OK, confession time

BobProperty

loobyloo1980 wrote:

...My husband is the driver and he is only 22 with 6 points on his licence, and no no-claims bonus....

:eek:
He's lucky he didn't lose it completely at his age. Don't they (courts/DSA) take your licence off you if you are under 21 or only recently passed your test, for that sort of conviction? Whatever he does now, if you need a car, please get him to be careful. God knows what another few points would do to your insurance.

loobyloo1980

BobProperty wrote:

:eek:
He's lucky he didn't lose it completely at his age. Don't they (courts/DSA) take your licence off you if you are under 21 or only recently passed your test, for that sort of conviction? Whatever he does now, if you need a car, please get him to be careful. God knows what another few points would do to your insurance.

yes he had it taken off him and he has had to retake his test to get his licence back - hence the no claims as we haven't had insurance for over a year since. He was very silly and got done for speeding twice within 2 weeks. He bitterly regrets it now. That was 4 years ago - any idea how long before the points get removed???

loobyloo1980

CLAPTON wrote:

a problem is as follows
income = 1829
spending= 1079
debts payments= 480
surplus = 271

so where does it go? spending diary may be the answer.
just guess what you will spend on clothes ( and presents ...come on you must buy something for the kids at xmas and birthdays ..add it up and divide by 12 and add it to the SoA)...

Well birthdays we normally spend about £50 on presents and £80 on a party (although the younger kids haven't had parties yet, just 6yr old). Xmas we have cut right back and limited ourselves to £100 for each of the kids, although with another baby this Xmas we may trim that down even further. Other family members get about £10 each.

Clothes I guess about £800 a year for all of us??? I don't know really, never thought about how much in total - we just normally buy things when needed and don't give too much thought to it. Does £800 for 5 people sound about right, too much, too little????

tesuhoha

Poor loobyloo, sorry to hear youre in such a mess. As regards a birthday present for your 6yr old daughter, girls just love little bits and pieces that dont cost that much. Things like hair stuff from Accessorise, sparkly hairbands and suchlike, paints, drawing materials. I used to go to the ELC and buy craft sets for her to make things, jigsaw puzzles, or puzzle books, though you have to be careful that it doesnt mount up too much. Sewing sets are good too, they love things that keep them occupied. If shes got a barbie you could buy her a set of clothes, dont think theyre too expensive. My daughter used to enjoy whatever I bought her and I didnt spend that much and she never noticed. Sorry I cant be of much more help.

dippy-dora_2

I've told my OH to cut back on the amount of money spent on birthdays. He likes to go mad but can't afford it, then I feel like I have to go mad and I can't afford it!! So then it means we're skint and it was only a birthday.
My family only ever spent about 10 pound on birthdays, I think 50 pound is way too much, especially when you have lots to buy for.
Could you manage on 10 pound for a birthday present?

80 pound for a party sounds extortionate as well to me.
I know you don't want to make your kids like they are missing out on anything but a teaparty shouldn't cost that much.

dippy-dora_2

<i>Other family members get about £10 each.</i>

i knew a family who had a good few kids and they stopped buying presents for family members and just bought for each others kids.
I'm sure if you explained you were in financial difficulties they'd understand that they wont be getting a present for a while, I'm sure they'd rather that money went to pay off your debts.
It all helps towards paying off the bills.

chivers1977

Hi Loopylou

Sorry to hear that you are struggling. Especial;y as you will only just be feeling half alive after birth (congratulations by the way!:j ) and will be suffering from sleep deprivation.

I have a 10 month old and since size 3-6 months all of his clothes have either been hand me downs or car boot/charity shop. The local charity shop for us has all kids clothes for 25p each and that includes Gap, Timberland etc if you like labels. Your children are not old enough to know that there is something "wierd" about 2nd hand clothes so I would start that straight away. I struggle to cloth myself this way as have v long legs but would if I could. Tesco or Lidl nappies only as pampers and huggies are a rip off. Tesco do newborn ones for runny poo. If you are formula feeding once, LO is 6 months then switch to follow on as you can collect boots advantage points!!

Just thinking about ways to minimise baby costs but my brain isn'y working this morning so will be back.

sleepless_saver

loobyloo1980 wrote:

Well birthdays we normally spend about £50 on presents and £80 on a party (although the younger kids haven't had parties yet, just 6yr old). Xmas we have cut right back and limited ourselves to £100 for each of the kids, although with another baby this Xmas we may trim that down even further. Other family members get about £10 each.

THis seems a lot for presents especially for under 5 year olds who don't care how much things cost and can get just as much fun out of something cheap and cheerful. I've never routinely spent that much on presents for the children (less than half your amounts actually except for the very occasional big present e.g. bike) . I suggest you cut this spending now so they don't grow up with the idea that presents should be expensive and being disappointed if they aren't.

You want them to have fun and to show you care, but trust me they will grow up a lot more happy and secure in a household that doesn't have the stress of increasing debts, and they'll know you love them even if they don't have expensive presents.

bommer

Have you got cable in your area, Telewest do digital TV, Broadband and phone line for £30.00. Also using a predial service for telephone call charges would reduce your costs?

Do you need sky TV?

I found Boots nappies really good when I had my kids as well.

For daughters birthday does she really need a party? Why not have a few of her close friends round for tea. Bake a cake if you do it with her it would be a fun activity as well. A slab of chocolate and some sweets make for a smashing cake.

I find poundland and home bargins good for presents, kids seem to get too much anyway so I don't think she will miss you spending vast amounts on her.

As the get older it is better to make them appreciate the cost of things more. My 7 year old has been saving birthday/xmas and pocket money since last birthday (he's 8 in next week) originally for his own playstation 2 but now wants a PSP. He has nearly £120.00 saved and hopes to get one after his birthday this year. It certainly makes him more careful with his money. He only spent £5.00 out of his xmas money!

Primark is excellent for kids clothes or if you shop round in the sales or Next to Nothing you can pick up some good bargins if you don't like second hand clothes. Anyone you know had a baby 6 months ago that could pass stuff on?

bargainbetty

Your man should check the original speeding conviction notice, as points often expire after three years, meaning they no longer have to be declared. It's worth checking, because if you find out the points have been cleared, you could probably find cheaper insurance and dump the one you are with.

Have to say, I wouldn't spend £80 on a kids party. You could spend a quarter of that on nibbles at Lidl and have your kid's friends over for games etc. The kids will be just as happy, and take home goodie bags can be made up pretty cheaply.

Good luck hon, hope it works out for you soon xx