Currently clueless...aiming for awareness

canvascamper

Anyway, got distracted, I actually came on here to post an accountability point. 

Just making a picnic to take to the local fancy woodland playground so we can hopefully spend the day there with minimal spend. Will take £10 for ice lollies and THAT IS THE LIMIT.

There, I've said it now so it WILL HAPPEN 😁

joedenise

As Mr CC can't wash up due to his sensitive skin could you perhaps share the washing up, ie you wash, he dries or even better get the kids to do it!  That of course depends on the ages of your kids.  When I was growing up there were 3 of us and we took turns with the washing up, drying up and putting away so one of us did each job for a week and then we moved round!  Mum and/or dad would wash up as they went along if they were making cakes or similar but not the day to day washing up.  I did the same with my 2 but did the putting away myself - they just alternated washing up and drying up.

Enjoy your day at the woodland playground, sounds lovely.

Naomim

Hey, 

I've just read your diary straight through the post couple of days. Like you I am a returner to diary land. 

How are your pots working out and have you managed to stay out of the overdraft?

I'm still in mine but it's much less then it used to be but I find two teenagers are an absolute drain on resources! One thing I've always done with the chid benefit is keep it separate so it's ONLY used on the kids. It used to be school shoes and uniforms, but it's now mainly lunches, pocket money for 13yo and top ups for bus fares. 

Keep posting and good luck!

Naomim 

canvascamper

Hi @Naomim 😊 welcome to my rambling corner! 

Yes I still use the pots and they've worked really well for some things, especially fixed costs like national trust membership and dentist checkups. They don't seem to work as well for the weekly food shop because prices keep going up and once the money has gone out of the pot, I still need to buy food. I do juggle the pots around so if I need food money I'll take from the clothes pot, but then inevitably someone outgrows their shoes or loses a jumper. 

I had not been overdrawn since October last year but that's because I used a 0% transfer to move the debt to a card. I managed to keep from going back overdrawn for 7 months but last month due to a whole load of things breaking I was in it by £900 🤢 so I'm determined to claw that back ASAP.

The park went well today, financially. I only spent £3.50 on parking all day. To be completely honest, the children were all badly behaved when we were trying to leave the house so they lost ice cream privileges anyway, so that saved me a few quid! 

Naomim

It sounds like we're very similar with the small unexpected purchases that mess us up. Parking, dentists etc. I currently have 19 pots running in Monzo but it's the small things that catch me out. 

I do need to revisit my SOA and be completely honest with myself. Pre covid I used to make lunches for both MrM and I, but now we work flexible days, I don't. Unless I get to the co-op in time for a meal deal,  central London prices are extortionate! And I think this is the crux of it. Being completely honest with ourselves about our spending.  I'm much better when I keep a note of things and categorise it.

Naomim

Another thought, do you use cashback sites for online purchases? Quidco & Topcashback. I've actually had a few £100 over the years. Most things might only earn pennies but they add up. 

canvascamper

Attempt at a statement of affairs. No doubt I will miss something!

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household - 2
Number of children in household - 3 (11, 8 and 4)
Number of cars owned - 2 (2020 family car 7 seater, 2005 runaround to get to work)

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax - £1969 salary. Also have a freelance job that depends on number of days worked, £400 per day net and I can do up to 4 days per month. Depends on the work being available. Usually do 2 or 3 days.
Partners monthly income after tax - £2129
Benefits - child benefit
Total income - minimum £4316, maximum £5916

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage - £1002.82
Council tax - £188
Electricity and Gas - £277
Water - £50
Telephone and internet (includes BT sport) - £66.24
Mobile phone - £12
TV Licence - £13.25
Now TV - £12
Disney+ - £8.99
Food/household stuff - £450
Clothing - £50
Petrol/diesel - £150
Road tax - £30
Car Insurance - £50
Car maintenance (including MOT) - £50
Other travel (tram to work) - £40
Childcare/nursery - £650
Karate lessons (child 2) - £26
Parkour lessons (child 1) - £32 
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc) - £50
Pet insurance/vet bills - £18
Buildings and contents insurance - £19
Life and critical illness cover - £165.86
Presents (birthday, Christmas etc) £40
National Trust - £12

Total monthly expenses - £3463.16


Assets
Cash - £650
House value approx £500,000
Cars - £19,000

Secured debts
Mortgage £271,000 at 3.7% (fixed to October 2024)

Unsecured Debts
Description                          Debt           Monthly         APR
Monzo Flex                          £176.65     average £80   0%
Co-op credit card                 £628          average £50   12.9%
Paypal                                   £690         average £50   0%
M&S credit card                    £763         £23                  0%
MBNA credit card 1              £6161        £155                0%
MBNA credit card 2               £728         £25                  0%
Victoria Plumbing Loan         £209         £70                  0%
Tesco car loan                      £21k          £312                8%

Total unsecured debt        £30355.65     £765 

Summary
Total monthly income - £4316 - £5916 
Expenses (inc mortgage) - £3463.16
Available for debt repayment - £852.84 - £2452.84
Monthly unsecured debt repayment - £765
Amount left after debt repayment - £87.84 - £1687.84

Assets - £519,650.00
Secured debt - -£271,000
Unsecured debt - -£30355.65
Net assets £218,294.35 

canvascamper

Ugh, just realised I missed off -

Cleaner 2 X per month £60
Beano subscription - £12.50
Spotify - £9.99 

canvascamper

@Naomim I don't use cashback sites, I don't know why but I find they add a layer of stress! I like things to be simple 😁 

Naomim

canvascamper said:

@Naomim I don't use cashback sites, I don't know why but I find they add a layer of stress! I like things to be simple 😁 

Maybe you could just try them when the car/house insurances are due? Easy £30 jut for click on Go Compare or the Meerkats.