Starting from the Start

Crowdpleaser

Days out? I have the perfect thing! Got a smartphone and able to download apps?

Right, get yourself to geocaching.com and read up about treasure hunting! Download app. Go somewhere, follow the arrow on mobile phone, find treasure, child thinks its the bees knees! Take your picnic for your halfway stop!

Basically our whole summer holidays was taken up with it and the kids said it was the best time theyd ever had! x

StarMummy_2

Crowdpleaser wrote: »

Days out? I have the perfect thing! Got a smartphone and able to download apps?

Right, get yourself to geocaching.com and read up about treasure hunting! Download app. Go somewhere, follow the arrow on mobile phone, find treasure, child thinks its the bees knees! Take your picnic for your halfway stop!

Basically our whole summer holidays was taken up with it and the kids said it was the best time theyd ever had! x

That sounds amazing! I was a bit of a tom boy as a kid (token son to a dad with three daughters) so i loved exploring and climbing trees, this is right up my street.

My parents are buying me an English Heritage membership for christmas which should provide us with some fun (free-ish) days out too. Thanks

greentiger

Eye-catching is brilliant -even when you don't find the "treasure" I take my grandsons ( both just 5).

greentiger

Oops just saw I put eye catching instead of Geocaching. It can be eye catching right enough!

monnagran

You'll be fine. You already have the right attitude so you'll learn on the job. If you want inspiration at any time go on to 'A girl called Jack's' blog. (sorry, I'm pants at doing links). She brought up her son on far less money than it sounds you'll have and made a great success of it.

Regarding budgeting, I'm a great believer in the 'jam jar' method. Putting aside the amounts you will need for rent, CT, insurance, car costs, food etc as soon as you are paid so that you know the essentials are covered. As you get used to it you could put any extra you get into these accounts as well so that eventually you will be a month in credit. It's a wonderful feeling of security.
Then join the Grocery Challenge and gradually get your food spend down.

Learn to distinguish 'wants' from 'needs'.

And always remember, "The chief cause of unhappiness is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment."

I guess that what you want most is a happy and secure future for you and your child. Go for it. It's a great adventure.

Linda32

Welcome to Old Style, as you have found we are a friendly bunch.

We started out with very little as well. OH's double bed + plus sheets that his Mum had bought for that bed, a top loader video and a portable TV :rotfl:

Budgeting is the way forward, also setting aside money for yearly bills such as car insurance. I know you can pay monthly but I have found with experience that the more things you have on monthly direct debit the less you have to save. So if you can do try to budget for bills which can be paid yearly.

Best of luck and do let us know how you get on.

StarMummy_2

wow thanks Monnagran

i'm making baby steps atm and living on the budget i have set myself for when we have moved, any extra is going into savings for deposit, furniture and a bit of a financial 'cushion'.

I live in a pretty expensive area so want to be prepared.

A few little ideas I've come across so far for anyone else in a similar situation:

*With a little one and xmas around the corner I'm adopting the WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ. something she wants, something she needs, something to wear and something to read. That way all bases are covered and I shouldnt be able to go over the top on 4 gifts right? (plus the fact that it rhymes makes me rediculously happy)

*Making the most of the free tea/coffee at the office. having my morning coffee at work means No need to buy at home (just a little for when I have guests) - i did say baby steps ha ha

*My Mum wants my daughters old buggy for when my new neice stays, I told her she can have it but she insists on paying so I've agreed she get get me a vacuum in exchange

*Bulk cooking so that i only have to cook every other day, saves time, money and electric

*I work weekends for John Lewis (as well as my week office job) and they have a special partner offer atm for phone and broadband, unlimited BB and weekend/evening calls will cost me £18.50 a month inc. line rental. fixed for 5 years WOO HOO

*cineworld do £1 showings on Saturdays for kids films and our local library runs craft sessions for children at weekends too. also the glorious Abbey Gardens is a 10 minutes walk away.

*The idea of No Spending Days really appeals because I can never go in for just what i went in for.

*We have a BHF electrical and furniture store down the road which will be great for white goods.

*Gonna be brave and ask for a payrise after my 2 exams in December (wish me luck)

*I have started sending my daughter to nursery in uniform which saves a fortune on the amount of clothing I was buying, How much can one kid wear at the weekends

*Replicating a night out at home, micro popcorn, downloaded/borrowed film, and lights off =cinema. everyone bring a dish = fancy meal out/dinner party. Friends and wine = fun wherever you are

I'm sure there are more I can think off.

MY aim is to LIVE BIG spend small

I'm hoping the money saved will buy us our first proper abroad holiday next year while i can still go outside the holidays. Keycamp in the Italian lakes is the goal

roxy7699

You're very inspiring and sound like a great mum.

Florasaurus

I hear you on the spoiled princess front!! You're going to need to start saving just for a rainy day + what I tend to do is when I find something I like that's a bit out of my regular budget (we'll go for my current one - a £40 Ralph Lauren jumper... From the outlet village, of course!!) I won't let myself buy it until I've saved up 10x that amount.

So for this one I'm saving up £400 from the day I decided to get it, then when I hit it I'll be able to go and buy it. It's not the most money-savvy way to do it - obviously £400 savings would be better than £360 but it's really good motivation!! And it gives me time to think "Do I really want this or is it just a phase?" or sometime it'll be gone + I think well it just wasn't meant to be...

Good luck with your new home, I wish you all the best!!

roxy7699

Florasaurus. You remind me I used to do this but with x2 not x10. Need to bring this back.