Taking back control

foxgloves

@slowprogress - Chilli & pepper seeds can take a while to germinate, especially in January when it's cold. Do you have them in a heated propagator? Gentle heat at the bottom can assist germination of the more tropical veg. All seeds can rot though, if they get too wet. I had poor germination of peppers last year despite them being in a propagator because the seeds were rather old. I had time to re-sow new ones though. Love this time of year with all the planning & potential for lovely fresh homegrown fruit & veg to come.
F

slowprogress

@foxgloves yes i was wondering if they had rotted off so thought i'd sow a few more just incase.  I'm having to try very hard not to sow the tomatoes, its far too early but its my favourite thing to grow.  I might see if i've still got  a heated propogator, i forgot all about it until you mentioned it, thank you xx

doingitanyway

I have just read your diary. You are doing so well. I also find L1d1 much cheaper and just as good. I am glad you are buying the 'extras' for meals there. I found when I was getting out of debt I missed the 'bits' like guacamole, chillies, olives, fresh herbs and all the other things that make a basic meal more of a treat. Great that you made sausage sandwiches for the children. Keep going 

slowprogress

Good morning everyone, not much happening here, a few small purchases made, all on a very low budget and considerably less than last years,

63.15 food shop at lidl, which takes the food shop for january to 366.97, I had set a budget of 400 but there was lots left from Christmas so it was much easier than it would have been.

Plan for today is SOA and to set a budget for February.

I also spent 1.75 on a tension rod and 11.99 on another clothes airer from B and M, I've managed to only use the tumble dryer once in January and this was becaue I couldnt find enough drying space so hopefully the airer will pay for itself by solving that.

Back later

slowprogress

[font=courier new][b]Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet[/b][b]

Household Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 2[b]

Monthly Income Details[/b]
Monthly income after tax................ 1600
Partners monthly income after tax....... 300
Benefits................................ 683.96
Other income............................ 0[b]
Total monthly income.................... 2583.96[/b][b]

Monthly Expense Details[/b]
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 420
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 140
Electricity............................. 222
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 45
Telephone (land line)................... 44.99
Mobile phone............................ 26
TV Licence.............................. 13
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 400
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 40
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 21
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 7
Life assurance ......................... 18
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 70
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 30
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0[b]
Total monthly expenses.................. 1506.99[/b]
[b]

Assets[/b]
Cash.................................... 1600
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 4000
Other assets............................ 0[b]
Total Assets............................ 5600[/b]
[b]
No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts[/b]

[b]Unsecured Debts[/b]
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit card - Virgin...........6031.15...106.4.....0
Bounce back loan...............5068.9....10.75.....0[b]
Total unsecured debts..........11100.05..117.15....-  [/b]

[b]
Monthly Budget Summary[/b]
Total monthly income.................... 2,583.96
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,506.99
Available for debt repayments........... 1,076.97
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 117.15[b]
Amount left after debt repayments....... 959.82[/b]

[b]Personal Balance Sheet Summary[/b]
Total assets (things you own)........... 5,600
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -11,100.05[b]
Net Assets.............................. -5,500.05[/b]

[i]Created using the SOA calculator at www.stoozing.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using Firefox browser.[/i][/font]

I've kept the food budget at 400 even though there wont be a 5 week month for a while, then i can buy the odd hot lunch for the children and the occasional small item for the house from this budget.

I've deleted spotify, disney+ and amazon prime, and cancelled my magazine subscription.  I have kept netflix and we have basic vigin media services.  The mobile phone rental is for mine and 2 childrens mobile phone package.  Husband pays car expenses his mobile and the other childs contract, he also usually pays swimming lessons (I covered it last time as he had to have some time off sick).

When I look at that it doesnt seem too bad and my aim to have paid off the credit card by the end of July when I change jobs seems achievable. It does highlight how much I was overspending though to rack up such a large debt in a relatively short space of time on mainly living expenses.

Slow Progress