Ambitious MFW

[Deleted User]

hope DH got home okay , we are having a bit of a battering of snow here too so a quiet weekend all round it looks like!

AnnaBeth

He got home fine thank you.
He was still at work stuck doing bus duty! The joys of being a teacher in the snow.
Didn't go to the gym last night and looks unlikely all weekend now the snow is very deep!
Hope everyone's staying warm:)

AnnaBeth

Still lots of snow here. Hope everyone is staying warm!

Money seems to be ok at the moment, still pleased about the OP.
Talked to DH about babies etc yesterday and when would be good to start in terms of money/work all the boring practical stuff. It seems a strange thing to think practically about but guess some consideration is needed as although I'm sure we would be fine what ever happens it is partly the first step of being a responsible parent in terms of timing!

Outcome of our talk is basically 2012 which suits us both in terms of money but also work and other commitments we have made that would be difficult to carry on with children - not impossible but certainly too difficult. Children will be stressful and so I would like to have other things sorted to enable me to be more focused when the time comes.

Sound so very sensible I know but I guess I am! I have lots of friends with small children that are very stressed due to finances and it's not a position I want to be in at all.

Planning to make in roads into mortgage OPs as much as possible as well as setting aside a bit of savings money for possible babies/loss of my income. It's a hard balance but I think we need to put money towards OP as that will reduce our mortgage and help when term ends as will have less to pay back which even if rates are horrid then at least we will have done all that is possible to reduce the interest amount by paying off the loan.

Mortgage is such a horrid debt any OPs are so much better than none.
Will make some soup soon.

Have a good day everyone x

*Jellie*

Exciting plans! I hope things go well for you.

What is the soup?

AnnaBeth

Thanks Jelli.
I made minestrone soup it was really tasty actually glad I bothered it was better than a rubbish sandwich!

AnnaBeth

I've been away from here for nearly a month and have begun to miss it!
Been super busy with uni deadline and christmas etc!

Eventually got tree stump removed on friday, had to come out before fence can be mended. Tree stump removal cost £132 which I didn't think was too bad considering they took everything away including broken fence panel and managed to dig it all out including concrete set on it by hand.

Fence repair next, neighbours not too happy with missing panel but they'll just have to manage for a while, hoping to get fence done ASAP.

Aerial man coming in half term to sort that for us, on going nightmare of aerial here when house was built in 70's TV ok until someone has a shower or anything electrical goes on even the thermostat for heating interferes with picture!

Agreed to go to America next year on holiday and then babies after that. Have listened to lots of people and think important to do something we want to do before children that will be more difficult with them for the next few years. DH is desperate to go so think keeping him happy is a good long term plan!

Life is good for us. We're going to carry on monitoring our spending looking forward to 6 month review end of March will be able to do that which will seriously help with our budgeting and give us a proper picture of where our money ends up.

Off to watch some tv on the internet no need for sky really. Have a good day everyone x:j

AnnaBeth

Another rambling message from me.

Have changed system to weekly money, splitting income and expenditure to give overall left over amount.
Currently heading towards end of week three, first week overspent, second week overspent even more than first week now heading for major underspend.
I really like the flexibility it gives and despite recording a lot of detail on excel spreadsheet previously I prefer this system as it gives me a weekly count down of the money I have which I think works better than adding up what you have spent, it seems to work better for me but both definitely have there advantages.
Aiming now for £200 a month towards mortgage overpayments, this will get much bigger when wedding credit card is paid of which should be done in April this year.
Will update here as and when needed. Fence was repaired a few weeks ago, need some electric work doing now and then next step is the aerial being sorted out. So we're getting somewhere.

sarahevie

I can sympathise about 'waiting' for children. When we bought our house Nov 07, we bought a 3 bed in a dilapidated state (stretching ourselves) as it was that or a modern 2 bed flat and I was already planning children.

We had agreed to wait a couple of years to get the house sorted, establish careers etc. However I got a shock in July 2008, when I found out I was 29 weeks pregnant.:rotfl: I had conceived within 3 weeks of moving in.

I was feeling broody again when DD1 was 11 months old, by her birthday I was pregnant.

OH, bless him, now gets worried whenever I mention the 'b' word (broody) or the 'c' word (children.) :rotfl:

Some good friends are planning their second at the moment and there's never an ideal time, but I do think that some element of thought into it does help. I'm too impatient for the thought obviously!

DD1 was very very stressful, having 11 weeks to prepare and with a building site for a home. I wouldn't recommend it. Although kids are great:D

AnnaBeth

Thanks Sara, best laid plans ...

AnnaBeth

again another month has gone by.
Have been suing the weekly subtraction method for finances still recording ok not quite as detailed in terms of individual food items in supermarket but to be honest recording that got a little bit tedious now weekly spend is great as have running total. Definitely a method I'd recommend to anyone trying to stick to a budget!
Spending more than we thought we were, have done major house things over the last few weeks but now there done should be bit cheaper for a while.
Visiting friends tomorrow getting a lift there and back so should be cheapish weekend except out for dinner and d rinks but otherwise being fed most of the weekend by others.
Tripped on pavement recently sprained ankle etc may get compensation nothing I'd recommend have been badly injured but if do get money might treat myself to something with it.
Have a good weekend everybody.
6 month spending review must be coming up for me and DH will have a look and post details if it is