Second time lucky... debt free diary.

charlies_tribe

I didn't make ours until 2.30am! Think i need to buy a second set and change it straight away.

Had to transfer some money for DD1, she's off ice skating with a friend, all planned before she asked if i had any money!

Shopping coming later. Need to clean the hallway and clear the fridge before it arrives. Need to do some washing too as DD1 said she is completely out of socks.

Was looking at the figures while i was on there and i think after everything comes out this week and i've paid back the dryer money to the yearly account, there will be about £700 to sweep to the emergency fund/home improvement account ready for the wall move, new boiler and extension (nothing fancy, DH is going to just build the utility room on the outside of the wall it is on with blocks).

I've got my holidays for may and October half term so might start looking for a cheap holiday, The children got all excited and were looking at holidays abroad (they've never been) but at £4000 in October i think it will have to wait a while!

WannabeFree

My small ones really want to go abroad too!

I don't want to take youngest while she's still so unpredictable health wise though

Maybe something I'll consider in the next couple of years though.

You seem so organised budget wise.

Hope you're all on the mend and feeling better x

charlies_tribe

Thank you Wannabe. I'm determined to do it just on our minimums wages and then any overtime is 'extra'.

Ds health is something thats always put us off too, Hot weather seems to make him very ill but he is getting better on the hot days. I think it's something we might look at next year before DD is officially an adult. But do it earlier/later in year when it's a bit cooler. It may be easier to just pay the fines and take them out of school when it's less busy (july would be great as DD1 will have finished college, DS1 will have finished GCSE's so just 2 fines for the girls but think it will be too warm then for DS2)

I'm also trying not to waste money. The amount of things ive paid out on and not needed, been wrong or faulty and i've never returned them. Also insurances like the sofa, washer.. if i'm going to pay it i really need to use it when needed. The old sofa was stained and i should have claimed cleaning on the insurance type things.

Shopping has been delivered. Milk was leaking so been refunded. I've returned some shower gel, i ordered deodorant! Again it's something before that i would have just kept. Then when putting the shopping away it was an Easter egg short, at 75p each it's another thing i would have left. It's probably cost me more for the phone call for the refund.

DH was offered an extra permanent night shift the other day, at lest we would know his 4 nights were guaranteed but i also understand why he said no, it was a Thursday night, Thursday is the only day we both have off and especially in the summer holidays, we wouldn't have been able to have a day out or time as a family. I did explain why to his manager (he came to ask me after DH said he would need to speak to me before making a decision) and they understood and hopefully if another day comes up, he can do that instead.

Suppose i should go and sort more washing and get all the school/work uniform ready, bath and feed some little people. Where did that week go?

charlies_tribe

I can't settle! I've got different money ideas whizzing round my head.

I've been pricing up holidays, for next April/July/October. There doesn't seem to much difference price wise although I've had to use this years prices for the later 2 dates. We can't afford it, unless i can scrape a good £250 a month from somewhere but I've sat for a good couple of hours looking.

I really should put the washing on the airer and go to sleep!

Cherryfudge

Hopefully writing those things down on here will enable you to park them for the night. Go get that washing on the airer then bed!

charlies_tribe

I was going, honest. Then i put a film on netflix and now i need to watch it. Must sort tv in the bedroom, we bought another plug in thingy (a netfix adaptor thing) at christmas that is sat waiting.

charlies_tribe

It's not a NSD here. I've ordered the things for DD party bags, they've cost more than i was hoping but there is enough for DD3 if she does something similar as had to buy in bulk and use more expensive prime items to ensure they arrive in time (mini pamper kits in organza bags).

I need to get DD3 some wellies today as the snow is forecast heavy overnight and the ones DD2 had last year don't fit her like i was hoping.

Need to plan party food, i have £25 to spend and want to make it quiet fancy (thinking afternoon tea type, i have some cake stands i can use for sandwiches) fruit kebabs? chocolate coated strawberries? Need to get inventive! Any ideas very welcome.

Need to get showered and ready for work, so shouldn't be much more spending today.

charlies_tribe

Month 11 update

Loan: - £0!
mbna1: - £0!
lloyds: - £0!
mbna2: - £7529
barclay: - £9073
tesco: - £7346
sofa: - £3387

Total - £27335

£6219/£33554 (18.5%) paid.

Not as much as should be paid this month. Just checked 1 of the CC that i thought was due out yesterday but it's not being taken until tomorrow. If the next due date shows as next month, i'll pay it off as extra but if it's taking 2 payments this month it should right itself.

Walked the 3km to work in the snow yesterday and was going to walk home at midnight. DH said roads didn't look so bad so came in the car to fetch me. The car tyre shredded on the ice! So new tyre needed!

DD party is cancelled this afternoon. Rearranged for 2 weeks time.

redofromstart

Oh no for the tyre, its these things that send our finances off track isn't it?

On the holiday front:
Do you all have passports - that was the biggest barrier for us for ages
Have a look at Skyscanner for cheapest flights to anywhere on your dates - we ended up going to Northern Spain last year because I got the flights for £60 each in the summer holidays. We then book villas direct with one of the insured places but also try bookings or late rooms.

We have done France by Ferry a few times in May half term which can be very reasonable if you book ahead. I look on bookings/late rooms for places that are a reasonable drive from calais and that have an indoor pool. Some of the camping places have static caravan/log cabins which can be good. We have booked a gite but the boys much prefer the swimming pool holidays.
HTH

charlies_tribe

redofromstart wrote: »

Oh no for the tyre, its these things that send our finances off track isn't it?

On the holiday front:
Do you all have passports - that was the biggest barrier for us for ages
Have a look at Skyscanner for cheapest flights to anywhere on your dates - we ended up going to Northern Spain last year because I got the flights for £60 each in the summer holidays. We then book villas direct with one of the insured places but also try bookings or late rooms.

We have done France by Ferry a few times in May half term which can be very reasonable if you book ahead. I look on bookings/late rooms for places that are a reasonable drive from calais and that have an indoor pool. Some of the camping places have static caravan/log cabins which can be good. We have booked a gite but the boys much prefer the swimming pool holidays.
HTH

Thank you. It is isn't it, but this time i'm prepared and have the money put away already. No cards this time.

We don't all have passports, DD1 and DS1 have theirs, mine and DH need to renew and the little 3 have never had one so will be expense there.
I'll have a look, thank you, i know doing things separately can be cheaper i'm just so scared of making a mistake and ending up with something missing.

Walked to work in the snow this morning. Got bus back as was running again but i had taken DD1 bus ticket with me. DH said he will walk in tonight as i'm back in at 8 so i can use the ticket then. Forgot how much we relied on the car but wont get fixed until after the weekend now.

Spent the afternoon trying to sort PIL energy. FIL has changed supplier while in town (i had tried to do it for them about 2 years ago but they never moved it) and needed to send readings. I've tried to tell them the same company has a tariff that will save them nearly £400 a year but they were told that was cheapest (told them it will save them £150 a year) so wont look at changing it again. They do have £65 on an argos card to spend on their account that they didn't know about though.

I've given in... Takeaway ordered!