First timer seeking accountability

HearThem

Debt wise we’re sitting at £6900! 

Husband’s pickup is having more issues so he plans to sell. I was hoping he’d sell, pay off debt and save for a cash car but he says he is planning to try trade it in for a small work van. 

He just has to get it serviced next week and contact a few places to see what’s what

HearThem

Our budget resets on the 25th. Currently have left;

£78 general (miscellaneous spends) 
£55 transport (should come under budget as just filled my car up yesterday and the pickup isn’t being used much) 
£59 eating out (we will use some/most of this for a family take away on Saturday night while we watch the Christmas lights switch on with kids before heading to friends party). This will be our first evening out in at least 5-6 years. 

-£30 on groceries this month which is ridiculous as our budget is £1000. Really have to sort this out. 

-£34 pets (went over budget this month due to flea, tick and wormer x3 plus 2x emergency dog leads as we went to the beach with the dogs but no leads 🙈) 

Sarahwithlove

Have you looked at shared ownership? Does such a thing exist in Scotland? Might give you a bit more choice in where you move to over fully rented. Hope you manage to find a solution for you all. 

HearThem

Thanks. I’ve enquired about shared ownership schemes in the past but in our area they seem to only be available for new build homes which only go up to 3 bedrooms and no plans for any more in the near future. 

HearThem

Budget reset tomorrow and a NSD here today. We have £11.33 left within Monzo and £77 Vinted sales to overpay on debt. 

Ended up paying for take out for my sister and three nephews as a thank you for babysitting last night. We managed about 1.5 hours at the party before 19yo phoned asking for us to go home. Managed to stretch it out another 30 minutes. Was so lovely catching up with friends and well overdue. 

All kids have needed a quiet day at home today after a late night and different routine but all good. 

Tomorrow middle child has an art and movement session which is new to the area. Just a one off due to a school inservice day but hoping it’s popular enough to warrant more in the future 🤞🏼 Will take the littlest swimming while she’s there. 

Wednesday husband’s pickup is booked in for a service then he’s looking to trade it in. Shouldn’t have to add any money for the replacement and replacement will be cheaper tax and running costs. 

Nothing much else to report this coming week. Hoping to keep spends low as I’m away with the little two for two nights from the 6th-8th December. Hotel is booked and we’ll be visiting my sister so just food/activity money and maybe a spot of Christmas shopping. I’m feeling pretty organised on that front so just stocking fillers if we see any! 

HearThem

Budget reset yesterday. Swimming cost £14.60 for adult + child entry plus a cake and drink for the little one while we hung around the cafe with friends waiting on the big sisters! 

Today has been a NSD and day at home. A couple small Vinted sales make us £3.50 better off. 

While tidying I also found a £50 spa retreat voucher husband bought me last Christmas and we haven’t been able to make happen so I’m going to use it to take the little two swimming in their infinity pool and get treats from the cafe with the rest one day this week. Should be a nice cheap day out with only fuel to factor into cost. 

Yesterday middle child sadly lost her platy fish to new tank syndrome. This fuelled a free call-out from our lovely vet friend who brought some plants and “filter soup” from her own established tanks to help out. Today the water is testing non toxic so hopefully her other fish will make it. Lots of interest based home learning happened today surrounding aquatic nitrogen cycles. She has also dipped into her own savings to fund a larger fish tank which we will establish over the next few weeks before introducing her fish into their new better sized home and adding any more! She is responsible for all costs associated with the fish so a nice ongoing money management lesson. She is extremely passionate about animal welfare. 

Husband has washed the pick-up and taken photo’s today ahead of its service tomorrow so it’ll be ready to sell/trade-in depending what he can find available semi-locally. 

 I think that’s all to report! 

HearThem

Oh just remembered, housing wise I have put us on the list with the local housing association group to wait for a 4 bedroom property. The plan is to sit on the waiting list while we pay off debt and save for a deposit to keep options open given we don’t know what the future holds with employment and education opportunities. 

HearThem

Have had a £50 refund from Amazon through for a couple of Christmas present returns that weren’t quite as expected. 

Also discovered I am eligible for a £288 carers’s supplement which should be arriving next week. Think I’ll earmark that for festive fun with the kids and throw any remaining funds at debt on budget reset day, which will be on Christmas Day! 

We are away next weekend and have plans to watch Moana 2 in the cinema (I’ll get in free because middle child has a CEA card so just 2x kids tickets to purchase). She also has ARFID so we’ll take our own brand popcorn in for snack which will save buying any. 

We are also planning a wander round the Christmas markets in the city and then either a pay as you please animal park (if weather permits) or entry into a museum tour which my sister said she has two adult tickets for. Under 5’s are free so we’d jist have to pay for 1x child. 

We’re staying in a premier inn for 2 nights which was £80 which I thought good value! Food wise when away I’ll be packing a small travel hob to cook middle child’s safe foods and I’ll pack snacks. We may eat a meal or two at sister’s flat but I think eating out will be our biggest expense. 

HearThem

Husband has just informed me he’s booked onto a firefighting course in a couple weeks which of course he now has to fund himself because he’s self-employed! £234. We only have £25 in the emergency fund right now so I’ll have to re-jig the budget. 

HearThem

Also who knew servicing a vehicle was so expensive? Husband has estimated £200 and hasn’t factored that cost in anywhere so will also have to come out of the budget quite unexpectedly. Waving goodbye to that carer’s supplement 😏