Diary of a home owner wannabe (my 6 year journey)

pennyforthepot

OMG! Missing in action and have totally fallen off the wagon and I have certainly done that in style :eek::eek::eek:

Today I am about to spend £14,000 yes that's £14,000 on a new car! What am I doing!!!

To justify my spend - with DH's diagnosis we decided that we need to spend more time doing things as a family and unfortunately as there are 6 of us we can't do that in a mini! So we have decided to buy a 7 seater citroen that we saw as we were driving passed a dealership yesterday. It's only 1 year old and has done 7000 miles so we are getting it for a bargain as far as I am concerned. Although it pains me to do it financially as it wipes out a large amount of my savings for the year I know that emotionally it is the right decision to make. If I wasn't working now I wouldn't buy it but I'm hoping that I will be able to replace my savings within the next 6 months if I get back on track.

The last month has been a total drain on my money in other areas as well. DSS2s 18th birthday party last week, a 50th party and a wedding still to go to means new clothes for the kids, presents, hotels. I've also had to pay for DS programming course for the year, badminton lessons, and a never ending list of stuff for school for DD. We have also been out for lunches and drinks on numerous occasions and yesterday I ended up spending £140 in a couple of charity shops (I did buy quite a few designer pieces) and now have a new winter wardrobe

I feel like a lapsed alcoholic but am determined to get right back on the straight and narrow. I haven't been tracking my spend at all in September so I don't even know what the real damage is. That is my first task before the month ends, then I need to get back to my budgeting. Better late than never I suppose - I will not be defeated by this.

PFTP x

Whoops -forgot to mention the £319 on a new Dyson and £100 on a smoothie maker

giblet1979

Hi Penny,

Really sorry to hear about DH and that things have been challenging.

It is so easy to 'fall off the wagon' but at least you're thinking about what you're spending, and I'm sure you'll get back to your saving ways.

I say be kind to yourself, but definitely do the adding up of spends to perhaps convince you to reign it in a bit now.

Sending hugs and good wishes to all the family x

pennyforthepot

giblet1979 wrote: »

Hi Penny,

Really sorry to hear about DH and that things have been challenging.

It is so easy to 'fall off the wagon' but at least you're thinking about what you're spending, and I'm sure you'll get back to your saving ways.

I say be kind to yourself, but definitely do the adding up of spends to perhaps convince you to reign it in a bit now.

Sending hugs and good wishes to all the family x

Thanks Giblet1979 - I certainly fell off the wagon in a big way - but feeling good about climbing back on again

We're coming to terms with DH's illness - he's resting as much as he can and also volunteering in a Cancer research charity shop which has given him a distraction which is great.

PFTP x

Dobbibill

Hi PFTP,

Welcome back, understandable that you have been away for a while.

No need for justification, we don't just save for the material things at the end of our goal but for emergencies when they arise. There are some things that money can't buy, like time with our families and if a larger car is needed for this then you deserve it. Throughout your diary you have remained so focused and hunted for the best deals and bargains and built up a nest egg which you should be proud of. The enjoyment this car will bring you is not £14000.00 worth but priceless. You will soon replenish this with the determination that I have come to admire over the last few months.

Bests wishes to you and your family with your financial and emotional challenges ahead.

DB

Miss_Moneysaver

Hi Penny,

I am new to this money saving lark but I have just started reading your diary. I quite like your budget plan that you did at the start of you diary so I may try and adapt mine like that.
One thing you mention is that you use a credit card to purchase expenses and then pay it off the following month. Is that a Tesco credit card? If you pay it off in full do you get charged any interest? And, I know you can get Tesco clubcard points doing this but what about cashback? Are you using the credit card to pay for things via cashback sites?
I am a member of Quidco and Topcashback but rarely use them (as I forget) and I have a Tesco c/c that I rarely use. Is it worth it?
Sorry for all the questions!

edinburgher

Hi PFTP, sorry to hear that life has thrown you a few curveballs over the last month or two. Nothing to add to the sage advice of my fellow posters other than to say I was thinking of you (and that we're all rooting for you!) Belated congratulations on your diary anniversary

pennyforthepot

Miss_Moneysaver wrote: »

Hi Penny,

I am new to this money saving lark but I have just started reading your diary. I quite like your budget plan that you did at the start of you diary so I may try and adapt mine like that.
One thing you mention is that you use a credit card to purchase expenses and then pay it off the following month. Is that a Tesco credit card? If you pay it off in full do you get charged any interest? And, I know you can get Tesco clubcard points doing this but what about cashback? Are you using the credit card to pay for things via cashback sites?
I am a member of Quidco and Topcashback but rarely use them (as I forget) and I have a Tesco c/c that I rarely use. Is it worth it?
Sorry for all the questions!

Hi Miss Moneysaver - sooo sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I've been a little remiss about coming on here recently. Firstly welcome . To answer your question - I use two credit cards and pay them off in full each month - thereby avoiding any charges. I try to use my Amex cash back card where ever I can. Generally I earn around £125 to £150 each year for doing nothing more than paying off my full amount each month. I also use a Tesco cc as some places don't take Amex. It's definitely worth using as far as I am concerned. For me it pays for the birthday meals out that we use at Pizza Express.

I am not a cashback site user. I don't know why as I use all the other tricks of the trade to get money back. I think it's because I don't always find the best deals on there and also I'm not a massive purchaser of stuff so don't necessarily find it worth my while.

Hope that answers your questions and welcome on board

PFTP xx

pennyforthepot

All I can say is: thank god it's October - I intend to do absolutely nothing this month! What with 18th's, 50th's weddings, new cars, and vacuum cleaners I am totally financially wiped out :eek::eek::eek:

My savings amount for the end of August stood at £119,400 - today it is down by £10,400 :eek: £109,000. To add insult to injury my October outgoings currently stand at £6,350 - which means that my savings for October will be in the negative!

Back on track for getting back on track though I ended my gas and electricity contract in credit thanks to a concerted effort over the last 6 months. I have also paid off an additional £45 worth of my water bill debt in the last 6 months which now stands at £85- again a concerted effort to reduce the amount of washing and dishwashing we did. My savings for last month were on target at £3000 - shame I didn't get to see it for long as it went straight to the paying for the car.

New car arrived yesterday - hence the massive drop in savings. The total cost was £14,000 which included the insurance and road tax. Although a hefty chunk of savings have gone - how nice to be able to transfer the money rather than having a car loan. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but no doubt that will happen soon.

Right I have a massive to-do list (Thursday is my day off) and I'm also off for a late lunch with the girlies. Brimming with motivation to get back on track - watch this space :money:

PFTP x

Dobbibill

Hey PFTP,

You've had a very challenging month in September but are so focused with October and updating the diary at the very beginning of the month so I look forward to seeing the to-do list and I have no doubt that you will be back on track very shortly, eagerly watching this space as I know you are full of motivation and very determined to stick to your word

I'm sure the car will give you hours of comfortable motoring and enjoyment.

Enjoy your late lunch with the girlies

DB

pennyforthepot

Dobbibill wrote: »

Hey PFTP,

You've had a very challenging month in September but are so focused with October and updating the diary at the very beginning of the month so I look forward to seeing the to-do list and I have no doubt that you will be back on track very shortly, eagerly watching this space as I know you are full of motivation and very determined to stick to your word

I'm sure the car will give you hours of comfortable motoring and enjoyment.

Enjoy your late lunch with the girlies

DB

Aww DB :A

PFTP xx