Fresh start
Comments
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Full on weekend. DD is now getting so independent and is constantly on the go (13 months old) and is also frustrated that she can't express herself and it takes us a while to figure out what she wants. I guess it will be easier in a years time and hopefully then we get some relaxation time on the weekends back. ATM we can't even sit down and have a cuppa in peace, lol. Yesterday, I had DS at home because his nursery had an inservice day and it was great. We had loads of fun. Also rather than saying: wait a minute I'll do that first and then this etc., we just had fun all day and I ingnored most chores.
Back in work today. OH paid me back the money he borrowed and CB has been increased by £1.05, woohoo. Still only leaves me with £19 till next Payday, Thursday next week. Well there is my first mini challenge. Will pop into LIDL and need to get washing powder, yogurts and fruit again. So will see how much that'll be and what left then. Better make a proper meal plan.
The last few days we had simple cheap meals, pasta with HM bacon/tomato sauce and yesterday a spanish style frittata. Today will be chicken in some marinade with veg and rice (maybe chinese style as I got sprouts in the freezer and an old piece of ginger lurking in the fridge, or did I chuck that out yesterday`?
EDIT:
Well I'm back and spent 12.17 half of which was washing powder. Also made some moneysaving swaps. Instead of buying expensive strawberries I picked a selection of cheaper soft fruit that DD could eat and DS likes too that will also last longer like kiwi, clementines and plums.0 -
Our fixed mortgage deal is coming to an end soon. We've got about 19 years and 112000 of a 23 year/135000 mortgage left (value maybe now 170k). Will look for a good deal soon and maybe pay a bit more a month to reduce the term and then once DS is in school we can overpay on top of that. We were thinking about moving before DS starts school as our catchment schools are not that great and one is in a bad area but I think we might wait till DD starts school too. We can't afford to move now and I rather generate a bit more equity and get the house finished (garden, maybe new kitchen, front door etc). We'll need to move anyway some time as it is too small to accommodate two teenagers at some point. I really like this house and can't wait to do it up more (30 yo carpets but the cat, now 14 would just ruin new ones) and the area is a lovely cul-de-sac so we'll see.0
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Hi, just passing through!
If you are able to , get an emergency fund together (maybe join the challenge on the boards) and dont touch it..its for if you or your husband lose your job, or you have a real emergency...not for presents! you need to create another bank account, or seperate fund for that.
for inspiration, Check out funcheaporfree.com Jordan is a mum of 4 and has great tips for money saving and budgeting for a family. she has a blog and a youtube channel!Total Debt in Feb 2015 - £6,052 | DEBT FREE 26/05/2017Swagbucks £200 Valued Opinions £100Dave Ramsey Baby Step 2 | Mr Money Mustache Addict0 -
Hi, just passing through!
If you are able to , get an emergency fund together (maybe join the challenge on the boards) and dont touch it..its for if you or your husband lose your job, or you have a real emergency...not for presents! you need to create another bank account, or seperate fund for that.
for inspiration, Check out funcheaporfree.com Jordan is a mum of 4 and has great tips for money saving and budgeting for a family. she has a blog and a youtube channel!
Thanks, makes total sense but I just don't know where all the money for the different pots is coming from. I only got about 300 quid to play with a month and try to do too much, save for a holiday, pay the kids back, save for essential house improvements. But you're right, I will look into this this week and rejig my numbers and spreadsheets. But even getting 3 months salary together will take probably take 2 years or more. Arrgg....better get started though other wise it will just take longer or wont happen at all. What annoys me is that we overspend but not really on frivolities, just the odd lunch with a friend and their kids or present that weren't budgeted for. We both earn a decent wage but child care cost are crippling us and it feels like saying no, we can't afford this and that sounds wrong because we both earn £3600 together. But because our bills are so high I can't even remember the last time I bought clothes or a treat which sounds mad with that wage.
Well when the mortgage discussion comes up I definitely should have a chat with OH about his side of finances.
I'll check out that link but still think it won't get me more than what I have left now. To get more money to save etc we have to eat beans on toast for a year and hibernate in the house.
