£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

PositiveBalance

Oh, ToPM, I know where you are coming from.


My car died at the end of last year and I had to make a similar economic decision except I am single with no children and live in a very urban environment.


I hope it works out for you, but if not, I hope the bus timetable is kind to you.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 76: Day 4

I have my car back, for the princely sum of £311. Very tedious. Covered it with some of the overtime money, the car pot for July and August and the emergency fund for July and half of August. Still cheaper than a hire car for the summer, even if that's all it lasts for. I spoke to DH and we have agreed on a £200 limit for any work on top of the service and MOT due in September. I will ask the garage to take a view on any work that is likely to need doing before they start the service (I am particularly worried about the emissions change to MOT tests for diesels) and we'll make the decision.

DH was surprisingly accepting of being carless if necessary. He said his work will let him change his hours for a year without any problem, either to start and finish 30 mins later, or start later, finish on time and work extra on a Friday (he normally finishes at 12:30 on a Friday), as a couple of his colleagues do that. We live less than 10 minutes walk from the middle of a reasonable sized town - we have a decent Morrisons, plus grocers, butchers, delis etc - so between them and a food shop delivery we'd be fine. We also have a bus stop literally outside our front door and a mainline station. The only significant challenge would be getting to the beach, but I think there is public transport to one beach and we don't go a huge amount in winter anyway. Maybe we'll go to the moor instead, as I think there's a bus route through part of it. It would all be more of a pain than having a car, obviously, but it would be manageable.

In other news, I've just paid the balance on the last of the camping trips, and although our holiday pot will be zero for August, it isn't into negative figures, which is good, as it can build from September for next year rather than needing three months to catch up with spending.

Dh is going off camping (already paid for) with the DCs today, and I am going to meet my friend for our life coaching update - I have found this such a positive thing, it has really focused my mind over the last few months and help me figure out where I'm trying to take my business/life, so I'm not trying to do absolutely everything (well, I'll probably continue to try, but I might be slightly more accepting when I don't manage everything ).

I've got three solid days from tomorrow to get ahead with work before DH and DCs are home, then I only have odd slots for work over the summer, so I need to make these three days count. Am catching the train today so will have a chance to plan out my time a little for tomorrow onwards. I'm also going to try to make a rough daily plan for the summer hols - we have a lot on, but a good handful of dead days, and I don't want to end up spending money unnecessarily because I haven't planned ahead. We have national trust and zoo membership to make use of, which we'll do, and I've ordered a few maths and puzzle books for the DC for quieter days. Just need to work out how the whole puzzle goes together.

Another little payment to the barclaycard from the rounding down pots today. I do find these little payments quite motivating still even though it's just a couple of quid at a time, and am always surprised at how much gets knocked off the balance each month since I started doing them - I am usually managing anything from £50-150 overpayments each month on top of the minimums. I am actually, dare I say it, looking forward to my beginning of the month round up in August!

Teacher gifts were so well received, I was really pleased I spent the time making candles. The older DCs decorated the jars with pretty flower stickers (not too tasteless, honest) and wrote lovely labels and cards. One TA who has been with DC2 since reception said she always looks forward to our handmade gifts, which was lovely - I have made little zipped pouches, jam and sweets in the past, with help in varying degrees from the DCs as they've been able.

Ooh, last thing: lolly moulds. I used the 'household stuff' pot for this month to buy stainless steel lolly moulds a couple of weeks ago and they have been SO well used. Makes you realise what a waste of money lollies often are - even using diluted freshly squeezed oranges with a bit of extra sugar to make orange lollies (packaging free - no juice carton!) it's only pence per lolly. Anyway, I'm really pleased with it and although it was £25 for the moulds it's probably already saved us a few quid, and will continue to do so, and has eliminated the lolly packaging from our lives.

To do this week
1. Make teacher gifts - candles.
2. Keep up with social media for work.
3. Have a total blitz of the house, either during the week or when DH takes the DC away (I'd like to get at least some of it done before they go so I can get some work done while they're away instead of endless cleaning).
3(a) sitting room. Mostly done, just a little bit of dusting and pile-of-paper-sorting to do.
3(b) dining room.
3(c) kitchen.
3(d) bathroom.
3(e) hallways and stairs.
3(f) our room.
3(g) DCs' room.
4. Phone garage to get the car checked - it is emitting an 'interesting' smell of burning plastic. Maybe my budgets won't be looking quite so healthy very shortly.
5. Make a list of preliminary questions to ask builders, and of builders to ring around.
6. Ring at least 3 builders to ask preliminary questions and arrange a quote.
7. Pay balance on final camping trip of the summer.
8. Change all the sheets, with attendant washing and ironing implications.
9. Check 0% offer end dates and discuss with DH if we need a new balance transfer card.
10. Sign off preschool paperwork (I'm a trustee).
11. Food shopping for camping trip.
12. Plant the succulents I propagated from leaves (VERY proud of this).
13. Start a new batch of vanilla extract for Christmas presents.
14. Update work mileage from driving for work on the weekend.
15. Investigate whether someone can service my Kenwood mixer - it definitely doesn't sound right since the Wedding Cake Extravaganza.
16. Order DCs' school uniform. I have heard a rumour that uniform is going to change slightly (polo shirt colour) with the new management of the school, so need to check this.have bought new logo polo shirts and jumpers in confirmed new colour, need to order the rest.

