Just a mother and her mortgage

kimplus8

Had a great couple of no spend days, then today I had an appointment 80 miles away and made my own coffe to take and packed lunch, unfortunately I left the packed lunch at home like an idiot so ended up getting a meal deal. Other than that slip up ( lesson learnt to be a bit more organised with meals away from home) I have been really good and ignored unnecessary purchases. 

I popped to B&M to get some cleaning products that I needed and went to the Tesco in the next car park and got my little top up shop- stuck to my list and don’t go down any isles that I didn’t need to. 

Yesterday I sat and did my zero based budget for February and planned meals for next week. Went to the cash point and drew out the cash for my envelopes. 

Car fuel, kids money for School, top up shop money all in envelopes ready for the weekend and next week ahead. 

I am meeting a friend for a cuppa on Friday but we are meeting at her home instead of the local coffee shop. That will save money and also keep me away from the town centre where I may be tempted to impulse purchase. 

LISA is on track to be maxed out by March and ready for the April reset where I can add another £4000 over the year. 

Emergency fund is slowly building up. 

I’ve played around with some of the online affordability calculators and I am on track for a 10% maybe even 15% LTV mortgage for the price range I am looking at, of course this is all subject to change but I’m feeling determined now I have a specific set of financial goals. 

I’m due a day at home tomorrow so going to get the housework done, get dinner prepped and then list a pile of stuff on Vinted. I have unopened stuff and some clothes with tag on to list where I plan to build up a pot of money that I can use to buy item for myself and the kids when needed. 

The kids done seem in much need for clothes really, I got some packs of leggings and top in the sales last year for my girlies and my boys have some tracksuits and jeans I also got in the sale last year, I do need to sort out the summer clothes boxes and throw anything ripped/ stained in the charity bin outside school.
Anyway, I’m shattered to need some sleep as babies are certain to wake me up lots.
night all x 

mumtoomany

Hi, @kimplus8. Lovely to "see" you again. Sounds like you are doing well. You'll soon have a deposit together. Good luck, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, hugs, mumtoomany.xxx

kimplus8

mumtoomany said:

Hi, @kimplus8. Lovely to "see" you again. Sounds like you are doing well. You'll soon have a deposit together. Good luck, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, hugs, mumtoomany.xxx

Hi, it’s been a while x
thankyou for the support xx

kimplus8

Working 48 hours whilst getting assignments done and looking after the kids is hard. Especially birthdays, Christmas etc when I desperately want to save for a house. Every penny counts and I can’t be silly with my money any more- strict meal plans/ planned expenses and save save save. Xx

kimplus8

The no spend month is going okay, I’ve had a few slip ups but mostly I’ve only bought things that we need. I did a bulk order of sun cream, baby milk and nappies this week for the smallest wee ones. 

I have a few things to think about buying soon, I need to make a start on getting school uniform bits ready for august. 2 kids need new blazers for school and all the teens need new shirts. 

School policy has now changed to allow trainers as long as they are black so I no longer need to buy both shoes and separate PE trainers. 

I’m working really hard on the shopping budget and meal planning. I am determined to be mortgage ready by this time next year.

kimplus8

It has been a fairly expensive months with 3 birthdays and a few of the kids needing new uniforms for school. I have been very good at having no spend days and really managing our meal planning and grocery budgeting. 
The savings are going well and I am managing to put amounts into savings each moth, even if only small amounts. Opened a new savings account with skipton with the 7.5% interest ready to transfer this money into my LISA next year going me maximum interest on the savings on top of the government bonus.