SAHM to 2 boys Money Diary

cha97michelle

Doesn't sound like you went mad on your spending today. My DS's can nag for stuff, but i also tell them before we go in the shop whether i have enough pennies for a treat or not. So if i am really skint they know not to nag. I know DS1 likes getting the cbeebies magazine, so if i can't afford it for him, then i won't pick up a TV mag for myself either as it feels unfair.

Good going on the sofa too. sounds like a whole new lease of life and it will be much cosier for you.

Successful day regardless of what got done or didn't. I always congratulate myself if we got to the end of the day and there was a nice cuddly moment and i haven't got too wound up.

SAHMto2boys

Morning, its really hot here today!:j

Well, DH had a meeting late this morning so he has done the school run and washed breakfast dishes for me this morning and as we weren't so busy I managed to have a shower and wash my hair so feel like a human being this morning. Baby is currently napping and I'm having 5 mins as I think I did too much housework yesterday and then I hardly had any energy for the boys which isn't fair, have so far

• Hoovered
• Mopped kitchen floor/shined sides up (I offically hate black granite today):mad:
• Sofa cushions on line
• Next wash load in
• Checked bank:(

Bad news with the bank, I forgot I used my switch in Mr Ts on Friday for bread and milk bits so thats £11.47 out. My paypals gone in so I'm up £26.64 and awaiting £11.86 when the 'Echeque' clears, plus £17.30 in my purse/£30 in the cupboard.

I MUST put some bits on Ebay tonight for next months push for cc. DH is well into the swing of it now seeing now much we can save in June.

This is what happens - I use my switch and forget about it and by the middle of the month theres nothing left in my account. I need to deal more in cash to keep a track, started a spending diary yesterday to help see where my cash disappears to.

In DFW news

• cancelled credit card with 24.9 APR:eek:
• reduced Tesco DVD rental down to £3.97 per month - saving £3.50 a month
• cancelled my night out on Friday - it would be in excess of £80 I just don't have and its all cocktails, champagne and Jimmy Choos so I'm better off away from it:(
• cancelled my hair appointment, again money I don't have - £25 which I would have put on the cc so I'm slowly learning

Hopefully the floors dry so I can make a brew. Need to go to Asda today for milk, etc so need to do a list and try and be as careful as possible, as its sunny I think I'll get DS out playing in the garden (on £850 worth of garden toys I just had to buy and my £1000 patio gazebo and dining set excluding the amount it cost us to level and prepare the area :mad::mad::mad:) and maybe get the paints out for a free afternoon.

SAHMto2boys

Oh and I have now thought of a title for this diary, couldn't have happened a few days ago could it? Little sayings my dear old gran used:

Two cars on the drive and no food in the fridge
All fur coat and no knickers (although that could excite a few in a WRONG way lol)

But two sayings I think could describe me xx

Jo_R_2

Hehe that second one is also the title of an excellent shop/website I discovered the other day with vintage dresses in and they were gorge - completely off on a tangent LOL!

I too try to fit too much housework in, realistically I need to balance it out with spending a bit more time with DD2 and baby esp. in the afternoons. I do take the time, just worry it's not enough time.

Good lists going on there!

cha97michelle

Using switch throws me too. I mostly pay on the credit card to earn air miles, and then transfer the amount i have spent to my 2nd current account i don't use so we always have enough for the bill when it comes in. It can get a bit scary though. We are spending less as the amount is starting to come down in spite of me now paying my council tax bill on there too. I figured if i had to spend £1150 on a bill and they didn't charge to pay it that way it would be daft not to. DH lets me get on with it.

I have just been thinking to myself you are being a bit hard on yourself. Don't get stressed about things you already have, it is too late and you have them. Just now spend the time using the stuff and taking good care of it after spending all that money. Kids toys will never go to waste with 2 boys. £850 sounds a lot but my two get out when they can and use everything so money well spent. Just think of it as a couple of quid a day, and that is probably a conservative guesstimate.

The house, yes you have nice things, but you are working to maintain them and keep them in good condition so they won't need replacing for ages. You are in for some cheap months now you have all that you need that way.

Enjoy your time outside. We plan to go out in the garden too but the weather is looking a bit iffy now. I really hope it doesn't rain.

SAHMto2boys

Evening

too try to fit too much housework in, realistically I need to balance it out with spending a bit more time with DD2 and baby esp. in the afternoons. I do take the time, just worry it's not enough time.

I think the fact you are worrying about how much time is enough shows you are a good mum. As I'm a SAHM I do view the running of the house to be my responsiblity (although DH would and does help out) I always want to do things around the house to keep it looking nice. Plus two kids and two dogs can make it pretty grim. It is hard though spread yourself thin enough for everyone but at the minute I'm in a routine for doing what needs doing while baby sleeps and Ds at nursery then when DH gets home.

