Making the pennies work the other side of maternity leave

mummylewis

Hi everyone!

I've almost started this at least 3 times and just got the courage to actually put it up so here goes!
Debts (shared between me and husband):
Loan 1: £6.4k
Loan 2: £1.8k
Credit card 1: £1.7k
Credit card 2: £2.6k
Overdraft: £400
Owe mum: £2k
Mortgage: £105k

I'm a bit obsessed with spreadsheet and budgeting every month but we always seen to go over despite that! I've been more lenient because I've been on maternity leave and that if weve needed something ive just bought it.

Over the lot of debt we repay £450 per month. I've just had my last SMP payday and next payday is all my accrued annual leave so I should get an extra £600 than I've been used to, that'll go straight off the overdraft and loan 2 (higher interest rate). There's a small Chance of a work bonus in the next few months too, I'm not pinning my hopes on it, but If It does come through itll be around £400 which will again go off loan 2.

Mortgage deal ends at the end of Nov, currently paying £650 per month, when I've got a couple months higher income on my file ill switch over and could save up to £150pcm. That would immediately go onto overpayments to loans.

I'm thinking of switching the credit cards to a 0% one because I wont get them paid off quick enough and that's just too much interest to be paying.

I've been selling on eBay too, stuff me and husband used to collect but since having our daughter our priorities have rightly changed! I should get £18.59 back off PayPal soon as I was charged twice for seller fees last month. With any luck someone will bid on my auctions that end tomorrow and that'll be another £50.

Its a slow process but im so determined, theres a lot we want/need to do to the house and i dont want to wait forever for it (incredibly impatient!!) So that's why I'm here, I'm going to get back on track, saving and the ultimate dream of overpaying on the mortgage!!

ML x

mummylewis

I've just remembered too that it's Saturday and I've switched to British gas freetime. Going to do all the laundry, baking and ironing today! (Well, as much as I can during nap times )

Grunge_girl

Hello ML,
Good luck with your new diary and money saving plans. Sounds like you have a busy day planned.

mummylewis

Thank you
On third load of laundry and about to finish sewing the hems on some curtains, using all the electricty I can before it stops being free at 5pm!

mummylewis

Also decided to sell some more collectibles on eBay. I don't need them, wont use them and they're gathering dust. If i schedule them to start tomorrow to run a week, I'll have the best chance of selling with an auction ending when people are most likely browsing

FacelessNumber

Just wanted to say hi! :hello:


Sounds like you've got a plan, which is a good first step! I'm with you on home improvements - why do they cost so much, takes forever to save up for them!!


Hope you get everything done today that you're planning to. Will subscribe to your diary and follow to see how things go!

mummylewis

Thank you for the support!

Not quite as productive as id like (daughter just would not nap this afternoon!) But got my laundry done, a bit of sewing and there's a cake cooling on the side, so not too bad! I won't rush to do the ironing now that it's not free though - DH can do it later!
Smart meter happily sat on 94p and as I haven't been out today it's been a no spend day.

Working tomorrow and considering leaving my purse at home as not to be tempted to buy anything when out and about. When I get back to work I'm going to do packed lunches as it is just too easy to buy from the cafe (good discount but still!) And it used to all add up, that and it's also easy to pick the caramel slices and pastries! (Also determined to lose the post preg belly!)

ML x

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary

mummylewis

Thank you very much!

Today was a very sucessful no spend day. blagged a free sandwhich from work because i didnt have time to stop (and my colleague threw in a free brownie to my bag too!)

Got my expenses sorted too so I have my food cash back in its purse ready for the mini top ups.

Looking forward to a low cost week!

mummylewis

Only £1.25 spent today on some oranges for my husband's lunch box.

Made plans with a friend later in the week but will drink soda/lime and eat healthily to keep costs down. I don't go out much so I'm really looking forward to this.

3 weeks and 5 days 'til payday. £70 to last me. Shouldn't be a problem.

MLx

FacelessNumber

Sounds like the spends are under control at the moment! I'm aiming for an NSD but the shop down the road is calling to me I'm having a quiet day at work so harder to distract myself!