Room for a little one with a massive debt?!

Happytogetdebtfree

wow well done on the list x

ramblingtree

Thanks Happy!
Still lots to do though...
How've you been? Good week so far?

In_my_dreams

Hello I need to add the challenge to my signature don't I - will get it sorted before the end of the year...........

ramblingtree

hehe, well, i was a bit pre-emptive on updating my sig. But really wanted to! Also, finally got around to asking OH about the pots for various funds. He thought it was a great idea, yeay!

So, I shall have 5 pots, car tax, car insurance, contents insurance, bulidings insurance and TV licence. That all adds up to £77 a month. Obviously, for some of these things (contents insurance, car insurance and tv licence) we currently pay per month anyway, but with interest. So the budget will be tough as we'll be paying twice, but in the long run things will be better this way.

By the end of next year, I'm hoping to expand this to general car expenses (MOT/servicing etc), and a trips away fund (visiting friends, weddings, family, and a camping holiday in the UK). Didn't want to start too much too soon and fail.

Feeling pretty good to have finally decided to definitely try this, and really happy that OH is fully on board.

No other money saving news this week. I had my work christmas party yesterday. It cost a lot, but I was very good and stuck to my budget. The meal was £25, and I had budgeted £20 for drinks for the whole thing (it was an expensive place). It was at lunch but a lot of people lasted until the early hours of the morning. I stayed until early evening, my money ran out, I did not put things on card or go to the cashpoint, I went home. A bit bah humbug maybe, but I'm really pleased I didn't overspend. £45 for a work event was quit enough!

This weekend going to finish christmas shopping (not very much more to buy) get all the food to last through christmas (without overdoing it, I shall take my list!), go for a hike on Sunday (free except petrol to get to the moor) and then meet some friends for one drink. Working Saturday night, and will hopefully get the prechristmas tips dished out, nice bonus!

Hope everyone else is doing well and has some good weekend plans lined up!
Thanks for reading my ramblings...
x

In_my_dreams

The pots idea is really good - I have all of mine lined up ready for payday Think I have car insurance, car tax, xmas, kids/OH's birthdays, house insurance, car recovery, pet insurance x 3 . Like you I wanted to do holidays etc but that would just be pushing it, unless I do get my payrise of course..

Sounds like you have some lovely plans for the weekend, Enjoy yourself x

savingholmes

well done on the early dart when your cash ran out - it is those little steps that make a difference. Your true friends will understand!

At my OH's xmas do - he bought me a ticket for £10 - his was free - and we didn't have to spend another penny which was fab! I didn't go to "mine" - too far away, too many drunks and not my cup of tea. Saved the dosh - and spent it on a top (£14) I will wear again and a cardi (£14) that looks posh but could also be worn for work! I wore them to OH's xmas do with black trousers I already had!

In_my_dreams

RT - where are you.................................

ramblingtree

Happy New Year to you all! I hadn't realised it had been so long since I'd written anything. I didn't have internet access much over Christmas as I was at my parents and this week has been so busy I haven't stopped!

Financially January is looking just about doable. I've been very lucky with some extra cash lately. I got £25 bonus at my cleaning job, £30 Christmas gift at my pub job, plus £60 holiday pay and £55 in tips! Some of it we have spent on being able to socialise a little bit as a treat over Christmas and New Year, and I've earmarked the rest for the monthly money tins.

The lodger is paid up until the 19th of January. The next lot he pays, I am stashing away also.

My PhD supervisor is trying to get me more money as there have been so many delays that have been out of my control that I am now very behind with only 12 weeks of funding remaining. So I'm keeping everything crossed he can get me some more money. I'm feeling the stress of job hunting etc and the thought of not being paid, but am trying to remain positive and spend as little as possible to stretch the money I do have.

I have also been approached by a friend who owns a tutoring business up country. He wants to set up a similar thing in our area and said that, although he wouldn't be able to pay me a salary, I could keep 80% of the profits if I set it up. Plus I would get paid for the tutoring I would do. I would love to do it, but am also aware of the amount of time I have free, which isn't much at all. And I'm scared of being terrible at it and letting down my friend. My OH is supportive if I want to go ahead and I think it could be really good, but need to think about whether I have the energy for it. Any thoughts?

Think thats my updates for now! Need to update my budget sheet and start chipping away at the £17.5k I want gone by 2011!!!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New year and aren't suffering in the snow too much.
Thanks for reading!
xx

savingholmes

Glad to see you back!

In_my_dreams

Yay :j you're back - well done on the financial front, always good when things go your way