I have just been thinking to myself you are being a bit hard on yourself. Don't get stressed about things you already have, it is too late and you have them. Just now spend the time using the stuff and taking good care of it after spending all that money. Kids toys will never go to waste with 2 boys. £850 sounds a lot but my two get out when they can and use everything so money well spent. Just think of it as a couple of quid a day, and that is probably a conservative guesstimate.

Thanks you are totally right, no point looking at this and that and just thinking about money - I need to be enjoying the things I got and change the future not focus on the past. £850 does sound a lot but really it has created a little play area of a wooden house on legs (currently got a little kitchen in) so it will grow with the kids, a trampoline, sandpit, slide and then all the bits that go with it all. Plus we designed it with both boys in mind so you're right, it was money well spent and should last for years.

Been to Asda and done a little shop. Told DH I only spent a bit to see us through till payday and he thought it was really funny *rolleyes*:( Have enough now till last until Monday (excluding Sat) so it shouldn't be too bad. Spent £20.16 and that included £5.50 on things for food for the baby which will last long into next months money. Then £4.76 on some 2 yellow stickered chicken but used my cash in my purse for this. Think there might be enough meat in freezers for next week too fingers crossed.

Taken DS's to local park and beauty spot place this afternoon for a change to play and feed ducks. I took some snacks with us and a drink for me but couldn't find a bottle for DS's drink so spent £1.15 on a bottle of water and a fudge. Brought bottle home though to keep.

Right DH back from running and made me a brew so off to watch Luther later

PS DH has heard whispering of a slight chance of a bonus from work this month *crosses fingers/legs/toes/eyes....

Pinky15

Oooh parks and ducks def one of my fav activities and such lovely weather for it too!
Keeping fingers crossed for the bonus!!! DH company stopped this and really miss the extra boost to the finances. :)

SAHMto2boys

Afternoon peeps!

Thanks Pinky for the extra crossed fingers. We will know when he gets paid next week, it definatley won't be enough to clear the debt but it will go some way there I hope - then it will be MFW all they way to keep on track with the mortgage.

DS is off out for the day so its just been my and the baby. Tided and organised the entire house and done some ironing - boring! Am in a bit of a funny old mood so will keep this short.

Good DFW things

• Registered for online banking for the 0% card and got balance (£5088 - more than I thought:eek:)
• Decided about returning some clothes so that will be a £44 credit
• Received £13 clubcard tokens which will buy Christmas gifts, current balance on this as just cashed £250 worth in
• Completed survey for 50p

And thats it. Just feeding baby then away to town for returns and get DS a Thomas sun hat which MIL wants to pay for.

SAHMto2boys

Well, I've had a funny old day today and yesterday. Just been feeling a bit down about everything which I know is stupid as I'm in a really good position compared to lots of people. I just feel like since I've have my LBM that we are simply spending more than we have, I'm obsessed about money - spending it/not spending/getting better deals.

Another thing thats bothering me slightly is our mortgage and future savings. long term plan is for me to study and get a degree, once kids are in school start working again and put money away for their future educations.

Again long term plan is for him to work for himself and again be earning big bucks to clear off the mortgage, he too is studying for more qualifications to make this happen.

Ho hum.

Will see what kind backlash that little admittance gets. Editted as not totall comfortable with what I've put



Went into town and returned those clothes yesterday for a credit of £44 to go on CC. Didn't really spend anything else apart from the hat and a pair of scholl shorts for DS but they were only £2.50.

Had a little oops moment today though. We are having some friends and their children over on Saturday and we've decided to do a BBQ. Spent more then I'd budgetted for on food and drink but we are all really looking forward to it so I'm not actually that bothered! Naughty me! Will just have to come from next month the difference. Only thing it will be a bit lean next month too as we are having a big family thing here again but shouldn't be too bad as people are offering to bring food and drink.

Hopefully will do something positive tomorrow towards the debt.

cha97michelle

Constantly thinking about money is not good. I do it, and it drives me insane at times. When the election was going on i was losing out on sleep even i was so stressed about how it might affect us.

I think you have to live a little, and then try to be as good as possible with other stuff.

You've realised it is hard to do everything, and you are trying.

I keep trying to think longer term about how we will help the kids if they want to go to Uni. I've managed to pay a couple of years of full child trust fund payments and i hope with compound interest this will ease the blow later. I know we can't do this every year though as we have to live in the meantime. And that means taking them places and buying them things now too.

Just try your best and it will have to be good enough.