Newbie here looking for advice.

mildred1978

Mummy_Sarah wrote: »

Yeh hopefully I can get it cleared a lot earlier. The things i worry about through obvious christmas. And I may come across as a bit silly but I dont like my children going without anything. So when the school has a halloween disco, theyre costumes, and taking them out for bonfire night, and my little girl has had her pictures done in school which will be about £25. Im just worrying about paying that out of my budget. I know it sounds daft and I need to be strict with myself but half of the issue is that i dont like my kids being different to others.

Your children are 4 and 2. They do not need the cra.p you seem to think they do. You can't afford it, it's not necessary, and you aren't doing your job as a parent if you insist that they have meaningless things that you can't afford just because others do.

OneLife_OneShot

mildred1978 wrote: »

Your children are 4 and 2. They do not need the cra.p you seem to think they do. You can't afford it, it's not necessary, and you aren't doing your job as a parent if you insist that they have meaningless things that you can't afford just because others do.

I think she does rather well, not much debt, not as much as some folk on here and her and her partner works and try to provide a nice life for their children, fair play to you Sarah! I hope you can cut down what you need, keep it going!

firesidemaid

it's also sometimes about being savvy about certain things you really want.

if there is only so much money coming in then there is only so much to spend without going into debt.

the £52 spent on sky could be spent on the other things for your kids.

if you are always going to want things like haloween outfits then the thing to do is buy them in the sale this year for next in the bigger size (plus save the older child's outfit for the younger one to use again) - which is why you need to have some spare money/savings also.

having a savings buffer will help you with emergencies, car repair bills etc.

£82 a month saved for 3 months is £250 for xmas.

there is lots to be saved on your food etc budget - have a look at some of the threads on the old-style board.

gas and elec are really high - are you paying back arrears? you should expect to pay half that if you are careful.

if you can save the money into an account with the best rate, you then then use this to pay off the overdraft eventually.

good luck x

brummiebabe

Mummy_Sarah wrote: »

Hi brummiebabe what is SOA?

My little girl cant have packed lunches until she is in year one. She is in reception at the moment so will be a possibility next year.
I can reduce the nursury to two sessions a week saving £30 a month. I want him to go to nursury because my little girl went and i feel im failing as mum if he doesnt go and experience it. He soo happy there at the moment. Sky defiantly, my partner is the one reluctant through as he says cbeebies are rubbish (yes hes 29).

I'll try & do a link (not good at this techie stuff:rotfl:)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/562271

Hope that helps (and works):)