I want to stop drowning

Storm89

Oh that's a good idea to draw out the actual cash. I bet that feels better cos you can actually see the money ,I might try that myself. Good luck

enthusiasticsaver

debtaghh wrote: »

I forgot to mention that I won £75 the other day on a charity raffle. I also have sold some bits that I listed on eBay.... £20 all adds up! ( I'm putting the £75 in a pot for the summer holidays).

All these bits add up and little extra bits going towards days out or holidays or the odd meal out help keep you going. You are in this for the long haul so life has to be about more than debt busting.

debtaghh

Morning,

I was given £15 yesterday from my dad so have put that in the summer holiday pot. I also had a nsd and am due to have another nsd today.

I was talking to dh yesterday and saying how in Jan we had our most frugal month and how I think it's linked to the fact that I was reading regularly a frugal blog. I'm going to start reading the old posts again.

I was thinking about summer holiday spending and how much will I need? This is a difficult one as dd will be off for 12 weeks so it would be nice to have a bit of money to be able to do the odd thing. I'm also conscious that I don't want to be writing on here in September that I've spent a ridiculous amount. It would be nice to maybe go bowling once and the cinema as we don't really do that. We are going away ( staying in England) but it would be nice to get the odd takeaway/meal out. What amount do you think is reasonable?

Thanks for all the advice , I really do appreciate it and take it on board.

wishingthemortgaheaway

I don't know what's reasonable I'm afraid, but, what about sitting down and working out a rough plan, maybe 1 thing a week, then scouring groupon etc, saving tesc0 & nect points and seeing how much of each one you need to do.

With 12 week's off I'm assuming you DD is in gcse year (or a-level year?) then you shouldn't need to find masses to do as she really should be getting a job. So, 1 treat a week and a frugal holiday and your are all sorted.

Hope you can work something out.

Wish.

debtaghh

Thanks wish.

I've been saving any nectar points for over a year in hope they do their pizza express and cinema offer again.

I was thinking across the 6 weeks ( Ds has the usual off) one x cinema and one x bowling and maybe one x soft play ( if the weather is awful). That would prob all come to about £80 plus the odd McDonald's after them... £100. I'd like some money for the odd ice cream and chips by the beach and a couple of takeaways.

Yes dd is doing her GCSEs. I agree dd should get a job, I have been encouraging her.

enthusiasticsaver

I agree with wish that your daughter should use that 12 months to get some work experience and earn some money. Both my girls did cleaning caravans as we live in a holiday area then supermarket shelf stacking, shop work and waitressing over school holidays. Really set them up for uni and driving lessons, car etc etc.

Re summer holiday treats, one a week within your budget using groupon, Tesco clubcard, loyalty points or whatever. Some free things depending on where you live interspersed with paid for sounds reasonable.

The main thing is to cover your debt repayments and not use cards so debt not increasing and budget so much per week so maybe a takeaway after a free day out rather than bowling then Mac Donald's. If you have some free from previous week then carry it forward.

debtaghh

Thanks enthusiasticsaver. How's early retirement going?

I def feel my frugal hat is back on and I've been reading blogs all morning. Up until the other day I wanted to go away for my wedding anniversary but it would have cost over £200 ( old me would have just booked it) but I didn't. There is no way I want to WASTE that on 24 hours of fun to then have six months of depression!

wishingthemortgaheaway

Do you have any 'products' that offer 2for1 on cinema?
Also, do you have a Halifxx account? Their cashback extras are often places to eat and you can use them in conjunction with other offers as it's direct with the bank.

debtaghh

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

Do you have any 'products' that offer 2for1 on cinema?
Also, do you have a Halifxx account? Their cashback extras are often places to eat and you can use them in conjunction with other offers as it's direct with the bank.

No we don't have any products like that.

We have a Halifax reward card but that just gives us £3 a month.

System

I def feel my frugal hat is back on and I've been reading blogs all morning. Up until the other day I wanted to go away for my wedding anniversary but it would have cost over £200 ( old me would have just booked it) but I didn't. There is no way I want to WASTE that on 24 hours of fun to then have six months of depression![/QUOTE]

Hi Debtagh,

Sorry to see things had got a bit on top of you , but great you are getting you some help. The above about your anniversary is so right,. I myself like my nights away but this was what happened to me going away putting it on the CC and then left with months paying it off.

On the job front for yourself , is there anyway you could do some volunteering in something that interests you. It gets you out of the house, and back into using the skills you have .

As for DD , I am sure once her exams are over she will get a job .

It's good that you are keeping posting.

Enjoy the bank holiday.