*sigh* this may take a while

savingholmes

Glad first day of school for little one went okay. Life transitions are always hard / exciting / challenging... take your pic. Good that Mr A is working out for you and that the utility bill is reducing. Good to have another chunk of money to throw at debt too.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I went through our direct debits/standing orders as I like to cancel ones that are no longer valid. The list is much more streamlined than it was last year, which was pleasing.
There's a DD to a boiler maintenance company for £32pm which ends after December payment (it was the cheapest way to pay for a major boiler repair) and our water bill drops by £22pm in January (they'd messed up our bill so we've been paying the shortfall over 12 months). Those will be nice little extras, I'm debating using most of it to round up our mortgage overpayments to £1700 from the current £1650. Will see nearer the time for sure.

I'm also debating spreading our council tax over 12 months, mainly for budgeting purposes. Although it is nice having February and March 'off' paying. If I decided to spread it, I'll start next year when the new schedule begins.

NSD planned today

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Christmas shopping.... I tend to start thinking about it around now and try to have everything bought by end of November. We budget £200 per child (less for little one), that tends to break down to 1 big gift, couple of smaller ones and then £20 of stocking fillers. Sounds like a lot, but never seems to go far! Initial ideas;
My eldest 2 are wanting phone upgrades. We made the mistake originally of doing contracts on base model iphones, idea being we'd pay the first year and they'd take over. Of course, that didn't happen, so those cost us £400 each over the 2 year contract :eek:. Last year when the deals ended I moved them both onto SIM only deals.
This time round, I've told them they can have £150 each towards a handset and the rest is up to them, we'll still cover their £7pm SIM only deals.
Entitled teen is twitching because £150 doesn't touch the sides for the phone she's wanting (cry me a river), child 2 is saving like mad in preparation and with our £150 contribution is planning on buying a £600 handset
Child 3 is getting her first phone for Christmas as she'll be 11 by then and starting secondary next year. She has said she's happy for us to choose the best phone that £150 buys, we'll then get her a £7pm SIM only deal too.
Child 4, we're going to give him an old ipad we have (he doesn't know about this), I'm paying £50 to get the shattered screen fixed and will then take it back to factory settings and get him a new case. I know he's currently got his heart set on a fitbit and they do a kids version for around £60, will keep an eye out for offers.
Child 5, I have no clue yet :rotfl:
Apart from our children, we only buy for our parents, about £50 each. We agreed with friends and family not to buy for each others children as it was getting out of hand. With good friends, we do a big day out during the year as our 'Christmas' gift, which we all prefer :T
All in all, it'll be about £1100 which unfortunately I don't have saved

clearmydebts

ohshithowdidthathappen wrote: »

Christmas shopping.... I tend to start thinking about it around now and try to have everything bought by end of November. We budget £200 per child (less for little one), that tends to break down to 1 big gift, couple of smaller ones and then £20 of stocking fillers. Sounds like a lot, but never seems to go far! Initial ideas;
My eldest 2 are wanting phone upgrades. We made the mistake originally of doing contracts on base model iphones, idea being we'd pay the first year and they'd take over. Of course, that didn't happen, so those cost us £400 each over the 2 year contract :eek:. Last year when the deals ended I moved them both onto SIM only deals.
This time round, I've told them they can have £150 each towards a handset and the rest is up to them, we'll still cover their £7pm SIM only deals.
Entitled teen is twitching because £150 doesn't touch the sides for the phone she's wanting (cry me a river), child 2 is saving like mad in preparation and with our £150 contribution is planning on buying a £600 handset
Child 3 is getting her first phone for Christmas as she'll be 11 by then and starting secondary next year. She has said she's happy for us to choose the best phone that £150 buys, we'll then get her a £7pm SIM only deal too.
Child 4, we're going to give him an old ipad we have (he doesn't know about this), I'm paying £50 to get the shattered screen fixed and will then take it back to factory settings and get him a new case. I know he's currently got his heart set on a fitbit and they do a kids version for around £60, will keep an eye out for offers.
Child 5, I have no clue yet :rotfl:
Apart from our children, we only buy for our parents, about £50 each. We agreed with friends and family not to buy for each others children as it was getting out of hand. With good friends, we do a big day out during the year as our 'Christmas' gift, which we all prefer :T
All in all, it'll be about £1100 which unfortunately I don't have saved

Ouch to Christmas spends and not having anything saved I don't have anything saved either. Mine are too young for phones yet (9 and 8) thank goodness as it sounds like a nightmare. The £150 towards a phone sounds like a really budget friendly and sensible idea. Lol at the entitled teen. I think I have an entitled tween in my house!

We hosted Christmas last year and it was so expensive but lovely as the new kitchen had been done!

