Jo_R's debt-free diary, slow and steady progress!

Jo_R_2

Being truthful we both want the car, so it's only fair I contribute more now I have that 'free' cash in my budget. I'll chat to him about it later and see what we come up with.

Lazy day today - went out last night for a friend's birthday, DDs at their dad's and DS at his nanna's. Lie in earlier, so just been slobbing around in my dressing gown, on here and eating a mountain of breakfast.

Can only do so much lazing about though as I always feel the need to do something constructive to balance it out:D Going to jump in shower and do washing up after, drag OH out of bed (he's really appreciating his lie in!) then maybe go out for a little drive.

My current dilemma has been playing on my mind. I think I know the answer but I'll put it out there anyway...

My Tesco cc balance currently stands at just under £1300. I have been considering transferring around £1000 from my savings to heftily reduce the cc total, then work for 6 months max to pay off the remaining £300.

I could of course just clear the whole balance and save messing about - this is a definite option, I just have it in my head that having that extra £300 in savings (I would have a total of £800, or £500 if I took the second option) could prove worthwhile for anything unexpected.

I do have a 12-month saving plan that finishes in August which will accrue £600 so that'll go into savings anyway, I suppose I just have crazy worries that something will come up inbetween that "only" £500 won't be enough for!

I will also in about three/four months be able to apply for a Sure Start maternity grant and the Health in Pregnancy grant (£500 and £190 respectively) so that'll be a source of funds for baby stuff so maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily and should just go for the whole amount?

beanielou

Why dont you pay off the full amount?
If the worst came to the worst you could always use the card & you are saving interest mean time?

Keeping_Positive

My thoughts exactly Beanie

Jo_R_2

You know, as I was typing that earlier the answer was obvious! Pay it all off - first it seems to be creating hard work to pay a huge chunk then have to work hard to pay off the extra when I have it sat there anyway.

Second, I figured what is the worst that could happen realistically? My logical mind tells me car repairs for problems we don't know about now can't be too serious (please!), yes the washing machine isn't the newest on the block but a new one wouldn't cost more than £500 or even near that, the fridge freezer is relatively new, we can live without a tumble dryer for a bit if that broke (although it shouldn't as it's very new) and anything else can wait.

And as you say beanielou - anything else can be put on the cc if absolutely necessary though hopefully it wouldn't be needed!

***
The only thing I have thought of since I last posted is the needing-a-bigger-car situation. It was something we've been talking about and we'd just assumed I'd use my savings to make up the difference between what we get from selling our current car and the cost of a bigger one. Obviously doing the above would impact on how much we have for a car and indeed how much emergency fund we have in place.

I think this could prove a case for something I mentioned in a previous post - saving. We don't have an absolute need to buy the new car until baby is due, which is the start of October (allegedly but that's another story!:D) So we could divert some money into saving to put towards the car. Another thing to talk out with OH later!
***

Jo_R_2

Still mulling things over re: the car. There's no pressure for a very quick decision so having a think about it.

Student loan deferment all done so need to post that in a bit on way to pick up DD2.

SOA needs to be done for April, which shoudl be completed in next couple of days.

Main aim again for this week is to keep on top of a basic level of housework, which means washing up, clearing table every morning, at least a load of laundry every day, doing pack ups for DD1 and OH, keeping bathrooms tidy and clean. Any extra efforts if energy allows:D will be directed at DDs' room as need to clear space to put up chests of drawers. Despite this new furniture, a bookcase either upstairs in their room or downstairs is desperately needed as their books are spilling out everywhere. Will talk to OH as saw some nice ones at Ikea (I suspect they may end up getting some more of our money very soon!)

bevan840

I really must look into ikea lol I've never actually been to one but everyone keeps talking about them

Need a shoe tidy for bottom of the stairs, mine and DH's shoes are beginning to take over that area and it's very small to start with, especially with the bin and recycling bin out there Will have a peep at the website

Jo_R_2

If you like very contemporary-style furniture and bits and bobs for the home then Ikea's the place. I find they have a range of products so there tends to be something that suits your own particular pocket as well.

I need one of those shoe tidy things - I was thinking of either getting something to put at the bottom of the stairs or you know those things you can hang up in the wardrobe with separate compartments - most of the shoes are DDs so might try a couple of them to house the shoes that spring up everywhere around the house!

Loan deferment posted earlier so that's another thing to cross off.

Only other thing on my mind at the mo is keeping an eye out for special offers on school clothing - my idea of hand-me-downs for DD2 is NOT going to work with blouses as nearly all of DD1's have permanent marks on, no matter how hot I wash them or what with! It's a shame because otherwise they're really good quality (Marks and Spencer I got on offer last year) as I find the Asda ones a little more flimsy and transparent.

I need to bear in mind getting a few more of each as well, not only for the state both of them seem to get in on a daily basis but with baby being due about a month after school starts back in September, I don't want to be whizzing round worrying about washing. So thinking for each:

5 x (at least!) short-sleeve white blouses
2 x cardigans - 1 school logo (not too pricey) and one Asda plain
3 x skirts - have found Asda ones to be fine or whatever on offer
1 x pinafore
5 x white socks (thinking will still be warm that time of year)
2 x tights (for chilly days)

DD2 will also need PE bag and kit, and school book bag. School logo bags are only £2ish so not too much to worry about but will be keeping an eye out from now for good prices on any generic school items!

Jo_R_2

I feel horrible today. I've been taking some antibiotics since the end of last week and felt they haven't quite suited me; cue today and I feel wretched - can't think of a better word to describe it. Seems my symptoms are classic according to the side-effects listed on the leaflet that came with them so going to have to phone up the doctors and see what they suggest.

No hopes of getting much done today. Tried to get OH to come home, he did pop in to check on me (bless) but luckily I managed to get the kids ready and take DD1 to school and DD2 to nursery okay. He's got an important job on at work so couldn't really come back which I understand but not sure how am going to manage this afternoon feeling like this

Going to clear breakfast pots and jump in shower which hopefully will make me feel a little better.

bevan840

Aww Jo, sorry your not feeling well, hope the shower helps a little. Do you have any of those pre-biotic drinks you can get in the supermarket? If I'm ever on antobiotics I always get some in as they can help a little sometimes. Nice that OH came back to check on you Is there someone who can pick up DD's this afternoon when nursery/school finishes?

Lemon_Tree

hope you're starting to feel a bit better Jo.