New here, starting on my debt free journey

Mumof31987

Unless this car goes downhill which i hope it doesnt we are planning to keep it. Iv never had a car more than 5 years old but id rather have more money so i cant have it all!!
I remember when we set up the payments it was about £230pm and i asked if we could pay £200 and pay more at the end. She said no as the debt would be more than the car would be worth. Think that shows you something that in 4 years it would be sooo much less than when we bought it. It is a good idea in theory but im avoiding doing it again at all costs, aslong as iv a running car i really dont care what it looks like

Mumoffourkids

I’ve had a few brand new cars. The last one I had lasted 11 years and had done 200000 miles! The car I have now is 12 and half years old and has done 124000 miles. It works, it doesn’t look pretty but it gets me from a to b and it’s mine!

Mumof31987

Wow thats brilliant how well it lasted!! I think im more worried about MOTS and problems arising but even then its still a hell of a lot cheaper than paying the finance payment each month.

Not been the best spends day iv had.
Had a £30 Mac voucher so went in to get make up and the woman did my make up and i ended up buying a bronzer and foundation which came to £50. I had a £30 voucher so payed £20 and hubby said he will put it in for my mothers day pressie as least its something i like.
I then went in New look and there was a £40 dress down to £13 and i had a 20% off voucher so was £10.40
I also went to a cafe and spent £2.10 but in my defense it is a charity cafe that you pay per minute so i got quite alot for £2.10.
Anyway im still happy with what i got even if it did cost when im trying not to spend. Least i feel more appreciative of things!

Mumof31987

This weekend we werent the best. We got the kids new trainers (essential others too small) then went to b&m store for wrapping paper and ended up getting some bits and bobs (although all came to £9) then had a mcdonalds for lunch which was £15.
I then ended uo getting mothers day cards and wine for £13 for the 2 mums.
On the plus i did overtime on sunday which was double time.

I also managed to get my weeks food shopping for £33 at aldi. Only 1 meat so not much in the way of meals but lots of fruit, yoghurts, snacks and lunches.
So we are now down to £440 plus i get £190 child benefit on monday. We are still doing so well compared to a typical month.
I think i will get the passports and then save away whatever else is left rather than pay towards credit cards. Think we will feel more motivated if we see we are getting some sort of savings.

enthusiasticsaver

Savings for emergencies are just as important as paying down debt. That way you are not tempted to use a credit card and increasing the debt back up again.

Mumof31987

Hello not been on in a bit.
Payday tomorrow and just refelcting back on how i dont this week.
I felt after the first 2 weeks or so i got a bit bored of it and slid back to old ways but not quite as bad!
I think to save this from happening im going to take spending money out in cash and try and do an envelope system as i feel a bit of money to buy bits and bobs or i fall off the wagon completely.

So we ended the month with £12. BUT i got 2 passports, changed £200 into euros and got £100 of holiday clothes for the kids which were very much needed and that is them all kitted out for holiday and summer.

Now i need help please. I need talked down.
We booked alcudia for the 5 of us last year and got what i thought was a great deal of £1215 for half board for a week.
Anyway today i was on thomsons and for £600 more we can go to Florida. Id only have to pay a small fee and could change it.

Now talk me down, its a brilliant price for a family of 5 to florida. The flights are excellent and i would LOVEEEEE to go.

BUT realistically i dont just need the £600 i need theme park tickets, spending money. Help!!!

Mumof31987

Also forgot to mention DH has taken out a £7500 credit card that is 0% for 2 years. He has transferred his 4,000 onto that and closed his old one. We are now away to transfer my £1650 one onto that too. Just hoping he doesnt use the rest!!
That will mean we have just the 2 credit cards both 0% which feels alot less scary. I will continue to keep paying him the £100 id normally pay the bank

Mumof31987

Hello, been spending quite alot so need to come back here again. I think with kids being off for Easter I wasnt really watching money, going for lots of days out, ice creams etc. I'd also bought stuff that we will use but hadn't really planned out. Got the kids a new table and chairs and storage unit. Really good and useful and happy I did buy them but haven't been sticking to any budget which isn't good.
Payday Fri so time to start fresh again.
Renewed car insurance and house insurance and only got the same as last year but I managed to get it lower than what they were asking. I feel we are actually not bad with money at the moment I don't feel like I'm drowning at all but do think I want to have savings and the only way to do that is to be more sensible.

We go on holiday in 9 days!!! Kids have all the clothes they need and I'm really happy with everything I got. primark have such good deals on shoes, £3 for nice sandals and trainers etc. I spent £80 in primark on myself which is alot for me but I got 4 evening outfits, 4 pairs of shoes and felt really good afterwards!!
Hmm not much else really. Daughter has
Started another dance class so £8 instead of £3 and will need to buy the clothes for that. The joys! She really enjoys it though so things like that I am happy to pay for.