Trying to Save

I was feeling upbeat until I checked my credit card statement this morning: I got a late payment fee! I can't believe I let this happen! Apparently it only takes that to ruin my mood. I'm getting over it now.

I paid both of hubby's catalogues yesterday. Minimum payments are about 160.xx now in total. I also paid 30 to one of hubby's buy now pay later items. I'll be so happy the day that I can stop using that phrase.

I took SG shopping for a princess outfit for the birthday party that's coming up. While there I also bought her a few other things. Next on the list is a little present for the birthday girl. I'm thinking crafts,something small.

I've increased my weekly savings deposits. I owe money to my emergency fund so this will help to pay it back.

I tried to add money to my Christmas savings card but the till wouldn't accept the transaction; if this happens again I'll just put the cash aside.

Last night I noticed on Facebook that my cousin was bragging about how much she had saved on her shopping. She uses coupons and shopping apps, it looks as though she spends a lot of time printing off coupons. It inspired me to install new apps. Any money I make from them will go towards debt. Who knows how long it will take though.

I'm considering transferring my ISA to get a better interest rate.

I want to aim to get two items that hubby got from the catalogue last month - before the loan, without telling me - paid off by December. Think they're about 240. Works out at about 30/month. I think it's manageable.

I need to start putting more money aside for Christmas. Right now we're only saving ten pounds each pay.

It's payday on Friday.

J turns two next month. I bought him a new waistcoat to wear from a friend's small business, I just need to get a shirt and trousers for him. Other than that, he will be getting a small gift and I'll bake a cake.

I'm in the middle of making a meal plan and writing a shopping list. It's a weekly habit. I need to transfer money to hubby's account until I get my replacement card. Unfortunately, my bank is updating its systems right now so I can't do it yet.

I've enjoyed this pay period, actually having some money spare. But I don't want to get laxadasical. I want to get out of debt. I need to replace money I've used from savings this year. Lucky Robin's post reminded me that I need to have a moving fund if we do end up moving. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed buying things that we needed. In fact, I still need to get armbands for the kids so we can go swimming - once j is better, that is. And hubby wants his friends to meet J soon so that will involve some spending no doubt.

Things are feeling pretty good right now. Life at home is good, I'm not stressing as much although we have a lot of decluttering to do if we are moving. I have a really great friend. All I need to do is come up with a plan to be debt free in ideally three years. Then this means we can travel more and do things.

Now, what will I blog about when I'm finally debt free? That is the million dollar question.

The first loan payment came out. Only 35 more to go.

I've been updating my budgeting app more regularly. We're pretty close to our grocery budget so I might be a bit over since there's two weeks to go. I'll do my best to use what we have first, although it's really meat that will take up a lot of the budget.

It's J's birthday next month. It will be low-key,a few gifts and cake.

SG's has a nursery trip coming up next week. She's also been invited to a fifth birthday party. She's friends with the little girl and it falls on my day off, so we will be going to this party.

There was fraudulent activity on my bank account, so I'm waiting on a replacement card.

I can't believe it's May already. This year is flying in.

I'm behind updating my budgeting app from my last pay period. I spent some time adding some transactions this morning. I'm determined to keep better track of it this time round.

My loan payments start this month. I'm looking forward to getting it paid off.

I've been meal planning consistently and it's paying off. There's definitely been less waste and less impulse buys when I'm shopping.

This week's meal plan:

- spicy tomato gnocchi with garlic bread
- sausage hotpot with broccoli (leftovers for lunch today)
-chicken filled with soft cheese wrapped in bacon
-chicken with tomatoes and pesto
-a cheap meal (baked potatoes with beans/cheese)
-leftovers

There's half a jar of pesto in the fridge that needs using up. I only need to buy a couple of things to make the pesto chicken. I was going to make burgers but I'd have to buy more in so they can wait.

Wow, it's only taken ten years but I've finally made it to one thousand entries. One thousand entries about my financial journey.

I would have reached this number earlier if I hadn't taken two years off. I'm glad I came back. If anyone out there is reading this and has a retired blog but is still reading, I'd like to hear from you. Likewise, if you want to start a blog, you should give it a chance.

Thank you to everyone who reads for going through this journey with me.

If this works, I will have included one of my favourite pictures of me and SG.

