The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

judi24

Thanks Betsycat and EE. It isn't the end of the world if a I cant re mortgage this year - my SVR is reasonable - but I could definitely fix a little lower. I will have a look at the re mortgage guide nearer the time I want to apply. I do pay over the minimum on both cards with balances so at least that's something! I guess the best plan is to just sit tight, clear my debt and keep one card open just to show I can manage it well, close all other credit related accounts that I don't use and not apply for any more credit until I am ready to apply for the re mortgage. Once I am debt free I can start overpayments anyway on my current mortgage too.


Well its blowing a gale here - but making DS and DD3 move their backsides and get out for a doodle walk - I will end up spending a little as there is bribery involved in this plan - as I will buy them an icecream once they have walked and might even nip into my favourite drinking establishment one the way home (they have a log fire and allow dogs in!) and sit in the warm with a hot chocolate and a game of cards!!! ( I know it doesn't make sense to have ice cream followed by hot chocolate but they like both!!!)


Hope everyone else is having a productive or fun day!

judi24

Well we had a lovely afternoon - after a little moaning (kids!) and a lot of nagging (me!) DS and DD3 finally got dressed and we took the Doodle out - We walked along a relatively sheltered path to start and there was a little bit of bickering between the kids but the minute we turned off the path and headed toward the village we were going to (which is on the coast line) the wind hit us and we could hardly breathe never mind argue! Every ounce of energy was spent trying to stay upright and not get blown out to sea!!! :eek: :eek: Save to say there were no cobwebs left! We stopped off for chips (the town chippy has the best chips!) followed by Ice cream (crazy as it felt about -2 degrees C) We then went to a new pub/restaurant place that lets dogs in. I had picked up a card game version of Monopoly in As*a as we love monopoly and I thought it might be fun for when we are on the train to the wedding so we played that - there was no fighting arguing or drama and the pub had several log fires and some very nice beer (shame I was driving! so could only have 1!) We stayed for hours!!!


Needless to say my plans for dinner didn't happen as we were all full - so todays dinner will now be Mondays! and we had supper instead using leftover cheese from Christmas!


Fantastic afternoon all round!!!! (spend around £20 in total! - which will come out of our entertainment budget) - but oh it was well worth the money!!! :j


Spend £40 in AS*A this morning on fresh bits and the Monopoly game - so all in all not too bad!

gill5blue

Well done Judi,
Sounds like a lovely day
Gill

judi24

It was a great day thanks Gill - I have had such a hard year last year with the kids that I was really struggling to enjoy doing things with them because of DS's behaviour - but things seem to be getting better - shame things aren't better in school! But I guess its one step at a time!

takingcontrolatlast

Hi Judi, Ive just started reading your thread and will read your previous posts as it sounds like you have achieved so much and the fact that you are a single mum is really inspiring!

Im a newbie and have decided to take control this year and its all a bit overwhelming. Im married with 2 children (well adults 21 & 18) but they are my babies but im trying to sort my debt out, my OH sorting his. The only joint debt we have is mortgage and council tax. Been through so much! Anyway im going to subscribe to your thread and keep up the excellent work

judi24

Thanks for saying hello takingcontrolatlast - I wish you well in your attempt to take control. I don't really worry about being a single parent anymore - I know I can cope financially and to some extent having complete control makes it easier. Keeping on top of other things like the house work and house maintenance is another issue! I am rubbish and need to get better!


My job for this morning (whilst drinking coffee and watching Sunday Brunch!) is to do a list of house jobs big and small!) that either need doing or I want to do and prioritise them. Then I will look at how I can afford them (or not!) while I am paying off debt.


I am so glad we went walking yesterday as the weather is miserable today and staying home seems much more appealing than venturing out! so todays plan are:


1. Freezer inventory - it is still pretty full but its less easy just to open it and see what we can have - so some planning is required!
2. Menu plan
3. Find out how to buy family rail card - (bought tickets for the trip to Scotland for the wedding saying I have one and I don't)
4. Do a list (with approximate costs) of house jobs and try to prioritise according need not want
5. Do a list of things we want to do this year with costs
6. Do a list of 'things to pay for' for the year based on the above 2 lists
7. Build new budget based on the above


This is quite a list but the last 3 have been in my head all week and probably has contributed to my low mood and poor sleep so it needs to be done!!!

KarenMM

Hi Judi, I've been lurking on your diary for a wee while now, and you are doing so well! It is definitely important to treat yourself occasionally doing things you enjoy, and it sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday!

beanielou

A happy day for the memory box :j

judi24

Thanks Beanie and Karen - it was a good afternoon!


I have just played with lists -


menu plan sorted for next week:


Tonight - crispy duck (had it in freezer so using that up as a treat!)
Monday - Pulled pork with HM potato salad and coleslaw (yesterdays dinner!)
Tuesday - left over pork in wraps with potato wedges
Wednesday - Kids - spam, egg, beans and oven chips (they love this!) me - freezer surprise!
Thursday - Stew in slow cooker
Friday - HM chicken fried rice with chip shop style curry sauce
Sat - HM lasagne with garlic bread and salad


listed big spends that I know about for the year:


Cousins wedding - £600 (hotel and spends - train is paid for already - it could be less if my gran pays towards hotel but this is worse case!)


Story telling festival (July)- £300 (£200 for actual event for the 3 of us and £100 spends) - this is a real luxury but we love it and really missed going last year!


DD3 residential with school - £300 (£266 for holiday and £44 for any bits she will need)


Summer camping trip - Cornwall I think - £1000 (£200 for site fees, £200 for roof bars and a few camping bits we might need, £100 fuel, £500 spends - would like to do some surfing with kids!)


Christmas 2015 - £1000 (a lot I know but it is probably what I will spend and I will be debt free and organised!!!:T:T)
Total = £3200 = £266 per month


My current monthly spending budget looks like this: (not including salary which covers standing orders and debt payments)


Income (CSA, DLA, CB, and DD2 rent) = £1171


Outgoings:
Groceries (including pet food and toiletries)= £300
Fuel = £50
Entertainment and fun this includes any social events, eating out, general spends, £50 kid activity budget and any alcohol bought) = £200
Child related expenses (includes clothes, clubs, pocket money £10 each and school lunches for DD3) = £150
Emergency fund = £100


Total = £800
Plus £266 for big events above


Overall monthly spending budget = £1066


Leaving me with just over £100 a month to do bits around the house


Unfortunately the list of things to do in the house is never ending!!! although a lot of the things that need doing are not that expensive but do require energy and time (de cluttering, deep cleaning etc) - which both seem to be in short supply at the moment!!! but if I can do the small bits and keep on top of things when I am debt free I can start putting money aside for the big things! (and overpaying my mortgage!!!:j)

takingcontrolatlast

Hi Judi, you have had a productive morning:) You are not on your own with regards housework and maintenance being an issue - i would describe my home as "lived in";)! Everyone mucks in to some extent though constant battle with my 18yr old to do anything voluntary :mad:

Ive noticed a lot people freeze food - apologies for being stupid but its something ive never done (i do have freezer with peas, fish, ice cream, chips and ice for the alcohol) being the main ingredients. Im just not sure what HM food i can freeze - any tips where to begin?