When an unexpected expense ruins plans temporarily

Chrysanthemum5

Ergh meant to be paying 500.00 next month off some of our debt but we have had to change childcare and have to give two months notice AND pay for a new nursery AND a deposit.

It's a long story but my child can't stay where he is until notice is up to start at the new nursery so that's a new £180 and £150 deposit and the current fees of £140 next month which means less for debts but never mind these things happen.

Can anyone else share in my annoyance Of unexpected stuff which scuppers plans

andyfromotley

Oh what a pain.

Since i have started my DFW journey there has been something each and every month. My budget never works out as plans and always takes quite a bit of shuffling around. Double mortgage payment one month (don't ask) Travel insurance all taken in one go. etc etc Luckily the budget has enough in it to scrape by (thats one of the fab things about YNAB, you can see every penny and make sensible decisions about where to steal the money from.

These events have become less each month as i learn how to plan. Every time this happens i ask myself is this likely to happen again. If the answer is yes then i start a category for it and save each month.

I ALWAYS bang on about the security of an Emergency Fund of around £1000. I know its difficult to build up and people are often keen to tackle debt, but it is an amazing buffer and funnily enough once you have some money to cope with the unexpected these things tend to happen much less!

Onwards and upwards mrs.

Chrysanthemum5

Thanks Andy you keep going too

Sorry to sound a right moan

Kate_fixing_it

When it comes to the wellbeing of children to hell with debt repayment! This may not be the "right" attitude but it's the way I feel. I've pulled DS2 and DD2 out of their "regulated" (in the loosest sense of the word) childcare because it affected their wellbeing and in turn mine.

I wouldn't condone missing debt repayments for extravagant gifts or holidays but these things sometimes have to happen. Don't beat yourself up about it. You'll still pay the debt but necessities come first.

Kate x

Sellurgranny

Always always always happens doesnt it! Almost to the point that you really need to 'expect the unexpected' because its gonna creep up on you one way or another. Like Andy said, an emergency buffer fund is the way to go although its hard to put aside debt repayments and concentrate on putting away money instead of throwing them at the debts.

Maybe try to make a bit extra this month to counteract it? sell some unwanted stuff on fleabay or gumtreee?

Chrysanthemum5

Thanks Kate I really needed to hear that and it made me feel better.

Sellurgranny thank you I have just put some stuff on ebay x

crazy_cat_lady

I had to take my DD out of nursery with about an hour of notice, and find her a new place within the week. Well, I didn't have to - but I didn't want to leave her there another second. That was 8 years ago now, and I still don't regret that my childcare costs were doubled for about 3 weeks. I totally agree with Kate.
And these things will always crop up... I have recently had to replace both freezer and washing machine, plus a really expensive vet bill.
You'll get there - just don't give up trying.

Bobarella

I think for me that's the most important thing that CCL ends with. 'Don't give up trying'. It's so easy to feel deflated and all or nothing about plans that don't work out. But I've learned it's just no good to take that view.
One thing that may work for you is it set yourself a minimum target of debt repayment each month and then a stretch target. I have been doing this for a few months and it's been incredibly motivating. At least you know the mins are done most months but it sounds like you just can't go above that this month.
I agree with the others who have said that childcare is very important though. So not something to feel guilty over.

dancingfairy

Well I guess maybe a year ago or so, if you're like most people you probably would have just added it to your debt and forgotten about it. At least now you are taking steps to tackle your debt and are aware of things, but yes it is incredibly frustrating.
Being debt free is great, but not if it comes at a cost, some things (like the safety, and welfare of your children, and your own peace of mind) are more important.
Stick with it, onwards and upwards (or downwards for the debt ).
df

catwoman73

Will you get some money back from the old nursery so it will even out in the end?

It sounds like this expense is truely 'unexpected' but is the type of thing that an emergency fund should be built into your budget before debt payments to cover - non specific unexpected payments.

Note that this is different to things like white goods replacement, car repairs and vet bills. If you have a house, pet or car, these things will happen sooner or later, so you should expect to spend money on these items sooner or later and include provision in your budget for them, again before debt repayments. If you are lucky and go a few months/couple of years without anything going wrong, it's probably justified in sending some of the saved money to your creditors but you should always ensure that you have enough money available to buy a new washing machine (eg £250) or a similar amount for vets bills or car repairs (vet bills may be less if you have insurance and only have to pay the excess).

sugarcube84

Exactly as Kate said, it's not like you are using money to pay for posh holidays, meals out or expensive gifts.


The wellbeing of your children is much more important.You won't look back in 10 years time and think I wish I had paid my debts off a month earlier.


Although good advice from Andy, try and build an emergency fund.