Easter 2025 I’m coming to get you!

Hettyhound

I've made an over payment of £592 which means my outstanding balance is now £27,999!

LeighofMar

Terrific progress!

savingholmes

That's a lovely OP - well done.

Hettyhound

Hello people.  Well its been far too long and too little saved sadly.  Got rather in a pickle over summer but I have picked myself up and given myself a good talking too.  I have manged to save £335 in my SPC so that is Christmas paid for at least.  My emergency fund is in reasonable shape but not much has gone off the mortgage, however I've got a bit of a plan.  Just paid £21.74 over payment though, thanks to some account rounding.  Sadly as many others my outgoings have increased more than my in comings so this month (November) I am tackling the grocery bill which seems to go up every month.  I have noticed the constant running out of milk so just popping to the corner shop scenario has become more regular so I'm going to make sure I have dried milk powder/UHT milk in to get round those trips, especially as my son has to come with me and he does the whole nagging for sweets in the shop.  I'm also determined not to waste food, although I think I'm not too bad at that.  I am currently using up cupboard stores (with the thanks of the recipe lists on the grocery challenge thread; who knew crushed weetabix can make a brownie?).  My meal planning will include everything as I normally forget about lunches and snacks.  I'm reducing the amount of fresh fruit and making sure I have frozen fruit and veg in the freezer to supplement the fresh veg and I'll be planning my allotment for next year to try an ensure it is more productive, Mother Nature willing!  My main concern at the moment is how much it is going to cost to send my son to secondary school in September.  I know I might be able to pick up second hand uniform but I can't guarantee it.  At the moment I'm thinking I will open a NatWest basic current account to put money in each month and then I can use that to pick up things I need for him throughout the year.  At least its black school trousers and white shirts but its beyond me why any one needs a branded PE kit, but don't get me started on that one.  If I have a NW account as my "secondary school" account then I'll open him a  Rooster account and feed it from there for bus money and lunches etc, although for lunches I think I have to load his school account and he spends from there.  I don't think the regular NW current account has a minimum pay in amount but I need to investigate it further.  I always thought when I wasn't paying childcare costs things would get easier but secondary school is going to cost me considerably more!  Are well enough of the doom and gloom; off to start doing my November budget and try to remember to include EVERYTHING!!!  Wish me luck, Hettyhound

beanielou

Positive vibes from me. 

Branded PE kit~~ what a lot of tosh. 

savingholmes

Sorry education costs are higher than expected. I think when we have a baby we are very disbelieving of the estimates of costs for raising a child while later on in life if we factor in lost earnings we wonder whether they were under-estimated!!

You are still heading in the right direction. Try not to get too disheartened. Costs have risen rapidly over the last few years and to still be ahead of the game and meeting your needs is good going.

Hettyhound

Get paid tomorrow thank goodness.  Have been shopping today using my sealed pot Christmas money (cash) and then tomorrow I’ll transfer the shopping money to the Christmas fund which I can use to pay for things online.  My budget for groceries is £180 and £100 is gone already!  The cupboard and freezer are full though and there is enough meal planning for 2 weeks.  We are going to the cinema this evening, taking my son to see Hocus Pocus which they are showing for 2 nights only.  Free trip as I got a £20 voucher for my birthday so I’m treating us.  Visiting a friend tomorrow and she is buying me lunch for my birthday so that will be lovely.  I’ve now got to try and keep the boy out of the cupboards!

Jessy103

Happy birthday hetty! 🎂🎉 Hope you have a lovely time at the cinema and out for lunch x

savingholmes

Happy Birthday Hetty. Your plans sound lovely. Guilt free indulgence.

Hettyhound

I have made an over payment of £329 off the mortgage which has taken me below the 27k mark.  Had a lovely lunch out on Tuesday but ended up slightly teary as my friend said she wished I lived nearer so she could help me out with my son.  There is a long term plan to move back once my son leaves education but the school in the area where my friend lives is not good (was in special measures).  My priorities are getting rid of the mortgage and getting my boy through secondary education then I would like to move and possibly work part time as I would be nearing retirement age by then.  Ah well talking of work back to work today after 3 days off and that’s it until Christmas 🎄