Muppet's SOA

Muppet81

Hello,

I would appreciate any advice you could give on my SOA. I do realise that I am in a pretty good position but have just given up my part time job due to a total idiot taking over the firm. I am wondering if we could possibly manage if I did not get another job but turned into a domestic goddess instead.

I recently put a post on the OS thread asking about how I cut my costs to meet my current crisis and amongst all the wonderful advice and support I got it was suggested that I post my SOA.

Incomings:

Monthly wage from OH £1900 (I have just lost my £650 and this is the problem)

Total: £1900 w.e.f. June

Monthly outgoings: (I have always been meticulous about putting money aside each month into various “pots” so I know I can go to that pot and find money in it for that purpose when needed – for 2 of us, both adults). The following goes into a separate current account each month and into the “pots” shown.

Mortgage £368.48 (£36,200 owing over 15 years)
Council tax £122
Gas £40 – cooking/heating – seems high but live 1000’ up –cold!
Electric £40 – do switch lights of etc.
Solid Fuel £30 – essential where we live – do get some free wood
Phone and broadband £35
Water £12
Gas/plumbing contract £19.50
Household expenses £50 (decorating,repairs, replacements etc)
Contents/bldg insurance £29
Garden £20 – for compost, plants, veg seeds etc.
TV Licence £15
Motoring £150 – 2 cars (no loans) tax, ins, repairs, tyres but not fuel
Auto Aid £4
Birthdays £50 – OH has 3 very expensive daughters
Christmas £50 - ditto – cut backs NOT an option
Dentist £20
Hair £20 – cut and colour every 2/3 months
Contact lenses £28
Clothes £75
Vets fees £25 – geriatric cat – much loved and must be cared for
Cat food £10
Holidays/outings £100
Action Aid subs £15.94 Total £1358.92


From the money left over in original account I have the following left:

Food/wine/cleaning materials £400
Diesel £60 - just for 1 car – OH retains money to cover his diesel and spends, which are pretty nominal and maintenance for his 3 girls goes out at source
My spends £80 Grand Total £1898.92

No credit card debt

I know we look to spend a lot on food but I am veggie and OH is not so we tend to do 2 separate meals most nights, hence high electric/gas as well. We do not buy ready made meals/take-aways. I make everything including bread, pastries, cakes jams, pizzas, pasta etc. Buy good meats from local farm shop. We eat well and always have done and we have friends round quite a bit for meals and also go to friends for meals. Rarely go to a restaurant.

We grow a lot of our own veg and soft fruit in the summer and have chickens (my lovely ex battery girls) which provide us with eggs.

The above figures represent a considerable drop on what we have always dedicated to the “pots” ie clothes reduced from £150 pm to £75, holidays from £200 to £100, motoring costs from £180 to £150, food etc. from £450/500 to £400. :eek:

Last year we went though the exercise of re-mortgaging, changing power suppliers, insurers etc. so I suspect not much mileage here.

I accept that we are lucky and live well but I cannot expect OH to make drastic cutbacks just so I can be a domestic goddess at home – he works very hard in a demanding job and deserves nice, food, wine and holidays. I would point out that the last proper holiday we had was the year before last, 2 weeks in Greece, last year we holidayed with friends in Cornwall. Lovely holiday but not the relaxing beach holiday OH needed.

If I could stay at home I would love to as I really enjoy being a housewife (had 30 years of continuous employment in a high powered job, then downsized by £20,000 a year the year before last to spend more time at home) but if need be I will get another job I will gladly. You may wonder why with a high salary till q couple of years ago, we still have a mortgage but I only married OH 3 years ago. Prior to that I was single and self supporting.

All advice, criticism etc will be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Pam

Snaggles

Hi Pam, well done for putting your SOA together, hope you will get lots of advice and not criticism - we're a pretty friendly lot

My initial thoughts were:

If you are going to be at home full time, hopefully your shopping budget will reduce, as you will have more time to cook from scratch etc - there is definitely scope to reduce this considerably without changing your lifestyle. Have you tried Quorn etc - I'm mainly veggie and hubby isn't but he will happily eat quorn in dishes that involve herbs and spices, because he says he can't really tell the difference.

Is the contact lens payment for one person or two? If it's just for one, it's very high and could probably be reduced by shopping around.

Will you still need 2 cars if you are not working? Could you walk/use public transport?

I understand you feel that there are not really any areas you can cut back, but if you are going to give up work, your outgoings could end up exceeding your income if you don't make cutbacks - a lot of us have been in that position, and it's not pretty! Does your OH want you to stay at home too? If so, perhaps he would be willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries so that you can do this without getting into financial difficulties.

InTheRed

Hi Pam,

Interesting situation (green with envy, as I am single and so the "bread winner"!)
The dental bills of £20 per month, is that a private clinic? I changed back to NHS a year ago, through searching NHS dentists and now pay £18 every 6 months for my son and myself.

Phone and Broadband - I have just changed to vigin media broadband and telephone offer for £20 per month. (Excluding calls)

I would look at whether 2 cars are necessary as snaggles suggests.

Good luck and let us know if you save.

Muppet81

Hi Snaggles - until we decide that I can stay at home, we decided to keep both cars as we do not have loans on them and buying a 2nd car if needed again would probaly cost us more. Live in a remote spot with only a erratic and infrequent bus service which is a half a mile walk away so a bit cut off without transport but it is a good point you make.
OH would be quite happy for me to be at home so long as we can make ends meet.

