Ev's new MFW challenge!

evab_2

Tom had diarrhoea and vomiting for about a week, the milk was making it worse so had to have fluid replacement sachets for a couple of days. He was much better within 24hrs and now back to his cheeky little self!

evab_2

Oh ****, *******, ****,*****! Insert appropriate profanities as you dare!

Have made a huge mistake in my budget calculations, I failed to notice that as of today my tax credits have reduced from £82.86 per week to £22.43 per week which means I am worse off by £241.72 per 4 weeks :eek:.

I was already starting to go through our expenses again and was planning on comparing elec/gas bill when it arrives in a couple of weeks, but will have to go through everything with a fine tooth-comb to ensure we're getting the best for our money. Childcare is our biggest cost at approx £200 per week, will reduce in September as dd will be at school full-time so won't have to pay for playgroup at £35 per week. Both dh and I already get childcare vouchers so am saving a bit there.

SOA SOS me thinks! I know tax credits aren't gauranteed but it was lovely having the money.

Edit - can't spell gauranteed and don't care! :-)

StuartGMC

Evab
The positive point is you know your expenditure etc so can quickly ascertain the impact; many would simply have sat like a rabbit in the headlights and not known how to accommodate it. Best wishes in realigning things to fit.

Good to hear Tom improved and hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

setmefree2

evab wrote: »

and now back to his cheeky little self!

:T yay glad to hear that :T and a big fat eeeek to the reduction in Tax credits

SmlSave

Big hugs re the tax credits eva

evab_2

Hi all, long time no update.

Been very busy with going away with the kids for a few days, dh couldn't get the time off work so it was me and the littlies in the hotel room and visiting. DH's friend came over from the Isle of Man for a couple of days and he managed to spend more in 2 days than I did in 5 days with 2 kids! Was not happy about state of house when I returned or the fact that his mate used my laptop and wiped all my passwords - luckily I have all these but annoyed with him even so. Anyway we had a lovely time seeing friends and family.

No over payments this month due to trip and also that I wanted to keep the extra money this month to go with the money and vouchers I received for my birthday last week. I need clothes so am going to enjoy spending some money on me for a change. I did use some vouchers from my brother and survey sites to buy the family a new DVD player but as I benefit from it too I don't mind.

I'm still doing mystery shops and teaching so some extras still coming in, but tax credits reduction have been a pain. However some good points on the horizon:

* DH starts getting paid from the TA
* Loan finishes June 09 so extra £100 to go to savings
* Received letter today that mortgage rate will go down from 6.49% to 4.79% on 1st July, DH is keen that we continue to pay the original amount therefore having more going to overpayment.
* I get my final salary increment (not including annual pay rise) in July as I've been at the college for 4 years.

My brother confirmed that my Grandma's will has been read and I will definitely be receiving £7000, but as it is tied up in her property at the moment I don't expect to see it for some time.

So all ticking along nicely at the mo! Ev x

setmefree2

:T well done on all that progress and enjoy your clothes shopping trip

SmlSave

mortgage rate will go down from 6.49% to 4.79%

That's wonderful )

enjoy your clothes shopping trip

Ditto!

evab_2

Hello everybody,

Can see from all your posts there's ups and downs in MFWdom! I have been popping in but don't have time to post much as very busy at work, which is a good thing.

I've got a few pennies coming in over the next week, I've just paid in a cheque from a survey site for £50 and will receive a minimum of £60 from Quidco at the end of the month. I will also get paid from a M/S company next week so I should have a nice little sum to overpay this month.

DH is loving the TA, he'll get his first pay from that soon so that will be useful.

Not much else going on except Tom is keeping us entertained with his caterpillar crawling, I can't believe he's 9 months old already!.

Will update when all pennies are in next week, see you soon

Ev x

evab_2

HI all,

It's not going well for us at the moment we're just scratching about trying to pay our basic bills and am struggling to find it all. I'm having to put all the money earned from M/S into our normal budget and can't do anymore for a while as too much going on at work and trying to have some sort of space by running and pottering about at home. So not much extra coming in. I'm still doing surveys but they take ages to build up.

Our mortgage payment will go down next month so at least the contracted amount will be less but I'm determined to keep the same amount going to at least have £100 overpayment every month.

DD finishes playgroup session in 6 weeks time as will start school full-time in September so that will be £35 saved per week although balanced out over the summer as she will be at childminder whilst I'm at work.

DH still hasn't had any payment from TA it's not even in our budget.

Tax credits are so changable, currently gone back up to £50 per week but will drop again in a few weeks time!

DH redunancy cover has doubled but we have checked around and it is the same as other companies, plus we decided to stay as he has been with this company for 3 years so before the credit crunch.

Looking to change internet/phone providers if we can find a good deal especially as company has been taken over by an automobile large storage area (CPW) who are rubbish. Will go through cashback website if we do decide to change.

I can't reduce anything else apart from petrol and food, I do get some mileage from work but not much as most of my candidates are in my local area.

I'm sorry for such a depressing post, will try to sort ourselves out and will be hopefully back soon with better news. Off to find things to get on ebay and Amazon!

Take care all, Ev x