Saving to take son away. Camping/caravan this year :) plus legoland florid when hes 15/16 I hope

Skint_yet_Again

How exciting that you have booked Lego land 🤗 It’s great that you have so much to look forward to. You have done really well with savings and reduced food shop. 

I think it’s a good idea to ask the doctor about additional support. Stress is a big problem and things are even worse with covid.  I think we all have forgetful moments at times, I once made tea and put the milk in the cup cupboard & couldn’t find it for ages 😆, but you don’t want it to escalate so hopefully the dr can help 

longway2go

Fantastic news that lego land is booked, that's something lovely to look forward to. 
I agree that writing things down really helps to process things. 
I hope you have a lovely day. 

jules81

Thank you both xxx

I am excited we tell DS next week on his birthday I have him this sat night ( we painted his room last week/this week- dulex was on 342 at homebase a couple of weeks ago honestly its 1 room but my living room is in choas as is my bedroom. Poor DS toys are all stacked in small spare room. I am honestly exhausted I got out of car on school run and honestly was swaying. My PA had to do the 1 min walk and get him. I feel over 2 years ago at school and it really upset DS. I think because I am so big, my meds and my ME/CFS I often unfortunately fall I had trainers on ( I always wear flat the most heeled shoes I wear are my Dr Martin's my mum and dad got me 2 Christmas ago) but because I have fallen I worry it will happen again. I worry if PA is off sick with covid I have no back up, if I feel this poorly..I've tried to not apply for blue badge as I WANT to keep my independence but today has floored me. I've been in bed since we got home. I want a Bath but have no energy. I am so worried I wont be able to get DS, if this happens. If it was normal school time my friends dad picks his granddaughter up and always parks near me so I know I could phone school up and he would get DS and walk him.back to the car. But shes not at school. So I am stuck the school car park has 3 disabled places and 5 other spaces and the mini bus. I doubt I would get a space there. Its playing on my mind. 

Anyway sold 4 items, 2 gone today 1 tomorrow and 1 on mon. I am leaving items outside in bag and asking people to push money through letter box. So far people have so minimal risk £23 towards shed and more room win win. 

I ordered a new clubcard my vouchers have vanished so need to call them.on mon with PA. Also got my slimming world referral from.gp so another call to make on mon. 

I think I am just going to sleep till I get DS tomorrow, and read on here xxx

jules81

I've slept, and slept. Did set my alarm for 10am to put something outside for buyer to collect. But she had to go to garage. I only saw this message to 12 so just got stuff in. Hopefully she will still come. 

I been reading a bit on here and KNOW I have so much to learn about. 

Obviously I am saving for short term things to do with my son.

BUT I know nothing ( or have nothing) saved long term. I worked full time for 12 ish  years from college to when I had my son. I know I have a pension. BUT know it's a tiny one. No idea where to start on that? I get ESA I think to get my state pension.. I have to have paid enough NI contributions? Not sure how many though. 

This house was built 1990. It's never had new windows in.  It needs them ( we had new door when ex and i were together it kinda stopped working all together). The curtains move when its windy as the windows dont shut properly. The bits over the window/roof are wooden and rottening ( are they facures?) So i need to start thinking about saving to fix them. No idea on that front??? Also the boiler is as old as the house. So REALLY need to start saving for that. PLUS my car is 12 years old so need to start thinking about saving for a new ( second hand one) 

How do people prioritize? Do I just save any spare money in rainy day pot for window/boiler/car and whatever goes first gets the money. Because reality is I dont have chunks of money to save with. So I possible ( when bf moves in -we hope April time) have £40 ish extra a month ( my ESA will go down I think -but he will pay half the bills so I think will have extra £40) it's not really worth £10 ish in each pot? Where £40 for them is £480 a year. But guessing ALL them things are going to be minimal £3000 each. Which will take 4 years  plus  ( min) to save for each one. I mean window I guess can wait. But boiler and car are kinda essential.  Any advise guys? Xxx

MovingForwards

You should be receiving annual statements from your pension company. This will say how much the pension is currently worth and what it may provide when you reach retirement age (SPA).

To check how things are currently looking for your state pension (SP):
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension read every bit of the forecast, don't just stop at the headline. Reading all of it says how many more years you currently need, based on how the the SP is currently calculated.

To keep costs down on the windows, the units only can be replaced, not the whole window frame and units. This saves a stack of money. The window units only need replacing if the seals between the two glass sections have failed eg you can see condensation in the middle.

As your windows were fitted years ago, it could be the window frame sealent which is failing. After time the sealent shrinks / starts to have bits breaking off them. This can be fixed as a do it yourself job (DIY), your OH can do it. Costs about £4 for the trigger and possibly £8 each tube of sealent. Doesn't take long to do and is quickly learnt.

