OrangeFairy~balancing a new full time job~mummy hood ~ and debtbusting!

OrangeFairy

Hello all

I am OrangeFairy and I only write in orange so if you see an accidental post from me in a different colour text please feel free to shout at me

I felt a new diary was in order. I have started a new chapter in my life. Making the decision that we aren't going to have anymore children (largely hubby's decision) I set about leaving my job where I was treated badly to begin a new phase.

It was scary and daunting after being in a job for 10 years. But I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made. I absolutely adore my new job and have a fantastic boss

I have jumped from 23 hours a week to 40. My daughters are 9 and 7 so I felt a lot of guilt but looking to the future with greater security and the chance to get rid of our debts is in their best interests too. I just need to find that balance where the time I have with my family is quality time. My boss is great and lets me work my 40 hours quite flexibly which means a couple of early mornings allows me to pick the kids up from school 2 days a week which is fantastic

Money wise the new job means that on paper we have £1000 disposable income which is great. I have only had 1.5 good pay days so this has allowed us to get back on track with bills. We have been overpaying my loan by a minimum of £200 a month. realistically this can be increased to £600 minimum after Xmas. I am going to try and debt bust what I can over the next couple of months but the real charge will be in January. Once the loan has gone we will have £1215 disposable income.

Future plans for money

Pay off loan (hopefully by feb)
Save to take kids abroad in July- about £1500
New fridge and washing machine as they are ready to pack up!
Pay off credit cards
Save for Florida in 2014
Start saving for a house deposit

I am hoping the beginning of 2014 will be the start of our deposit saving. 2013 will be getting debt free and doing the things we want to do

More current news- I really want to get a cat. This is a huge deal as I am not generally a cat fan but I think a family pet would be great for the kids. Thinking maybe doing this next month or even over Xmas when I have time off

I am very excited about next week. OH and I have been together a long time but only got married last year. We got a voucher for a 3 course meal cruise on the Thames with a London eye trip. We are doing this next Friday, going for dinner and a show and then staying at a nice hotel. On the Saturday we are going to spend the day in the national history museum. I am really looking forward to some time for just the two of us

So in summary - money good, just need to plan well and try and balance my home life. I am very lucky that hubby is now very hands on with the housework so we share chores evenly

Off to bed as dd2 has a swimming party to get to in the morning!

xx OF xx

bella2121

Nice to see you back orangefairy look forward to following your new diary x

pixiechick99

I'm here too, have just subscribed:)

So glad you hear you are enjoying the new job:T and what a lovely anniversary weekend to look forward to, sounds amazing - have a fantastic time:D

Ladybird.

All sounds really positive! Enjoy your special trip out OrangeFairy!

beanielou

Have a great next weekend.
You need to target your Next account as the APR on that is high.

OrangeFairy

Hi all

Thanks for popping by

I plan to get rid of the Next account in November. Also tempted to cancel my account completely.....will see if I am able to do it!!

What a lovely day I have had

DD2 had a swimming party and I was able to take DD1 in too. The parents paid for me and DD2 so I only had to pay £3 for DD1. Had a lovely swim then took DD2 back to the little boys house for a tea party after and then we ended up staying. They have the most gorgeous house and his mum invited us in for tea and cake. We also got made bacon and cheese rolls and just sat chatting for a couple of hours. DD1 got fed too and got sweets when she left. So a very MSE day

It's cold today......wrapped up in a hoody and a blanket with my iPad. Will do a bit of house work and then hubby will be home. We have promised the girls a movie night tonight. Free entertainment rather than the cinema!

Need to decide what to do tomorrow!

I hope everyone is well

Off to do my SOA I think.

xx OF xx

OrangeFairy

Morning Diaryland.

Not much planned today.....which is nice. We have dinner a MILs so ths is our MSE activity

My task for today is to decide on book character for the girls for Tuesday! Preferably something that doesn't involve buyin things!

Need to do homework with the kids.....much to their disgust!

I also feel like baking..................

Choc-addict

Hey,

Have subscribed and will catch up properly when I have a bit more time. xx

[Deleted User]

Hey Orange Fairy,

Subscribing to your thread & wishin you the best of luck.

I like how you have set yourself targets & that you are concentrating on paying off the debt but also living at the same time - Thats very similar to the way we do it aswell - We still have our holiday but also concentrate every other spare £ on getting rid of debt.

I hope to be debt free by 2015 which seems like such a long way away but I already cant wait for it to be here - I have been in debt since I was 18 & I will be 30 next year!

Dxxx

OrangeFairy

Hello Choc

Thanks for subscribing Dolly. I do feel we need to live a little. In our case if we get rid of our debt and then go mad on deposit saving we may get a house quickly but our girls will be teenagers and we will suddenly realise their childhood has passed us by. Popped on to your diary last night...didn't have time to post. Will go back in a min

Teachers evening today. Same old same old. DD1 is average, needs help with Maths, a daydreamer who is laid back and has a flair for art and music. DD2 top level of what she needs to be, a bit more highly strung but has a lot of friends and confidence! Very different girls but proud of both of them

Work today. Overslept which was a nightmare! Had 10 mins to get out of bed and to the bus stop. Luckily we had hm leek and potato soup in the fridge and hubby was home for the day so I could leave the kids with him!

Booked Phantom of the Opera as our show for London! Can't wait

Right off to help my sis with dinner

xx OF xx

Ladybird.

Amazing how different siblings can be isn't it! I have two boys and they could not be more different!