Crunchy pays it down....£20k...the final chapter

crunch_time

Just checking in as managed to save myself a lot of money this afternoon.

First, we have decided not to send Ds to pre school 3 days a week after Easter so that is £320 from the April budget now back in our pockets. We shall go to the local playgroup instead.

Also husband has decided not to go on the stag do that isn't even in the budget on my signature but I had ear marked a down payment of £300 coming out next week. Apparently he reckons it will cost double this anyway.

So that's £600 towards us. Maybe I will treat myself to a steam cleaner next week!

Xx

crunch_time

Morning diary

So I ordered the furniture we have wanted for dds bedroom last night. It's from kea of i and cost £150 ish including delivery. So that will come out of the £300 for the stag do when husband gets paid.

He is back tonight after 5 days away. I wouldn't say I've had lots of quality me time. When the kids have gone to bed I have either exercised or just crashed out as I'm so exhausted. Single parents - I take my hat off to you.

Dd is so tiresome at the moment. She deliberately gets up to mischief to get attention (even though she gets loads). Mischief is climbing on everything, eating at food or screaming really loudly. Looking forward to this phase ending. But also sad as that means she is growing up.

Planning to bake cakes and stay at home today, playing. Then need to do my work tonight. Two more working days then the Easter hols!!!

Happy Sunday everyone

Xx

DebtFree2012

Hope the ropiness feeling wore off and great news on the extra money

crunch_time

Morning debt free wannabes!!!

Thanks debtfree2012 - still feeling ultra tired and sore throaty but nothing has come out yet so to speak.

Working week done! 2.5 weeks off now so happy days!!! Just checked bank accounts and all is ok ready for husband to be paid tomorrow.

A few bits have bids on them on bay of e so hoping to do some posting and more slushing of the credit card next week.

I'm currently making a list of free things to do with the kids over Easter hols so we don't get bored.

Looking forward to some signature updating tomorrow

Crunchy xx

crunch_time

Morning!

Husbands pay day today! So £275 off the loan meaning the loan now stands at £13,477 and total debt £15,607.

Weirdly, husband got paid an extra £500 this month. I'm not getting too excited as this has happened before and I chucked it at debt and then we were short the next month so needed to spend on credit card. Husband will look into it this morning. Hoping its an end of year bonus.

Will keep you posted!

Crunchy x

crunch_time

Well it was £900 bonus annihilated by 40% tax so that's £500 towards the credit card leaving only £398 left and then its cleared!!!!!

Total debt now stands at £15,107!!! Very happy with that!

Now just got to stick to the budget for April and then we will be in the £14,xxx when I get paid on the 19th!

A few bills came in yesterday - water bill monthly has gone up £8, council tax has gone up £5. As a result I'm going to try really hard to stick to a £70 a week food budget.

Its going to be hard but I'm going to try.

Happy Thursday that is really a Friday everyone!!

Crunchy xx

crunch_time

I'm pleased to announce that with the remainder of the bonus (£20) and with some of the money remaining from the April budget that would have gone on debt....I have bought a STEAM CLEANER!!!

(the one recommended to me - but from JL)

Should arrive next week. I'm making a mental list of things to clean!!

In other news - a few bits are finishing on bay of e today. Four in total. I'm going to use the money to buy DD some new spring bits from the second hand shop.

Right - need to do some cleaning and tidying and do a meal plan for the week ready for the sains shop after lunch.

Rock and roll

Crunchy xx

crunch_time

Happy Easter Debt free wannabes!!!

So I made about £18 on bay of e after fees and postage. That will enable me to pick up a few second hand bits for DD this week!!

I've got to wait until April 1st before I can list anymore bits or relist bits that didn't sell.

In other news, we saw a friends adorable puppy yesterday which I'm afraid to say has put the 'dog plan' firmly high up on the agenda again.

Id love to get a rescue dog but we cant as we have small children so it will have to be a puppy for now and then a rescue dog when the children are much older.

Ideally we would be a bit further forward with debt repayments, however, life is for living and it really would complete us. The events that are happening in the world at the moment have really made me think and take stock of what is important.

We know what we want so its just a case of researching and finding one now not to mention saving up the money. Hopefully it will happen this year.

Its looking a lot like Spring now! Husband and I have started to think about the vegetable patch and what is needed to get it up and running.

Anyway, have a lovely Easter Sunday everyone.

Crunchy xx

mummytogirls

Evening Crunchy! Just popping in to say you're going to LOVE the steam cleaner! They're ace, I have a vax one and its great for keeping on top of the oven etc.

Do you know which breed of dog you might go for? We have our 11 year old labrador, he is lovely and so good with kids. Do you think you might go for something a bit smaller? xx

crunch_time

Morning everyone!

I've had a real nasty throat infection since Monday. Not been able to talk for a few days but now seem to be on the mend. The 'ropiness' must have been the start of it DF2012!

It looks like husband has got it now as well. Lets hope the kids don't get it. Not a great start to the first week off but never mind.

I gave husband the food account card on Tuesday so he could buy food and although I have seen the fruits of his labours (a rather yummy shepherds pie), I am yet to see the damage it has done to my food budget. Give him money he will spend it, unfortunately. I need to do a food shop today so will do a meal plan and hopefully I wont need to get as much and we will stay within our budget.

The steam cleaner has arrived!!! I haven't had a real chance to use it properly yet. I feel it needs more attachments though it only has a triangle and a carpet glider. I need it to do sofas - how do I do that?

mummytogirls - we love wire haired fox terriers, cockapoos and beagles. Will have to get a puppy there is no way around it but they will cost £800-£1000 from a reputable breeder. As you all know, we certainly don't have that kind of money lying around but I could put it back on the agenda for this year. I'm just really worried I wont get a job for September and we will be down my salary and have another mouth to feed and would really like £1000 sitting in a savings account in case there are any emergencies. I also love how much our debt is going down at the moment (aside from cleaning instrument purchases) and would like to keep up that momentum.

I say I'm worried, I find myself secretly wishing I don't get a job as I would love to be a stay at home mum for a bit. Id love to get DS settled in school and be there for him and spend some quality time with DD. Husband earns the same now as we both did together 2 years ago. Half my salary would go on childcare anyhow and it would only be temporary. I think it would be a good lesson to us as well. I think we become very reliant on having 2 salaries allowing ourselves to splurge every now and then and then my salary just absorbs it.

Husband says to keep an eye out on the jobs board for ones that meet my criteria and go for them so I will do that. I also dream about jobs that I can do working from home which enable me to earn £400 - £600 a month working in my own time. Then I wont have to pay child care and have the stress of my job and juggling it all. Any ideas are welcome!! Seriously, I fantasise about growing all our own veg and making everything from scratch - it really would be living the dream. I could then go back to work seriously when DD is 3 and gets her free hours having set all of this up.

I suppose whatever will be will be. Any advice or stories from anyone in my position very welcome.

Crunchy xx