Prosperous soul in the making

EssexHebridean

Absolutely the right thing to do to skip the class - it’s been a stressful time and I’m not surprised it’s all caught up with you a bit now! 

savingholmes

Thanks EH, MF and Sandy
Ended up giving DD a lift to take some food round to her mate who had none. Bless her.

Been messing around with my budget - and due to the recent motoring expenses and higher than anticipated legal costs I am going to have to be so careful for probably the next 6 months - after which it should ease. 

I want to maintain an EF well above £1000 - so am not going to rush to pay off the CC until it falls due some time in March. I need to find my login details and check the date.

Things playing on my my mind that I don't think I can fix yet:

1. I should qualify for single person's CTax as DD is on an apprenticeship and is away M-F or in some case Sun-F - but I doubt my case will be considered quickly - so potentially need to allow for paying more than I'd like for a while.
2. Likewise my gas and elec should come down - without Ex and DS around to open windows and doors in mid winter, run multiple computer screens 24/7 etc - but my supplier isn't even properly sorted currently so not even sure who to raise that with.
3. My water usage should already be falling dramatically with DS having left and DD being mostly away - and will fall further when Ex moves out - but again - I am unsure how quickly they will reduce my rate. It is metered.
4. Ex isn't on the best rate for BB but - he thinks we are tied into a contract. Whether that's enforceable if he moves out I'm not sure. It's with Vod...
5. If Ex takes dryer - may need to lay out £350 for a heat source one - as apparently that while more expensive initially will cost £40ish less a year to run. Apparently dryers could last 20 years - so that does make sense... Many are out of stock anyway so may not have much choice regardless...
6. DD will continue to need lifts and the risk is the fuel cost and time could all fall on me (until she passes her test and gets a car - so likely to be early 2022). 100-200 miles a week depending on where she's based. She's reluctant to pay as DS 'got away with murder and was funded through uni.' I can see her point but I was paying £130 for the mortgage at that point not £930 on one wage. At least half of my current monthly fuel bill relates to her - and that could increase by another 50% if she doesn't pay up and Ex doesn't help with lifts. He's going to be living in the wrong direction though so I think he could be reluctant to help. If things get too close to the wire financially I will insist but it won't be pleasant.
7. I wanted a new mattress as if I lie in the wrong place the springs are poking through - but I really don't feel I can buy it yet. I'd estimated £550 towards it (super king mattress) and hope to have £200 in gift vouchers towards it from work by Xmas. But I can't see how I can get the other £350 without relying on a CC or interest free loan which wouldn't be very MSE.
8. We might find we owe money on gas and elec when Ex moves out...

Controllable expenses

1. While I had hoped to have 3 counselling sessions per month - I think I will need to drop to 2.
2. I am planning to save for bills later in the year when I can - but it may be that some of that needs to wait a while (or will be taken care of naturally by trying to have higher EF anyway).
3. I'm currently spending more than I'd like on groceries and eating out.
4. Ideally I want to pay CC off in March but I could transfer it on to give me more flexibility - and then fix the payment so it's paid off in the term.
5. I plan to add gym to my expenses when my current free 3 months runs out after Nov pay day.

Things that could help

1. I'm due £250 cashback on completion
2. I have an EF currently 
3. My budget balances it's just tight - and I've never been that good at rigidly sticking to it
4. I'm due a back dated pay rise when the unions finally agree it
5. As I submit meter readings - my contracted direct debit should fall
6. I could move C Tax to 12 month payments instead of 10 - and will be due free months Feb and Mar anyway
7. I'm asking for art supplies and moisturiser for xmas so that should reduce spends on those

girlatplay

I can't remember if you have done this recently/not sure if you're in the position to do this but bank account switching rewards were in the weekly email this week.  You could get up to £130.  Just a thought.

WelshKitty85

Do you have a spare quilt you can put over your mattress (like a mattress topper)? We did this when our last mattress had springs poking through and managed to get a few more months out of it whilst we saved for a new one. It was actually really cosy.

