I don't need another skinny Latte

Skinnylatte

sparklychar wrote: »

Yes.... can any of these cards be shifted to 0% if they aren't already?

You've mentioned a couple of times that you don't want your kids to suffer as a result of your financial habits.... I completely understand, but would like to play devil's advocate/offer the other perspective.

I'm a bit older than your kids (25!!!) but my parents were always really open with us about money, encouraging us to come to them if we had any concerns, and also sharing if they were going through any hardship. Like you, they have well paid jobs and do well, but my father over his working life has been made redundant 2/3 times. There have also been other times of hardship when Mum had mental health issues, and when she had to take leave to care for my grandad. They did go through times when I was little with bailiffs etc so I understand, when Dad suffered severely with depression.
I think we appreciated being trusted with this sensitive information in a way... they didn't go into anything in great detail, but would tell us for example 'we're having to be a little careful at the moment'. Yes it concerned us, but we appreciated being treated maturely.
I remember when my sister and I were about 10 and 14, Mum and Dad explained to us that we couldn't afford a holiday this year, but instead we had a week having lots of daytrips and picnics... we loved it, but i do appreciate we were younger than your kids!
Similarly there were a couple of Christmases when Mum and Dad explained we had to be a little leaner that year.

I didn't blame them for any situation and although I know I'm in some debt now, I think it's taught me a lot about money and not to bury my head in the sand.

If you don't agree with me, no problem, just offering another perspective. Really enjoyed reading your diary

Good luck xx

That was a very insightful post, thank you for sharing, it's really useful to see it from the 'other' perspective. I have to say the kids have been more understaning recently, I have told them I need to clear debts, and I think they have taken this into consideration. I think it would also be useful to tell them that sometimes it gets me down and that makes me irritable, and they could help by double checking before they ask for money if they really need it, do you think I should say this?
I was annoyed with myself this morning, my son asked for some money to get breakfast from the shop, I really snapped at him, when I should have just said calmly, 'you don't need to buy breakfast, we can save money by eating what's in the cupboard'.
I need to spend more quality time with my kids, I seem to avoid it as it always ends up expensive. However I've made a plan, I'm taking my daughter out shortly, we're going to look round a working windmill. It only costs £3.50 to get in, then I thought we could buy some flour and come back and make some bread. It's probably the last thing a 16yo wants to do on a Sunday afternoon :rotfl:
I was having a look on websites last night, there's quite a bit of free stuff to do round here, and even some of the places with entrance fees are still quite reasonable if you plan and don't eat there.

I can not tell you much difference writing my ramblings down makes, and the fact people read it and make time to comment is really motivating, thank you to you all #feelingemotionaltoday!!

Skinnylatte

Well today ended up pretty well. The windmill trip was good, only they didn't sell flour so no bread (I think they're missing a trick there!) Although DD did get hungry so I had to buy lunch, but not a bad day out for £13.50
I went for a run, did all the washing, listed 6 ebay items, cooked Sunday roast. (Aldi frozen roast turkey joint with stuffing £4.99) I got Sunday dinner for the 3 of us and plated up 2 meals for work from it, bargain)
I've started reusing teabags :rotfl:I just tried it to see what it tasted like, and it's just fine.
I also bought some Tesco value baby shampoo, and that's fine too. Talking of hair, I used to spend nearly £100 a go having my hair styled and coloured. I've had it cut just twice this year and have been colouring it myself with poundland colour, and it's fine. No grey and lasts as long as expensive colour. Well chuffed!
Today I also went through my freezer and did an inventory, I have 5 days worth of meals, and 10 days worth of work meals stashed away in there - who'd have thought it!!
This week I'm working away until Thursday, so no meals to find and travel expenses to boot. I submitted Septembers travel expenses on Friday, a tidy £400, that's cost me £100 in fuel so not bad, I get that at the end of the month.
Well better get to sleep, 5am start in the morning. :eek:
Night all x

Skinnylatte

OK, I've done it a different way now and included the property I own, I make no profit on it, however it does have some equity so makes my net worth a little better. I've also added in my travel expenses averaged out, as that makes quite a difference.

The down side is that my tax code will go up next year, I think I'll be about £60 a month worse off, however I should (fingers crossed) get a bonus around the same time.

Also once I've paid off my Ltd company debts (not included here but stands about £5500) which will hopefully be in about 6 months, I can pay myself some income from there, which will go straight toward my debts no question, I'm not used to having the extra money and I don't need it.

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 1
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 2846 includes average travel expenses @£200
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 81.2
Other income............................ 500 rent from property
Total monthly income.................... 3427.2
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 500 for let property
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 650
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 130
Electricity............................. 40
Gas..................................... 50
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 65 over 8 months
Telephone (land line)................... 65 includes sky, broadband & phone contract ends Dec
Mobile phone............................ 0
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 155
Clothing................................ 60
Petrol/diesel........................... 300
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 18
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 70
Car parking............................. 10
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 70
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 3
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 27
Contents insurance...................... 6
Life assurance ......................... 18
Other insurance......................... 30
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 50
Haircuts................................ 15
Entertainment........................... 130
Holiday................................. 85
Emergency fund.......................... 50
Therapy for daughter.................... 75
Total monthly expenses.................. 2694.12 when I very first posted my SOA this was 3379.63 a drop of £685 how cool
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4631001&highlight=


Assets
Cash.................................... 430
House value (Gross)..................... 155000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 1800
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 157230

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 141000...(500)......2.98
Total secured & HP debts...... 141000....-.........-
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Barclay 09.....................2462......0.........6.9% life £7100 limit
(As above).................3970......145.......19.9% life
Barclay 07.....................1034......21........0% Jan/Jul 2014 £1500 limit
Overdraft......................1800......0.........19.9%
Tax Credits....................2019......200.......0%
MBNA...........................2376......42........0% til 2015 £5600 limit sometime
Halifax........................1642......17........0% til April 2015£1800 limit
Total unsecured debts..........15303.....425.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 3,427.2
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 2,694.12
Available for debt repayments........... 733.08
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 425
Amount left after debt repayments....... 308.08
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 157,230
Total HP & Secured debt................. -141,000
Total Unsecured debt.................... -15,303
Net Assets.............................. £972
Created using the SOA calculator at www.stoozing.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using IE browser.

