Debt-Free wanna be vs Maternity pay. Determined to stay on track.

Chandelier.

Keep going Hannah you're doing well.

I find when I'm feeling a bit unmotivated intend to just read a few diaries that get me going again.

I hope your son has a lovely birthday next week:)

hannahroberts1985

Thanks Chandelier

Nap time here for the boys so I've had a brew and read a diary I used to. Still feeling meh but this is due to pmt and will pass in a day or two.

Food shop done £68 totally over the £20 quick pop in I thought we needed but all things were needed and will get eaten. I'm dieting at the mo so need to have plenty of fruit and veg in plus the picnics later in the week so hopefully have enough in to scrap a few decent picnics together with. Also Teacher gifts for when schools break up sorted in that too so that's one spend of the list of things we need to buy. £32 left on the card so I'll use this for any extra BBQ bits we need for next weekend as we are having family over for DS's birthday then maybe a little diesel for our days out.

I really need to go have a quick tidy up before the boys wake up but can not find my motivation. Think I'll get out for a walk when they are both up a it of fresh air might help me feel less meh!

X

Poor_Single_lady

Hello- just wanted to pop in and let you know that you are definitely not alone

I think everyone is feeling the battle but you have 40% paid off and that's brilliant.

I looked up your YouTube link on my page. A bit of a revelation really. Magazines are off my shopping list I promise.

I think most people think everyone else is flush with cash but in reality Hardly anybody is.

Keep going. You are doing so well money-wise and raising 2 children. The mortgage will come, just not yet. xx

hannahroberts1985

Thanks Hun. I used to read mag and always had body issues and never felt good enough and spent too much to compensate. Try following some beauty reports fashion people on instagram or Pinterest to get your fix. You can even look up home made skin masks etc on Pinterest for when you get a hankering to try something new. X

hannahroberts1985

Eugh just handed in Kian's form for preschool next term and I'm trying to cut him down to one day a week to try use the free childcare hours for the childminder and the teacher isn't happy. She said the funding is for education not child care to which I argued the first 15 are for education and the next 15 are to help cover costs. She's going to check my childminder is qualified to accept the education funded first 15 hours. Fingers crossed she is. I know it's not ideal him only going one day a week but I need to save to buy a house for him too! Each extra 4 hour day at preschool will cost me £80 a month so really going to try and not up him yet. I will up his hours gradually as the year passes and he gets nearer to starting school full time but every penny counts right now. Man I feel like crying! I want to send him more of course I do so not sure what's the right thing to do. Aghhhh!

reality_check

Aww that's a shame, she sounds like a jobsworth! I hope your childminder is qualified in the education part and it works out how you want it to. It is ridiculous how expensive childcare is, no wonder people don't see the point in working!! xx

hannahroberts1985

Is a small village school and they are struggling for numbers I think and DS does struggle following their agenda but he's just turning three he's still so little. On a bad month we can save £300 I'm not about to half that to pay for my son to be in school and away from me a year earlier than needed. I'm already away from him three days a week as it is with work then once he starts school properly I'll have one full day off a week with him as I work Saturdays so I will enjoy time with him while I can. X

debbie_debt

Hi Hannah,

Just wanted to check in to say you're definitely not alone! I look around and see my friends and family with big houses and brand new BMWs, thinking why can't we live like that? The truth is, I've had the flash cars on finance and bigger houses, but that's how I've got where I am financially with debt. They're probably all using credit cards to make up the short fall every month too, and might be facing their own light bulb moment in a few years time. You can't compare yourself to anyone else. This is your journey and you have to focus on that.

I'm currently sat in Asda car park wondering if I can afford to get my son a McDs on the way in and determined to otherwise stick to my very small list. I feel like life isn't fair, but then I'm sat with my £190 Radley handbag as a stark reminder of why I'm in debt and skint.

Chin up. I'm with you x

hannahroberts1985

Oh it's a battles isn't it. It's only a happy meal the brain says but if we don't constantly have those chats with ourselves it turns into bigger and bigger things and before we know it we're saying it's just a new handbag. Like you say we have had our light bulb moments and don't want to live with that horrible debt feeling anymore. It'll be so worth it when we can spend guilt free!

Picked DS up from school and his photos were in his tray. It's s lovely photo but he doesn't wear a uniform so think I'll pass on them this time £18 for one photo! Absolute madness! Id much rather spend £18 on a family day out making memories and taking my own photos!

debbie_debt

That was very disciplined of you! Well done :-) I ended up getting the mcds, but got a deal for completing a survey with a code on my last receipt, getting a Big Mac and chips for £1.99, which fed us both for lunch (he only ever eats chips there anyway lol). I didn't think £1.99 for lunch for 2 people was too bad!