Why is spending money so easy......

Snwps

I'm quite proud of myself. I meal planned for the month, wrote a detailed list, checked stores and actually remembered to take the list shopping with me!!

Had a successful shopping trip last night and spent:
£11.14 in Home Bargains
£79.92 in Aldi
£22.87 in Farmfoods
Total £113.93.

I need to pop to the butchers over the weekend and buy 5kg chicken breast and 2kg extra lean mince beef and then should be done. This should be an extra £30 max. Overall pretty pleased with that spend. Just need to buy milk/bread/salad/stuff for packed lunches weekly, which should be about £20 per week max so hoping the monthly shop this month is approx £225.

[Deleted User]

That sounds super organised!

Kitten868

Hello there,

I think you're doing fantastically. I'm so impressed.

With taking on more work could you get your teenagers to pick up some of the slack? Cleaning jobs or cooking? Leave you less exhausted and train them up ready for when they move out.

You've taken on a lot. I promise it gets easier as you go. The interest stops taking such a huge bite of the pie and you get more into a routine with things. Plus for you as your list of creditors goes down its gets simpler and they each get bigger chunks.

Have you looked at the snowball calculator?

Keep up the great work xxx

Snwps

Kitten868 wrote: »

Hello there,

I think you're doing fantastically. I'm so impressed.

With taking on more work could you get your teenagers to pick up some of the slack? Cleaning jobs or cooking? Leave you less exhausted and train them up ready for when they move out.

You've taken on a lot. I promise it gets easier as you go. The interest stops taking such a huge bite of the pie and you get more into a routine with things. Plus for you as your list of creditors goes down its gets simpler and they each get bigger chunks.

Have you looked at the snowball calculator?

Keep up the great work xxx

The kids have recently started having weekly pocket money so yes they've started doing chores around the house, mainly cleaning esp doing the dishes. If I'm honest I've babied them a little with the cooking and the best they can do is noodles and toasties :rotfl: They have shown willing to learn so will get them more involved in cooking and prep soon.

Payday from job #2 today (strange on a Saturday I know). I'll be paying this straight off the credit card today. £420 will make sure a big difference and makes it feel worth while doing the extra hours.

Have I mentioned that I've also enrolled in college? Start on Monday, doing next level of my AAT. Cant wait to get started and my bags all packed and ready. I know doing college and 2 jobs will be tough so going to see how this goes over the next few weeks.

Now I have a confession to make. I've gone an bought theatre tickets to see Lion King next year for our wedding anniversary. It's not part of a planned spend and I have put the cost on the credit card :eek: I have to admit I don't feel guilty at all. I've never been to the theatre to see a show and I've always wanted to see the Lion King, I'm so excited. I will be looking to repay this extra cost over the next few months to try and not effect our debt free date.

mark55man

the lion king is fabulous - so a bit naughty MSE wise, but definitely something you will be talking about for years to come

ohdearhowdidthathappen

The Lion KIng is an amazing show.... if you're doing all this extra work, you can definitely justify the odd treat. Being nosy, what level AAT are you doing, are you working in that field already?

Drawingaline

The Lion King is fab, are you seeing it in in the west end or on tour? I saw it in May for my sons birthday, bargain £20 tickets in the grand circle with a great view. I love going to the theatre, I went to 9 shows in August, mainly bought through kids week. :eek:

Snwps

ohshithowdidthathappen wrote: »

The Lion KIng is an amazing show.... if you're doing all this extra work, you can definitely justify the odd treat. Being nosy, what level AAT are you doing, are you working in that field already?

Thanks everyone, feel a little better about the unplanned spend. I'm doing level 3 now, done my level 2 last year. Yes, I have worked in accounts for the last few years but not had the qualifications for it. I've worked in the finance industry since leaving school and I've always wanted to be an accountant. When I left school I was unable to go to University so I'm pleased now I get to do it, despite being a few years older.

I'm at a cross roads with regards to the pay from job #2. It's still sitting in my bank account (untouched) but I'm not sure whether to use it towards the debt or use it for the emergency fund pot. If I added it to the EF it would stand at £674.61, or should I leave the EF as it stands at £250 and put the money towards the debt?? Decisions, Decisions.

Today should be a NSD, I get nervous saying that as usually something pops up unexpected.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Snwps wrote: »

Thanks everyone, feel a little better about the unplanned spend. I'm doing level 3 now, done my level 2 last year. Yes, I have worked in accounts for the last few years but not had the qualifications for it. I've worked in the finance industry since leaving school and I've always wanted to be an accountant. When I left school I was unable to go to University so I'm pleased now I get to do it, despite being a few years older.

I'm at a cross roads with regards to the pay from job #2. It's still sitting in my bank account (untouched) but I'm not sure whether to use it towards the debt or use it for the emergency fund pot. If I added it to the EF it would stand at £674.61, or should I leave the EF as it stands at £250 and put the money towards the debt?? Decisions, Decisions.

Today should be a NSD, I get nervous saying that as usually something pops up unexpected.

I like the idea of changing sectors and accountancy appeals, have heard good things about AAT.

Maybe split the money 50/50; half to EF and half to debt?

mark55man

Or split in 3 ways EF, Debt, Treats - but see how long you can make the treats last. But not feel guilty if you spend it