Single mum - sink or swim!

selloptape

Thanks Bookworm, I really do need to get organised

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selloptape

Hello MFWs! Oops! It's been a while...

I've got a box stuffed full of receipts plus online banking to go through and work out to see how badly I've fallen off the wagon.

Managed to move mortgage deal a couple of months ago which has brought my payment down by £30ish a month but.... I can't remember when I last made an OP... is there a hangs head in shame emoji?

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Allotrope

I'm also a single mum and trying to put money aside... not easy! Here to follow....

selloptape

Hi Allotrope it is tough isn't it? But so rewarding. Have you got a diary too?

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selloptape

Not sure if anyone in real life will find this exciting so have to share here... Just finished adding up my receipts and spends for Aug, Sept and Oct 2016 and realised I have a whole years worth of spend diary now! Amazing! I really need to get to bed and get a decent nights sleep as I've got loads to catch up on at work tomorrow but not sure I can sleep when I can stay awake wondering how to reduce my grocery spend (£2928.59) or berate myself for not making more OPs (£530.00).

These are the yearly totals, in Excel it's broken down month by month.

BILLS
Mortgage £3,864.49
Council Tax £970.20
Water £312.62
Gas £510.56
Leccy £350.80
TV License £145.50
Internet £321.53
Phone line £0.00
mobile £411.78
DS Phone £136.50
Life insurance £392.76
Buildings + Cont Insurance £139.13


CAR
Insurance £564.30
Car Tax £0.00
Petrol £68.71
MOT/Repairs £0.00
RAC £0.00

OTHER HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES
Grocery £2,928.59
Wine £262.56
Other Transport £1,860.42
Dentist £90.06
Medicine £71.07
Entertainment £970.36
Clothes, make up £1,952.09 (inc DS clothes)
Magazines £91.27
Gifts £706.25
Holidays £812.35
House £721.92
Gym £77.20
Other £383.07

SAVINGS
Mortgage OPs £530.00
Regular Saver £240.00

TOTAL LIVING EXP OUTGOINGS £19,886.09

selloptape

Morning MFWs....

How's everyone's head today?

I had a couple of friends over for drinks last night (about £60 cheaper than a night out as cocktails and taxis avoided - must OP that to the mortgage ☺️) but now struggling to face the dreaded Christmas Eve shop.

The positive of this is that I feel absolutely grim so I won't be able to spend much :rotfl:

selloptape

Glad Christmas is over... This feels like a totally taboo take on it but it's a real black dog day for me. I think now my son is older and it's less magical then I have less to motivate me through the day. Need to think of a coping strategy for next year as crying my way through Boxing Day at my boyfriends parents was kind of embarrassing.

I bought some half price Christmas cards in the sale so will add the money saved from that to an OP in mid Jan.


To add to Jan OP
£60 (money saved on night in)
£1.50 (money saved on Xmas cards)

hiddenshadow

Can you come up with your own ideal day? I know Chinese takeaway and bad movies tend to be a tradition for my Jewish parents at Christmas , perhaps you could do your preferred variant on that.

We've opted out of most of the fuss - still make a roast dinner (because DH likes it), and exchange presents, but we don't bother with a tree or decorations. For us it feels more like a nice long weekend than a particularly special day (neither of us have ever been overly religious, though).

Nicely done on the OP additions.

selloptape

Thanks for the suggestion HS, I think trying to work out an ideal day for me would be best. My people pleasing tendencies mean I try and keep everyone else happy and I think that's adding to the pressure.

My son and I are both full of cold so we've cancelled a visit to family (Should I feel guilty that I'm excited to add a saved tank of petrol to the Jan OP list :rotfl: ) and looking forward to a duvet and movie afternoon.


Jan OP

£60 (money saved on night in)
£1.50 (money saved on Xmas cards)
£45 (estimate - enough petrol for 400 miles?)

hiddenshadow

Hope you both feel better soon!