Today, as usual, I devoted 10-15mins sorting through paperwork. I noticed a large gift bag in the kitchen that was full that hubby had left there (it was on top of SG's wardrobe). My new wrapping paper and tags arrived today too so they were waiting to be dealt with too. Well, I decided to sort through the bag. I thought I'd find old wrapping paper, cards etc.I found a couple of pieces and old cards that I recycled, but it was mostly bank statements and unopened mail. It's all been sorted through now and my new wrapping paper is sitting proudly in the bag now waiting to be used.

Next on the list: shredding, and wrapping presents.

Our electric company sent us 12.00 to top up electricity today. It couldn't have came at a better time (week before payday) I've been to the post office and cashed it already.

I'm exhausted after officially starting my Christmas shopping today (using my vouchers) It felt like we spent all day shopping but it was really only three long hours. I need to get hubby's gift still, something else for my mum, J's stocking and my two cousins but apart from that I'm basically done. I also need to get a birthday present for my cousin. I'm going to check the box of stuff I won from the charity though and see if I can use anything.

I spent roughly 170.00 and I was 2.00 OOP so not bad.

I've invited my mum over for Boxing Day. The three of us discussed it - me, hubby and my mum - and they would both like me to make turkey (even though we're having it on Christmas Day) and have crackers too. I only agreed on the basis that I will make two different recipes and have different starters and deserts. I'm also going to use a turkey crown for both days and cook it in the slow cooker.

It's been a few weeks since I've updated. I can't believe it's November already.

Payday came and went. We are plodding along as usual. I ordered from Approved Foods, got free delivery this time. Almost everything has been put away from the order. This is a first, normally there's not enough space in the cupboards.

I'm going to start meal planning properly again. I'm taking a whole chicken out of the freezer tonight so that will last us three meals.

I've registered my new credit card online, I had to activate it too. I got a letter from them saying one of the conditions of my account is that it has to be activated. If I didn't then I would need to discuss how I was going to pay off the balance. When I phoned, the adviser ended the call by saying "Happy spending!"

Our Christmas vouchers arrived, so I'm going to write my list and go shopping soon.

I've been keeping up with Fly Lady, well trying my best to. I'm slowly noticing a difference in how the flat looks. There's still a lot to do but we're getting there.

I'm going to invite my mum over for dinner on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) I need to start planning my Christmas and Boxing Day menus.

Today was an average day, although now it includes an afternoon nap. Yesterday I slept for over two hours while J napped, today it was for an hour and a bit. Now that J is in our room - and I'm not in the livingroom with him - I don't see the point of hubby doing night feeds because I have to wake him up. Then I hear everything, get involved and can't get back to sleep. Hubby said I couldn't do this forever and that I need to catch up on my sleep so I should sleep when J is. He said I was grumpy, forgetful, making mistakes etc. Basically exhausted. My motivation had gone out of the window but it's back now.

I got caught up on some washing this morning and our dishes are almost always practically up to date. This is new for us so we need to keep it up.

Hubby's friend is visiting from England. She's got a little boy who is eighteen months. She brought up three huge bags of clothes for J. Ranging from 9mths-18mths. SG "helped" me sort through them.

I realised yesterday that I still had cottage pie leftovers and my attempt at meatloaf in the freezer. We had the cottage pie today with turnip to bulk it out. It's now put hubby in the mood for haggis, neeps and tatties (haggis, turnips and potatoes to everyone else) I'll pass on the haggis for that meal, which won't be until after we're paid.

SG is almost completely out of snacks. I'm buying milk and bananas tomorrow. She loves bananas. I also found a flapjack recipe. I haven't got the right shape of foil container, I#ve only got a flan foil container, but it will do the job. The plan is to bake more snacks when we're paid.

I need to phone the new credit card company. I tried to register my details online but it said there was a problem. Just send me my statement already so I can make a payment please. I want online access so I can view the statement ASAP.

I've decided that when we get paid I will buy fruit and veg, and possibly meat that's on offer in Aldi's Super 6. Nappies and formula I will get from Tesco by doing an online order and getting a £1 delivery slot.

