Compingirls onwards and upwards diary

WorkingHardDFW · 17 August 2010 at 8:01PM

Thats sounds very organised. I would be the same I think. I would clear the remaing debt and reduce the mortgage and put a bit aside for savings. Mind you I wouldn't get a huge amount but it would be enough. Nice to be able to plan though and start the job hunting at the same time. If you cleared the debts would you be able to managed on one income for a while? Funnily enouggh we were discussing this at work today. We could manage on one income but our liftstyle would seriosuly seriously be changed. Needs must though. I'm just ploughing on with the job hunting something will come up eventually.

Compingirl · 19 August 2010 at 6:15PM

Hi WH, thanks, i'm glad you think my plan makes sense. it is a big decision & a lot of my friends are in the same boat - its all we talk about at the minute trying to spot the flaw in each others plans!

I am very lucky that OH is the main earner. I am on a decent wage £870 for my 20 hours per week, and know I am unlikely to secure another job which pays the same for the hours worked. However, £400 of this goes to pay CCs, £100 on our bed, and £70 work car parking and dinners leaving us £300 short each month. I have started to pay the various inurances(house tv & car) in full which saves a further £130 per month, I am looking at reducing our life insurance- currently £48.2o a month - long story -seemed like a good idea at the time - but I think I can get it to about £20 so that leaves me £140 short on our current income. This will come off the holiday saving budget which will be topped up with any extra income we come across. All the major house purchases are bought and paid for and I have left OH car loan in the figures so he can renew his car when needed. I will still save for xmas insurances and holidays as I do now - its only if something big goes wrong that wil throw a spanner in the works!

I intend to keep MSing and earning bits of money along the way So, as long as we can stick to our existing budgets - which we have been doing for a couple of years now we should be OK even if I don't get another job. It just means we won't be overpaying on the mortgage just yet but 'm fine with that.

I will find out by the middle of September if I can go or not. I will be gutted if I can't! cgx

WorkingHardDFW · 19 August 2010 at 8:38PM

Sounds like a very sensible and thought out plan.

Paying for insurances annually is hard first time round but once you get the savings pots sorted its a breeze. I still get a kick out of being able to pay insurances in one lump sum. Sad isn't it.

You'll manage since we've all learnt the hard way that we have to cut our cloth accordinlgly. We were having a discussion at work earlier in the week about managing on one income. My OH earns at good bit more than me however I'm not quite working full time. We could manage on one income but only just and a lot of niceities would have to go so I don't really want to go there.

As you say sticking to the budget is the key really. So says one with at least 2 unbudgeted items to pay for!

I thought of you today as I picked a bag of pears off the pear tree.

Compingirl · 19 August 2010 at 9:38PM

ooh - jealous now! ive go a fab pear and blackberry crumble recipe if you want one - scrummy! cgx

Compingirl · 31 August 2010 at 6:30PM

well, it looks like the 0% party is finally over! Ive just applied for a new 0% card (A&L) and been declined! Thats a first for me and scared me a bit really. No told OH yet - feel like its my dirty secret for now.

On a happier note ive picked up 3 MS for the next week the first ive managed to get in a couple of months, and best of all kids go back to school on Friday yay! cgx

WorkingHardDFW · 1 September 2010 at 8:38PM

Oh I feel your pain CG. Being turned down for an application was what sparked my LBM then our LBM.

Well done on the MS - I've knocked that on the head now.

Mine are back at school tomorrow

:T

Compingirl · 1 September 2010 at 9:22PM

:wave: Hi WH, Ive not told OH yet, I don't know why not but I can't bring myself to. I only applied to A&L as there was no fee to BT for 6 months - I just hope its not damaged my credit rating too much. Its something ive dreaded happening every time ive BT'd

Anyway, i've BT'd it today to OH Virgin card which is now a whopping £17,426 :eek: 0% till May 11.

I am so ready for the boys to go back to school, its Friday for me, then as you say the fun starts with after school stuff etc.

We went to nephews wedding and had a lovely time but its stretched September's entertainment budget thin already.

Good news is OH car passed its MOT :j, just need to get mine through next month, fingers crossed.

Still not found out about my VER application. it will be the end of this month before I hear anything and i've gone from feeling really positive to thinking that now ive made my decision I won't get it!

This is going to be a long month. cgx

WorkingHardDFW · 4 September 2010 at 7:41PM

:)If your OH is anything like mine was he just shrug his shoulders. Mine didn't really appreciate the size of our problem. At least you've sorted it out and although your V card is big its one card to focus on, in small chunks. Keep going.

Glad you enjoyed your wedding. Its nice to have a little down time every now and then you deserve it. IN my experience any entertainment budgets are always challenging.

Ref the VER. If its to be it will happen so no point in worrying about it. Thats me the worlds chief worrier saying that (LOL).

You are right its going to be a long month!