It's been a strange month. I know getting the loan and paying off most of our highest interest debts was smart. I'm just waiting to see the outcome now; hubby's catalogues haven't updated yet. If my calculations are right I should be paying 150.xx to the catalogues as opposed to 500 I was before. That plus loan payment and my credit cards should take debt repayment to 460.51.

Im wondering whether I should start putting extra towards my 0% cards...

Husband got his new tv, he loves it. It's an early birthday present.

I'm behind inputting spending into my budgeting app.

The loan went into my bank a few days ago. I paid off all of my catalogue, over a grand to each of hubby's catalogues, all of hubby's credit card balance, my bank of Scotland card and the balance on a kids catalogue I got when SG was a baby. I also paid off two buy now pay later items that were going on hubby's catalogue in a few months.

My loan payments start in a month.

I have to revise my goals and come up with a plan to get out of debt. I also have to cancel my catalogue since I don't want my 10k limit just sitting there, open to fraud. I also need to make sure we never order from Husband's catalogue.

After my payments to the catalogue, we had enough rewards to get an early birthday present for hubby: a new tv. There's enough left for me to pick something too, I just don't know what yet. We won't be out of pocket since they are all covered with rewards.

- fish and chips with mixed veg
- salmon fish cakes with cauliflower cheese
- slow cooked pork with potatoes, veg and Yorkshire puddings
- sweet and sour pork with rice or noodles
- eggs, chips and beans
- use up any leftovers day (or two)

I absolutely love my bank. Yesterday I applied for a loan and I was approved!!! The paperwork came today and I sent it away.

It's for 7750. I'm still planning how I want to distribute it between my debt and hubby's.

I'm so excited about this!!!

Oh the rate is 6.3%. Over three years.

I'm the only one working in the household. This has meant that we're entitled to receive healthy start vouchers. We got our first lot last week. We have four vouchers each worth 3.10. The catch is we can only use the vouchers on milk, fresh or frozen veg and infant formula. This suits me fine.

I thought I was going to be embarrassed using the vouchers but I was fine. I never thought that our financial situation would be so bad that we needed them. I have until the end of the month to use the other three.

My Swagbucks rewards are in my PayPal account. I'm going to withdraw the money and put it towards the remaining buy now pay later balance (the cot)

I've got my meal planning hat back on. This is what this week looks like:

-slow cooked chicken with mashed potatoes, mixed veg and Yorkshire puddings (yesterday)
-Spanish rice (using leftover chicken)
-Italian style fish and rice
-baked potatoes with beans and cheese
-leftovers for other meals

We're barely three days into the month and it's already not going to plan. Hubby ordered a few household items from his catalogue and put it as buy now pay later. I want to get it paid off before the year's up. In case you're wondering, I was oblivious to the fact that he was doing this. So much for being on the same page.

I owe 73 to my EF. I am going to do my best to meal plan and basically try to keep my money. 26 days until I'm paid again.

I've been spending alot of time on Swagbucks, too much actually. I want to redeem more this month to put towards the cot so I'm trying my best, I've even been playing videos on my phone. Minimum effort there although it takes a lot of battery.

I need to update my new debt total soon.

It's payday on Friday. This month my budgeting app has shown me that I spend over 60% of our income on debt repayment. That was an eye-opener.

This pay I am going to go back to my old ways and meal plan properly. I also have to pay the last of the cot (33) because I don't want that added to my catalogue. I'm also going to shop in Farmfoods and probably Iceland (the shop). I've been browsing frugal recipes these past few days too. I also think we have to start having one or two nights a week of cheap meals e.g eggs, chips and beans.

So, right now, my plan is:

1. Payoff cot before 29/4
2. Meal plan
3. Buy frozen meat and fish

I also have to replace the money I've taken out of savings. I have a feeling that'll take a while though.

I've been managing to go into Swagbucks daily. I'm trying to keep the habit up so I can get snowflakes.

Okay, the only way is up from here.

It's been a tough month. I've completely blown my very low budget of 80gbp for food shopping, withdrew some cash from savings and borrowed some money from my mum. Ugh.

I don't know how on earth I'll reach any of my goals if we keep on like this.

I redeemed 3.00 rewards from my survey today and I'm almost at enough Swagbucks for 5.00 PayPal. When these come through I'll put them towards Jason's cot that km paying off so I don't miss the deadline (29/4)and it gets added to my catalogue bill. I was debating whether to put it towards my credit card, bank of Scotland, but this is more important right now,

I'm thinking from June onwards I'll put any snowflakes towards Christmas shopping.

