More to life than debt

Drizzle18

Puddleglum wrote: »

Never give up. If one way doesn't work, try another approach. I know this is easier said than done but how about getting on to the person who is doing you reference and remind them that it needs doing? If needs be write the reference yourself and then give it to them as an example of the sort of thing which is needed.

Thanks Puddleglum. University is all sorted now. Just need to get on to student finance now but I don't foresee any issues there (famous last words!).

The IVA is now set up and the first payment is due in a couple of weeks.

I must think of some money related targets so that I keep focus. I have to stop being a spender and become a saver. I will open a savings account attached to my main account and I will track here how I'm doing. There are some things really needed to be bought for the house - a new bed for us being top of the list. I do need to pull the reins in with this. Make a list, get the best prices I can and most of all stick to the budget!

We've just had a few days away in a caravan and it was so lovely getting back to basics - getting outdoors and enjoying each others company without screens.

Losing weight - I have joined SW and before I've only lasted 4/5 weeks before I got fed up but I'm about that point now and I can't wait to get back on it now we're back from our holiday. Something must have clicked this time!

I also need to do some major decluttering. I've already made a huge improvement in the house but now I'm at a standstill as I have piles of stuff waiting to go to the charity shop or tip. I feel the clutters just moved. I have a really busy week this week but I am going to add it to my to do list. We used to have a lot of clutter and I decluttered the whole house. Housework was a doddle, I had a clear mind and I know I was more relaxed mummy. Since then we've moved to smaller house and our family has grown and we're now back to square one. I don't want to go completely minimalistic but we don't need this much stuff!

What a ramble! Mustn't go as long between posts

Drizzle18

Hello,

I'm up early this morning as I start work at 7 :eek: it's actually a really good time to have a cuppa and breakfast in peace plus catch up on a few things. It's DS1's birthday this week so it's has been a spendy (but budgeted) week. I only have one present left to get then a card/balloons and cake ingredients.

I've been working on savings targets. I am including short term savings as well a long term savings. I will post my list here once it's complete.

This weeks plans:
Stick to shopping list for birthday shopping.
Pack a picnic for the weekend
RIng Student Finance to sort out online issues. Again!
Ring to change Car Tax over.
Have a good tidy up in the living room and get some decluttering done

I have already decluttered the kids bedrooms, bathroom and landing with just our room upstairs to go. I was struggling before as I had nowhere to put excess rubbish or charity shop stuff before I was able to make a trip to the tip/charity shop. I have sorted a corner for what's leaving the house and it's made a difference.

I'm sure there was something else I needed to write down but time is up. I'm sure i'll remember at the most inopportune time!

Drizzle18

Hello,

I'm feeling a little less positive today. I've been thinking about how things could've been if we'd been able to manage the debt. In the short term the IVA has helped massively with money as the budgets just weren't balancing and we needed the CC's every month just to get by. For the long term though things are going to be much harder. I feel so guilty at what we can't provide for the DC. I must take a step back and also remember how lucky they are and how wonderful their life is and will be. I'm actually planning a family meeting to get their opinions on what clubs they want to attend and any travelling they want to do and not what I think they should do. I know these feelings are mostly likely due to being really tired at the moment (a lot of 5.30am starts this past week) and being emotional.

Money is tight at the moment. The IVA payment went out recently, plus two of the DC have birthdays this month. Doesn't help that I am waiting on some income coming in, CA hasn't been paid for while due to changing jobs last year and they are checking incomes etc. There's nothing to worry about, everything is as it should be but it's just difficult while we wait for things to be sorted. Roll on next week when things can get back on an even keel. I'm really excited about getting started on some savings pots.

Right, I will be back very soon with a positive post with some savings targets. I will update on last weeks list and put up this weeks.

Drizzle18

Hi, just a quick update tonight. I will work on a longer one tomorrow with some savings target/budget musings.

I have 2 of the DC birthdays in June so I wasn't able to do much savings wise, especially as I hadn't had chance to build up a birthday pot. That is done with now until DC1's birthday ln October.

Unfortunately, along with the CA, Tax credits has been reduced by almost £90 a week for the next 6 weeks then it will be reduced by £35 a week. Not great but manageable. So I won't be able to save much until that's sorted. Awful timing. Fingers crossed CA is sorted soon as the payback from that will help cover the shortfall until the new rate is in place. Tbh this just helps drive home the importance of building up some savings and living below our means.


However, I am still much more positive than my last post. This is just a small setback.

I'm off to read some more diaries x

enthusiasticsaver

Sorry about tax credit setback. Hope things settle down soon for you.

Drizzle18

Evening :j

Thank you enthusiasticsaver we will manage. Of course, the timing could be better with coming up to the school holidays :cool:

Been doing a lot of sums over the past few days. Roll on October for the Student Finance :T:rotfl:

I want to save an emergency fund of £1000. I know this isn't enough long term but is plenty for now as we've never had one before :eek: I will be doing tilly tidies to fund this for now plus any extra I can make through eb@y etc. or a refund from the tax man (I was on the wrong tax code last tax year). I can contribute more later in the year.

I'm also trying to save monthly/weekly for:

Kids clothing
Birthdays
Xmas
School expenses (Uniform/trips etc.)
School holidays
Swimming fees
Car costs

I also need to budget for a lot of upcoming costs such as:

A weekend away for a wedding we've been invited to
A weekend away with my siblings
I need some dental work doing that isn't covered by the NHS
I need to buy some tickets for DC1's birthday (October)
We need a new mattress/bed
We also need new drawers for the kids' clothes and a desk.
A couple of repairs to the house
We've been talking about getting a dishwasher too!

There's a few bits and bobs that I'd like to get for the house but they will come out of my weekly budget. I think a lot of this can be covered by income I'm waiting on... I don't want to mentally spend it before it comes though in case it's not what I expect. Car is also due it's mot next month and it's doubtful that it will pass. There'll be too much needing done to it I think, it's not worth it. I was hoping to save and upgrade soon so I'm reluctant to spend lots on this car for the sake of a few months.

I need to do my shopping tomorrow and I must keep a tight rein on spends.

Tonight for tea we had Diet Coke gammon and there's loads left over. I reckon at least 2 more meals
I also want to recreate a meal we had on holiday to Disneyl@nd P@ris. It was a cowboy meal with chilli, ribs, sausages etc. There's going to be loads leftover here too so I can use these in other meals.

So for the rest of the week we're having:
Gammon pasta bake
Carbonara
Cowboy meal
Chilli with Doritios
Sausages (not sure how yet)
Homemade KFC chicken
I think DH fancies doing a roast at the weekend too.

I think because I'm able to use things for more than one meal I'll be able to keep grocery spends low this week, although we do need more washing powder.

I'll leave it here as this post is now massive :eek: must remember to post little and often

:j

[Deleted User]

Hee hee I love a long post. I did chuckle at your weekly menu. In a world of veganism you are singlehandedly keeping the meat industry alive lol

Drizzle18

Hello Meowcom, haha we do eat a lot of meat, not usually this much though as this is not a typical menu. I actually love vegetables and try to eat more veggie for my lunches. I am still working on the family to eat less meat. I do try to make the meat stretch where I can though.

I went to Mr. S and spent £55.76 then nipped to Home B@rg@ins for greaseproof paper, pop (bad habit) and pet treats. I don't envisage needing to spend anything for the next couple of days.

DC3 has now finished his dinner so my 5 minutes are up.

Take care