The government start charging 5p/carrier bag next week. I don't think it will go down well but I'm pleased about it. We've got plenty of reusable bags so we will be fine.

I think that's all.

We're still struggling by but getting there I think. Five days until payday.

Meals have been mostly potato and pasta based with veg and sauce. We've been living off a 2kg whole chicken for the past few days. I'm making it into a curry tonight. Our cupboard is jam packed with pasta, cous cous and tins, it's just lack of meat that's the problem. We will need to buy bread and milk this week, and more formula for J. I've made a batch of lentil soup too.

My new credit card - or debt card rather - came through. I noticed today that an unexpected bill came out of my bank, hubby suggested using the card. No. I will buy the bare minimum. No extra debt is getting added. I don't think he expected me to agree anyway.

I've listed a few more things on FB. I'll set up a page on hubby's days off this week.

Decluttering. I'm trying to sort out our paper clutter and get rid of old clothes, toys etc. It's a big job. I'm hoping once I've caught up it won't be as hard to deal with. At the moment i can only spend 10-15 mins doing something before I'm needed. But it's progress.

The PIN for my new credit card arrived the other day. I didn't even bother to read it, I just put it in one of my files. I haven't got the new card yet but when it arrives I want to have a plan about what I'm doing. (The last time I transferred debt to a 0% card I didn't have a plan, see CC2's balance) It's either 33 or 34 months interest free. I don't want to just pay the minimum, although maybe I should so I can focus on the extortionate balance that is Bank of Scotland aka CC2. I do plan on paying extra to CC2 now that CC1 is 0%. Obviously, I know I'm going to have a tight month this month.

I checked Capital One's statement and the interest hasn't been added yet so I will need to pay that from my October pay, which is two weeks away yet.

Even though I now have this huge balance "available to spend" I guess I just want to remind myself that it isn't there for spending. In fact, I haven't activated the card
This post is really just to tell myself that I can't celebrate when the new statement comes through because I've still got the debt. It's just on a different card.

And when this new card arrives it will go somewhere safe (my folder) I'll set up my details so I can view the balance online. I'll make a payment. I WON'T USE IT!!

Ok. That's all.

I've gathered up some more clothes and toys of SG's that I can sell on Facebook. These are toys that she had two of or a similar one. I'm going to comment on my posts on the selling pages to take them to the top of the page. I'm also considering creating my own selling page since there's a lot of clothes to get through.

I've joined a new site to earn rewards: www.superpoints.com

Last night I found a page on FB: Feed Your Family for £20 a week. I liked the page and was reading it last night. It shows a lot of easy recipes and tips e.g. bulk out meals with veg, buy a whole gammon joint instead of pre-packed sandwich meat, which I already do. Also the creator of the page seems to go to her local supermarket each night to get items which are reduced to silly prices such as 5p. I think I'll have to stick with what I'm doing which is shopping at Aldi and meal planning. I'll check back in with my cooking websites, Resourceful Cook and All Recipes to come up with inspiration.

Oh I got it wrong we're still short, but it's by 27.45 not 40.00.

I worked out this morning everything that has to be paid between now and payday (15 days away) Even after I withdraw savings - which I really really don't want to do - I will still be £40 short. Hubby told me not to panic, he's on his way home from work so we can discuss it. But there's nothing he can say that can make it better.

My overspending over the past few weeks has gotten us into this mess. That, and my maternity pay being less.

This is nothing compared to how bad it was when I was off sick, so I'm at least grateful for that. At least I can use my savings. Again.

A quick update. I'm on my phone.
Mil got in touch: total owed is 364 I think hubby said. 20 this month then 60 each month till March. I didn't offer to pay half like hubby expected although I will probably reign in spending. Going to try and sell more on fFacebook and I tthink he should do some overtime.

I meant to post about this last year, but, well life got in the way.

