Hello there. Well I am still here, still alive, still trying to be frugal!
I haven't posted much in ages because it's just the same old crap but different day. Sometimes I want to come online and spill my guts about it but then I just think "Meh, who wants to read that depressing blurb?" so I don't bother.
I try and try to do the right thing but as I may have said before, some of us seem destined not to have money, even a small amount of money to spare, and I think I am one of those people.
The good news is, I am firmly in the savings habit now and I am putting away £100 a month into an account to pay for annual car bills, home insurance and the like. I also seem to have broken the habit of shopping for things I like but don't need. I make good use of Approved Foods, Aldi, EBAY if I need things or looking for the best price on goods if I have to buy them new.
The bad news is, things seem to happen outside my control which affect incoming finances or make really bloody ANNOYING drains on any savings I make. It sounds like paranoia but honestly, any time I might spend a small amount of money on myself, I get whacked with something stupid like a nail through a car tyre, a blocked drain, I lose my gloves and need to buy some more...many stupid stupid things that just p*ss me off. On top of the washing machine giving up the ghost this year and rotten windows needing replacing in a hurry. Even one of my friends today said "You do seem to get more than your fair share of bad luck!"
Anyway I sit here looking at my spreadsheet tonight (as I am still trying to keep a reign on things) and I see it spiralling into my overdraft pretty miserably come the New Year. Christmas is not really happening in this household in 2012. I will put up the decorations we already have up, I did buy only those nearest & dearest to me a few little gifts (mostly second hand) and I am making someone some home made ale mustard but the budget has been minuscule.
I am trying to take a deep breath though and say to myself that I must keep going and it can't be cleared overnight. BUT I can try to make it so that this time next year I am in a better position. I guess I am annoyed because I have been debt free before (mortgage aside) and I never wanted to owe anything again yet here I am about £2000 in debt again.
So anyway that's an update. I hope to post more positive news again soon, charting progress and things I have done to save money or make extra money (maybe!). I continue to read some blogs for inspiration and do try to keep a sense of perspective - even if it doesn't sound like it.
Take care all & all the best with your own journeys.
Nice to see you back again! I missed your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing really well ... you may look at your spreadsheet with dispair .. but you have made the changes you are on the right path. I know life can be a B****rd...but you can win through ....chin up .. we're all with you.
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs x
Vicky x
So glad to see you back.......and I wish you all the best in your journey out of debt. I know from my own experience how hard it is, not only to pay everything off, but KEEP out of debt. You get free and clear and think 'oh good......I have spare cash!' (I don't know where my brain gets to sometimes!! duh!)
ReplyDeleteI'm paying off my last £300 of debt, and this last push seems to be taking so long, plus I haven't been able to save anything with Xmas on the way. However, I'm definitely not buying anything at all for January, I'm living out of the store cupboard, & hopefully that will kick start the final push. Good Luck for next year, I'm sure you will get there in the end.
Welcome back. Keep going - you are on the right track even though it's a lot of a bind at the moment. As Vicky says - we're all with you.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
You might be having more than your share of bad luck, as your friend says, but you are taking some really positive steps. You should feel really proud of yourself and what you are achieving. Well done you!
ReplyDelete