talking about holidays) I said that we'll take the kids to England first since they've been nowhere.

I think that's all.

I made a mistake last month which I'm paying for this month. I had to withdraw money from savings to help our current financial situation. Sigh.

I definitely want us to get away next year, although now hubby is wanting to visit his friend. We've all never been there, so it'll be good to go. I think I'm in a rut.

I've started to think about Christmas. SG mentioned a couple of things so I'll search online to find the best price. Adding to my asda savings card hasn't really worked, although there is still time. I'll probably get a lot of there books/games from the nearly new shop in town. I also might book an official Santa visit for the kids with breakfast, we'll see. Working Saturdays doesn't help since most things are on a Saturday. Again, it's a work in progress.

Pre-ordered a book for hubby's birthday from the kids, and I'm going to treat myself to one too. The money won't come out until my September pay.

One of those weeks when I complain about something petty - work - then something serious happens and throws me off. The serious thing was that my mum ended up in hospital, they think she had a mini stroke. My uncle was there with her when it happened and he stayed with her at the hospital. I was on the phone to him loads while she was in hospital. She got out that night and I went to visit her the next day. It was a stressful night.

In other news, my loan is now under 7k.

Hubby upgraded his phone, the payments are the same as before.

One week till payday.

I just paid 25 to my Tesco credit card.

I transferred money to hubby's account because his phone bill is due out in a few days and he was short.

Husband hasn't switched banks yet. There's a problem so he's phoning the new bank tomorrow, as per instructions from current bank account.

I've been buying in frozen mince instead of fresh. I'll use it for tacos this week.

I worked extra today, then I spent 12.51 on food shopping afterwards. SG wanted macaroni so I bought in ingredients for that. Kids will have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

EF:
144.61
+_9.50
________
154.11

Holiday Fund remains the same: 40.00

New Balance: 194.11

Things are a bit tight this month. Hubby and I are making sure to use up everything we have. It'll be cheap meals until payday in a couple of weeks.

My cousin is hoping to get married this year, so I'll need to budget for that. The kids aren't in the wedding but I'll still need to make sure that they look good. I don't even know how much kids formal outfits are so I'll need to research that.

Loan payment is due out next week. I'm so excited for it to be under 7k.

I still keep getting letters from the catalogue company, so my account must not be closed.

I'm not impressed. This year is going in far too quickly.

Things are going ok here. I sold one of J's old playmats for 17gbp.i had given up on it ever selling, but I bumped the post up yesterday and somebody commented and picked it up the same day.

We're meeting my cousin and her kids at soft play later. It will be 9gbp entry total for the kids. I'll be packing lunch.

Catalogue debt is now sitting at 2177.66. Next month it'll be under 2k. Progress. Also, my loan will be under 7k next week.

I seen my mum this week. I think she has abandoned her idea of saving up now that I'm not involved. I'm leaving her to do it.

I spent some time looking online at washing machine parts. Luckily, I haven't had to buy any yet. Fingers crossed.

I applied for a zero percent card for hubby but was declined. At least I tried, I'm telling myself. The debt will stay on his credit card.

I've installed a new budgeting app, Wallet. I like this one better than the others so far.

My mum text me to ask who she banks with, or rather confirm their name. She disagreed with me at first but then realised I was right.

We're all going on a trip this week with the toddler group I take J to. It was only 20gbp for us all. Going ourselves it's 13 per adult, so already we're saving a lot. I need to buy snacks to take with us.

I've got two different savings funds to keep track of now. I was going to write it down in a notebook, but thought I'd keep track on here too. They're in the same savings account.

EF:

125.11
+19.50

________
144.61

Holiday Fund: 40.00

Tota savings: 184.61

During the first few months of the year when we were struggling, I withdrew money from the EF. Slowly trying to replace that.

It's payday. I went shopping. I spent 48.xx in lidl. I got a taxi back. Another six pounds.

I really want us to visit hubby's grandpa next year. I checked out train fares. Today I put aside forty pounds towards it. I still need to talk to him to arrange it.

I'm having some issues with my mum. I've been dealing with her finances for years. The other day she was really moody with me over her money, when I had done exactly what she asked me to do (transferred x amount to savings). I told her she can deal with her own finances now, I don't know how I ended up with the job in the first place. She needs to get a handle on it, it's not my responsibility.

It's been a while.

Our washing machine has been acting up, so hubby has been watching videos on YouTube. He's attempted to fix it a few times but there's still problems. I'm hoping we'll only need to buy a part to fix it.

We still have about five hundred pounds worth of credit card debt that J added on (by buying add-ons on Google play). I want to get a zero percent card for it so it doesn't impact debt payoff.

Hubby used all of his catalogue rewards to buy some household items: bath mats, shower curtains etc.

Speaking of hubby, he's noticed his tablet is really slow compared to mine. He knows we'll have to save up to replace it. It won't be anytime soon.

I want to get a wireless keyboard since we can't afford to replace our laptop yet. A new laptop is ages away yet, but it can go on the list.

After days of me pestering him, hubby finally spoke to an adviser from Google play this morning. He agreed to refund the last fourteen transactions, which is a grand worth. Hubby didn't think any of it would get refunded.

I'm so pleased. However, I still want to transfer the rest to a zero percent card.