Sorry just frustrated and worn out. I'll look at my numbers again with fresh eyes tomorrow.0 -
Ok I rejigged my numbers. 50 a month to the emergency fund never to be touched. 50 quid into the extras fund in case we overspend or there are unexpected gift, lunches. If this is not needed it gets added to the emergency fund at the end of the month. 100 into the christmas/MOT/house/garden fund. 190 to pay back kids by christmas and 35 to pay of 0% CC by christmas. And the rest goes into the holiday fund (0 to 180 depending on month).
Another flaw in my budget is that I have nothing for entertainment like the odd lunch, a day in the zoo etc and that's how I always feel I overspend. But if I put it in that would be 50 less to save or pay off. But then we spend it anyway, I'm going in silly circles. Plus what bugs me most of these extra spends are for the kids, I don't begrudge that but I would like to go for a pint with the girls or a hair cut but don't because "we can't afford that". Sorry to sound so egoistic.0 -
youre making steps, dont stress yourself out!
maybe you should have a 'play' fund too,for odd drinks etc, but you have to ensure that once it is spent, its spent. I bet your friends are more understanding than you think, and no one is asking you to sit in a dark cold room alone! there are cheaper/free options.
just think once your debt is gone it will give you more scope to add larger amounts to your separate funds.
dont lose heart, we've all been there, and we're all in this together !Total Debt in Feb 2015 - £6,052 | DEBT FREE 26/05/2017Swagbucks £200 Valued Opinions £100Dave Ramsey Baby Step 2 | Mr Money Mustache Addict0 -
rockm87 thank you for your encouraging words. I will take that on board. Our situation is actually not that bad and most times I am truly inspired by what people on here achieve that are much worse of. I think working FT, a few sleepless nights and full on kids, stress at work have taken its toll.
Tonight however I've taken a few steps to more positivity. I treated myself to a new DIY haircut and had a wee pamper session: cleansing, moisturizing taking care of my nails etc. Feel already better about myself. Off to an early night.
Onwards and upwards0 -
Had to spend money today on milk. Tonight we'll have moroccan chicken with saute beans and sweet potato mash (chicken and freezer, cupboards ingredients) and tomorrow lasagne with the left over bolognese from yesterday. Funny how I am always more creative when the stock are running low and divert from the usual staple dinners. Got another beef stew in the freezer, so might have steal pie on Sunday when we're back from FIL's.
Still got vouchers for a garden centre and will visit that over the weekend and maybe buy some perennial strawberries or fruit bushes.
The shed will already come in 4 weeks not 8 and DH wants to put slabs under it rather than just breeze blocks in the corner. I guess we'll just level it ourselves and need about £30 worth of simple slabs. But I guess better do it properly. At least that also save the leftover breeze blocks to finish off the steps.
Not much else to report0 -
Happy Monday.
Had a busy exhausting weekend with the kids at FIL's. Was FIL\s birthday weekend so OH spend quite a bit of money, oh well. FIL gave us money to buy DS his first pedal bike for his fourth birthday. We had a look and tried some out in a shop but will let him choose one online later. Better get DD (14mo) a helmet soon too as she constantly tries to run his scooter through the house or get on his balance bike.
We were totally done in after we came back on Sunday 5pm and I was glad I didn't have to go shopping for the week then. I tried the Tescimo click and collect and it's fantastic for a day like this. It's free and you don't have to enter a shop. I was scared I would do an expensive grab and run shop otherwise so I made my well chosen order up on Friday (only bought things that I know would be similar in price to Aldee or LIDLLL and no fresh fruit, will get them today in LIDLLL).
I think I realised why I feel so down(ish) about our money situation. I figured it's because we're in a rather grey (inbetween) zone. Not really badly in debt and neither able to put an aweful lot into saving (or desperate to do so). So the situation either way is not desperate and that's why we're muddling along rather then making some proper lifestyle changes. Oh is also talking about taking the redundancy package from work (too long a story) but will wait till the start of next year when DD will hopefully get into a cheaper nursery.
Some good news on the garden front. All the potatoes have peaked out of the soil now and the Kohlrabi seedlings have taken in the poly tunnel and are growing. My other seedlings are still to small to repot. But maybe next weekend.
That's it for now0
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