Can I clear debt & save for tadpole?

SiannieLaz

My life has recently taken an unexpected turn and now I really have to pull my finger out. I found out I am pregnant for the first time a few weeks ago, and to say it's a bit of a shock is an understatement!! Although it was not at all planned, my partner had already talked about having kids, as he loved me, blah, blah. Seems that he changed his mind when I found out I was pregnant and I now haven't seen or heard from him for 3 weeks. Guess I'm on my own.

Slight problem is that I live in a tiny studio flat with my two cats, and it's obviously not at all suitable for a baby, so I need to save up a deposit to move. A two bed flat in my area is £850+ so really I need to get at least £2k together by beginning of May at the latest, as tadpole is due in June.

I work as a carer and my wages are ok, but I work 65+ hours a week to get them to this level which won't be sustainable as the pregnancy progresses. I'm also paying back £240 a month on a dmp which will also come to a halt once I go on maternity leave. Bit of a pain as I would have only had 7 months left by June!

So, I've got to cut everything down to virtually nothing to try and save my deposit and keep my dmp payments at the current level for as long as I can. So far, I've stopped smoking so that'll save me £160 per month. I've been through the flat and I haven't really got anything to sell, I'm not big on material possessions so I don't have much to begin with.

Small start, but I've emptied out my change box and that's £22, so that's my total today! I get paid on Friday, and have only about £15 left in the bank until then but I don't need anything so that can stay there. I'm going to cancel my virgin tv and telephone and dig out my freeview box so that should save a few quid. I'm still on contract for their broadband so am stuck with that for a while.

Have started this diary to help keep myself focused, and it gives me something else to think about other than being a single mum at 39 years old with nothing!!

SiannieLaz

Cancelled virgin TV, no point in cancelling landline as they will put the broadband up and it'll cost more. Only means i'll save £9.00 a month, but it takes away the temptation of renting films which I usually do a few times a month at a cost of £3.99 each, all adds up I spose!!

SiannieLaz

Just found a screwed up £5 in my jeans pocket when I put a wash on! wahey!!

girlatplay

Hi SiannieLaz

I just wanted to wish you all the best. It will be hard work but it will be very rewarding. It is worth it in the long run.

There are lots of helpful people on here and if you haven't already, go over to the old style thread, they have loads of moneysaving ideas.

Good luck.

Gap x

SiannieLaz

Thanks Gap, I've been a lurker/sometime poster for ages but hadn't been on the OS board for a while. Found details of a website on there called resourcefulcook.com which has been real help, have got a menu plan for two, so I can make and freeze a meal, and the cost is approx. £29 for the lot, which isn't bad for two weeks food. My flat came with a tiny fridge freezer, so I can't batch cook too much as I can only fit 10 portions in the freezer. That isn't too bad, but it does mean I end up eating the same thing for 10 days in a row!! Using the resource menu plan means I'll have a bit more variety than normal.

Not much else has happened with regard to getting more money in the pot, apart from finding more change in old coats (!), but I get paid tomorrow so hopefully I can put some in there then. I've got to get my car serviced which is going to take a big chunk, but as I need it for work and the winter is rapidly approaching, it's not something I can put off. On a positive note, I got a form through from Welcome Finance, who I owe my biggest debt to, asking if I could claim back PPI - it's not something i've done before as the paperwork from the loans disappeared in one of my many moves, so I didn't have the info to claim it back. Anyhoo, I've filled in all the forms and sent them off, any money I get back will go off the loan which would be fantastic, less for me to pay back.

I also haven't spent anything at all in the last few days, I'm terrible for nipping in and grabbing a paper, sweets, overpriced coffee, etc so that's a good start for me. I seem to have an almost compulsive nature with regard to spending cash, which is where all my money goes. I never have anything to show for it, but make endless trips to Mr T's and c00p, wasting my cash on rubbish. Hopefully, signing up the grocery challenge will help that.

Off to do surveys now, and keeping fingers crossed I get a decent amount in my wages this month, I've only had 2 days off in the last 4 weeks, so it should be ok!!!

Evening All xxx
SL

savingholmes

Hi SL

Good luck on your journey. Sorry your partner seems to have dumped you in the lurch.... Hopefully it will be one of those better to find out now than later situations (altho I bet lots of annoying people have said that).... Glad that you are dealing positively with the baby situation.... they are gorgeous and if you've got to 39 without one its probably not like you'd get this opportunity easily again.

Most people I meet, including single parents - say their kids are their proudest achievement

Anyway at least you are planning now rather than leaving it until last minute