The window hinges may need adjusting. This is a DIY job and there are plenty of you tube videos showing how to do it. Again, this doesn't take long.

The house fascias may be salvageable, someone will need a proper look. If they can be salvaged, remove / replace the faulty ones, sand and paint them (DIY), if they can't there's uPVC ones available which may be better to have fitted as you're unable to maintain the wooden ones due to health and budget, your OH may be able to do the ongoing maintenance if yours are salvageable or you have new wooden ones.

As long as parts are available, boilers can keep getting repaired. An independent gas safe person will do their best to keep it going, the likes of on energy company engineer won't.

Cars can keep going, if maintenance is dealt with promptly. Just because it's 12 years old, it doesn't mean it's end of life. I've never owned one that new!

If you have a proper read of the diaries in this section, you will see how we all save. All of us do things differently. The main thing is actually saving the money and not dipping into it.
I save different pots for different things eg a car pot, exterior repairs, internal repairs, upgrades, emergency fund etc, but my disposable income is higher than yours.
Whilst most don't go to the extremes I do, I think you definitely need one for home repairs and another for your car. Those are both priorities as you need a dry roof over your head and the means to get out and about. I would identify them as 'needs' rather than 'wants'.

You need to do a benefit check to make sure you're receiving everything you should be. I can't remember if you're claiming / receiving PIP.

When did you last go over all your outgoings, be ruthless and say I'm spending too much on X, I can get rid of Y and Z can be swapped for a lower thing?

longway2go

Hi Jules, 
I think that there is currently a grant that you may be able to apply for in relation to boilers so that might be worth a Google.  
Atm I am looking to build an emergency fund, I put aside what I can each month and budget for all monthly expenses by using pots for food, petrol etc. Once the emergency fund is at an appropriate level I may start to save for things which are not an emergency in other pots. 
Hope you are feeling a little better. 

jules81

@MovingForwards I am having a good read of your journal....in another tab...I am learning LOTS but am only up to page 45 ish. I've really struggled this weekend with energy.  I have literally been in bed or laying on sofa when we had ds. I keep going dizzy so only had about 2 1/2 hours downstair yesterday. With film on. But i think from reading when i can I am getting info xxx

From reading... i think ...It's best i start an emergency fund ( for car and boiler....i do have around £1600 ( i think)  in an isa so thinking i will just build on that? )  I will need to look at better interest as think its rubbish right now. Like 0.01??? Could that be right? 

I tried to look at my pension forecast on the link. So THANK YOU . I set up an online gateway code. Which worked- But dont have a Barclays account or passport ( havent had one for about 13 years now) so need to sort another way I find out state pension, or ID anyway.

I think I do get forecast on old work pension. I know there's a lump sum ( that is £8,000 ish which would pay for my cremation I hope- BUT I need to change who it goes too...right now its ex husband 🙃 that's on the to do list to sort with PA. I think it pays £80 ish a month. But maybe wrong. I think it goes up with inflation but again maybe wrong. 

With windows dad did try to sort hinges about 3 years ago-he masking tape the one that blows open shut 🙄 I think as I intend to stay here ( it's a small 3 bedroom terrace-but I LOVE  my home, it's where I bought DS back from the hospital. I think  maybe when I am 60 ish-20 years look at bungalow as my mobility isnt great BUT I think the stairs do help me..even when I ache and huff and puff) then long term it's worth doing the windows facour boss I think dad said plastic was the best ? I am sure both neighbours have had them done. 

I am copying your list idea...
1)To sort with PA
Gov online state pension years
2)To change private pension to OH ( first time I've called him that its normall BF) 
3) Do slimming world referral on phone
4)ring up about £39 in missing clubcard account

Its DS birthday tomorrow-hes 9 we have snow, a fair bit. I am worried I wont see him as ex husband said to walk to meet him half way. Oh said no way, he know I struggle. So he has said he will drive. But no reply from ex. It's making my anxiety crazy. BUT I am going to wrap his pressies, and do a note about legoland. I can do all this in bed with a cat ( maybe both of them) helping me. 

Xxx

jules81

@MovingForwards I get PIP and ESA,  £407 from my PIP goes to pay my PA every 4 week. I think benefits a right. I get a bit confussed. 

Outgoing will post. When I can... I do  Know my internet is stupid and need to change it ss its £50 a month with virgin. 

Sorry dont know how to edit posts and my concentration goes after a while xxx

jules81

@longway2go will do some googling. Thank you.  Yes am thinking THAT is way forward, 1 emergency fund pot for car/boiler.

Xxx

Skint_yet_Again

I think you are doing the right thing making a list and working your way through it with help from your PA. Just do a bit each day otherwise it can be overwhelming. 

I hope the snow eases and you get to see your DS on his birthday tomorrow.