Learning to Live on Less!

LianneH

Hi WhiteIris

i know that sometimes its like we get a wee pot of savings and then its gone in a flash for something you cant avoid. Im the exact same, i had built up a wee pot (over a period of what felt forever) to then have my bathroom leak and having to use the pot for the plumber!!!

My OH pointed out that if we hadn't been so good at building the pot up in the first place we would have probably paid for the plumber by credit card and gone into more debt!

So I suppose what im saying is that although you have had to raid your pots and put one thing on the card, its probably better than mayb what you would have done in the past?!

I do think that keeping some cash for small treats is essential or else we would all be demented!!

White_Iris

LianneH wrote: »

So I suppose what im saying is that although you have had to raid your pots and put one thing on the card, its probably better than mayb what you would have done in the past?

Oddly enough, when I was working and before children I used to be a real hard-core saver and at one point had a few thousand in various accounts. What didn't occur to me was I was taking the 'pay yourself first' mantra too far and was saving too much and then spending on credit cards for daily living (and LOTS of frivolities) - food shopping? Credit card! Petrol? Credit card! Only for emergencies did I dip in to my savings! I really don't know what I was thinking!!

LianneH

White_Iris wrote: »

Oddly enough, when I was working and before children I used to be a real hard-core saver and at one point had a few thousand in various accounts. What didn't occur to me was I was taking the 'pay yourself first' mantra too far and was saving too much and then spending on credit cards for daily living (and LOTS of frivolities) - food shopping? Credit card! Petrol? Credit card! Only for emergencies did I dip in to my savings! I really don't know what I was thinking!!

Aww..... i can just about remember the days before children! lol

White_Iris

LianneH wrote: »

Aww..... i can just about remember the days before children! lol

Just noticed your signature - not long until you're debt free! Fabulous work, well done! :T :T :T

stripes

I love reading your diary and its inspiring you are dealing with your debt whilst looking after your twins. My 2 are 16 months apart and I thought that was hard work!

debtfreewannabe321

hey Iris i agree with the whole savings thing i had built up a nice little pot and in one day 3 were emptied ! our car broke (wasn't cost effective to fix it!) so we had to get a new second hand one and emptied out one savings pot. Then another with fixing windscreen, new roof box and bars and paying for our holiday etc so i'm starting all over again in sept lol. But at least it didn't go on credit cards! xx

LianneH

White_Iris wrote: »

Just noticed your signature - not long until you're debt free! Fabulous work, well done! :T :T :T

Thanks WhiteIris, its been a long time coming and im actually quite nervous as i keep thinking that something will happen that will push it all back!

I gota bit stuck a few months back and have been really encouraged by your great diary!! so thanks to you x

White_Iris

Just done a moderately successful car boot sale - more successful in terms of clearing clutter than raising cash but everything helps. Between the boot sale, eBay and Amazon I should be able to throw about £80ish at the credit card by the end of the month. We also got a surprise payslip for DH, adding another £50 to the (slightly disappointing) payment he got last week, which will also come off the credit card. I'll update my signature later in the week, once all the card payments have cleared.

We've also been given two very generous cash gifts from different members of our families, which will almost cover the heating oil we're going to have to buy soon.

I always feel a bit guilty when we are given cash by our families - at the moment it's very much needed but we are adults with a family of our own, we shouldn't still be supported by our parents. Unfortunately it seems to be much harder to refuse than to accept, if we say no feeling are often a little hurt so for the moment we'll just accept it graciously and with thanks.

Itsadogslife_2

My MIL knows we have debts but she doesn't know how much and I think she often buys us things or pays for things because she knows she is helping out financially. She said she is coming over on Friday because she wants to give me £100 to take on holiday for spending money. Bless her, I keep saying no but she is quite determined.

I think updating my signature will be so exciting once I can see the balances start coming down, we have another couple of months and then we should be able to throw an extra £200 per month towards one the cards.

White_Iris

Well, looking at the credit card balance, you'd never know we'd had to cough up over £1000 for car and dog repairs in the last few weeks! I also got a cheque for the pet insurance today, so another £327 will be coming off the total, taking us almost down to zero...however we still have to buy at least 500 litres of oil and get the car taxed and insured in the next few months, so there won't be an accurate balance until the end of October. Still, it looks good now though!