Before Christmas last year, hubby really wanted to get a PS4. He knew the only way that we could have got it was either from our catalogue, or planning it out and saving it up in advance. Saving up for it was the best option as far as I was concerned and clearly we hadn't done that. Well, one day while I was at work and hubby was at MIL's to get SG he joked with her about her paying for half for his Christmas present. She agreed, they spoke about it. He told me about it later and I wasn't happy he was agreeing to more debt. I think he said it would be fine. At some point later, mil told hubby that his brother wanted to contribute something towards it as his Christmas present. In the end he put £40 towards it and I MIL paid the deposit then put money towards it. I think this was eighty pounds cash. The rest she put on her credit card. Hubby wasn't pleased that she was putting so little towards it.

Now, no-one should have agreed to this since clearly none of them had the money. Well, she put it on her card and I ended up in hospital having emergency surgery. Hubby was off sick taking care of me, I was off for months. So, they agreed he could pay it later. Hubby asked for her credit card details to pay it. She said she wasn't willing to give them. She transferred it to a 0% card.
Hubby still hadn't paid anything to it.

Well, they fell out last month. Yesterday she text asking about when he could pay it since her 0% deal runs out in March. She said she could transfer it to one of our cards (which aren't at 0% interest) Hubby phoned me on the way home from work askinf if I could look at 0% credit card balance transfers. I told him I would apply in my name since my credit is a lot better than his, but not fantastic.

I had a good look and found one for either 33 or 34 months at 0%. I thought there's no way I'm going to get that since my credit rating isn't that good. Well they accepted me. During the application process it said that you can only transfer balances in your name. So I transferred Capital One (cc1), less some pennies although this month's interest hasn't been added yet.

So, now I have transferred my balance on Capital One. I checked my statement and it was in the eight hundreds. They charged me £25 for the privilege of the transfer. So my balance will be 900 and I have 33 months to pay it off.

My questions are:

- what's the best way for me to pay off debt now I have a 0% card (in five-ten working days)
- how would you deal with MIL? The debt must be about £300 I'd guess. We don't know actual figures.

I've been plodding along since payday last week. We've done two separate shopping trips this week - hubby was in town with SG so they went and got some things then we all went together. Ideally I'd like it to last us a few weeks. Our fridge is jam packed but our freezer isn't.

Hubby went back to work today after having a holiday for his birthday. While he was off I done all the night feeds for the entire holiday to give him a break, make him feel like it was a holiday you know? For future reference, I am never doing this again. He sent me for a nap today because I was falling asleep on the couch while holding J. I'm so tired and possibly at my least productive in a while.

Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. No plans other than hubby doing the night feed. A full night's sleep is the best gift ever at this moment.

Friday was payday, and hubby's birthday. He's still not talking to his mum or brother so I was feeling bad about that. Add that to the fact that I never had a gift for him to open (although I did buy him game credits months ago) We went into town to go to a cheesecake place that I've walked past a few times. Well it's smaller than I thought. We wanted to sit in but there wasn't enough space for us plus SG and J so we bought four slices - two each to try - to go. That was £10. Yep, 2.50/slice.

Then I decided i was hungry so we went to a cafe. Hubby only wanted a coffee, but that was another ten pounds.

Later that day, hubby went to Tesco while I stayed home. £69 later.

On Saturday we bought SG new boots. 24.99 She needed them and we were at the shopping centre anyway.

I also spent £18 in Asda on new tights and jeans for SG plus some toiletries and snacks for SG.

Oh did I mention that I made hubby a cheesecake for his birthday? Crazy that we still went out and bought some. Sigh.

My bank balance is abysmal. More money is going in tomorrow but I'm just feeling so depressed. I've paid extra to CC1 so I'm not slacking off with debt repayment but I still feel bad. There's more bills to pay. Part of me thinks I'm worrying for nothing but I doubt I am. Either way, we've been in worse situations so I'm sure we'll cope.

Not much happening here. I'm still in the process of using things up. Bought a whole chicken from Aldi for £4.xx and so far we've had quesadillas and italian chicken from it. I was wanting to use the leftovers for a stir fry but hubby bought in a frozen cheese pizza and wants to add it to that. I'm now thinking I could slice a pepper and add that too, maybe a tomato. Well that's tonight's dinner sorted then. SG will have the cheese and vegetable pasta that I made yesterday. I've also got some ready rolled pastry to use up so I'll use that today.

Our kettle stopped working. I've never been so happy to have the Perfect Prep machine for J. We'll get a new one when we're paid next week.

