Moving on and getting it right from now on...

LadyBones

Well I've lurked, and read, and feel like I've done loads of homework... read so many threads now in the Forum over the last few months, and I've been taking advice and making little changes, but have finally bitten the bullet, used the budget planner and fully absorbed what an absolute numpty I've been about money for so long!

My debts aren't huge, mainly because I paid everything off a few years ago when I sold house to move across the country to care for an elderly relative - the plan was to rent for a while then buy again. Trouble is I'd been so bad with money I found myself sub-prime and unable to get a new mortgage after the credit crunch. As hubby was made redundant we paid all our debts in an attempt to improve the credit rating and ended up living on our house deposit until our finances improved. I feel so ashamed that we had a home but now we rent and have no assets. If I hadn't moved and had my lbm back then I'd now be in a much better position financially... but family stuff doesn't always work like that I guess.

Anyway, no regrets, better to look forward. I have a fairly well paid job, hubby now works part time, 3 lovely kids, a stable rent and everything I need at home. On the "could be better" I have a bad credit rating for the next couple of years or so, a car that really ought to be replaced, 3 smallish credit card debts (£1850 total) 2 loans at horribly high APRs (£3250 left to pay) and a bad habit of spending more than we earn

My goal is to save (never done that!) once these debts are paid off... starting to think that at 40 its too late to get back on the mortgage ladder. Does anyone think its possible?

Most of my problems have happened because I don't talk about them, and get advice. I'm the world's worst for head in the sand! I'm hoping now I've fessed up here to the mess I've got myself in I'll be motivated to move on and will get some good advice I can act on.

Thanks for reading:)

clyndu

My goal is to save (never done that!) once these debts are paid off... starting to think that at 40 its too late to get back on the mortgage ladder. Does anyone think its possible?



It is never too late. DH and I got our first mortgage when I turned 50:eek:
He is a couple of years younger. We did take it out over 15 years, so it has taken quite abit of belt tightening. good luck with your journey.

LadyBones

Wow, that's comforting to know - thanks!

LadyBones

So, have made a start...

with ds2 we did an inventory of the cupboards and freezer, and have planned our meals till pay day (2 weeks tomorrow). Filled in the gaps with an internet shop from ASDA cost £43. normally we would spend about £100 per week on supermarket shopping so this is very ambitious for me!

OH and DD not impressed - "now there's no choice?!" Clearly I need to work on them!!!

NewLeaf_2

Lady Bones, You have made a start. who cares if you rent? that means nothing to your spirit!

I grew up in New York City and many of my relatves were never able to buy, but they were awesome all the same.

Now, I am the worst cook in the world, may I suggest you moset over to Piquant's thread, she can make a meal out of anything and if you ask her she will share recipes xx

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3793045

LadyBones

Thanks NewLeaf, that's what I need to hear!

OH and dd are not impressed with the rationalised cupboards. They have spent the evening bursting through from the kitchen with cries of "there's no posh sauces!", "There's no ciabatta rolls!" etc

Perhaps a bit too much too soon? I feel so wonderfully smug with myself for saving money though - I think the shopping bill and the cupboards look fantastic!

However, OH got hold of a knitting machine for £5 today - he's picking it up for me tomorrow, I'm so excited. I've been a hand knitter for years, but I work long hours and don't get time. If I can suss it out before Christmas I could make up some Xmas presents. I can't wait!

LadyBones

Well the knitting machine is going to take some thought... its a very complicated looking thing with an unfathomable instruction book. I think I'll need to put aside a weekend when I don't take home a colossal heap of work home with me, and spend some time working out which of the million levers and buttons to push and pull first.

I have £35 to last me 7 days to payday. My poor car is back on the road, fixed, taxed and filled with enough diesel to get me to work this week, and although I feel pretty skint, the cupboards are full by my standards (dd and oh still horrified by the lack of choice - "its like being in prison"), but we have all that we need for a week's worth of menus, plus a bit more.

This evening I planned a whole month's worth of menus, lunch and teas, from November payday to December payday, then made a list of everything I needed, and then made a Tesco online order for the whole month to be delivered on payday, leaving out the fresh stuff that I'll need to buy weekly. The whole shop came to £154 including delivery. What an eye opener! I've spent nearly that on a week's shop before! I think if we stick to the menu, and top up on fresh to the tune of about £25 a week, which is plenty, that's £250 on groceries and toiletries for the month... I'm staggered! I suppose I should see if it works first, but if it does, then an evening of organisation will have saved me at least £150, if not more, because we're always topping up at Tesc0s every other day.

This month any savings made will go towards Xmas shopping, seeing as the car has cleaned me out. But in January I can start to pay off some things and make a start on saving!

LadyBones

Pay Day tomorrow!! It's been so long coming this month, after my car hoovered out the bank account after my last pay day

I've put loads of work into planning my spending over the coming month. Hope it all works... Discovered the Argos outlet website on ebay - lots of bargains on there. ds has set his heart on a camcorder for Christmas, and there are some really good brands on there for less than half the price they're in the shops for! Determined this year that Christmas isn't going to leave me debt ridden for the first half of the year like it usually does.