Mini goals:
- £21.83/31 July rounding down pot.
- £3,176.67/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.
- £430/£932 extension pre-build costs shortfall.

PositiveBalance

I'm glad the car is back but you are more central than I realised so, as you say, if needs must, it's not the end of the world if it disappears in September.

I've got to admit, I didn't realise much mine cost. To run it ate up more of my budget than I realised, especially with repairs. I don't think I could have paid back as much as I have this year if I still had the car (and I did budget the main running costs in case what I have written sounds a bit naive!)

enthusiasticsaver

If you add up what the car has cost you over the last year in terms of fuel, repairs etc that should give you an idea of what a money pit cars are once they are consistently needing work. Using the money saved to either save for a new one or go towards hire cars or public transport would be sensible. Maybe don't book so many camping trips over the next year as that will be pricey to hire a car each time.

Treadingonplaymobil

My records aren't perfect for last year, but so far in 2018 it's cost £935 in garage bills and £325 in tax/insurance. That's for 7 months, so if we managed 10 months and topped up the savings a bit more, we'd be able to buy another car that would last another few years hopefully - this one has managed almost 3 years so far and only been expensive this year, and it only cost £1,800.

We wouldn't book anything like camping until we knew we were buying a car, it would probably be cheaper to rent a cottage somewhere and catch a train than hire a car as big as we'd need for a week!

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 76: Day 5

Just popping in quickly because I'm determined to crack on with everything while DH is away with the DC. Just wanted to update my debt/extensions savings totals.

A lovely relative gave us £150 yesterday towards the summer holiday costs so we could enjoy ourselves, which was ridiculously generous. I have put almost all of it in the YNAB summer holidays pot and will use it for days out etc (while secretly hoping for some to be left over at the end), but added a tenner to debt overpayment and £15 to the extension pot. I know it's not what they intended it for, but having less debt and having a nice house will definitely improve my children's lives too :cool: .

Hoping that DH doesn't spend much while away now, having said it would be fine - I've just seen on the online banking that he managed to spend £100 in sainsburys before he left, on food for four days, so I think he's done pretty well for himself! I've had to juggle some pots to make that ok.

Today is all about cracking on while DH is away, so I suppose I'd better do just that. Hoping to tick off a couple of the housekeeping related items below during the next day or two as well!

To do this week
1. Make teacher gifts - candles.
2. Keep up with social media for work. This is going ok so far
3. Have a total blitz of the house, either during the week or when DH takes the DC away (I'd like to get at least some of it done before they go so I can get some work done while they're away instead of endless cleaning).
3(a) sitting room.
3(b) dining room.
3(c) kitchen.
3(d) bathroom.
3(e) hallways and stairs.
3(f) our room.
3(g) DCs' room.
4. Phone garage to get the car checked - it is emitting an 'interesting' smell of burning plastic. Maybe my budgets won't be looking quite so healthy very shortly.
5. Make a list of preliminary questions to ask builders, and of builders to ring around.
6. Ring at least 3 builders to ask preliminary questions and arrange a quote.
7. Pay balance on final camping trip of the summer.
8. Change all the sheets, with attendant washing and ironing implications.
9. Check 0% offer end dates and discuss with DH if we need a new balance transfer card.
10. Sign off preschool paperwork (I'm a trustee).
11. Food shopping for camping trip.
12. Plant the succulents I propagated from leaves (VERY proud of this).
13. Start a new batch of vanilla extract for Christmas presents.
14. Update work mileage from driving for work on the weekend.
15. Investigate whether someone can service my Kenwood mixer - it definitely doesn't sound right since the Wedding Cake Extravaganza.
16. Order DCs' school uniform. I have heard a rumour that uniform is going to change slightly (polo shirt colour) with the new management of the school, so need to check this.have bought new logo polo shirts and jumpers in confirmed new colour, need to order the rest.

