2018 New year, new focus and new mission

Choccygirl123

The children's school really push them to be in, no matter what. A few days off abd they do miss quite s lot, but I think better to have a day off than keep pushing them on and they can't concentrate.

I'm not sure if our money saving / routine working yet, but I do feel in more control. Time will tell and it's the keeping it up that'll count. Hubby and I chatting last night and we're hoping to be debt free by 31/12/2020. It'll take a miracle if not back to work for quite some time. Once I'm back to work my extra income can all go straight to the debt.

£400 paid off out of our £7500 in 2019.

Choccygirl123

Busy day with medical trip and potttering around the house. The cleaner has come so my floors are lovely and clean. House looking great, but spare room still need works.

Bit of spends day, but could have been worse. We did have late lunch which I paid for out my spends.

£28 cleaner, £2.65 parking & £2 on crisps as treat

Won't need much shopping at weekend so hopefully Nsd until Sunday then £15 or less on food.

teafor2

Hope the medical appointment went OK It's nice to have a treat now and then and even better if the money is there.

You're shopping budget is really good. I need to look at ours. It seems to be getting out of hand but I'm wondering if that's because I'm not funding bits and pieces any more. x

Choccygirl123

Thanks tea, yep just a check up so all positive.

I'm in shock at food budget and think finally have it under control. The meal planning is definitely the secret and I've planned until 18th. Will plan for the rest of month and ensure we have at least two meat free evening meals. This is definitely helping on budget and encouraging the children to fill up on veg. We e nearly finished the Christmas excess so just choccies, biscuits and crackers left!

Choccygirl123

It's the 12th and our official 6th nsd, which I'm chuffed with! Can always do better though so setting Sunday as our next spend day for top up shopping.

Joint account still doing well. I've ordered a couple of eye craft bits that I messed up which PayPal card I used. Had to move £3.68 to cover it. Hubby paid for lunch yesterday on joint card and I moved cash from my account for that. It'll take a day or two for these spends to catch up, but it'll get there.

Balance £302.68 / available £253.40
My account £158.65
EF £1000.65

Choccygirl123

Adjusted budget
20 sleeps to hubby pay days
17 sleeps to my pay day
Available balance £253.40

Set spends (£118 total)
Cleaner £28
My car mot £40
Youngest school trip £50

Variable (£135.40)
Fuel £30
Food £105.40

I think we may need more fuel than is in the budget and food budget so tight. I'm not going to pay the balance on school trip until end of the month so we can use this as a buffer. It's not due for couple months but would like it out the way as have other activities to pay next month.

That's the plan, just need to stick to it! Next month willl be just as tight but things will hopefully be better in March as last deduction to hr will be repaid.

teafor2

Morning Love your sleep countdowns to payday. There should be chocolate calendars for this, like Advent. Ooh maybe I've just hit upon a business idea. :rotfl:

6 NSD's is absolutely brilliant especially with the rules you've put in place for yourselves :T

Honestly don't think any month is particularly easy when you've got children. There's always something that's needed. But like you say if you have an idea of what's coming up and you've got a plan it helps.

Have a great day.

Aaleigha

sorry not to check in sooner but my internet has been playing up and I have not been able to get on line bt have been messing about

it makes me slightly cross kids go in with colds (poor kids working while ill just to keep to government targets) etc as they are told they need to be in - then teachers get ill, as do some of their peers. supply teachers come in and you cant seem to get the same on twice - in the end all the class suffer where as if the worst two days were spent at home (worked emailed if they are up to it) and I am sure the children as a class would actually get more consistency.

you have done so well paying in that amount already

do what you can and even if you dont get back to work as soon as you hope I bet you beat that date

I will second dont be over doing things Tea and I might gang up on you if you dont behave

love your contdown lists
they remind me to check the bank account

teafor2

Agree with everything you have said Aaleigha about children with colds being in school and also making sure CG doesn't overdo things

Choccygirl123

No fear of me over doing thing, I'm done run down but doc won't give me antibiotics. We know the cause and it'll get sorted.

I've a lovely weekend of catching up with friends for lunch today and a curry night tomorrow. I got hubby to take me £25 to cover the food out my account. So excited to see them as some are ex work mates and not seen them since I left.

Tomorrow night's curry is at mine so chance to raid wine/drinks cabinet because still stacks in there so apart from my food I won't spend. I already know can't finish meal with starter as struggling with appetite, so will share with hubby.

My account - £133.65
My wallet - £25.00

I'm fed up not having cash machine in village (it was dragged out by a jcb abd never replaced. Hubby got £130 out which is £28 for the cleaner leaving £102 for food budget for the rest of the month he did look and say that's not a lot! Explained I do have a master plan - I've meal planned dinners until 18th and I'm sticking to it religiously. This week will need small top up shop usual veg milk etc to get us to 18th. £15 or less

My plan is to do another full stock check and meal plan from 19th to 31st, with big shop on 19th. Budget £75 It's going to be tight but my freezer is still full (not sure how) sand then one little top up shop £12. I think pushing longer between the shops definitely helps as cuts down on the amount of junk we buy.