I'm going to make a note of how much I owe to savings. I really don't know if I'll get it paid back this year. I hate owing myself money. I worked hard to save it.

I'm on the lookout for a new job, work is getting me down.

Hubby has been invited out by his friends. We really can't afford it but I want him to go because it's been over a year since he's seen them.

It's been a while again.

SG's birthday is soon. We used catalogue rewards (so zero out of pocket) and high street vouchers to get her gifts. My only actual spending has been on buying her card and ingredients for the cake, which I'll buy tomorrow.

I installed a budgeting app on my tablet. My only complaint is that I can't set it to four weekly payments.

I set an unrealistic grocery budget of 80 and unfortunately I'm over by 3.xx with over two weeks to go. I will of course use what we have first before buying anymore.

I had to decline a wedding invite from a friend from school. I'm surprised we got invited in the first place, I haven't seen him in years. He was at our wedding though. To go to his wedding it involves a lot of travel and staying in a hotel or something. I had to tell him about hubby quitting his job. I really would have loved to go. He was supportive of my decision and told me that I would be missed. He did say that hubby is invited to the stag do though.

Hubby is going to be quite busy soon I think. He recently got back in touch with a few of his close friends. They didn't seem to know about major life events that had been happening with each other, they do now though. They had a good catch up and seem to be checking in with each other daily. I like those kinds of catch ups. They have invited him out soon.

A few days later I had my own catch up with my friend so it worked out quite nicely.

Found out from my mum that her and her siblings are splitting the cost of my uncle's funeral.

One of my friends is in hospital right now. She has a chronic illness. I have been texting her,i think she would go stir crazy otherwise.

I downloaded Swagbucks TV onto my phone, anything to get more money to put towards debt.

I think that's all for now.

I made a payment to the catalogues this morning, then I added up my total debt: 6901.21. Finally under 7k. I would be more happy if hubby didn't have about the equivalent to his name, but I'm working on it.

As it stands, hubby has 5526.85 of catalogue debt, plus two thousand on his credit card.

The only good news I can take from this is that debt is GOING DOWN!!!

I can't wait until the day I can say:

GOODBYE EVIL COMPANIES, MY MONEY'S ALL MINE NOW!!!!

A girl can dream.

It's payday on Friday. Nothing to brag about though, it should be called The Day I Give All my Money to the Catalogues.

It was my uncle's funeral this week. Before I went I tried to remember who wasn't talking to who, but I needn't have bothered because it was so obvious. My cousin, who is currently serving time, was even there. I gave him a hug and made sure to have a quick chat with him.

I've made a few new Facebook friends since then. I thought it was only after weddings that this sort of thing happy, but apparently it's funerals too.

When I came home after the funeral and wake, I told hubby we need to plan for our funerals. A few arguments almost happened over money while I was there. Then there were other arguments too, ranging from etiquette to who should or shouldn't be there. Everyone has an opinion about everything it seems.

My bank balance is abysmal - it's not negative but it's bad enough. We can survive till payday though, there's plenty to eat even if it isn't our first choice.

I've started to do surveys again. I redeemed 5gbp PayPal rewards and put it to bank of Scotland, even though I really should have kept it for cash flow.

Managed to bag a free personalised mother's day card from Money Saving Expert today, worth 4.99Gbp.

SG's birthday is fast approaching, we will be using high Street vouchers that were meant for Christmas.

Things here are tight but we're getting by. I found a new frugal blog to follow, Frugal Queen, so I'll be attempting some of her recipes. I might also make Jack Monroe's 9p kidney bean burgers at some point.

My uncle's funeral is next week, seems money was the reason things weren't moving along quickly. My mum offered her savings to help but her other brother declined. Went to visit my cousin, who explained to me exactly what happened when my uncle died. I think he wanted it off his chest.

I didn't realise it had been so long since my last entry.

Things have been quite busy here. We have a potential move in our future. Might have to touch savings if we do end up moving.

My uncle died. He had been ill for a while. I'm not sure when the funeral is. He was single and unemployed so I have no idea who is footing the bill.

I had a birthday, although it was spent getting ready for the housing officer coming over the next day.

Found out we are entitled to healthy start vouchers. They can only be used to buy fruit, veg and milk. I sent away the form a few days ago.