[Deleted User]

I'm trying to get organised for Christmas too - used to be the kind of person who'd go out to the shops 2 days before haha! I think £200 per child is quite sensible for teens. It's hard to get them anything they want for less than that I imagine.
I know people who get their kids £700 coats (what?!?!) AND iPhones, so you're doing well! I guess it's just the sheer number of kids you have that makes it so expensive overall. :rotfl:
Definitely a reminder for me to keep it as simple as possible before the expensive teen years start!

Drawingaline

I started xmas shopping this week too :rotfl:must be the change in wester. I have been saving £80 a month since Jan. So far I have got the girl theatre tickets, two hoodie and two t shirts. Do she is nearly done. Will dole out some of the stufto sister/mum/mil as he has asked us for a computer game, and I may buy her some boots.

Got the boy some books. He hasn't asked for anything else, but his favourite band are playing in London next year, tickets go on sale Friday, so may attempt to get two (also a band I love and have never seen, it's how he heard them) but am aware I really may not be able to get them as will be in my phone on 4g as am at work. Normally hubby does this sort of thing from his work but has a meeting all Friday morning. Anyway not mentioned it to him so if it doesn't pan out will leave it.

Smallest has asked for a bike, and the wierd one will be happy with £100 worth of robucks :rotfl:

Anyway my thoughts have definitely turned towards it.

Drawingaline

Oh, and cause I am the best aunt ever I got my neice tickets to the Harry Potter play in London. Cheap seats in the gods, but she is a huge huge fan!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

clearmydebts wrote: »

The £150 towards a phone sounds like a really budget friendly and sensible idea. Lol at the entitled teen. I think I have an entitled tween in my house!

We hosted Christmas last year and it was so expensive but lovely as the new kitchen had been done!

We tend to do all the hosting here too; my mum and MIL are both on their own so they always come. They don't really get on, but tolerate each other. Before my Dad died, we used to alternate Christmas Day/Boxing Day to avoid them mixing, but they coped with being together last year, so they can do it every year now!! We then invite FIL and his wife another day, usually Xmas Eve. It is very expensive as they all expect the bells and whistles. On the other hand, the kids enjoy being in their own home and OH and I can both drink :rotfl:

Moguline wrote: »

I'm trying to get organised for Christmas too - used to be the kind of person who'd go out to the shops 2 days before haha! I think £200 per child is quite sensible for teens. It's hard to get them anything they want for less than that I imagine.
I know people who get their kids £700 coats (what?!?!) AND iPhones, so you're doing well! I guess it's just the sheer number of kids you have that makes it so expensive overall. :rotfl:
Definitely a reminder for me to keep it as simple as possible before the expensive teen years start!

Yes, entitled teen regales me with tales of her friends' new iphones, ipads and designer gear every year. She obviously doesn't compare herself to friends equal to her materially :rotfl: I guess if we only had 2 we'd spend more on each, but not much more.
Definitely enjoy it while they're younger. 4yo is still happy with one lump of plastic that preferably flashes and makes loud noises

Drawingaline wrote: »

I started xmas shopping this week too :rotfl:must be the change in wester. I have been saving £80 a month since Jan. So far I have got the girl theatre tickets, two hoodie and two t shirts. Do she is nearly done. Will dole out some of the stufto sister/mum/mil as he has asked us for a computer game, and I may buy her some boots.

Got the boy some books. He hasn't asked for anything else, but his favourite band are playing in London next year, tickets go on sale Friday, so may attempt to get two (also a band I love and have never seen, it's how he heard them) but am aware I really may not be able to get them as will be in my phone on 4g as am at work. Normally hubby does this sort of thing from his work but has a meeting all Friday morning. Anyway not mentioned it to him so if it doesn't pan out will leave it.

Smallest has asked for a bike, and the wierd one will be happy with £100 worth of robucks :rotfl:

Anyway my thoughts have definitely turned towards it.

Sounds like you've made a great start! LOL to the robucks, my 7yo loves that site.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

LSD day today, I'm finding my days quite bitty with the settling in sessions at school, so not really getting much done. Only spend today has been stocking up on flea and worming treatments for our cat online, good brands and much cheaper than I can get them on Am@zon or high street.

Having just got the little one starting primary school, I got the pack through today for applying for child 3's secondary school place We know where she'll be going, we're in catchment and her 2 older siblings are there, but it's just another reminder of how time flies!

Drawingaline

Can't believe that the secondary applications are open already. I normally apply the first day, but the schools have only just started open eves, and while I know where I want my yr6 to go, we aren't catchment (it's closest though, and his brother will be yr11 next Yr) and I need a proper chat to the senco before applying! Crazy. I also need to apply for college for my girl. :eek:Its too soon surely, she is only 5 in my head, always get a shock when I realise she is actually taller than me :rotfl: