First post from a frightened and worried newbie!

Gorgeous_George

I'm not sure how splitting up with your babies' dad would help (even though he is an EA)?

It's a mess that you are both in and it won't go away if you walk out.

Sorry I cannot help anymore than others have posted. I have O level maths and it seems that you spend too much. I would suggest adding up your monthly income, subtract essential bills then divide the remainder by 5 and spend this amount per week.

If you still want to go to college/university you need a business case. Work out how much the training will cost and how much you will earn once qualified. You can, jointly, decide if/when the courses can start.



GG

MemmaJ

Just wanted to quickly add that I am currently looking for evening work - that way my partner can sit at home with the kids and we wont have to pay Childcare while I work.

I also sell a lot of things on Ebay - anything I don't want anymore goes on Ebay!
Had massive clearout a few weeks ago, and listed 63 items all in one day :rotfl:

patchwork_cat

Wow you were busy 63 items in a day! If you are at University all day, then working in the evening and caring for toddler twins - you are going to be exhausted. On a midwifery degree do you not get any time in hospital when you are paid?

Lara44

Aww MemmaJ you're really going for it, well done. When I lost my last better paying job I had to cut right back. Instead of looking at what I did speand and cutting back on that I just started with a copy of Martin's budget spreadsheet (listed at the top of the forum) and put in rent and utilities. Then I just worked around to make the other figures fit so that I wasn't overspending. Then I just stick to that budget.

I don't think it's too bad, you'll be surprised how quickly money saving becomes a habit and you don't feel like you're missing out. Also it made me realise how I was wasting my life watching !!!!!! telly and made me much more grateful reading everyone else's stories here...

chevalier

I know these are only small tips, but I use cotton wool balls and water when I am changing my baby, rather than wipes. This saves me about £8 a month just on baby wipes as cotton wool is cheaper. I also put two nappies in one bag (if they are not too smelly:D ) which saves on the bags too!

If you haven't checked out different insurance, utility, etc providers recently then join quidco, and if you change then you get money back from them. You can also join survey groups that give you points to convert into vouchers. Something you can do from home.

best of luck
chev

chevalier

Oh and another thing, has your OH thought about changing his job, to something that has a more fixed income? Then you would be able to budget better.....

jobbingmusician

Council tax - I may be wrong, but I think when you start Uni you don't have to pay this, so husband should get 25% reduction as a single person. Or do the twins ruin this arrangement?

Sorry not to be more certain, but my guess is that it's worth a call to the town hall to find out

MemmaJ

I buy Supermartket 'own brand' products for almost everything - foods, nappies, wipes etc.
Infact, the only thing I buy that is a 'brand' is Fairy Non Bio washing powder because I have sensitive skin, and it's the only one that doesn't bring me out in a rash! :rolleyes:

You're right - I will be exhausted doing Uni, looking after twins and working in the evenings.
But if that's what I have to do, then that's what I'll do!
Once I start University, I will be doing a lot of placements at the hospital, doing full time hours - but I wont get paid for it
However, once I've got my foot in the door, I can go on the 'Bank' at the hospital to do extra shifts, and I will get paid for those
So that is definately an option - but I can't do that until at least February.

So for now, I'm trying to find any evening work I can. I'm hoping for something to come up because of Christmas getting ever closer! :rolleyes:

I really don't want to put off going to Uni.
I have waited a long time to do this, and was supposed to do it 2 years ago.
Then I unexpectadly fell pregnant so I had to put it off then.
I've finally been given the oppurtunity to do it (and places on Midwifery courses are HARD to get :rolleyes: ) so I really want to do it!

What do I need to list about my debts then?
Things like balances/credit limits on credit cards? Loans? APR's?
Sorry, I don't really know what to do :embarasse

Dolly_Smith

also, do you really only spend £15 a month on fags? I probably do but I literally smoke about 2 a day now

dancingfairy

Re credit cards

Current balance
Available credit
Apr %
if on deal when it ends and what the rate will be then.