I've decided I'd like to get my emergency fund to 520 by December. With automatic deposits it will be at 487 so I'll need to find extra at some point.

I'd also like to get rid of credit card one and get the catalogue to 2k.

Lofty goals? Maybe. It'll be a challenge.

I cashed a cheque for 4.96 that's been in my bag. Using this for expenses and I have ten pounds of mum survey rewards that should be in my account soon.

I'm actually still working on what I want my goals to be this year. I know I work better when I have something I want to achieve. I will probably only make one or two financial goals to make it manageable. I'd ideally like to come up with some ideas before the end of the month.

Last year I was so focused on building up my emergency fund and paying down debt, so I don't want to lose momentum this year. My goals will probably be pretty similar to last year I think. As long as I'm aiming towards something, which I think is the point. I definitely know my Big Picture Goal: be debt free. I'm years away from this though. Also have a hefty emergency fund. One step at a time though.

I never mentioned it earlier but when I paid the catalogues I had to take money out of savings. It hasn't been replaced yet.

It's crystal clear that the majority of our money goes to debt repayments.

Trying to be more frugal. I think I lost my way a bit there.

That's all for now.

I won't have time to update tomorrow so thought I would post now. Tomorrow it has been a whole decade since I started my blog. Wow, that's a third of my life.

When husband quit in December I was considering not blogging anymore, but I was just feeling down then. I'm glad I didn't stop. Even if there's not much to write about I still enjoy having a blog.

I'm pleased with my progress over the last few years.

Thank you for all of your support guys, and of course for reading!

I can't remember the last time I posted a meal plan. This is roughly what we're having this week:

-Gammon pineapple, chips/leftover mash and peas (tonight)
-one pot ratatouille with chips or potatoes
-chilli con Carne with rice
-leftover chilli with baked potatoes or pasta
-hamburger pasta (Husband's request)

I'm using leftover gammon for sandwiches.

It's my aim to track spending. So far we've spent:

Debt repayment: 537.42 (366.26 hubby's catalogues)
Shopping:should be 60,can confirm later when shopping arrives
Misc: 10.80 on slippers for the kids
4.00 bus fare
1.00 on card at work
Utilities:20


I'd love to spend as little as possible if I can get away with it.

I never thought I'd ever use that as a title. It's payday, husband's first unemployed.

It's been a strange morning, signing in to hubby's catalogues to pay them. Then asking him dates for the direct debits that come out of his bank so I can prepare for them.

Then ordering shopping online and making myself pick value brand. I'm determined not to waste money, so getting more food for my money seemed sensible. I have a rough meal plan too.

I've just been feeling deflated all day.

I'm trying to think positive. We have food and a roof over our heads, what else do we need?

I still have no actual plan for this year. However, this is what I do know:

- Minimum spending here. I'm trying to only buy necessities
-I will have to take over Husband's debt payments (two credit cards and catalogues)
-I really don't want to touch our savings
-we will be, at our worst, three hundred pounds in negative as of Feb. This is before any help though because I'm not sure what we're getting. No overdraft or anything like that so I'm preparing myself mentally
-Sell, sell, sell!! We have some baby stuff to sell. If we have any luck I want to put that money aside for later
-we still have high Street vouchers left from Christmas. These can be used to do food shopping if need be, but only in Iceland
-I just spent fifteen minutes there on Swagbucks, I may have to do this occasionally
-we're saving less for Christmas until I know where we are (100 vs 300 last year)

I think that's it.

We have to talk.

I wanted to bring it up now sooner rather than later so we can fix this. Don't worry,it's me not you.

We are three days in and you keep reminding me I haven't set any financial goals. While I appreciate the concern it is driving me crazy.

Also,the days are long. Now the nights may be too. With 28 days left I'd like to nip this in the bud.

As you can see,I'm the problem. If we could remain friends I'd be happy to see you next year.


yours

Scottish Girl

Tesco credit card: 1475.00
Nationwide:2644.80
Bank of Scotland:109.17
Littlewoods:3278.26

TOTAL:7507.23

OUCH.

Emergency fund is sitting at 356 right now. I'm really hoping not to touch this if I can get away with it.

ETA: I had 5132 worth of credit card debt this time last year, now it's 4228.97. I wasn't tracking the catalogue so I have nothing to compare it to.