Getting started but feeling daunted!

Dragonrider

Well, we have a big hole in one wall where a door is going to go, and the framework for a stud wall up and very sturdy.
Tommorow's jobs are to put the door frame in, do the lightswitch, and plasterboard and insulate the new wall....
We have dust everywhere!
Takeaway pizza tonight, methinks!

Dragonrider

The room is done, or as much as we can do anyway. We now need to get a plasterer in to skim the new wall and around the new door, then it's ready!

It was actually quite fun, as my sister came to look after the girls so that OH and I could get on with it, and we enjoyed the time together doing something constructive.

I start work a week today.... Got to get all the things that I have been meaning to do for ages done in one week! Oops!

Dragonrider

OK, so the room is plastered, and the girls' side of it is painted. We've moved them in there, and I just a have a few last things to do to finish it off - blind on the window and somewhere to hang dresses.

It has taken a large chunk out of our savings, but we managed to overpay 437.24 this month - a random number, but I paid off the 400 that we had planned, and then saw that we only needed 37.24 to get down to 269000, so couldn't resist! Very addictive, this MFW thingy!

On another positive note, OH has made a decision about careers (see earlier post...). He has been offered 3 days a week for a one year contract for the Department of Health, and will then apply to do Public Health training in December, to start August 2012. That gives us 2 days a week for the next year to maximise our savings through him doing locum shifts, so that when his pay takes a massive cut when he starts Public Health, we can use our savings to make up the difference. Doing the sums has put my mind more at ease, as I felt that direction was where his heart lies but that he wasn't saying that because he was so worried about money. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

I even messed around with some numbers and showed OH - I think he was quite taken with the idea of being MF in ten years, as that is when our eldest will start secondary school, with potential fees if the state schools in our area haven't improved by then. It would mean both living well within our means until then, and trying to up our income by doing locum/bank shifts. I think it its something to think about - even if it isn't paying off the whole amount, but setting a target to get down to £100000, or something similar.

So I can feel a new page on my spreadsheet titled 'Longterm Targets'. Uh oh.

Dragonrider

I have just found a brilliant free Android app which will help me keep to my budget so much more easily.
I was finding that the lag time between buying something and it appearing on my online banking was unpredictable, and I was losing track of how much I had left for the week/month.
Now I'm going to add everything that I spend to my phone as I spend it, and already feel more in control!
What on earth did we do before the Internet, mobile phones, and apps! How did we get anything done???!!!

ShelleyC_2

Dragonrider wrote: »

What on earth did we do before the Internet, mobile phones, and apps! How did we get anything done???!!!

I don't know and don't like thinking about it :eek:

linz

What's the app called please Dragonrider? Sounds interesting..

Dragonrider

It's called EEBA - uses something called envelope budgeting.
Basically you set up envelopes to partition your money (eg one for groceries, one for fuel etc). Then it's really quick to add a transaction when you make it (rather than having to go through your receipts when you get home), and it gives you a status bar which tells you how you are doing for the month and how much you have left.
I've only just downloaded it, but have found it really easy to put in all the transactions I have made in the last couple of days.
We'll see how it goes!

Dragonrider

Dragonrider

I haven't updated for a while as have had lots going on.

I went back to work 3 days a week in July, and only now feel like I am settling in. I was still b'feeding DD2 when I went back, so I got quite tired. However, she is now weaned and independent, and I am watching my boobs settle somewhere around my tummy button .

We have found a nanny (this worked out cheaper than nurseries or childminders in my area), but have saved some money over the summer as my sister has been looking after them before she goes back to uni. It's been lovely, as she's got to know them really well, has appreciated the cash, and has been good company in the evenings (she's been staying with us Sun night to Weds evening).

We have had a couple of big spends like professional fees and our car insurance in the last couple of months so no OPs, but I was chuffed to find car insurance with Sainsburys that was £130 cheaper than our previous cover, with double nectar points for a year and a 5p off fuel voucher per month. Plus I paid on my nectar credit card so will definitely get bonus points this month!

Other than that I am trying desperately to stick to my budget, and have found EEBA very useful. It has been a bit difficult persuading OH to use it too (you can link 2 phones to one account so that we can see what each other is spending in real time), which I don't understand as I normally can't tear him away from his mobile. Maybe I'm nagging, which he hates!

Anyway, I feel re-inspired to take up the MFW mantel again, and have joined Cha97michelle's challenge for Christmas. Onwards and downwards....:p

Dragonrider

Dragonrider

Hello all,
Have just overpaid 65.96, which is what I needed to bring the mortgage capital down to a nice round number! Can't really justify any more this month, as we've had car insurance to pay for, but it was really bugging me!
Had a good day today of sorting the garage and finally taking some garden waste to the tip.
Now just have to put away a mound of washing, and it's time for bed!

Dragonrider

Dragonrider

Haven't posted for a while as we have been going through a transition as OH switches jobs, and haven't been absolutely sure on finances.
Am now starting to get confirmation - due to get his last pay cheque for the month tomorrow (he now has 3 part-time jobs....), so should then be able to make a good plan.

For those who read my early 'dilemma' posting regarding his jobs, he has managed to get a well-paid 3 day a week job for a year, and is topping up with shifts. He is then going to apply for a 5 year Public Health training post to start next September - this will mean a large paycut. So all the extra shifts this year are going straight into savings so that we can supplement his income for the next 5 years.

I think I have a plan which should even allow us to make small regular overpayments to the mortgage. Our house is a small 3-bed terraced, and already feels a bit squished in terms of living space with 2 adults, 2 small kids (they have so much STUFF!) and a very large dog. We're on a capped tracker mortgage for the next 4.5 years, and then I think we'll need to think about moving to our forever house as I want a couple more sprogs

The only problem with that is that we absolutely love the area we live in. So bigger houses in our area are going to increase in value at the same rate our house does, still leaving them out of our reach financially. I reckon if we can overpay a small amount for the next 5 years then OH's salary will jump once he's completed his training and we can then think about looking for a bigger house.

As an aside, I have now completed a 9 week rolling mealplan - yes I know, absolutely mad! However, it has taken so much pressure off me, as I have a shopping list ready each week, can take advantage of multi-buy offers, and always know what's for dinner. And 9 weeks is long enough that we don't get bored when something comes around again! The only thing I have found that I really notice the difference if I buy the value product is frozen peas. The cheapo ones taste powdery, and we eat so many of them that I have had to trade up again!

Anyone else found that they don't notice most switches but the odd one is just awful?

Although I haven't posted in a while, I have been reading lots of diaries, and they have really helped to keep me going. It's much more stressful not being able to plan because you don't know what your income is going to be, and it's been great reading about other people's success, ideas and tips.

Thanks!