Single, six kids and going to be debt free!

Mumoffourkids

I have to be organised, two of the kids have birthdays in December. Also if I see a bargain during the year that I know they will like, I get it. I have one more birthday at the end of August and then the next birthdays are December and then Christmas. Also wrapping presents for six kids is not fun and takes me ages!

The caravan is going to be my den away from the kids as well as being my sewing room. I’ve always told the kids we don’t have room for a trampoline!

Mumoffourkids

So last night I wrote a really long post and then my iPad died before I could hit post. So today I will catch up with what is going on in my world, but I’ve got to go and get breakfast for the little two!

Mumoffourkids

So I’ve just got back from taking the youngest two to a birthday party and the 18 year old decided to sort out the shoes. Helpful you may think, but not so when she leaves all the shoes she doesn’t know what to do with all over the living room. This is after she decided to sort out the toys on Friday and then halfway through sorting decided to leave it and start sorting out the youngest four’s clothes at the same time. So now my living room really looks like a bomb has gone off. We have the youngest clothes in a large box in the living room because they haven’t been put away, the toys half sorted and now loads of shoes all over the sofas. And all the kids have disappeared upstairs so I am left to sort it. I’m not happy as I have loads of sewing to do and I need to get on with sorting my caravan. I said there was some bits on my housework list for her to do if she was bored in the two hours I was gone for. Strangely enough, none of that has been done, but instead she has created more mess!

Mumoffourkids

So in money saving news, my savings have taken a bit of a hit this last month. I have paid for the childcare for the summer for the three middle kids and my car needed a mot. I did think that maybe it wouldn’t need any work, but true to form it did and £544 later my car is now ok to drive on the road. I did have more than enough saved up so I am ok but I just hate spending money from my savings!

However the sewing is still going really well and I still have three full weeks of orders. I am not thinking of my next item to sell after I have finished making all the school uniform memory cushions. Although I already have two orders for next year!

Mumoffourkids

I’m really not getting the chance to come on here and do an update. I am so busy sewing and am still taking orders for school uniform memory cushions. Never in a million years did I think they would be so popular. I think they maybe more popular this year because of the current climate. Although I already have three orders for next year now. 

@janb5 I will reply to your email soon I promise. 

I am loving YNAB as I now have all of next months expenses apart from my annual expenses saved up ready to budget on 1st August. On Friday I am also going to have half of September’s rent ready as well. Although I have pretty much used up all of my spending money this month. Not sure what has happened but I have spent lots. I need to go through YNAB and work out what I have spent on.

Tomorrow, three of the children are at holiday club, youngest is at nursery and the oldest is off out for the day. So it will only be me and DD2 at home. I need to teach her how to join her crochet lengths together tomorrow. Also need to crack on with sewing!

At the weekend, the three middle children are going to my dad’s so it will only be the eldest two girls and the youngest at home. Food should be cheaper and the house should be quieter and remain tidier for longer!

I have also been thinking about taking the kids on some days out. I have always struggled to take the kids out on my own as i find it very stressful getting us all ready and out the door by a certain time and then whilst out, all the kids seem to want to do different things. I never seem to be able to please everyone. But I feel like I am ready to try and take them out, so I know this is a big improvement in my mental health from before. Part of it, is not being stressed about work and money. I need to research some days out near me at some point. Not sure when I will find time though!

beanielou

Happy happy sewing 🧵 

Mumoffourkids

Thank you Beanie.

So it’s the end of the month and I have taken a look at my spending account this month. Food was ok at £461 for the 7 of us. I don’t think that is a bad total to be honest and included a takeaway at the start of the month. Petrol on the other hand is a lot higher than I would like it to be at £170. I think this is because I have done a few trips to meet my dad halfway when he has the kids and I picked up an embroidery machine yesterday that I won on eBay. Next month should be lower but then in September, this figure should fall quite considerably as I won’t have to drive the youngest to nursery and will instead be walking the kids to and from school. 

On the income side, I have early £400 this month from sewing which is amazing. I have been doing a YNAB budget and I am keeping a float for things such as cushion inners, threads, fabrics etc which means that it doesn’t come out of my money. I have only paid myself £75 wages this month, but I have bought an embroidery machine this month which was my aim for the next couple of months. Next month I won’t have any big expenses and I am expecting the same level of income if not higher, so I should be able to pay myself more wages. 

My savings have taken a hit this month with paying for my mot, holiday childcare, some Christmas presents and a new phone for me. But next month should see no big expenses and today I have paid my last ever nursery bill. That feels so good and it will make such a different when it comes to my monthly budget not having that large bill. 

The heat hasn’t been good today and I haven’t actually got much done, which means that I will have to work hard over the weekend to catch up not only with housework but also with sewing. I am now taking bookings for the week commencing 24th August and I think I have found a few ideas of what to make for Christmas sales. I can’t wait to try them out and get making but first I must clear my order list. Although I might start inbetween my orders.

Three of the kids have gone to my dads today until Tuesday, then the eldest is going to her girlfriend’s tomorrow for a week and the 14 year is also going with her for the weekend. So this weekend it is just me and the youngest and then just me and two of the girls for a couple of days. The house is going to be so quiet! It already is quiet as the two eldest really don’t make much noise at all! The youngest likes cleaning and tidying with me, so I am hoping that we can get the house tidied over the weekend and I can catch up on the washing!

beanielou

Enjoy your me time   

Seasidegal58

So pleased to hear your sewing income has been so lucrative.😀

bd80s

Hi, haven't seen anything off you for a while, hope everything is ok?