First day of rest of my life

Cialilerin

Hi,
Haven't been on here for a bit. Got a bit overwhelmed with everything.
I sorted out all my paperwork one day and realised that I had wildly underestimated some of my loans, so discovered that my actual debt amount is £50,550:mad: Thank God I hadn't worked it out correctly in January cos I know that I have been quite good and paid off some since then, so it must have been nearer the £54,000 + mark back then. Anway to cut a long story short, I was too depressed about this to come on here and confess all so while I have sat and looked at my finances EVERY DAY since then, updating my SOA calculator daily, I still didn't feel ready to share, but now I do so I'm back.;) Not readty to change my signature though - will just have to aim towards it

Good news, the shock (and the fact that I no longer have to pay for childcare!) seems to have made me a little more sensible. I have worked out a good budget and am confident-ish that I can pay most of my debt off in 4 years!

Another reason for hiding my head in shame is that it has been birthday season in my house. Had 3 of the kids birthdays in last month and it's the last one's birthday in 3 weeks. Realised that although the size of the presents shrink as they get older, the cost rises dramatically!;) 3 year old got a huge toy kitchen for £50, 13 year old got an ipod touch for £111. Anyway the other 2 wanted Nintendo DSi's which cost £120 and £100 (two days after the first birthday found a shop doing 20% off everything so got the second one cheaper - got the ipod touch at same time:)) Anyway I have now sorted all the birthday presents! No3 is 9 in 3 weeks, we have seen that beauticians will do pamper parties for this age, where they do their nail varnish and put glitter spray in their hair etc. Costs £80 for 10 children, however I think I can enlist help of my sister and the 2 older girls and just buy a load of nail varnish and stuff and have a home made pamper party!!

Demon baby starts nursery tomorrow - God help them :rotfl: No 3 starts back at school tomorrow as well and the other 2 started last week so back to normal from now on.:T

Herewego

Well done for coming back and confessing I have a feeling my starting post was a bit higher also but I'm plodding on. I know what you mean about birthdays DS is in 9 days and as we only have one he tends to get a little spoilt its not always the main present but the few extras you pick up to go with it that cost.
The fact that its coming down is all positive if you hadn't started in January chances are it would be a lot more by now. Great idea on the pamper party any chance I can gatecrash.....

REDMADCURLS

We had a 'pamper party' for my neice last year........and got rid of loads of rubbish make up in the process. Like eyeshadows we bought in a drunken stupor, well that could be the only excuse for such garish colours!!!

Demon baby will go to creche and be golden child..................they always make you look like a fool!!!!! I am sure you will enjoy the peace even if it is short lived.

My debt was much higher than I originially thought too and I still don't 'discuss' overdrafts. Well done for 'fessing up and for coming back. We missed you!

Cialilerin

Afternoon. Been sat here all day waiting for the nursery to phone to say that demon baby can't cope without me and NOTHING!! Sadly couldn't enjoy it properly as have to into work later to finish a report, but have to be at home until dh finishes work at 2.30 just in case!

Anyway, dh actually said to me yesterday that we have to watch the cash flow because he thinks I've been spending wildly recently! Have to admit, I did grab a few bargains at M&S sale (all within my months clothing budget!) I also splurged £45 on some bare minerals make-up, worth it though. He then said that I seemed to have gone mad in Tesco. Clubcard Points:T I doubled up and bought a kettle, toaster, steamer, table mats and bed sheets - all of which we needed (except steamer-just wanted that ) Also mom menioned she was looking for an electric blanket so I bought that for her with the vouchers - one Christmas present sorted.:)

Anyway the point is, he is actually starting to think about money, which is probably a good job as just had yet more correspondance from tax credits and they reckon we now owe them!!!!!!:( I'm disputing it but it will still mean no more money this financial year as we've already received enough. DH is completely deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other, but doesn't get any disability allowance so he can't get disability element of tax credits. He's going for another hearing test on Wednesday so depending on result, I think we'll have to see if there is anything he can claim as his balance is badly affected, so affects what he can do.

Anyway off to get ready for work, hopefully will have the whole day off tomorrow. Oh yeah, I'm also going to Butlins at weekend. My friend rents out caravans and they had one free this weekend so has let me have it for half price:T

Pinky15

Just thought I would pop by and say Hi! The kids stuff does seem to get smaller and more expensive as they get older doesn't it? I am already dreading the cost of xmas this year! Enjoy your weekend at Butlins!

REDMADCURLS

Delighted you are going to Butlins, its good to get away!

Hopefully DH will get something in relation to his hearing issues, as tax credits seem to work in the strangest ways!

DEMON baby will be Baby of the Week at nursery..............told you they are great at making you out to be mad/crazy/wrong

Cialilerin

Demon baby (or maybe I can shorten it to just db now) went to nursery like a start today. I just stayed 10 mins and I now hopefully have the day to myself. However, she was sporting another new haircut. Thought I'd hidden all the scissors but she found a small nail scissors in her sister's manicure set. :mad: Fortunately she didn't cut so much this time. She was in bed when I got home and I just found a lock of her hair on my pillow. Sounds cute, but really she'd just hidden in my room to cut it! She's still growing out the mullet hair-do that she did a few months ago:rotfl:

Anyway, I've been browsing a few diaries and noticed that the dreaded C word is cropping up. :eek: Yes, people are starting to plan for Christmas. I still have 2 birthdays - dd no3 at end of month and dh mid-October, so I don't normally start thinking about the Christmas till after this. However, I have got everything for dd's bday and dh will be happy with a meal out somewhere, so all bargains from now on will be put away. Having said that, I did get a couple of outdoor things in B&Q sale, including a swing for £7 :T and I said I'd put them away(admittedly a swing in December is an unusual choice!!;)) Anyway dh went soft and gave them to them straight away! Presents at bday and Christmas are not as special if they are getting gifts every day of the week, or am I just being tight?

Cialilerin

Had a strange day. Dh went for hearing test and they've confirmed that his hearing has got much worse quite quickly as has his balance. His now been referred for MRI scan and has to see a neurologist. Got a little maudlin' earlier when he started talking about what we'd do if he had to give up work and how would we cope financially. Don't even want to think about worse scenarios. Just thinking that need to get rid of this debt more than ever now!

Cialilerin

Hi, Well only 9 days to payday and have grand total of £30 to last us!! Although I also have family allowance of £200 tucked away in another account away from dh's cashpoint card!! I've done a big shop so only need to get bread and milk so fingers crossed we'll manage, then family allowance can go on debts:)

Herewego

Well done thats great news we are in a similar position £50 in purse and payday on 24th but still have a weeks shop to do.