A fresh start

Seaxwyn · 1 July 2012 at 9:38AM

1st of July and my debt total is £13,486.05. That's £1,120.23 less than on 1st June.

I am very pleased how well the debt busting has gone so far this year - not far off an average thousand pounds a month reduction. And that despite spending on a lot of 'extras' - we got our fence and garden gate repaired this month, had a birthday party for DS and hired a car for a weekend.

My income is now reduced but on top of my low paid 15 hour a week job I have now got some freelance work that will average at 1.5 days a week between now and September. So I hope we will be just about solvent.

My twin DDs have their 18th birthday this month. I've promised to buy them laptops and my dad said he'd help. I need to find out how much I need to spend and how much he's prepared to contribute. It's bound to be expensive so I'm not expecting such a big debt reduction this month.

DD1 started a part-time job in Sainsbury's this week. She's also working as an office cleaner, so will earn quite a bit over the summer.

lionheartedgirl · 1 July 2012 at 10:41AM

WOW! That is fantastic news about the debt, such incredible progress in your signature! :j :beer:

don't want to butt in, but just wondered if the actual laptop buying could be done with your DDs after their actual birthday, that way they could get some choice within a budget, and if they get other birthday money they could put that towards their present as well? If things are tight for you for a while, it must be hard not to splash out for such a special day, but also I'm sure they wouldn't want you overstretching?

I'm not a mummy so just a thought (and you have probably already made plans anyway

)

Hope all is as well as can be with your parents

Seaxwyn · 1 July 2012 at 5:33PM

Thanks lionheartedgirl - you are right, they need to choose. One of them has already requested a refurbished MacBook: http://www.mapleuk.co.uk/refurbished-white-apple-macbook-laptop-133-2ghz-2gb-mb881ba-93-p.asp If anyone knows anything about these I would be grateful for opinions about whether this is a good buy. Clearly it's much cheaper than a new one but I wonder if there is any warranty on a refurbished machine.

The other DD decided today that she'd rather have a Blackberry on a contract (her PAYG phone just broke) so I have got her that - £15.50/month for two years, total cost £372. So both presents come to about £800 which is an awful lot but I will see if my dad is willing to pay half.

If they get other birthday money I'd rather they kept that to spend as they will as they are good girls and seldom get pocket money or treats they have not earned themselves.

I've also agreed they can have a barbeque for a total of ten people. It's not huge but I didn't want the day to go buy without any celebration. Some of their friends are having really lavish parties.

millionaire_in_training · 1 July 2012 at 8:15PM

My DD was 18 this year too Sea and I said she could either have a big party or a big present. She chose the present and I bought her a laptop. She had lots of nights out and my mum paid for all of us to go out for dinner so it was still lots of fun. Good news re the freelance work. How are your parents doing?

Seaxwyn · 1 July 2012 at 9:55PM

Thanks MiT. No change with my parents really. My mum is still waiting for her appointment with the oncologist, meanwhile the steroids she is taking have relieved her symptoms but she is very tired and feeling ill and it's a strange limbo time for her.

My dad has settled into the nursing home OK. He has lots of friends and family so he has people visiting every day. My OH has taken him to the pub a couple of times, and he has been home twice to spend the day with my mum. So I feel OK about him really. He does have lots of care needs and is well taken care of in the nursing home.

taxi73 · 3 July 2012 at 4:54PM

everything sounding good on debt front and everything is sounding much calmer

Seaxwyn · 3 July 2012 at 10:20PM

Amazingly, my dear dad has paid for the girls' presents outright. I thought he would pay half, or a contribution. So they have got what they want without me having to pay a penny. Now I'm trying to think of a smaller present but still something they would like. Ideas welcome! So far all I can think is cash (which is probably what they would like best), or festival tickets.

millionaire_in_training · 3 July 2012 at 10:34PM

I would go with the festival tickets. My DD is off to T in the park this weekend and she bought her tickets with her birthday money. I will be a wreck worrying about her all weekend mind you

chevalier · 5 July 2012 at 5:59AM

Hi Seax
Glad to hear that your dad has settled ok into the nursing home that must be a relief. I hope that the prognosis for your mum is good.

Yeah to dad paying for their laptops. What about one of those modern charm bracelet thingies, can't think what they are called, where you have a plain bracelet and then slip the charms over the top?

chev