Speaking of J, he slept from 10.20-5.20am this morning. I actually started feeding him at five then realised he was still sleeping so I could have left him longer. I would have had a great sleep last night if SG hadn't woke up between eleven and one.

It's hubby's birthday next week. His request? The ultimate cheese toastie that Jamie Oliver made in his new show, and a cheesecake. I'll buy the stuff in to make both next week. We don't need to worry about what to do for his birthday since he isn't talking to MIL or BIL. So no need to work round other people, we can do what we want. I think he might want a takeaway though since we usually get one for his birthday.

Tonight I turned leftover bolognaise into lasagne. First time I've done that. There's still some left for tomorrow. I just need to buy some chicken in this week so that I can use up an italian chicken sachet which expires this month, and chicken enchilidas too. It's taking ages for me to make a dent in the cupboards. I can use a few other things in the cupboard when I make the enchilidas - well, that's the plan anyway.

I posted a few more clothes on Facebook's selling pages. A couple I put up because I had kept them aside for hubby's friend but she never responded. Well, she responded today. Would you take them off in case someone's interested or just leave it? I've not had a lot of interest in my posts, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I've updated my sidebar to show my new credit card balances. Still more than I'd like but at least it's decreasing.

I've almost sold my first item on Facebook: one of SG's Christmas dresses. As long as the girl picks it upon Monday. Ironically, this was the item I was going to take off because I thought it might be too early. I've added some more clothes and two Moses baskets so I'm hoping for some luck. I'm actually finding it quite addictive but decluttering is taking longer than I'd like.
I've got two bags of SG's old clothes to donate, a lot more to sort through too.
stills using up what food we have.

Spent 9.99 in Aldi today. Got nappies, washing powder, fabric conditioner and juice for SG.

Posted my first items for sale on FB a few hours ago. One item was a Christmas dress - too early for that? No-one's been in touch yet.

Had fish fingers, potato waffles and macaroni for dinner: everything that needed using up.

I cleaned out my cupboard today. That was an enlightening experience. Less than half a pack of cous cous, cocoa powder, two bags of pasta which are practically finished and a nest of noodles are all waiting to be used up. I've got plenty of stock cubes, spices and herbs (some not even opened) No tins of chopped tomatoes, one carton of passata, one tin of mushy peas (for hubby, I hate them) and garden peas. Plenty of tins of fruit. I've also got soy sauce, a tin of sweetcorn and at least a dozen packets of angel delight - half can be made into ice cream. In addition to this, there's microwave rice and risotto, and sachets to be used with meat and fish. I'm going to have to buy some meat to use some of this up.

A pointless entry cos I noticed the spam. I'm on my phone. Will update properly when I get the chance.

Yesterday I used the packet mix of berry cookies, which went out of date months ago and was sitting in the back of my cupboard. I actually enjoyed them though.

Today I'm making macaroni and cheese for dinner. We've got a lot of pasta to use up, and a lot of plain flour too. I'm also going to make corned beef hash - not one of my favourites - for tomorrow's dinner. I've got all the ingredients in for it, and the last time I made it we enjoyed it more the second day. Lastly, I'm going to make some oaty biscuits since there's no treats in the house for us (that are already prepared, I mean)

Well, we completely ran out of fruit and yogurts yesterday. I went to Aldi this morning and I spent £16.47. I bought all of the fruit that was in Aldi's super six (nectarines, figs and pears) and bananas and grapes. I also bought a three pack of peppers because SG loves them and they can be added to dishes. I bought a nine pack of yogurts for SG, and some snacks for her. I also bought frozen turkey dinosaurs which can be a quick dinner for her. I added an extra item though: diced pork for stir frying. I've got an unopened pack of stir fry veg in the freezer and hundreds of noodles and a huge pack of rice in the cupboard.

First thing this morning, after we'd all eaten, I took SG out for a walk. We went to our local cafe and I bought a mocha, and two juices for SG. Spent £2.xx. It was hubby's suggestion as we rarely get one-to-one time together.

When I came home I bagged up some of SG's old clothes and gathered some carrier bags for donation. That's one bag gone from her room, a lot more still to do though. I might try selling some on the FB selling pages.

