From debt to freedom...

savingholmes

Glad the debts are reducing. Glad you got to the sea again too

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Janb5, Lucielle and SH.

Glad to have got through another week. I picked up an extra shift at Job 2 yesterday, which will offset the loss of money from  a shift next week, that I have to miss in order to do work for Job 1. I now have the accommodation costs put away for DD1’s graduation, so just need to save the petrol costs now.

savingholmes

Well done on squaring the accommodation costs. Good luck with finding the rest of the money. My DS's graduation is in around 2 weeks time will be lovely to see him again - but yes a lot of fuel - and the cost of a family meal - and seeking my Ex.

Spendless

Well done on being so close to finishing off the credit card. How many payments do you think to get it gone?  I know one would be lovely but don't overstretch yourself if 2 or more would be more manageable for you.

I have to admit though the tax DH pays for his company car and the knock on effect of entitlement to student loans it has on the kids drives me nuts the other side of the coin is I am remarkably grateful that we don't have to pay for petrol in the U.K. The cost is covered by his employer. 

Not sure where you intend staying HSL but if it's a hotel chain look to see if they have any loyalty bonus points schemes and sign up. Won't help you for this trip but may in the future if any of the younger ones study some distance away.

I'm another one attending my DS graduation in a couple of weeks. But yes the costs add up. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless.

Had a very busy week last week. Trips  on with Job 1 everyday of the week, which was good but exhausting as I was “ on alert” all week! Glad to have got through it.  Had a lovely weekend, taking time on both Saturday and Sunday to meet up with friends. Days out were free as it was the beach and a NT place, so only costs were petrol and picnic foods.

DD1’s graduation is this week, so petrol costs and paying my part of a meal are still to come out. Need to knuckle down to being completely focussed on getting rid of debt. Hoping I can clear the credit card with my next pay from Job 1.

savingholmes

Hope the graduation goes well. 

Good luck with clearing CC 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH. 

Another busy week has flown by. It was DD1’s graduation so since I could only have the 1 day off from Job 1, I drove up after work, stayed overnight and went to the ceremony and did the meal and official photos before driving back and getting in just before midnight. One of those crazy must do experiences. It was lovely to have most of my children together for the event . I was totally exhausted at both jobs on Thursday and Friday and ended up falling asleep  for a while, when I got home on Friday evening 😮😴. Moneywise, I spent £141 on overnight accommodation, £60 on my share of a meal, about £100 on petrol and £30 on food en route. It was more than I’d wanted to spend, so all savings are depleted with this and the various things that have cropped up in recent months. So need to prioritise building savings back up along with kicking the remaining debt.

Job 1 finishes for the summer on Tuesday which I will be glad to get to. It’s been a busy term with OFSTED, trips, SATS and the usual summer term activities. Job 2 is now in its busiest part of the year so that will go on through the summer. I’m conscious of the need to use some of Job2’s wages to get some heating oil in, in good time before it drops colder.

 

savingholmes

Well done for juggling everything. Glad you made it to the graduation and back and that most of your kids went too. 

Glad you should be able to catch a bit of rest over the summer - depending on hours at job 2. 

Hope you manage to replenish your savings too.

Tiredbutdetermined

Glad you are heading to the end of term. We are due the dreaded visit so it was horrifying seeing people getting the call last Monday and having to juggle the big O alongside 40degree heat. That just doesn’t give a fair or true picture of a school and places so much strain it is ridiculous. 

Your daughter’s graduation must have been amazing but it is scary how costs rack up. I was supposed to be at my graduation last Monday but it just seemed awkward and expensive. I really wasn’t that bothered so an easy saving to just get my certificate through the post instead! 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH and Tiredbutdetermined.

End of term was yesterday which I was very thankful to reach.  Having today off to celebrate DD4’s birthday but back in tomorrow to just finish those niggly end of term jobs.

I seem to have picked up an extra couple of shifts on this week’s rota for Job 2 which will all Haley to get my finances back on more of an even keel. Today starts the succession of 7 family birthdays between now and mid September!