Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

Kitten868

Sounds like youre getting there. Well done. Don't feel bad about using that money not for debt, it's much better that you've got that money for summer because of your good planning. I think you're brilliant balancing everything. You make your money go so far xxxx

MERFE

I don't know about balancing, it feels like juggling and I keep dropping balls. I'm anxious about getting all the uniform for September, youngest came home with holes in the knees of his trousers so I've turned them into shorts, I have some next size up trousers but they are far too long at the moment so hoping he grows a good few inches over summer. Kids are going on their residential next week and I need to get them some notepads and pens and disposable cameras over the weekend but we have everything else they need. Oldest got a letter home to say the new school is doing a residential in September, I don't see how they can even organise one for when kids have just started the school but it'd be her 4th big trip so we explained she probably couldn't go to it. I need to be saving for middle one to do a water based activity week as he missed out when they changed schools plus the school have said because yr5 are going on the residential this year they may not do one next year so I really don't think it'd be fair she's had 3 and he may only get 1 trip. I guess they just have to be grateful for what they have had so far, I just hate the thought of them missing out.

I think we are going to need the week away in the summer, I know it'd do hubby some good. I hate sleeping anywhere else though but it'll be nice not to have to cook and the beaches are lovely just getting there that costs so much.

I think having plans and things to look forward to really helps. We have the ultimate buying a house goal but sometimes that can seem such a long way off so instead its having a nice summer with a little break.

Kitten868

Juggling act sounds about right. But you're definitely ahead of the pit stops that catch me off guard. I definitely think the school are taking the micky. I don't see how families are supposed to finance it all. X

MERFE

It was partly the school change, she had a water activity week in year 5 in May, the sept year 6 went on her residential. Changed schools in Nov and new school was doing the year 6 residential in May at the end of the year but because its a tiny village school its whole of class so includes year 5. I didn't mind the extra trip but the letter from secondary about another one, well that really is too much. I bet they do a year 8 trip too. Youngest going to the Zoo on Friday, what happened to these little day trips, so much more affordable.

Anyway after worrying about getting their uniforms, I applied for a cleaning job, its just sat mornings in holiday lets so probably only for summer but sounds perfect, its only up the road and I got a call straight away. Going up there this sat for a trial.

milasavesmoney

Our schools (US) don't do any trips, other than day, until they are much older and those are club trips. The day trips are paid for by the schools. My daughter went to France, with the French club, in her Senior year for a week and we paid for her expenses.

The Sat cleaning job sounds ideal. Fingers crossed!

MERFE

I went on a long weekend to France in year 8, before that it was only day trips. I paid for the long weekend out my savings though so I suppose I could give eldest the choice to go but she pays out her savings, she hasn't got a lot though, I'd rather she kept it. She hasn't even said anything about it. We have found out there is a later bus 3 evenings a week so she can do some afterschool activities, they had said before that there wasn't one so need to double check this. Problem of having them in different schools, I need to be picking the youngest up so cant go get her.

MERFE

Worked 9-2, completely exhausted. It's really hard work, all my muscle ache so good exercise and getting paid for it, bonus. It's so close to home as well so very convenient. I was so nervous before I went.

Got all week to recover.

milasavesmoney

I very much admire you for taking this job to pay for your kiddos uniforms. It shows just how serious you are about getting out of debt. Great job !!!

MERFE

Thanks Mila, tbh I don't mind cleaning. I hate tidying especially after other people but I quite like cleaning. 5 hours of making beds and non stop hovering and moving furniture though was pretty tiring.

Half terms going well. Beach at the weekend, its been so lovely. Kids been to the park, visit family. Today my son had a friend round and hubby took them go karting, part of his birthday treat so came in the birthday budget. Might take them to the cinema Thursday as its £1.99 a ticket for the morning show. Going to the beach again tomorrow so then its just Friday morning to entertain them, Friday afternoon we all go to the dentist, no fun.

Been looking at decent bunkbeds for the boys, couldn't help myself. There are so many great ones with storage and their rooms quite big and empty. But I reminded myself I have no money for this and the ones they have do the job even if I hate them. So glad I didn't get something we didn't need but cross at myself for not being able to give them everything. I am itching so much to decorate the kids rooms and make them nice but there is little you can do in rented houses.

Oh I found my youngests school trousers, they were at the bottom of his toy box because that is how boys tidy up grrr. At least I don't need to worry so much about replacing them now until sept. Just got to replace his shoes he has been stopping the bikes at school with his toes and worn them out so just going to get a cheap pair to last till the end of term.

MERFE

I love the school holidays, when the sun is out. Been to the beach, kids asked for everything, can we go in the arcades if we are good, can we have ice cream, can we go on the rides. I let them have an ice cream each for walking back to the car nicely, there are a couple of really busy roads to cross and the youngest can be a pest especially since my hands are full of beach stuff.

Got home to tax credit renewal form and we've finished making the repayments so that is going up next month at last. Spent it hundred times over in my head, new trainers for my daughter, sandals for them all, new wetsuit for daughter and beach shoes for them all too. We will be at the beach enough over summer to warrant the spends.

Going to a large country park tomorrow with a picnic so just need parking money. Then Swimming Saturday afternoon. Restful Sunday before school on Monday.