Getting it together...one £ at a time!

kindofagilr

Homegrown0 wrote: »

Thanks Tea, what a lovely message. I never see things like that - I just see us flapping from one thing to the next and running about like a blue @rs3d fly but I'm glad it looks like a polished effort from the outside

We are determined to strike a balance - we spent years scraping by, adding to debt and forking out £1.5k per month on childcare so now that my income has increased really decently, our childcare bill has decreased dramatically and we're in a much better financial position, i don't want to spend another couple of miserable years scrimping and scraping to get rid of it all.

As you know, we have grand plans for our house and want to give our kids as many opportunities as we comfortably can so it needs to be a balance - for all of us.

I think we have that at the moment and without getting cocky, it's working at the moment.
!

I do think the balance is what makes it work though?

Back at the start of my diary, we were living in a undecorated house, the kids didn't do any activities, we didn't go away, we were miserable, yes we were paying debt off but we were miserable and it was going to take at least 5 years still, then I lost my best friend 2 years ago to cancer and it made me re-evaluate how I did this journey, we did end up adding about 10k that year cos I was in a "life is short" mood due to my loss, but decorated, got new sofas booked Tenerife (for the following year) and basically enjoyed living

Cos we did that I now love my house again the kids have activities they love, and I feel like we have hit the right balance as we are managing to pay the debt off, have holidays and the kids have their swimming lessons which they both love (and at £140 every 4 weeks, it's not something some people would agree with while paying debt off)

It really is finding the right balance xx

Homegrown0

It's amazing how life events can alter your outlook isn't it? I remember you talking about your friend and as tragic as it was to lose her (and still is I'm sure), it gives you a different outlook on living life to the fullest.

Wow- the swimming lesson cost must sting! But I think swimming is a life skill and it's great that they love it.

Homegrown0

The window saga continues...
My husband was talking to a friend of a friend today who does windows a d doors (we didn't know this) and he said he'd happily get a quote for us to get them at cost price. We only just decided to give the windows a miss for now but I don't want to miss a potentially good opportunity.

So we are considering sending him our sizes and see what he comes up with. There's no pressure from him at all, but I think it's worth finding out.

I forgot to respond to earlier points about getting a few done at a time. I don't think we will go down that route because it's ultimately be more expensive and would be regular upheaval. I think we'd prefer all or nothing. We'll see though!

teafor2

Getting the quote is definitely a good idea. At the very least it'll give you comparable 'mates rates' prices. And even if it's still on the high side at least you've got a couple of people who can re-quote when you're ready. xx

BabySteps234

I’m the same - trying to get the house right at the same time as paying off huge amounts of debts!
I never think it’s wasted money though if you make good choice about what value it adds money wise but also family wise if you’re staying put a long time).
£20/£30,000 of my debt is from doing our house up but had it valued recently and it’s made £100,000 so in the grand scheme it’ll all work out as a good thing! I did the same in my last house and that boosted me up to market to buy this one.
I replaced all the windows in my last place by going to a second hand window and doors place a bit like a plastics scrap yard... you may have one locally... they sold upvc windows for £25 and doors for £50 and if you want new glass then there are companies that come out and do that for £50 so while window cost is £75 and builders will usually charge approx £150 to fit so much cheaper.

Always ways to make things cheaper - Facebook sale pages are good for bathrooms. Ask local selling pages for recommendations or ask people if they have for sale what you want! I save ££££ doing this! Only just started on my debt journey so House has back seat this year now whilst we try and right it!
Good luck xx

Homegrown0

It's hard isn't it baby steps? Trying to know what to do for the best. Because we already moved house with debt and have not been in the best position to make a dent in it until recently, I'm really keen to hammer it down before starting the next major works but at the same time I'm so eager to just get stuff done.

I believe there's never an end in sight so I'm sure the feeling of home contentment that I'm craving will soon be replaced by something else

I'm about 90% sure that this place is our forever home so even though the value has already gone up by 50k since we bought it, we don't intend on selling so won't make a big difference to us. You never know though.

Homegrown0

Not a lot to report today -

1. It's 2 days until my pay day
2. It's probably 3 days from my husband's pay day too (since it's consistently been 2 days late for a while)
3. Spent £7.20 on train to work and 80p for sons breakfast club
4. No more spends for the day as I brought breakfast, lunch and snacks with me

Plan for today -

1. Get lots of work done
2. Take advantage of my optimistic mood and start with the frogs
3. Take a good look at March's projected figures and make sure everything is in place.
4. Write a to do list for tomorrow.

Homegrown0

Hi all - I hope everyone is enjoying some lovely weather like we are? It's beautiful sunshine where I am and it's surprising just much of a difference that makes to my mood. I feel a lot brighter generally when the weather is bright!

No movement money wise, since pay day is imminent and we are running low on funds

Pay day for me is tomorrow and I assume my husband will be paid on Thursday again since that's been the norm for the last few weeks. I'm looking forward to filling up our pots again and starting a fresh new month! It is a long month though...

Just spent £51.99 and £74.99 on my credit card but DON'T FRET - I'm not manically spending on the old plastic again! I need a dress for a wedding that we have coming up so have ordered three to try on. I'll hopefully like/ fit one and send the rest back. I'm just using the CC as a holding pot for the funds to come out of and be refunded back into to save confusion. Once I've chosen which one, i'll immediately pay it off. Feels very bizarre to be spending 'willy nilly' though.

I've spent some time planning out March's projected money in and out - everything is looking fine. I probably won't be able to pay of as much as February but i'll see how we get on.

I have still got £100 to cash out from TCB but it's been pending for weeks - just checked and it's still not available. As tempting as it is to put it into savings, i'm going to send it straight to the CC once it has cleared.

Anyway, off to take the eldest to a club!

Homegrown0

Pay day for me is here!

Spending account topped up; gifts/ clothes account filled up (and I carried £50 from last month which is a miracle!); £153.87 transferred to credit card as overpayment and £110 to the other credit card which is from the council tax free month. I almost split 50/50 between one card and savings but I'm doing well with the savings so wanted to throw a bit more at the debt.

That overpayment takes me up to £2,130.77 paid off since the start of the year 21% of my 2019 challenge!

Husband's pay day will be tomorrow then there won't be much else happening for a while apart from paying bills and the likes. Next chunk of savings will come out of the account mid-month so it'll be a long old wait until then! just need to fill my time with surveys to get some instant debt paying gratification in the mean time

doingitanyway

I think your dress shopping is a good way of doing it. I think I will copy this. I order clothes where the sizing is difficult and I seem to spend a fortune in delivery charges and of course all the time taking things to the PO to send back. I will build up a clothing amount and bulk shop keeping what I want. Thanks for posting about that.

Sorry the windows did not work out
I hope the new quotes are better...

Yay for pay day