Busy stay at home parents, when do you find time to organise money stuff?

jess-the-cat_3

As the title says...

What seems like way back when, I used to hop on the computer for a short time every morning to check my balance, do transfers, bill paying and the like.

I let my "organisedness" slip for a while and whilst we're not in debt much now, I want to go back to how I was when I had the time to account for every penny and be stringent about my spending stay at home parents have a money "routine" that helps? Like do you do it all in the evenings maybe? Or wait til the baby naps? Just work it round the kiddies? Do a bit here and there?

pinkclouds

At least once a week, whenever you have at least 10 uninterrupted minutes to yourself. The "baby" no longer naps, alas. But I caught half an hour yesterday, while they were amusing themselves. And, tonight, I can't sleep. So, I suppose the answer is: whenever you can. I have no fixed schedule - particularly not during the school hols!

VfM4meplse

As with anything that's important, it just requires a bit of discipline to become routine.

Everyone's busy, but think about what you spend time doing that doesn't make that much of a diifference to anything and then use that time to catch up on your finances.

jess-the-cat_3

Yes the school holidays don't help!

I think the thing is that during the day the kids are drawn to me like magnets the moment I go to get the laptop out or pull out a pile of paperwork and sit at the table. But then if I wait til the evening after bedtime I am often far too tired.

I think maybe a designated evening at least once a week with some bits of maintenance as and when can be fitted in.

Does anyone use a running spreadsheet over the course of the month? I think being able to throw in spends as they happen would be really helpful.

shays_mum

At night once the kids are sleeping!.

sweaty_betty

Hi there - it's a tricky one isn't it, kids seem to instinctively know when you need to concentrate and suddenly demand attention!

My plan is to pay as much by direct debit as possible, so the general bills kind of manage themselves. I set reminders on my phone calendar for when specific things need to be paid (credit card bills, nursery fees etc) - it's usually easier to pay individual bills quickly than try to plough through a load of stuff at once.

About once a month in an evening or when OH is occupying LO, I set aside 1-2 hours to go through everything, make sure everything balances, look to see if bills are creeping up etc, then look for better deals if necessary.

skintchick

My OH does the finances so all I have to worry about is my pot and I often don;t check it and just hope I'm not overdrawn! I tend to just check the balance either at the cashpoint or on the internet at night when DD is asleep. She's getting better now she's 3, but she is drawn to the computer like a moth to a flame so I tend not to be able to do much on it when she is awake unless I put the TV on (like now). Sitting at the kitchen table helps though as she is used to OH working there when he worsk from home so she doesn't hassle me as much as when I am on the sofa.

Other computer stuff like emails I check on my iPod as it is quicker and easier, but I can;t do too much on that as the small screen and lack of keyboard drives me buts.

GobbledyGook

I do it when the kids are in bed. I have to do it before anything else otherwise the lure of a peaceful cuppa with trashy tv takes over me.

Do you have a smartphone? One of my friends has one with a penny watcher app that I am lusting for (it makes me feel old how much I want a money app :rotfl:) and she does hers when she gets a few minutes peace and quiet.

BOBS

GobbledyGook wrote: »

I do it when the kids are in bed. I have to do it before anything else otherwise the lure of a peaceful cuppa with trashy tv takes over me.

Do you have a smartphone? One of my friends has one with a penny watcher app that I am lusting for (it makes me feel old how much I want a money app :rotfl:) and she does hers when she gets a few minutes peace and quiet.

cant find penny watcher - have found cent watcher - going to download and see if it works ok ,,,, :beer:

Tiddlywinks

Money management is so fundamental to a family that it should be a priority.

If you can find time to watch tv, use the internet or whatever then you have the time for planning. It's a 'must-do' that must be done.

jess-the-cat_3

Well I definitely don't have time to watch TV or use the internet in the day! The trouble I find is once the kids are in bed, everything is done and I sit down, it is safe to say that most of the time I am nearly nodding off then and that's only 9pm!

I guess I find watching TV or the internet is quite "passive." That is, it doesn't involve my active attention. Sometimes I try and tackle stuff but find I can't concentrate because I'm tired.

I think having read the above and thought about it, my best bet is little and often. That way it won't mount up and be quite so daunting. So little things like:

1. Checking my balance on online banking
2. Writing down daily spends in my notebook, taking a minute say after I've unpacked shopping bags
3. A list in my notebook for passing thoughts of stuff I need to deal with so I don't forget
4. A phone call when the kids are quiet

Etc. If anyone can add anything I'd be grateful!