I've decided that for the next three weeks we will just eat what we have in the cupboards - and fridge and freezer - already. I'll need to buy fruit, milk and possibly a few bits for SG's meals, but other than that, no spending. Our cupboards are jam packed so if I can get them down then it means that next month I can order from Approved Foods and fill them up again.

I'll go to Aldi for fruit and veg, try and make sure I get one of their Super 6 items. This week it's pears, nectarines, cocktail vine tomatoes, mangetout, figs and garlic. I've never bought figs before. I don't need any more meat just now.

A few days ago I cooked up a kilo of mince that I got on offer from Tesco. I made half into lasagne, which we just finished yesterday. The other half is bolognaise and that's in the freezer just now.

Tonight SG will have salmon fishcakes and we will have either pasta or baked potatoes.

We will no longer be getting help with housing. I got a letter today. I'm going to have to budget for the new amounts. I thought they would stop helping us soon.

J is sleeping on me cause SG woke him up. I had him settled in his cot too. I don't want to keep this habit up.

I'm aiming for the next few weeks to be low-spend.

Since payday, there's been a lot of spending:

- new bedding for SG
- a new travel cot for J
- a Chinese takeaway

We're also buying a pram from a friend to make it easier for me (£80) The one we bought months ago isn't suitable for a newborn.

Today was payday. Paid extra to CC1. I also paid cc2, my catalogue and Xmas savings. Only one payment left to go as far as xmas savings are concerned.

Had a rough night last night with baby J. I only manged to get a couple of hours sleep. When I finally got him settled this morning, SG woke up. I'm meeting my friend for her birthday dinner tonight but I'd rather sleep. I'm still in my pyjamas and I'm meeting her in five hours. This will be my first time going out since J was born, even longer than that actually with this friend, it's been a few years (she's childless)

I done my Tesco online shop using my coupon. £47 worth of food for £26.

This morning I paid:

- CC1
- CC2
- catalogue
- Christmas savings

I had a rough night with baby J last night. I'm going out for a meal tonight for my friend's birthday, but I'm really not in the mood for it. I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm out.

I ordered my online shopping from Tesco. £47 worth of shopping for £26.

I just wrote a long entry but it must have timed out. I'll summarise:

- I almost missed paying CC2. I checked online and noticed a payment hadn't posted so I made one this morning.
- TT Perfect Prep machine arrived without a filter. I complained to Amazon. They're refunding me 14.03 to buy that and a bottle that wasn't included either.
- We're having a few issues with MIL: expecting us to be in all the time so showing up at a moment's notice and being annoyed we're not home; wanting to take SG herself instead of just coming here to see her (last time she took her "for an hour or two" and was gone most of the afternoon) and lastly her bringing her dog here without asking us. Hubby's told her he doesn't want him here so that led to a childish Facebook status from MIL (She lost her other dog when I went in for surgery in March, so has been bringing her dog with her everywhere she goes since then)
- It's my friend's 30th this week and I suggested we go out for dinner and a few drinks. I'm stressing about that now because of money and also because I have nothing to wear. I wanted to get her a fantastic present but I haven't bought it yet, it's all about money.

CC1 finally updated. I owe 981.30. I've updated the balance on my sidebar. This is the first time in I don't know how long that it's been under 1000. Triple figures now.

Hubby went to work this morning and found out that he's not back until next week. So I've got him for an extra week. He obviously got his dates mixed up, I just hope that it works out ok pay wise.

Tomorrow is pay day. Or rather today even. I checked my bank balance and it's not updated so it obviously doesn't go in at midnight (It's 1250am here) I wonder when it will post?

I remember in school my friend's (ex) boyfriend used to go to the pub and spend a lot. Then at midnight he would withdraw money when he got paid. More spending. All I want to do is pay a few bills while JI is sleeping.

I can't wait until CC1 is under 1k... Hopefully by next month. I don't want to get my hopes up. (My sidebar isn't accurate so it's not too much to ask)

Okay I'm thinking I might just try and go to sleep now since I haven't got any financial news plus this post is all over the place.