KP's Another year older another year wiser?

Keeping_Positive

A week early but needs must. I have really been struggling recently and debt about to increase if I dont start taking control again. Ill post my SOA on the next post and add links to the previous diaries for those who have insomnia.

Brief synopsis - 32 in a week, work full time longish hours, have lovely although frustrating OH who looks after our little expensive darlings. DD1 11, DD2 9 and DS 6.

Aim is to live reasonabally but not too poorly as I dont want my kids to remember their childhood as being skint all the time. They will and do have money and the lack of drummed into them when needed unfortunately a bit too much at the moment .

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1127715

:A Thank you to all the friends I have met along the way :A

Keeping_Positive

This is a four month budget to cover up to the new year - then items such as car cost, home insurance etc will kick in again using the £250 a month birthday/xmas funds.

Household Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1427
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 295
Other income............................ 250
Total monthly income.................... 1972

Monthly Expense Details
Rent.................................... 446
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 136
Electricity............................. 53
Gas..................................... 53
Water rates............................. 30
Telephone (land line)................... 35
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 60
Internet Services....................... 0 via phone
Groceries etc. ......................... 300
Clothing................................ 30
Petrol/diesel........................... 100
Other child related expenses............ 50
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 5
Mine and OHs pocket money.................... 100
Birthdays / xmas..................250
Total monthly expenses.................. 1660[/b]

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
loan...........................11600.....224.......6.9
mbna...........................835.......25........4.9
citi...........................1600......36........6.9
catalogue......................180.......28........0
Total unsecured debts..........14215.....313.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,972
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,660
Available for debt repayments........... 312
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 313
Amount short for making debt repayments. -1

hypno06

So in theory, you are breaking even apart from £1......but is that really the case? Might be time to resurrect the spending diary to see how much you are really spending?

Keeping_Positive

Main targets are to:
* see how much diesel I do use and muddied by company car. Mobile phone costs paid via expenses claim.
* try to keep grocerys down to 250 - can be done is I work at it
*keep to the £150 family pocket money that covers all spends such as brownies, guides, treats and anything else not covered in another budget
*keep birthday and xmas costs down - raise money where possible have £20 argos vouchers to start with. Also have sealed pot for loose change.


clothes budget - 30*4 = 120 thats to cover school clothes including DD1s specila PE Kit for new school. Tescos to be targetted for the rest next week on pay day. Fingers crossed they dont grow anymore or wear out any more shoes for a while. Just spent £30 on shoes and trainers today that should comeout of this budget

xmas/birthday - this time of year the busiest for birthdays have set reasonally low budgets but still adds up. Aim though is not to need it all.

Keeping_Positive

hypno06 wrote: »

So in theory, you are breaking even apart from £1......but is that really the case? Might be time to resurrect the spending diary to see how much you are really spending?

In theory but reality says noooooooo. Yep spending diary a must even to keep track of everything. I think I have set reasonable budgets that shouldnt be too tight. I know £300 is quite high for groceries and also the £150 pocket money seems loads.

shaun40400

this looks like fun
x x x

taxi73

I also think the spending diry is critical...not only for the food shopping but for every single thing including what you give the children...
It's definitely positive though as it looks like you can afford all bills and everything if all figures are correct.

Keeping_Positive

Right cant claim lunch today as for once not far to travel so just about to find some lunch in the cupbords.

Do need to fill tank but hoping a NSD other than that.

Will re check Aug figures later doubt they will look any better!

Keeping_Positive

Monthly Expense Details
Rent.................................... 446
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 136
Electricity............................. 53
Gas..................................... 53
Water rates............................. 30
Telephone (land line)................... 35
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 60 - a luxury and OH just added ESPN
Internet Services....................... 0 via phone
Groceries etc. ......................... 300
Clothing................................ 30
Petrol/diesel........................... 100
Other child related expenses............ 50
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 5
Mine and OHs pocket money.................... 100
Birthdays / xmas..................250
Total monthly expenses.................. 1660[/b]

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
loan...........................11600.....224...... .6.9
mbna...........................835.......25....... .4.9
citi...........................1600......36....... .6.9
catalogue......................180.......28....... .0 mostly a mates so hoping that starts coming in soon along with the other money owed :mad:
Total unsecured debts..........14215.....313.......-

shaun40400

morning
kp

forgot what i was going to write:rolleyes::cool:
baby just woke up,,,1st time hes made 8am:j
catch you later,,,brain is not receiving input,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:o

Fire_Fox

Keeping_Positive wrote: »

Aim is to live reasonabally but not too poorly as I dont want my kids to remember their childhood as being skint all the time. They will and do have money and the lack of drummed into them when needed unfortunately a bit too much at the moment .

I know things have changed a bit since I was a kid but it's still more important to be loved and played with than it is to have all the latest 'stuff'. Teaching your children to save for what they want and that money doesn't grow on trees will benefit them in the long run.