10k in 18 months

coolcats

Been an expensive end to the month and April is set to be an expensive start. Youngest has been in hospital the last week and is going to be in for a few more weeks. Trying to still be money saving and keep going with the saving. Just don't realise how something like this can set everything back. At least there are the savings already as back up. Just hopeing they can control things and get us back to a normal(ish) life.

Troutwrestler

This thread makes for fantastic reading! I have managed to save £11000 in just over 18 months but income has fallen recently so hoping for another £5000 this year. Not saving for anything in particular, but maybe a bigger house ..this thread has got me refocused though..so thanks

coolcats

Things are not going so well as had been. Saving won't get made so easy this next month or so, but hopefully not dipped into too much either. I have brought myself a netbook, still getting used to it, but decided it was time for a change of use. And a good exuse for a birthday present, not often I buy myself something.
Also have child in hospital so more expenses with that than a normal month. He will be in hospital for a bit longer still having tests. Luckily with savings its not too noticeable.
I can see changes happening shortly which involve less to save, but thats how things go. Important to save when you can and spend when you must. Being sensible to get the best deal for your money.

luckynumber13

Coolcats, sorry I havent been on for a while, hugs to your youngest and I hope they get him sorted soon. At least you had the foresight to be in a position to save so now this has happened you have the money put aside to deal with the expenses, travel etc.

Keep us updated on how he is doing and hope you get your cinema trip soon x

coolcats

Now back home after a month of half home and half hosptial, still not quite over as have another 2 months or so of hospital, but hopefully sleeping at home. Have spent a fortune all in all. Mainly being at the local childrens hospital and bigger city. Still will be expensive but hopefully not so much. Son is much better although treatment will still continue, at home in the week and weekends at hospital.
Nice to see the big city, but still prefer the town life, even if we don't have the big shops.
Need to do the month online shop, have missed April's so time for May as cupboards are getting bear. Glad I had the credit card, although it has been paid off after a week, its saved a lot of rushing around. Have used the time in the city to stock up on clothes and shoes for kids as they had out grown the old ones. Saved a bus trip and day out to bigger town.
Hopefully cinema trip will be next week as need a treat after very little enjoyment time.
Need to start saving for the next big hospital trip, I'm sure we will be back again. And get back to regular saving.

coolcats

Time for an update, I have managed to save £829.43, this includes the interest and cashback on accounts as well as the saved. It sounds good, but realisticly its less as I have also had to go into savings that I already had to pay towards hospital.
But the dent is not so bad as I had a birthday and birthday money paid towards general spending, so its a bit of a mixed month but still doing well over all.
Hopefully May will be back to proper saving and normal life as can be.

coolcats

I do get it all thrown at me! I have now found out my landlord wants his house back, only been here a year, it was suppoesd to be for as long as I wanted, as they had out grown the house as a family. Now they need it back, the joys of renting! I have till July.
On top of the my son still isn't right from his trip to hospital, has been back and forward to the local hospital and they have decided he needs to go back to the childrens hospital. As thats a good 3 hours away by car (and I don't have a car) this could be interesting. The older ones have just settled back to school seems unfair to move them.
The problem is now how to make this work. Wonder if we should be moving nearer to the childrens hospital as we have to go so much, but that means finding somewhere else in a new town and all the issues with not knowing the area, as well as the time to look and research. Or if we stay here. How to look and be at the hospital, or son goes with his dad only (who wants to have him live permantly with him and him to be his carer and not job search). So many dilemas on our life and future.
Part of the problem is very few places come available and what does goes so quick. It took me 2 years to move from a 2 bed to a 3 bed. Its always who gets in at the right time. Also if in the next few months I'll only need 2 bed if dad has his way, which I don't think is best for son. The town is so spread out that needs to be the right part to make it work with no car.
Thinking new town may be the way forward, would be easier when son has the hospital as some of the regular test he has are only for the day, but with the travel we have to stay. But then we leave everything we know to start again. Although we would get better professional support.
And of course its getting the time to sort out and pack. Although the sort out is a good chance to get rid of the rubbish we all collect.

coolcats

Have made a few decisions on life. I have found a house to rent, will cost about £200 more a month than this with bills as well, much bigger so will have space, also need new furniture, some we would needed anyway, a bed as son is in toddler bed but getting out grown of it, tv as one we have is old and not working great, etc. Its long let, been rented for years and will be for years. Have been very lucky to get it (still waiting on refrences)

We will carry on as we are here, but will consider moving and research possible places, want it done properly. At least for now will be easier.

The last week has been spent sorting paperwork and bits, not taking anything we don't need to, will look at the move as a fresh start. Have done kids toys/ rooms, loads less now, still loads to go but atleast its a start. Have another month or so till I need to move so will start the packing soon, need to see about boxes, have a few but not many at all.

Oldest isn't happy about the move, have said we can't change it just look forwrd on it, fresh start, new room, she can help plan her room and decide what we do have, best thing for us all.