Project Budget starts here - clear the debt and save for second childhood

rupe34

Hmm - its amazing what you can acheive when OH's car doesn't work and you think 'OH no - what if we have to buy a new one??'.

2 hours later, I have filled in a job application (part time) which has been looking at me for weeks in the kitchen, I have investigated alternative routes to uni next Sept - and found out that buying a decent second hand car would be cheaper than a season ticket for just one year to get their by train:eek: (how do they get away with it? I don't understand - we should have the most beautiful trains in the world for the amount they make from commuters - I live only half an hour away from London and yet it would cost me nore than £3k for a season ticket?!)

Just had phone call from OH - RAC man is getting a part for the car which should sort the problem (although who knows...):cool:

macgirl

Sounds like a good plan. Sometimes a bit of lateral thinking and a job application is all is takes :T Good luck with that.
Happy Easter :EasterBun

rupe34

Hello hello:j Just realise I have 10 days until I start my reduced hours working from home!!:j:j:j And 4 of those days are weekend days - plus 2 are days off - so only 9 actual working days left. Blimey!!

We have finally emerged out of chicken pox world - and it dawned on me today that even though its the holidays for the children I do actually need to show my face in the office - argh - CHILDCARE!!!:eek:Hadn't arranged anything:o

Fab child minder is working all week though, so junior rugrat is booked in and midle & senior rugrat are a whole lot easier to sort out. I think there's been so much upheaval in the last month or so - combined with quarantined rugrats that I've just lost the plot really.;)

macgirl

Glad the lurg is gone and it's exciting to be on the countdown from work!

I'm off all this week, but have a similar panic next week. I left it too late to sort out holiday club, sent off the form and cheque, only to be told by another parent that they are fully booked :eek:

Let's hope Grandma can come to the rescue or we're scuppered!

rupe34

;)I honestly think my brain checked out on its annual break over last week, and doesn't intend to come back for some time - isn't sorting childcare a pain sometimes?

April is going to be an expensive month - I have taken against it already:rotfl:TV license is due, various bills which need paying - and then next month we have the white knuckle ride that is MOT of OH's car. This is also the first month that we are living solely from OH's wages - we've taken mine completely out of the equation and they are happily sitting in the uni fees fund.

Its a strange feeling - its like we've gone back in time several years to when we were first married and really didn't have enough money to cover our bills, never mind food. (mind you - having said that, takeaways seemed to feature VERY heavily in our lives - and DVD/video purchases - so there was probably a lot more money than we realised;))

macgirl

Fingers crossed for the MOT I had mine last month and thankfully it passed, hopefully yours will too.

I'm sure going back to Uni is starting to feel very real and exciting now! A friend of mine is starting an MA at the Royal College of Art this year, I'd so love it to be me.
You're very fortunate that you are in a position to be able to live on OH's wage. It's been a good lesson cutting back and realising you can still live and enjoy life, without spending loads. So you're not going backwards - this is progress!!! :T

rupe34

Thanks macgirl - you are always so encouraging!

It is all starting to feel real - I can't wait now actually - although I have to admit its not always easy doing something a little bit 'out there' IYSWIM. At the moment almost everyone we know is moving - taking advantage of the lower prices to get a bigger house - and though we are REALLY grateful for what we have - sometimes its hard to remember that! Our house is very small for a family of 5 - and because of the choices we are making, we will not be in a position to move for a very long time.

But - I have to look at it that we are investing in something which is valuable in a different way.

:eek:A bit deep for a Wednesday morning - possible I need to eat something:rotfl:

macgirl

Yes, but you know what? Life is about more than houses and possessions. Your course may be "out there" but how interesting!!! What a fantastic talking point and a brilliant life experience! Better than another Business or Media Studies degree - (no offense meant to any on those courses - merely trying to boost the Rupester )

I had a similar conversation with DH at the weekend. I wish you could have heard what he said - it was far more succinct than I could explain. He is only concerned with his own goals and own life - because we only do get the one. Not to get dragged down with material wants or waste time comparing yourself to others xx

rupe34

Hi all - how are we all doing?

Well this week I will be finishing my hours at work - and then just a few hours each week from home, up to the middle of July. Am VVV excited. Someone asked me what my plans were for my time - 'dossing' sprang to mind:rotfl:

BUT am under the weather again - which is a bit of a bummer. Nasty stomach bug at the end of last week has left me feeling really drained and wobbly - and while the medicine I took to stop it in its tracks worked, I have a feeling its still lurking there cos I just feel odd.

DFW news...well - I spent £3 over the weekend for a 3 month trial of 'Which?' - I am becoming my parents! (Well - actually my friends' parents - cos there is no way my dad would have got it:rotfl:) Apart from that, just plugging away...

Swinstie73

Hey rupe, just checking in cos been missing a few diaries recently! All go with the course starting, a wee bit of dossing sounds good to me!