Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

MERFE

Been on our sun holiday to haven, spent more than I planned but then I think I was unrealistic about how much we needed. Luckily we have it spare this month but I was hoping to pay even more off the MBNA. We've been so lucky with the weather this week too so lots of time was at the beach, no spending there. Would definitely book again, I think the Sun holiday only worked out about £30 cheaper than booking direct as well so may go same time next year. Missed hubby but he enjoyed his peaceful sleep. Only need to take the kids out 3 days next week so he can sleep, if the weather is still good that should be easy.

Doing a car boot tomorrow, hoping to declutter alot and make back some of that extra we spent on holiday.

MERFE

Car boot went really well, took £124 home after pitch fee and OH spent £5. Kids had a few quid each too but the real bargain was middle child got himself a wave board for £2, he had asked for one for his birthday and I was looking at £50 for one so now he can get something else. Was well worth doing. Have organised everything that is left as well so getting those bits listed on ebay should be easier.

MERFE

So all the 0% offers are due to run out in June and july, we got an offer on OH barclaycard for 0% with only 0.9% transfer fee which I thought was quite good. We have transferred everything to the one card. This includes OH halifax card that I hadn't been keeping a track of because it wasn't a joint debt and was all his. This means we have only 1 payment coming out now but the balance is £6249 - So bascially back to where I started the thread. That's a little disheartening but it all needs to be gone and I think it'll be gone faster with me looking after it than him. My original DFD didn't include his card so I don't think there is any chance of it being gone by june next year. I am going to aim for december 2018, which works out about £300 a month to try and pay off. This should be doable.

MERFE

Balance transfer has all gone through. Cancelled both the halifax cards. So we now have the MBNA and OH santander for just incase or if another balance transfer is needed but hopefully not. I am back on track this month with the grocery shopping, that got a little out of control in march and april so been sticking to it tight this month with meal planning, got loads growing on the allotment too, strawberries will be ready soon.

MERFE

I have a new job working full time so will be able to get the card paid off asap and saving for a deposit straight after. Going to be paid weekly but that should be fine as OH covers all the household bills. Couldn't have come at a better time tbh, will lose all our tax credits but £100 a month isn't much compared to what I can earn, be so nice not to be relying on them as well. It's amazing the difference a year makes isn't it. Didn't think I was ever going to find work this time last year.

Golightly72

Congratulations Merfe, great news on the new job! You will have those cards paid off in no time.

MERFE

Thanks Golightly.

2 days into training and seems to be going well so far. I think this was going to be the best move for us as a family going forward. It's half the commute that waitrose was and the hours should be better too although could still end up doing weekends but I am hoping that is just occassionally as they have part time staff that cover them mostly. Looking forward to pay day already. Will only be getting half what OH gets but it still feels good to be contributing.

MERFE

First payday and the money has disappeared straight away as car insurance was due. Next 2 weeks will pay for tickets to visit my dad for a week in the summer. After that I want to save to get the cambelt done on the car whilst I'm away as it's been due a while and keep putting it off. Then I should be able to start overpayments, debt should be all gone by next summer easily enough. Have been going over food budget now OH is cooking rather than me so might need to look into that and do a few slow cooker meals before I leave in the morning.

MERFE

Start of the summer holidays. Sorted out school uniforms for next year. The secondary school completely changed their uniform so it meant the oldest needed all new instead of just replacing outgrown bits, which is frustrating. Still by ordering before the end of term we got a 10% discount, still got their trousers and shirts from asda though. Just need to get shoes at the end of summer. Youngest only needs shoes since he has both the older 2 primary uniforms now.

I'm taking the kids to visit my dad for a week so OH can sleep, although they are all alot better at keeping the noise down at home now. Not looking forward to the journey with them without OH, it's a 3 hour ferry ride after 2 hours driving. I have bought a couple of travel games and some cards and travel sickness tablets just incase. Fingers crossed for some nice weather.

Paying the debts is simple now it's all just one payment a month. Usually I pay the minimum when the bill comes in then any extra depending how much we have spare. Going to be a bit less over summer with day trips out and having to spend so much on the uniform. Also got OH to speak to his work about his pay because he gets a set amount but most months have 4 fridays in he gets 4 weeks pay then months with 5 fridays he gets 5 weeks pay. So trying to get it sorted to same every month just to make budgeting easier, they have said it should be possible so going to look into with the finance dept. He is paid last friday each month. I am just thinking ahead to when everything changes to universal credit rather than tax credits it will make a difference as its calculated monthly rather than yearly.

MERFE

Grr hubby got a money transfer from the barclaycard whilst I was away. Not for alot £225 but not for anything essential plus he has over £100 of his own misc savings he could have used towards what he wanted. He says he is going to pay it off though and it's still on 0% just when I thought he was on the same page.