OK, confession time

BobProperty

loobyloo1980 wrote:

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???

Looks like 4 years. Unsurprisingly you have to pay a fee too.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/endorsem.htm

crawley_girl

With regards to the prescription costs - is that for the one person? Would it be worth looking into those prepaid certificates? I don't know much them... just that they exist!

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

lynzpower

When the kids are growing out of the clothes, get them on ebay or for a bootsale asap. Im sure you have a £100 worth of unused kids clothes there which would clear your topshop card & give you a boost? The topshop card i think is about 26% apr, check on thier webiste.

Whatever you can sell, sell.

Spendless

loobyloo1980 wrote:

How do you budget for clothes and things like that 12mths in advance??? I never know what we'll need

I buy in sales for the next season in the next correct size up. I haven't paid full price for childrens clothing for years. Also try to buy unisex clothing so you can pass on if you have children of both sexes.

Sea78

crawley_girl wrote:

With regards to the prescription costs - is that for the one person? Would it be worth looking into those prepaid certificates? I don't know much them... just that they exist!

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

Is this for OH? My OH has got a prepaid prescription thingy and it has really cut down the expense. You need to be getting 2x prescriptions a month for it to be cost efficient, so as he has a continuing condition, he needs it.. might be worth checking.

Also, I get oilatum for older dd, nappy cream, calpol equivilant, ibuprofem (sp?) equivalent etc from drs for free and for me too obviously if I need anything before baby turns 1.

Ask around for clothes...I've not bought anything for ds since he was born (had to buy a few things as hadn't banked on him being such a whopper!!) Also, primark is good for cheap clothes, especially when they get a bit older, and I also buy bigger size in sales.

Good luck and hope little ones are sleeping well!! Sleep deprivation is a killer...

Sea xx

dap_3

With speeding points, they are expired after 3 years so they no longer count towards the (6 point for driving less than 2 years, 12 points if over this) totting up etc.

They can be removed from the paper counterpart of the licence after 4 years...

But i think most insurance companies ask for all offences within last 5 years anyway.

Also, there is no point paying to have expired points removed; i can't think of any benefit of having them removed?

scottishspendaholic

Hello,

I just wanted to say congratulations on the recent birth of your baby and well done on getting your head together enough to worry about the finances - I would imagine you are not getting a lot of sleep at the moment and have plenty to keep you occupied!

Anyway, just my tuppenceworth, but I've been car boot sale mad the past couple of weekends and just wanted to tell you that there were SO MANY people selling beautiful kids toys and clothes, lovely makes and such good quality for like 25p a dress or 50p a toy or game. Honestly, so much stuff, for all ages and as new - babies, toddlers and children and there's loads of it. I had to physically restrain myself from buying stuff for my future (I hope) children - because everything was such a good bargain! How silly is that? Anyway, I don't think my OH would've been too chuffed if he found all these baby clothes stuffed away :eek: . Today there was a lady selling a £300 pram for £7 - perfect condition.

As someone else suggested, this is also an excellent way to think about making some money. You have a car so this should be not too much of a problem - you just need to have a good old clear out!

Anyway - thinking of you. Keep us updated and let us know how you are getting on.

scottishspendaholic x

loobyloo1980

chivers1977 wrote:

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.

Thanks. Harry is currently wearing a lot of my elder son's old baby clothes, and family bought lots for pressies when he was born. I am breastfeeding so no expense for formula milk and we use tescos or morrisons own nappies. We don't have a Lidl, but I agree pampers etc are a rip off.

loobyloo1980

bargainbetty wrote:

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

Well the party is already arranged now, so we will go through with it. That is for everything provided including party bags. I have done a home party before at a previous house and have never found it works out any cheaper to be honest by the time oyu have bought all the paper plates and balloons and party bags etc. Besides, my house is tiny and no where near big enough for a load of 6 yr olds to run around in.

Shall check out the speeding fines...

loobyloo1980

bommer wrote:

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?

We don't have cable in our area so can't do one of those deals. Sky is our only luxury as we don;t smoke or drink or go out anywhere at all. I use tescos nappies for both kids. We don;t have a poundland or a primark either. Our nearest primark is about 50 miles away. There are no cheap kids clothes shops where I live. We have a matalan, but to be honest I haven't found the stock they carry any cheaper than adams.