Single, six kids and going to be debt free!

Mumoffourkids

Moneywhizz said:

That is a shame about the house. Very annoying when people judge you as being unreliable just because you are a single mum. I would be tempted to tell them I don't want their house but that would definitely be a foolish reaction. I remember reading a long time ago that you were hoping to save for a deposit to buy your own home that would give you more security. Is that plan no longer viable? Such a shame that the house you are in just isn't big enough, it sounds ideal apart from that. I do hope everything works out well for you. 

I know, I was thinking that earlier. I think people see single mum with six kids and think of the stereotypical benefits mum, which I am not. I am tempted as well, but that would be cutting off my nose to spite my face. 

Yes I was initially trying to save for a house but the prices round here are just so expensive. I have decided that I will try to save up for a two bed near here which I can rent out and then retire to when all my kids have left home. I did look into shared ownership and unfortunately due to the calculations needed, I don’t earn enough to buy a house big enough. 

The house I am in is ideal apart from being one room too small really. I have one room downstairs which is kitchen/living/dining room all in one, and then a conservatory and an integral garage. My landlord has asked about converting the garage for me, but council said no as it is classed as the second parking space. Not that you would ever park a car in there as the plumbing for the washing machine is at the back of the garage and the only way in is via the main garage door. 

jak said:

Well done for getting your forms done and sent off. I very much hope you get a positive response xxx

Thank you and I am keeping my fingers crossed for a positive response as well. 

Honeysucklelou2

Well done to your 10 year old on the cooking 🙂.

Thats an interesting plan to buy a 2 bed and let until retirement. It is tricky to balance the needs of a large family against what is affordable or workable with house designs- I do sympathise. 

Mumoffourkids

I really don’t want to be renting when I am retired, and there is no way for me to buy a house big enough at the moment. So this is a bit of a second choice back up plan. Of course if I can buy a two bed that has option to extend, then I may be able to move in when some of the kids have moved out and I am only left with the youngest two. There are almost five years between number four and number five child, so in theory I could be left with just two children at home for a while. 

Mumoffourkids

So last night I spent time revamping my YNAB. I now have a wish list and wish farm. I also reorganised holiday savings. In the days before YNAB, I had standing orders set up weekly from my bank account which would go to various savings pots. I have now cancelled all these and just fund each category in turn when I have the money. I have now added in lines for our annual holiday to Cornwall next May for both the cost and spending money. I know how much it is going to cost so I have added a target in and I will try and fund it monthly. This is instead of having a random holiday savings pot. 

I can’t wait for June to start tomorrow so I can start funding more categories again. I already have next months bills apart from rent and nursery fees saved up and half my food, petrol, general spending saved up. I am now aiming for having all my general spending money for next month to be saved up in advance and then will concentrate on getting one month ahead of my rent. My issue is that I have variable income because I get money weekly and fortnightly on certain days so it really depends on how many of each day are in each month as to how much money I have. Hopefully getting ahead will mean I can smooth out these ups and downs.

Mumoffourkids

So I’ve just had a phone call this morning about my pip forms. I had to go through good days and bad days and what happens. How often I have bad days. I’m not sure having this phone call is a good thing or bad thing so soon after the forms have been received.

beanielou

Blimey that was quick. 

Mumoffourkids

I know. I wasn’t expecting a phone call for a while. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

beanielou

They do It sometimes for claims for MH. 

Mumoffourkids

Oh ok. I’m hoping I hear soon then one way or another.

Mumoffourkids

So I have heard from the letting agent about the two houses. The nicer one, the landlords have a few concerns, probably me being a single mum and only working part time, so he is leaving it with them for now. The cheaper house doesn’t have parking which I thought as much to be honest. I am now not sure. I am constantly on Rightmove and other sites looking for houses and there are very few that come up in the area I want to be in that a) accept pets and b) accept housing benefit top ups. I can count on one hand, the number of houses that have come up that are where I would live that do these two. So now I am wondering whether I would be better off trying to go for the cheaper house as it does say in the advert that benefits would be considered. It is £200 a month less than what I am paying at the moment which is a lot of money considering that my eldest may not return home from staying at her friends and so I would lose money that I get for her. Also I have no idea when my work will return and what hours I will get when I do return. 

Aaarrrgggghhhh, decisions, decisions. This is when I need another adult to talk to and help me decide. I think I’m slightly worried about the cheaper house parking situation. There are roads to park on and there are no restrictions, so that doesn’t seem like an issue. Unlike the issues I have near me at the moment.