I have really screwed up.

cte1111

daphne_descends wrote: »

Lilac I will think about giving the cats a dry food trial when we've run out of the rest but I wonder if they'd go for it? And OH for that matter, he'd cook for them if I let him :rolleyes:

So I am looking at Vodafone sim-only contracts thanks to Jinky, OH is unsure if we spend as much as I have said, so suggested I switch and see before committing us both, does that make sense? I assume I'd only get cashback for one anyway.

If you want to take out 2 SIM only contracts, you should be able to get 2 lots of cashback if you take 1 out with O2 and 1 with Vodafone. They seem to have the same sort of deals with quidco currently.

Dry cat food - my cat has been on Hills Science Diet Light for the last 10 years and she's 16 now, so seems to be thriving on it. My old next door neighbour was a vet and she fed this to her cat too, so think it is OK on the whole. Always best to try a small pack first though, you know what picky beggars cats can be.

Good luck with your finances, sounds like you are on the way. We've gone from 2 full time incomes to 1 part time income over the last 3 years and have managed without any debts, largely due to hints on sites like this. Get ebaying, that should give you a start at making a few quid.

sammy115

DD:T

Well done on being a SAHM....it actually does save you money.

1. Vodafone sim only is no problem if you got rejected for contract phone. And open two cashback accounts one in your name and one in OH's name.

2. Can only emphasise that the Inland Revenue are being very accomodating at the moment. Good to know you have an accountant looking over tax returns as an accountant will always make sure you are only paying what you need to.

3. Yes you are entitled to tax credits. Make sure that you tell them about your change in circumstances. The first £100 of maternity pay is not taken into account when working out your pay for tax credits.

4. Spending diary is good.

Good to see you back....

BeautyandtheBeast_3

Hi, Your electric bill - if you try to move supplier you will be surprised at how quickly they will sort it out! also if the debt as accured due to their fault then demand a payment plan. you may have to spend an hour shouting down the phone but its worth it! xx

daphne_descends

beanielou wrote: »

Aldi actually do really good dry cat food.
My cat loves it~but he doesent like their pouches!

:think:ours like it too, MIL gave us some, why is it I forget these things? :rolleyes: they did like the pouches though, if they are fussy with tins it shouldn't be much more expensive. Trouble is sometimes they fill up on wildlife :rolleyes:

cte1111 wrote: »

If you want to take out 2 SIM only contracts, you should be able to get 2 lots of cashback if you take 1 out with O2 and 1 with Vodafone. They seem to have the same sort of deals with quidco currently.

Dry cat food - my cat has been on Hills Science Diet Light for the last 10 years and she's 16 now, so seems to be thriving on it. My old next door neighbour was a vet and she fed this to her cat too, so think it is OK on the whole. Always best to try a small pack first though, you know what picky beggars cats can be.

Good luck with your finances, sounds like you are on the way. We've gone from 2 full time incomes to 1 part time income over the last 3 years and have managed without any debts, largely due to hints on sites like this. Get ebaying, that should give you a start at making a few quid.

Thanks, just looked at o2 and sure enough they're about the same - we're both with o2 already so it would be reassuring to know the coverage etc is okay where we are and that our phones aren't locked.

sammy115 wrote: »

DD:T

Well done on being a SAHM....it actually does save you money.

1. Vodafone sim only is no problem if you got rejected for contract phone. And open two cashback accounts one in your name and one in OH's name.

2. Can only emphasise that the Inland Revenue are being very accomodating at the moment. Good to know you have an accountant looking over tax returns as an accountant will always make sure you are only paying what you need to.

3. Yes you are entitled to tax credits. Make sure that you tell them about your change in circumstances. The first £100 of maternity pay is not taken into account when working out your pay for tax credits.

4. Spending diary is good.

Good to see you back....

Thanks Sammy I'll sort out a Quidco for OH, but is it okay to have the same bank account for BACS payments? I do actually think we will save money long-term with me being at home. I was spending £20 a week to park, and £20 a week on the cleaners, expensive lunches, and more takeaways and convenience foods. So after nursery fees I don't think there was much that really plumped up the budget, it just looked different with an extra payment each month.

I think I will start a diary on the board here and use that to log my spending. I am !!!! with bits of paper. I have about 5 different apps for my iPod and still don't use them. But the wrath of MSE, well no one can hide from that!

BeautyandtheBeast wrote: »

Hi, Your electric bill - if you try to move supplier you will be surprised at how quickly they will sort it out! also if the debt as accured due to their fault then demand a payment plan. you may have to spend an hour shouting down the phone but its worth it! xx

Beauty you were absolutely right - I finally phoned Npower today and after thy realised they'd missed a payment and had been !!!! with billing us they were actually quite nice. They want £34 a week which is a lot less than the £200 I put in my SOA so the rest can be thrown in the tax account. A weight has been lifted with that one. Honeslty I was waiting for a bailiff, being really careful to double lock the doors but keeping my head firmly wedged in the sand.

beanielou

My cat likes to fill up on wildlife too!!

zippychick

just had a wee read and wanted to say well done! You have made great progress so far

Also, really chuffed you have a supportive OH. A lot are not so lucky! Genuinely quite heart warming indeed

Re cat food, my cat is on prescription food - 6 kilos is £36 and it lasts me 4 months usually. I think it is worth giving your vets a ring and seeing if they have any free samples of dry food - i cant imagine their food would be dearer than prescription - but it would be reputable. My vets has loads of samples lying around - you can do but ask. x

daphne_descends

Beanie do you get the leftovers brought in too? And to think we CHOOSE to live with these cats!

Zippy that is a really lovely thing to post, thank you. You're right, I am lucky. I like to think he is too! but honestly, he is so supportive and very much a 'do-er' in life, he has a simple philosophy of finding happiness with what you are given and I truly believe in him. We bicker and I get fed up of socks on the floor etc but when it comes to it I wouldn't change a thing. Bucket, anyone?!

beanielou

Yes thats the bit I like least~the leftovers!
He always looks so pleased with himself too!!

postingalwaysposting

Hi DD, I wonder how you are getting on now? Have you re-opened your diary?

*hugs* all around