Learning to walk before I run

LadyGnome

Ed - don't feel bad about reducing your DD's ISA.  She is 6.  You could pay a reduced amount for a couple of years then ramp it back up and she will still have a good sum.  DS1 has just gone to uni and despite my planning over the last few years (I started properly saving when they were in their teens) I've still had to chuck money at him for unexpected costs!

The food shopping sounds great.  A couple of suggestions for veggie meals for a 6 year old: - home made pizza - make the bases and sauce and let her help you build the pizza; tortilla boats (stand and stuff) with veggie chili and salad - she can fill her own boat with bits, mine would eat anything that was in a boat including quinoa and bean chili! a big veg frittata if she likes eggs. 

edinburgher

Thanks @LadyGnome - I can definitely use 2/3 of those suggestions

Not a whole lot of money saving to be done at present. Unfortunately our 4 year old car failed its MOT (which is disgraceful really, issue with a warning light). Cost for MOT, service and repair about £235

I have cut Disney+ from the budget, cancelled Spotify and have taken us down to the cheapest tier of Netflix that was available. Other than that trying to exercise, eat more healthily and avoid wasting more money on crap.

ElmoR

One way to avoid unexpected MOT, Service and associated costs may be to buy a 3 year package with your garage? I had/have a new one for £199 (but I have a titchy Fiesta). Some dealerships were giving away really cheap ones (but that may have changed now their income rocketted from used car sales) that were certainly cheaper over the long term, but obviously relies on you having that money up front to pay now.

edinburgher

Unfortunately our first car issue arose a matter of months after our car passed 3 years (Dacia). Don't think I can buy a package now, although we had one for the first 3 years.

CathT

Hi, just wanted to congratulate you all on your news. You've always had a great approach to saving/investing and I'm sure you'll find a way to meet these new goals. I've no extra advice to offer to what I've read but I just wanted to stop by.

I'll be following! 

themadvix

To save money on Netflix/Disney now that they’re the same cost per month, we’re switching between the two every so often. Disney at the moment, but we’ll switch back to Netflix in a month or so. They keep your data for six months so we’ll  be able to pick up where we left off. Might work for you too?

edinburgher

@themadvix - that might work. To be honest, we only really watch the Simpsons, which DD is gently addicted to (despite not getting most of the jokes (thank goodness!))

No money news, but I went to my bootcamp this morning and did hill sprints for the first time ever. I felt half dead after each set, but found the energy to power through the next set once I got to the bottom of the hill. That probably is a bit like finance

Tartan_Mum

Hello! De lurking here to wish you luck and congratulations. 

I have no idea where you are based but where I am I have now heard several reports of extensions being really difficult to price at the moment. There’s a desperate shortage of materials like wood and things meaning prices right now are moving all the time and not moving down. Might be worth getting a price but also be aware a friend got a quote but was told it was only valid at that for a very short time when it would have to be re - reviewed. 

So even if you get a price now, that might not be what it will cost in 18 months or so. Situation could be better then. 

edinburgher

@Tartan_Mum - thanks for that. If the bank decide we are worth the risk, we could be good to go in a relatively short time. We're currently trying to find an architect to draw up plans. We're near Glasgow.

Tartan_Mum

edinburgher said:

@Tartan_Mum - thanks for that. If the bank decide we are worth the risk, we could be good to go in a relatively short time. We're currently trying to find an architect to draw up plans. We're near Glasgow.

Ah I wasn’t sure if you were east coast with the name we’re Lanarkshire. It might just be who I’m talking to but it’s the building quotes that seem to be the issue.