Hi In the red - thanks for your reply. I know I'm lucky and i never forget this. Having been single and self supporting, albeit on a reasonable salary, I say all respect to those in that situation. It aint easy.
The £20 for dentists is not private it is NHS but just my own saving scheme so we have money there when we do need it. £277 in that "pot" at the moment. Bearing in kind th costs when you do need the NHS dentist, this is my peace of mind method.

poodlehorse

Right then, mission Domestic Goddess accepted!!! Well first thing I would do is work out how much going to work costs you. Work clothes, lunches out, fuel, leaving dos and contributions to presents, the inevitable will you sponsor me never ending questions, wear and tear on car etc

The fact that you grow a lot and cook from scratch is great but do you have to always cook two meals. Will your DH not eat what you have with a bit of grilled meat or fish on the side? Or can you start making individual portions for the freezer so that one of you is eating a precooked meal and the other can cook fresh (double that so you have another meal for the freezer etc). I don't know if that is something you think would work or maybe you eat things that aren't suitable for freezing.

Contact lenses: is this for two people? Are you sure you can't get cheaper? Postoptics etc.
Hair: Do you live anywhere near a beauty college? They can do it really cheaply and the tutor is always there to check over the work so you probably get a better deal than some places that charge a fortune.

I jacked in a £30k a year job to stay at home with DS and I did the maths beforehand and thought we could just about make it work and I have been surprised actually how much easier it was than I thought. It has helped that DH has steadily earnt more money but even so. We had paid our mortgage off first though. I reckon with a bit of adjusting here and there you will make it happen because you WANT it to work. DH will be delighted to have you there looking after the home and having great food ready for him on his return. We don't scrimp on food either really. We eat well and we enjoy our Laithwaite's wine when it arrives. Will you need your car if you are at home all day? IF you are somewhere remote I suppose you might. We make do with one as DH works away and doesn't need it for work so it is mine then and when he is at home we just juggle it about a bit. We do live in a remote place though so everything anyone wants to do means driving but we tend to make one journey count for about three. What I have found is that online shopping is actually worth the delivery charge for me because of the cost of petrol to get there and back. I try and get either a code for free delivery or whatever off here otherwise I try and choose the cheaper delivery slots. I am about to start a veggie box scheme too. Is there any skill that you can use from home to bring in a bit extra? Maybe you could start out on your own or do consultancy.

I have to say I understand about the heating bills, I live in the draughtiest old farmhouse in north Scotland and I NEED to be warm, hence we have just ordered a solid fuel stove as it was costing us a fortune in winter. I can't wait until it is installed as I am currently without heating due to renovations and I am freeeeeezing today.

poodlehorse

I took so long to post (two year old needed fed, I ask you) that I see you have already answered a couple of my questions.

Snaggles

poodlehorse wrote: »

I took so long to post (two year old needed fed, I ask you) that I see you have already answered a couple of my questions.

Tsk, how inconsiderate! :rotfl:

Muppet81

Hi Poodlehorse,

Firstly, thanks for not saying "get back to work and stop being lazy". I half expected to be told that. Got to say though that keeping house on a full time basis is damned hard work!
You are right in asking "how much it actually costs you to go out to work". The job I recetnly quit brought in £125 per week after tax. It cost me in excess of £40 a week to work there. £9 parking, £5 fuel, £15 minimum lunches (packed lunch rarely an option, you were expected to eat out or be classed as miserable) plus an average of £5 a week for pressies for somone. Add clothes and dry cleaning bills to that and you begin to wonder?????
Sorry that you are freezing up there in the North. You will love your solid fuel stove. Good decision. I love to use mine to cook jacket potatoes in the winter. Double wrap in foil and place in embers for an hour. Delicious.

Muppet81

Sorry Poodlehorse, i forgot to say about contact lenses. This is just for me on a monthly scheme. I have to wear daily disposables as i react to the solutions. many tried with horrible results. I do have the option to cancel a month if I get a build up of lenses and aim to cut costs this way. I will wear my glasses some days or not bother with either, then I won't be able to see the dust as well.

silkglade

Muppet81 wrote: »

Firstly, thanks for not saying "get back to work and stop being lazy". I half expected to be told that. Got to say though that keeping house on a full time basis is damned hard work!

Hi and welcome. Can i just say. NO WAY WOULD ANYONE THAT KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE SAY THAT.

I am really lucky as my Hubby is a househusband. He looks after our 12, 7 and 23 month olds. I have already said to him that when littleist one starts school if i have my way he won't be getting a job, as i really like him being at home (I work 12hr rotating shifts) If he wants to get a part time job though that's fine, just don't want him to have to get one.

We went for "role reversal" 6 years ago and havent looked back since. I love my job and he loves his. He does an amazing job too

jo1972

silkglade wrote: »

Hi and welcome. Can i just say. NO WAY WOULD ANYONE THAT KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE SAY THAT.

I want to second this! My dh was a stay-at-home dad for 6 years with my eldest then gave up work again when my next 2 were born so that I could go back to work and the kids would be brought up with at least one parent. He worked 100 times harder than me (says she who's sitting on MSE all day long, I think I'm lazier than him at home with the kids! ).

So welcome Muppet and good luck to you, I hope it all works out!

Jo.