I think that means my new debt free day is Dec 2015, not sure yet, sooner if I get my bonus.

The wonderful thing is that when I first had my LBM I was over spending each month by around £500 and was just digging myself in deeper, now I have £300 extra for debt repayment each month.

OK so it's not all plain sailing, I do still spend on daft stuff when tired and stressed, but it's £10s not £100s, and I know where my money's going. I've still a long way to go to clear my debts, but it feels more managable and in control, and amazingly I have some savings. It's hard work staying on track but I'm going to do it :T
If you can see any improvements I can make please feel free, skins alot tougher than it was in June lol. although I do not want to lead a life of Spartan O'Reilly either! Not sure I can live without SkyPlus but I can forgo HD and my landline come December

Skinnylatte

I hate the middle of the month, payday is years away.

Skinnylatte

Not a cheap weekend, but within budget. £40 saw a night out dancing on Friday with my new friend, taxi home, all day breakfast on Saturday and a pot of tea and bacon butties for DS and myself this morning. This morning was our 'mum&son' time which we look forward to lots.
I had 4 listings end on Ebay tonight @ £67, although I've got postage to take off that. I can't believe some-one paid £30 for half a bottle of perfume :T

DD had a job interview at Macdonalds today, fingers crossed she gets it, as that'll be £100 a week for her, which means she'll ask me for less!! She's 16 and at college part time.

5 days till payday, I've got £28.23 left until Friday, which would be fine, only I have alot of work miles to do, and will probably spend more filling up the car. My £28.23 is a 'virtual pot', I have a buffer in the bank so will be fine until I get my expenses and pay on Friday. So fairly happy that I'm just about in budget and have had a naughty weekend in the lakes and a night out included, not to forget the spends on the kids at the start of the month.
This month has to fund a trip to Inverness at half term to see my Mum, you'd think that would be cheap, but I know it won't be!! Also a night out with some friends at the local italian, if I eat pizza and drink cider in moderation it should be fine!
New friend is coming for tea tomorrow, I've made butternut squash soup, and sausage and mash (sausages Saisnbury's taste the difference, reduced from £4 to £1.14 for 10) a result of my freezer stock take last week.
Today I also cleaned the oven (first time since we moved here last december :eek:) hoovered and dusted, don't worry I have done that a few times since last December.
Better sleep now, get a lay in tomorrow 6am:rotfl:
Have a frugal week all and thanks for reading (if you made it this far lol)
X

Skinnylatte

Dropped below £15000 today, it was payday, Too tired to write anything else

Skinnylatte

Oh I really am slacking a bit with my spending recently. I'm still paying off debts at the same rate, and even saving. But really squeezing myself in the middle, which is a stress as I don't know if I have enough to last the end of the month. When my laptop broke, away went all my spreadshhets, which included a detailed breakdown of everything I'd spent this year.
I need to set them all up again,
Still using my work laptop, and as my car has developed a leak and it sounds an expensive fix, there will be no new laptop until the new year now.
We went away for half term, spent £340, £110 on food and lattes nooo...:eek: £120 on fuel and £100 on other stuff like getting my hair cut a round of golf for my son and new jeans for daughter.
Not sure whats wrong with the car, but the carpets are soaking and I can't leave it like that as it stinks and the floor will rot. The garage quoted £150 just for stripping it out and finding the leak, never mind fixing it. Thank god I'd started saving, it's an amzing feeling, for the first time ever, that I will have the money to pay for it and not put it on the credit card.

Skinnylatte

£270 on car repairs, that's the savings reduced

Skinnylatte

My microwave broke last night, nasty noises and sparks, it wasn't looking good. I've spent much of the day looking for a new one, but decided just to have another look at my old one. Took out a metal plate that was on the inside near where it was sparking, gave it a good clean, dry , and now it works again. £50 saved :j

Skinnylatte

Hang my head in shame, I have already over spent this month by over £300 and that doesn't include the £270 car repair and xmas pressies (both those have come from savings). I'm going to list all this months uneccessary spends just because...

Coffee for 3 £9
Jeans for DD £50
Golf for son £20
Lunch out £14.50
Lunch out again £13.75
Coffee £3
Subway £6
Macdonalds £10
Hair £34
Panini £6
All the above were during half term on holiday

Night out £15
Macdonalds £8
Shoes for DD £18
Fireworks £11
Coffee £2
Coffe £1.70
Macdonalds £6
Subway £10
Fish & Chips £10.60
new top for me (thermal and in sale like that makes it OK) £6.50
New cake tins £4.40
Coffee £4,20
Hat for DD £7.20
Work boots for DD £40
Fags for DD £4.25 - yes that's terrible

£315.10

My bad