DFSD's motivational ramblings...

yukkibear

I just tried Asda online for my shopping this week and provided all goes ok it's saved me almost £20 this week which is good.
The online butcher sounds good, might look into that when my freezer is a bit emptier.
I think meal planning for me is certainly helping to reduce costs slightly.

debtfreesomeday

Hi El :hello: - Yup, thanks to some really boring overtime a couple of months ago which I've JUST been paid for - we have a brand spanking new sparkly mattress being delivered tomorrow. Woo hoo! (OK - so maybe it's not sparkly...)
Half price from Tesco and clubcard points to boot.

Hopefully it'll be made of more than a bathroom sponge...

debtfreesomeday

yukkibear wrote: »

I just tried Asda online for my shopping this week and provided all goes ok it's saved me almost £20 this week which is good.
The online butcher sounds good, might look into that when my freezer is a bit emptier.
I think meal planning for me is certainly helping to reduce costs slightly.

Hey YB

I love online shopping - great isn't it! We have sainsburys as I actually find their basics brand really cheap, excellent quality and healthy too, and we can't fault them. I think if you google 'Asda discount code' you can sometimes find free delivery / money off codes for home delivery too.

Meal planning works really well for us too. We don't do it strictly but make a list of 5 or 6 meals on a Sunday night that we have ingredients for and choose one the night before to make the next day. Takes that 'what shall I have for tea / can't be bothered to cook I'll grab something not so healthy' habit as well!

DFSD

debtfreesomeday

Forgot to mention we had out Tesco Clubcard vouchers for pizza express delivered yesterday - £50 worth. :T Will save them for a special occasion or treat. Will be trying their lower calorie pizza with the salad in the middle.. mmm... sure hubby will have the works!

Also received a T-Shirt in the post which I apparently won in a competition. I have no recollection of entering it though! It's a bit of an odd one - looks more like a promotional / advertising T-shirt but will do for painting the house and gardening (not both at once..!).

Have spent this morning entering lots more competitions.

DFSD

Jemima18

Hi DFSD
I've not posted on here before, I just wanted to say you're a real inspiration to me - I'm slowly but surely kicking my masses of debt and I've been following your posts and it's given me some great ideas for things like online surveys etc.
So thank you, and good luck!

debtfreesomeday

Hi Jemima - glad you've picked up a few suggestions in reading through all this - Well done on reducing the debt - looks like you've paid off a huge amount so far!
Best of luck with the debt-busting.:beer:

DFSD

Jemima18

I can't take all the credit - getting my head out of the sand and going to Pay Plan for a DMP, as well as lurking around on here saved me! Though working 3 jobs has certainly helped. Another 3 years or so and I'll be freeeeeeee!

debtfreesomeday

3 jobs?! :eek: That's tough going, but worth it if it gets you debt free more quickly for sure. Best of luck with everything - and here's hoping the 3 years fly by for you!
It will be amazing to be finally debt free, I can't imagine what it must feel like as I've been in debt pretty much since I left university.

debtfreesomeday

Talking about how time flies and everything, me and hubby have been talking lately about when we're actually going to start trying for a baby. We're so aware we're both not getting any younger, although I still feel very young, I'm aware my body may not be as good as it once was! Hubby is also desperate for babies as he said he never wanted to be an old Dad, and, at 34, he is feeling he wants children soon.

So, DFW's we have a dilemma - which I could do with hearing some opinions if you can spare 5 minutes.

Bit of background as to current state of affairs:

• CC will be paid off end of this year / Jan of next year at latest.
• Current loan outgoings are £168.50 + £216.73 per month.
• £168.50 one can be overpaid, plan was to do this when CC is cleared and get rid of that loan within 18 months instead of 6 years :eek:.
• £216.73 loan can't be overpaid, but finishes in 3 years.
• We have NO savings
• If we were to have a baby, we would have to pay for childcare / nursery when I theoretically returned to work as we have no family living near us.
• Maternity pay policy is 90% for first 6 weeks, then SMP & half pay for XX weeks (can't remember how many) and then just SMP, then unpaid for anything longer than 9 months.



Our dilemma once CC are paid off...
Do we:

1. Not overpay loan for first 6 months of next year and put £300 - £400 a month in savings pot instead with the view to start trying for a baby mid next year? Use savings to supplement any maternity pay and then try and overpay loan as and when we can.

2. Or, do we wait another 18 months, pay off loan, then try for a baby with no savings in the bank but an extra £168.50 in the bank every month.

What worries me is that we would be 32 and 36 by the time we then started trying and I am aware that it may not be so easy for us...

Sorry this is long, we don't know what to do for the best and would really appreciate some opinions. My head is telling me to pay off the loans first but my heart is saying otherwise...:o

DFSD

wantabetterlife

Hi DFSD

Have just read your last post and my heart goes out to you. The way i see it is even if you got pregnant in the morning you will still be working for the next 9 months and then have 9 months maternity leave. That equals 18 months before you have to pay childcare. The likely hood is that it would take 4-6 months to get pregnant at least ( it took 4 years with our second, but i have PCOS ). I personally did not find having a child expensive as i borrowed as much as i could, such as cot, moses basket etc. Childcare however is expensive, particularly in a creche or registered childminder. When it comes to children i would always say follow your heart because at the end of the day they day they dont need fancy clothes and toys just plenty of love and a roof over their head.
If i were you i would try my best to get the credit card cleared and the £168 loan, This would free up approximately £400 per month for you which would pay the bulk of your childcare. Also if you work shifts you may not need much childcare. Unfortunately for me i work mon-fri and so does OH!
Hope that helps and goodluck!!!
WABL