I want an easier life for myself and my family

lauhen

I have been unsure about sitting down with the figures for this month, ie, working out budget, direct debits going out etc, as i get depresed thinking how little we have left each month, but i finally decided to do it just now, and i have £205.09 left after bills etc have gone out, i have already done a main food shop this month, so we are stocked up. I know that i willhave to do a small shop each week for bread, milk, some fresh veg, and also i will have to allow for my daughter having school dinners once or twice a week, this will come to a maximum of £14.40 a month, ideally i would like to have £100 left at the end of the month, but realistically i think £70-£75 is acheivable, if i dont keep popping to tesco for unwanted items, my cupboards etc are stocked, i can make up something to eat and use my imagination, i have plenty of veg in freezer as well, i do get some weekly fresh veg aswell, i have stocks, i make my own sauces for pasta, cottage pie etc, i have ingredients for all this, so i just need to not be lazy and buck my ideas up.

edinburgher

Happy new year lauhen

Maybe not the most staggering advice ever, but bread and milk both freeze very well and stocking up on offers etc. might save on the small additional shops you mention. Please note - I grew up in a house with lots of kids and am aware that everyone doesn't have loads of room in the freezer

lauhen

thankyou for the advice, i think i need to have a good sort out of the freezer, i am sure i have more room in there for things, but i tend to just put things in and quickly shut the door.

lauhen

I am not sure whether to put the money i want left at the end of the month into the savers account i have online and then pay towards one of the listed debts, or wait until the end of the month. If i wait until the end of the month then i think i am more likely to use it for more random purchases as it is there, but if i transfer it and pay it to one of my debts, then what if i get stuck at the end of the month, although saying that i do know that at the end of the month i have child benefit and working tax credit that goes in, so i do have some backup money if it is needed.

edinburgher

You're very welcome - cleaning out the food cupboards is one of my jobs for the new year too. One of the problems of being a confirmed foodie is the fact that you end up with some really odd stuff. After all, did I ever need three bags of the same sort of sugar open at the same time?

Liz33

Hi Lauhen

Well done so far, keep up the good work.

I would personally pay off any debts first, the highest interest charged first before worrying about savings, I would be like you and tempted to spend it otherwise

lauhen

I really dont like clearing out the food cupboards, i always end up finding something mouldy.

lauhen

I made a decision and transferred the full £100 to debt savings, I figure if it's not there then I can't use it. I have also set up a kids fund via online banking, where I will put £20 a month, this will cover clothes etc, I never made allowances for this before.

lauhen

I now have £168 in the Internet saver account, so I will use this to make a payment to barclaycard, as the interest on this is crazy, if I pay £14 minimum payment, then £13.99 is interest.

lauhen

Thank god that as of January my sons two weekly playschool sessions are now paid for, so I don't have to worry about finding that money. School starts Monday for my 7 year old daughter, so I am sure there will be letters for trips, swimming etc. They always seem to want something.