Sorry but help needed n some thrifty ideas?

camNolliesMUMMY

Hi!!!

At the moment me hubby n kids are having a very tough financial month.

Insurance excess to pay broken tv. both boys bdays this month, my car tax due, overdrawn and renovating a house (atm paying rent and a mortgage)

I've claimed back credit from water provider.
And today will be doing a list of what's in the cupboards n fridge freezer.

I've switched elec n gas provider at both properties as was getting stung with standing charges for one property that's empty!!! Bill was £35 each I think but usage £1.20!!! So I switched to ebico.

Council tax at house has been given a discount due to being un liveable.

Water is turned off in property and notified water company.

Iam a smart savvy shopper but do believe I could get away with not doing a normal shop on Monday. I do shop at aldi n highly rate it. Average spend is £45 a week for all four including nappies.

My son is two and I really want to try and potty train him as well as save money, how do I know if he's ready? Ds1 was potty trained at nursery but now I'm a full time mum it's all on me to teach him things.

I've been walking loads with the kids lately whilst eldest is off for two weeks. we've been going to local church halls n meeting places for crafts and games. Ds2's bday was last Thursday and using £10 out of the money he had from family for his bday we went to the charity shop, spent £5 on games (twister, downfall, craft material bucket and a jigsaw) kids are very happy.

Will continue to walk to and from school to save petrol when he's back.

I cook from scratch anyway but also we are on a good carb diet.
Hardly any white potatoes (mash I use a sweade, chips I use sweet potato, rice I use bulgur wheat, pasta hardly eat anyway so more bulgur lol we do love it and porridge/weetabix for breakfast.

what have I not thought of?
We are atm £600 overdrawn this hasn't happened ever before because I think I'm on the brink of melt down even at £100 overdrawn!

I'm trying to stay calm n not freak out because the last thing I want is my marriage at breaking point.

Tax credits are paid every Monday, cb monthly and dh gets paid 28th of each month.

I've delayed kids savings for two months it's not a lot but it's something!
Checked minimum payments on credit card so we don't get into trouble.
Keeping an eye on my phone contract usage.
TV package has been brought down.

Good news dh gets a bonus in May and we can pay our credit card off which we uses for paying for materials for the house and our friend is a builder/plasterer and has given us a very good rate! His money is in another account to pay him in full.

I guess once we've moved it will be a big weight off our minds and a lot less stress (2 months maximum until move).

I need to find ways of clawing back more money.

flowertotmum

O sweetheart..i don't really have any advice..you seem to be doing it already..
Just take a moment and relax..
As for potty training well just have a go..if he is not interested don't force the issue..make a huge fuss if he does do a wee in the potty..we do the potty dance..basically we did a conga dance to the loo to flush it..singing " Iris did a wee wee in the potty hey..wee wee in the potty.." sounds daft but it works..and i hope that made you smile..
You have your eye on it all hun and it is stressful..but it will get better..at least you haven't buried your head in the sand..chin up babe your doing great.
love
ftm

flowertotmum

Sorry me again..have you got any things to sell on e*ay..that would help a bit..not much i know but it may.
ftm

camNolliesMUMMY

Aw shucks!! Thanks
We bought the house to get out of this council flat with no garden. Got the house cheap n just managed to get the mortgage with only one income.
But it will be worth it, it's a total back to bare brick job.

Luckily messy work is all done and it's plaster boards going up and plastering ver the next two weeks.

I've asked hubby if we can move in and then decorate to save money, he's agreed.

Kitchen will be ordered from ikea £10 deposit compared to wickes £360 deposit. And will also pay a chunk off with dh bonus.

The conga dance you do reminds me of "look who's talking" lol
And it did make me grin. X

camNolliesMUMMY

Samsung 3d glasses as tv is beyond repair and il be confirming with insurer we are happy with replacement lg brand. So glasses will no longer be needed. We don't own anything of value that's not being already used.

I did sell my old iPhone on ebay n tbh had nothing but trouble. Buyer tried saying I didn't list it properly, I have fought this as everything was listed properly and I've not heard anything for a month.

flowertotmum

Your welcome..thing is there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you know it..
Yes the conga did come from that film..i did it with all my babies..
Well done on getting the house..o lovely a new kitchen lucky you..
Hun your not alone and sometimes you just need to let it out..
Its even better for you to move in and save a lot more money..no rent just mortgage..that will ease it for you.

Yes some buyers can be a nightmare..kids clothes sell well in bundles..if you haven't heard anything then i think its ok but don't hold me to it lol..
ftm

camNolliesMUMMY

I keep trying to tell myself it's only temporary. But me n hubby are very ms he hates owing I love savvy food shopping, all clothes are from primarni but only when money is ok or desperate for something.
Flat gas n elec is on pre payment, I try and top up enough to last a month when dh gets paid.
Just checked my diary this week and last week were rent free weeks thank god.

flowertotmum

See rent free weeks are great..good idea with the gas and elec..
I know it can be hard when you both don't like owing money ..i hate it and so does my hubby..but you have a plan and a goal..you can move into your house and get cracking..its an adventure for you both..
I love making different meals and saving money on food..i shop around and use old recipes from very old books lol..
When can you move in..the sooner the better i hope..
ftm

cats_ahoy

http://www.frugalqueen.co.uk/ http://thriftylesley.com/ http://agirlcalledjack.com/ are all good websites for cheap eating, if you already cook from scratch you'll be saving a lot of money through that, but these websites are good for lowering the food budget even more.

kboss2010

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

Flat gas n elec is on pre payment, I try and top up enough to last a month when dh gets paid.

That's something you need to change right there! It may be convenient but I'm from a family where everyone has these and I have always refused - they cost a small fortune! First thing I did when I moved into my current property was get them to take out the pre-payment meter and put in a proper one with a reading display because the mark-up is hair raising.

Many people are afraid to switch from pre-payment meters because they are scared of spiralling costs but as long as you get a good fixed tariff and regularly update your meter readings it will save you money.

camNolliesMUMMY

Thanks for that. We are paying normal rates on the meter as ebico is no standing charge and I'm sure the rates were the same for a non credit meter. We have no debt on either meter. But il give them a ring to see if they can be taken out?