Mini goals:
- £25.56/31 July rounding down pot.
- £3,193.40/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.
- £465/£932 extension pre-build costs shortfall.

Treadingonplaymobil

I have a question. What do we think is a reasonable clothes/make up/skincare/hair budget for me? I'm thinking forward to when I start being less client facing. At the moment I put a percentage of my client facing turnover towards clothes, but I'm wondering about just making this a flat budget figure.

I expect that for the next two years I will average 2-3 days a week in work clothes, and the rest in casual clothes, but it's still important to look 'the part' as I bump into my clients all the time, although eventually that won't be a problem (although I still want to look good! Please!).

So what's reasonable on each category for someone in a 'fashion/creative' type job? I'm really interested to hear what others think.

skincare
hair
make up
clothes

Suffolk_lass

I think that is a really hard set of categories to answer on. I am not going to attempt clothes and make up because I don't know or understand these.

Hair - it is about hair health, and for me, a style that aligns with how it grows out of my head - by which I mean, I have reduced mine by finding someone to cut my hair every 4-6 weeks (occasion-driven) in a way that minimises what I have to do to it. I use a combination of two shampoos - a medicated one with coal-tar for normal hair to combat any itchiness or flakiness - maybe once a month. It costs £8 a bottle and lasts 4-6 months as DH uses it once a week. Other than that I use a pleasant smelling supermarket mild shampoo 1-2 a week (crucially, my hair health is better with fewer washes, but it gets wet every time I shower). The only product I use is a putty-wax from the barber (who cuts my hair) and sometimes a dye. I use this sparingly, mixing with a set for highlights and just blend away a little of the grey so it is all mixed up. I think it looks looked after, clean and styled but it is absolutely minimum maintenance. In terms of cost I allow £20 a month and underspend. I cannot imagine this would suit you but maybe some of the principles would.

Skincare - I have resorted to baby-oil on wet skin post-shower instead of expensive skincare preparations, and a good bristle brush that I use sparingly to exfoliate. For my face and neck, I use good age-related creams that do not leave a film or greasy finish. I like the No7 range with the teal tops for me. If I feel shattered I use a couple of slices of cucumber and a hot bath to soak away the tension. I used to use top name branded skin preparations but you are paying for the name, assuming you don't have some skin condition that precludes use of cheaper brands. I allow £25 a month and that comfortably caters to my needs. I am older than you and not in a fashion-related industry, although I am client-facing.

Wider reflections - There are lots of ways of reducing costs but for you it is a question of value and reputation - as you have alluded to many times, you suggest the mad savers know the cost of everything but the value of nothing. I think with your following on here (and many would follow your blog if you wanted to share it) you have the potential to commercially endorse certain products you favour, and receive sponsorship/free products for doing so.

Camping - On another matter, my friend had stainless steel ice cubes and straws as part of their new camping kit (but they have just blown their budget with a brand new camper van and all the accoutrements) :eek: And our plug-in cold box in the boot was marginally less effective than the old traditional box with a couple of bags of supermarket ice tipped in on top. Just make sure the boxes are water-tight! This was just a four day trip on the hottest weekend of the year.

Hopeless_Case

Do you have plenty of clothes which you can carry on wearing? Also could you go to charity shops (posher ones maybe) and look for stuff? I buy most of my clothes there and have some really nice things, Per Una, Wallace and Mantaray are probably my faves. If you look on the charity shop thread on the old-style board, people pick up some good or even designer stuff for a fraction of the price

I'm not one to give advice about skin care, makeup etc as I just wash my face with facecloth and water and then use Nivea, and I do put make up on every day but it lasts for years and the only item I buy regularly is mascara, and I look for an offer - I don't suppose anyone could tell how cheap it was?

enthusiasticsaver

I would say what is reasonable is what is affordable for you and what you cannot or won't compromise on.

I use basic skincare products and supermarket shampoos etc but won't compromise on haircut and highlights which are expensive as in the city centre so a cut costs £40 every 6 weeks and highlights are £80 twice a year. If I could not afford it though I have a local hairdresser who would do it much cheaper.

I hate cheap perfume so luckily my DH or mum usually buy me enough for birthdays and Christmas and I use it sparingly. I only tend to shop for clothes twice a year and probably spend around £400 so about £35 a month. Once in the spring and once in the autumn. That is usually from m and s or Debenhams so not overly cheap so I could get it lower if I needed to. If our budgets are tight I go to Matalan.

Do you know how much you spend over the year now? Maybe reduce it by a percentage to allow for the fact you won't be as client facing although I wonder if it will make much difference.