I've started the process of switching husband's bank account. There's a chance we could be moving again so I'll put the money aside for that.

I had fraudulent activity on my account again. The bank refunded the money.

I'm doing some overtime tomorrow, I was stressing about the credit card so I agreed to it.

There are no words.

Everything was great, or so I thought, until two days ago. J has a bad habit of clicking or rather, just touching stuff on hubby's phone. I actually had to transfer extra money to hubby's bank account a few weeks ago because J had bought a few games (clicked on the ad, that's all) Hubby said he would link his Google account with his credit card in case it happened again.

I thought I was being pretty observant, taking the phone off him whenever I noticed that he had it. Then the screen on hubby's phone broke and he started to use his old phone. But then he seen some games were downloading. I asked him to check his credit card balance online. Lol and behold, over 1k worth of transactions. A lot of them were 79.99 transactions.

So now I have extra debt. Unwanted debt. This was not part of the plan.

I have to check Husband's credit rating and try to get it transferred to a zero percent card.

This is a big bump in the road. I'm just hoping it won't derail me too much.

I can't believe that it's already the third of July!

Well, I met VS last week. Actually, I met her and her friend. I brought hubby and the kids with me, so they got to meet her too! I told SG that morning that we were meeting my friend from Australia, so she was excited. I don't think she understood how far away Australia actually is, but I think I got my point across.

The meeting went really well. We met in a pub in Edinburgh for lunch. We were there for a few hours, just chatting. Near the end the kids got restless but overall they were OK. I thought it was going to rain that day but it didn't, so we were blessed with a dry day.

I don't have an exact total but I think I only spent over 40gbp, for lunch and drinks (wine for me, two beers for hubby) and travel. We had frozen pizza for dinner that night since I knew I wouldn't want to cook, the kids were supposed to have leftover macaroni but they filled up at lunch so they just had a sandwich.

I thought we were going to be moving soon. However, hubby went to see the place and we drew up a pros and cons list later to help decide. The cons outweighed the pros so we're staying put.

It was payday on Friday. I realised the same day that I hadn't received my new debit card so I had to go into town then go to my bank then husband's so I could put money into his bank then come home to pay the bills. It was a long day, added to the fact that I was down about the election results.

A while ago, hubby and I were talking about how he wants to switch banks. Well my bank has an offer: recommend a friend and when they switch you both get 100GBP. I hope I've read and understood the eligibility criteria properly. I want to use it towards a moving fund in case we do end up moving this year.

I'm meeting VS from Oz this week. We arranged the final details the other day.

I'm aiming to fully track spending this pay; I've been lax about it.

I've started the process of closing my catalogue. The online adviser who I spoke to didn't question why I wanted to close it - he said any excuse will do. He is refunding the 3.53 to my account.

Catalogue debt is now less than credit card debt.

I need to meal plan and write a shopping list today. We've been using things up.

I took SG to a birthday party last week. It was her friend from nursery so I wasn't looking forward to going and not knowing anyone. I didn't know what to expect but it was after lunch time so me and hubby decided she picked that time to save some money.

When I got there I noticed a huge buffet straight away. There was also a dj, face painting and a tattoo station, a colouring station and later on a minion arrived. There was also chocolate fondue with strawberries and marshmallows; SG loved it. Is this the new standard for fifth birthday parties? Or is she just trying to outdo each previous years birthday parties? I don't know. As I said, I'd only just met her.

Speaking of birthdays, it is my littlest's birthday soon. We are still thinking low-key.

I still desperately want to get a new job but I think the chances of it happening this year are slim. I have however started to write my cv since it's been non-existent for about ten years.

I think that's all.

Husband's catalogue statements updated at the weekend. Both catalogues are now at the 1k mark, 1023.45 and 1536.38 respectively. There are two buy now pay later items that will get added on, one this month (227.19 total) and then 129.05 in July.

I'm still working on paying off the household items that hubby ordered a couple of months ago. I'm hoping to get rid of them by December this year.

I've finally used most of my remaining credit/rewards on my catalogue. I have 3.53GBP left to use, which, in a catalogue, is unrealistic. If I have to I will talk to an adviser and ask them to send me a cheque for the amount. It's only 3.53 but it's my money. Once this order has arrived I will deal with it.

Loan payment comes out on Saturday so I will update my new balances then.

Have a good day everyone!

How is it June already? I swear it feels like it was my birthday not that long ago. I'd better enjoy the rest of the year because it is flying in.

We've had some really nice weather here. I had to buy some sunlotion in yesterday because we didn't have any on hand.

I went to Lidl today for the first time since March I think. I spent 18.xx, so I'll need to go back soon. It's not my favourite shop but I do really like their fruit and veg - their freezer section is another story. Anyway, I made sure to buy some ice cream (especially since my chocolate melted on me the other night - I had to put it in the fridge!)

I'm going to have to total what I've spent so far, all the little things add up.

I might have already mentioned it but SG has been invited to another birthday party. This one only gave a few weeks notice though.

In other news, we had a filming crew in my street a while ago. My cousin managed to get some photos of one of the actors but I didn't. I would've loved to have met him because he is a main character in one of my favourite shows.

As you know, I'm meeting VS-from-oz soon. I remember reading when a few of you all met up years ago; I never actually thought I'd get to meet a fellow blogger. But I am now