What about a second hand dryer? I've been looking for one and there's loads on Facebook between £30-100.

savingholmes

Thanks GAP. I will look into that. I am hanging on a few weeks until mortgage completion but after that yes I should do it.

Similarly once Ex leaves the house I want to see what I have that I can sell. I have 3 commemorative type coins that could be worth £30 each, have bikes, curtains, tent etc. Possibly some furniture.

I have a little gold. Will see if is too small for DD. If it is I would be tempted to sell as it fit my tiny 16 year old wrist rather than current ... Is silver worth much second hand? I have heavy silver bracelets that were expensive originally....

Run up to Xmas a good time to sell my unique art too. 

Thinking of using proceeds of any sales towards a new mattress. That could be motivating...

dawnybabes

Silver value is really dire - you might be better selling it as a potential gift for someone vs value 

EssexHebridean

On the metered items submit readings fortnightly rather than monthly for a couple of months as that shows a clear and trackable decline - then when you call them to discuss DD levels you will be able to explain why and it gives your argument for reduction more “clout”.

On DD’s lifts, what would her comparable costs be if she was to use public transport? I’d suggest she should at least be giving you a proportion of that as after all it’s far more pleasant being chauffeured about by Mum than it is cramming into a bus/train with others - particularly at the moment! It also feeds in to the idea that if she’s not willing to contribute to car travel then there are alternatives… She’s definitely old enough to understand about changing circumstances too. 

Agree on you very possibly getting more cash on the jewellery if you sell the items rather than look for their value in metals - you can always set a minimum you’re willing to let them go for anyway to ensure you don’t do worse that way.

Good plan to start working out things that you don’t wish to retain and may be able to sell. 

Can you improve the situation with the mattress by turning it? Ours can’t be turned over, but can be spun round so we try to do that from time to time to even wear. On the replacement cost might that be a target for your selling stuff - either unwanted household bits or the artwork! to try to make that as cash neutral as possible? It IS a needed purchase clearly as will be affecting your sleep. 

Good thinking on the council tax - if the current payment schedule with the free months essentially works better for you then can you eke it out until January and then use the two free months to reconsider how to do it for the following year? We’ve always left ours on 10/2 as we love having the little lump of cash spare to throw at (originally) OP’s and (now) savings nice and early in the year. 

Try not to get overwhelmed by all the stuff going on - it IS a lot but your reasoning already confirms that you do have a handle on it all - trust that all the MSE stuff you’ve learned over the years has your back on this. 

savingholmes

WelshKitty85 said:

Do you have a spare quilt you can put over your mattress (like a mattress topper)? We did this when our last mattress had springs poking through and managed to get a few more months out of it whilst we saved for a new one. It was actually really cosy.

What about a second hand dryer? I've been looking for one and there's loads on Facebook between £30-100.

Hi Welshkitty

Sorry must have cross posted. Yes I am lying in the right place on the mattress currently but could add another mattress topper I have one.

I looked on FB last night too. S/h could be an option. Or I could look for a dinky one for now since I will be mostly living alone. While the £350 one would be better for efficiency I could delay that and buy something cheaper for now which would reduce the pressure and review in a year or so if my budget allows

savingholmes

dawnybabes said:

Silver value is really dire - you might be better selling it as a potential gift for someone vs value 

Good points. I think I will keep what I have silver wise and only sell in emergency. 

savingholmes

Thanks EH. A lot of good advice there too. I think I am just gutted that I have had £250 in unexpected car bills and about £770 in forecast legal bills above what I had planned which is making me wobble. 

Throw in Xmas where I foolishly promised to still give kids a certain amount and it makes it worse.

I have also found out I have to spend £450ish on a new cam belt in December. I do have a car savings plan with the dealer and need to ask value and if I can use it for that. If they say no I plan to cash it out anyway. Should be at least £150 in it I reckon.