2018 New year, new focus and new mission

teafor2

Hi CG Slowly catching up with everybody at the moment. Have to agree May seems to have been never ending this year for some reason.

It's a pain having to dip into the EF but on the bright side it's there and better than putting it on a CC The way you're going I bet you'll have it built back up again in no time.

Well done on PA. The big one I got was actually pretty gross but I gritted my teeth for the sake of cashing out :rotfl: Didn't feel very hungry afterwards is all I can say. xx

Choccygirl123

I'm annoyed we've had to use it, but that what it is there for. Not a lot going on money-wise, all the DDs have been paid, joint account balance is very low but have more income due tomorrow. I'm going to transfer a chunk to my saving pots..need to look at budgets but know I have to start saving £100 a month for next year's trips for girls.

Have been looking back at our spending on the receipt trackers and have noticed the number of top up / odd choccy treat shops have crept up lots! Need to cut these right down so it's just for the basics. I've done a ocardo shop because had 30% off a £60 shop and have hammered the deals. Total was £42 with a £39 saving. Have done basic week's shop and will use up store and freezer supplies. Today will be our first NSD of June and I need to have lots more!

Choccygirl123

My plan when cash hits account - I'm blitzing the pots! I'll move £300 across into the mini savings figures to be added this month and totals held

Children's clothing £30 / £50.22
Children's birthday £20 / £40
Dog £20 / £55.26 (will need £50 at end of month for grooming)
Car £50 / £110
Scouts & music lesson £28 / £53.40
School trip £100 / £100
No cleaner savings £52 / £122
No savings into EF

Will have CB (£137.60 due 18th) and ESA (£146 x2 11th & 25th) due payments due in rest of month. The plan is that ESA will be withdrawn as cash for food shopping again. This is something I really need to get a grip of and stick to the budget!

Hopefully no big expenses are due, especially after car costs! Will need fuel and few spends for rugby festival weekend, but on a spending stop rest of month. I need new pegs but £5 should cover them! Kids are busy with activities, camps and friends sleepover but these have all be paid and costs covered.

Freezer still stocked really well so will do meal plan for next few days and ensure using up fresh food first!

teafor2

Evening CG Love your plan to blitz the pots They're all looking really good and the savings from the cleaner are mounting up nicely. I'll be drawing out of my doggy pot in a couple of weeks as well.

Blimey that shop was a good one - £39 saving is fantastic :T I managed to shave £2.75 off mine this week but tbh I struggled to even do that Must try harder.

Have a great week. xx

Choccygirl123

I'm really pleased with it tea and everything I bought was on offer or multi buys. It's my first order, but don't think I could afford to do it every week with the 30% off. I just thought it'd give hubby a break off shopping duties for a while.

Money stopped and shuffled and pots all filled and looking good, I can see it's quite addicted!

Joint account available balance £177.28. Surveys PA £3 (£2 pending) 1poll £3.70
Receipts RH 2652 (£5) shoppix 7200 (£10)

Debt
Zopa 1 - £7702.63
Zopa 2 - £3193.67
0% Cc - £600.00

Total £11496.30

Choccygirl123

I'm stuck at the minute with indecision. We have a few jobs that need doing on the house, nothing major just wood work related maintance & painting, relaying a path thats a complete trip hazard, replacing guttering and sorting couple of bits on garage . I've had quotes and it's just less than 1k for all.

All the jobs need to be done sooner or later so I'm thinking about adding £1000 to our 0% credit card to get it all done. It seems to go against everything I've been trying to do. It would mean that I wouldn't be able to clear the card before the 0% deal finishes so would have to do a BT. Need to decide if it's worth doing now or trying to save up but it'll take few months and then we'll be into winter again.

Choccygirl123

Still not made a decision about adding 1k to the debt. Feels completely wrong adding to it again. Need to speak to hubby and make a decision. I don't want to wait to save up and it cost us more to fix in long term.

Yesterday was a NSD fail as needed bread for lunch today for the kids. Nipped to coop and spent £7.54 on bread,milk, choc bar, crunchies abd 2 huge tiger beers. I'm sick of not having any money in the house so took £30 cash back. Will keep track on this!

I looked at food stocks and added another £12 of shopping to my order with Ocado after hubby moaned I'd not ordered banana, peanut butter, butter and few odds and ends. I also ordered 24 loo rolls for £8.50 but then safe 30% on order. Worked out loads cheaper than Aldi and I did drop the 2 packs of expensive Zu puddings.

Nothing planned this weekend and I can't wait! I have invited family over for Sunday lunch, but food all in shop. I am going to nip to our local warehouse sale of housey things. Don't need anything but their sales are too good to miss. Thinking ahead for birthdays and Christmas to see if can pick anything nice up.

teafor2

Morning CG I can understand your dilema about adding to the debt when you're on a mission to reduce it. But, if the jobs are going to need doing at some point and are getting on your nerves it might be worth biting the bullet and getting on with them.

When does the 0% deal end and would you be able to get another one? Depending on dates, maybe you could pay some of it off and then possibly use some of the EF to clear the balance or put any future EF savings towards the costs for the time being.

Would the jobs all be done at the same time by the same contractor or could you prioritise some and try and save for others?

I tend to think house maintenance as a different type of debt, although obviously debt is debt But having jobs done now could save you more money in the long run.

Hope you and hubby get it sorted. Have a lovely day. xx

Choccygirl123

I can get a 0% deal with my card if needed and that'd make more se se rather than adding to his. Currebt 0% deals end sept I think, need to check. It's down to £600 and the £100 DD still has to go out this month.

I'm refusing to use the EF because I'm worried we won't have anything just in case. We're still planning a small holiday so trying to save for that too.

I spoke to my dad about it (not the debt) but the repairs and he thinks get it done before it costs double. It's house maintain W that if ignored could cost for to fix. Admittedly a lot is cosmetic, but that would just leave behind the garage to clear and slab at our leisure. I think I'm going to bite the bullet do it. Spending a £ to save a £.

My Halifax card is offering 12months 0% for 3% fee. I'm going to sleep on it a couple of days, but am 75/25 to getting it done.

teafor2

Morning CG I think the way you're leaning to get it done is how I'd feel as well especially if you can get 0% interest. And your Dad is right, it's likely to cost more in the future just by prices rising, even if it doesn't get any worse.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and the DC's get some chill out time. Weather is horrible here today. Dark and dreary. But we've been invited out for a take-away to somebody's house tonight so looking forward that. xx