Sorting my life out (again)

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on the job and the debt down to £2000s. Even better about the car finance coming down.

princess_pea

That’s another c.£500 paid off this month! I’ve started my job and it’s going well. One more car payment left to go 🥳🥳🥳 I’m using my £1k replacement car now as my other is going back soon and needs a couple of touch ups. I managed to pay for the insurance and road tax up front for the year but this wiped out my savings.

I’m focussing on tightening up my food spend this month and using what I already have in before going to the shops.

I booked a weekend away in Cornwall in August for me and the kids. This needs to be paid in full by June and it’s budgeted for. We go to the same place every year and love it. I’m looking forward to taking them further afield once this debt has gone and I have spare money to save 💷

princess_pea

I’m being a bit preemptive but on Monday I’ll officially be debt free (apart from my mortgage) for the second time! I’ve just paid off nearly £22k accrued over the last 4 years.

I still don’t think I’ve completely learnt my lesson - I was looking at garden furniture over the weekend and contemplated putting nearly £400 on my credit card! I didn’t, but those old habits are still there lurking.

I’ve got a few things to pay for over the next couple of months - our holiday in August (a long weekend in Cornwall), a trip to the dentist, haircut and a tattoo! I realise a couple of these things are frivolous, but at least I’ve budgeted for them and won’t be whacking them on my credit card.

After the summer I have the opportunity to do some serious saving, which I am looking forward to. My new job is going well and once my car loan/ consumer loans come off my credit report I’ll finally be in a position to take my ex partner off the mortgage!

My children have spent half term playing in a £10 paddling pool in the garden. We’ve played with toys they got from Santa and hadn’t opened! My daughter is 3 on Sunday and I’ve bought her a small-ish amount of presents. I’ve tried to buy things she (and her brother) will actually play with. I had planned on making her a homemade cake but her dad has announced he’s having one made for her that’s costing £100!! More fool him.

Temptations are always going to be there, but I think I’ve learnt enough to resist them… or at least put them off and budget for them.

princess_pea

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here and my life has changed a little. I left my job after 6 months as it was proving impossible to manage with my two children as a single mum (my daughter is disabled). So I’m back being mum and carer, back being completely reliant on UC and carer’s allowance. I love my children and would do anything for them but since I left my career after my daughter was born I feel like I’ve lost my sense of identity and worth.

Anyway, I’m trying to see this as an opportunity to spend more time with my children before my daughter starts school next year. Hopefully when she’s settled at primary I can go back to work, although I will need to change my career to fit in with school holidays (maybe teaching?) I also have to compile and submit an EHCP application for my daughter which I can imagine is going to be a slog.

I’m still debt free (yey!) but income is much tighter now I’m not working. My daughter now has a mobility car as she cannot walk, so although she sacrifices DLA for this it is better to have a reliable car she and her wheelchair can fit into. I’m in the process of selling my runaround and the proceeds of this will pay for our holiday accommodation next summer.

I’ve sold a few bits on Vinted this week and used that to buy a new (waterproof) winter coat as I didn’t have one. Also put some into emergency savings.

Christmas is pretty much sorted. Food shopping in December will be tight but hopefully manageable.

When I was working last summer I bought tickets/ train tickets to go and see the Bayeux Tapestry this Saturday! I’m using the money I’ve had back from overpaying my rent management fee for spending. My mum is babysitting so I’m going to have a whole day child free in London! I’m so excited.

My ex is still on the mortgage and still doesn’t pay it so there’s all that to sort out when I’m eventually working again.

SuzeQStan

So good to see your post - hear you about the job and feelings of loss of self identity/worth - but family does/must come first. For what it’s worth I 100% believe that your situation is exactly the reason why UC/motability support exist.

Bayesux tapestry tickets - that is wonderful am so jealous. Please let us know what it was like to go and see it x Suze

princess_pea

Thank you, that’s really kind ☺️

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82192754#Comment_82192754

ArtyJ931

teaching is a great shout. I re-trained in my early 40s and went straight into SEND when qualified. It is a bloody hard job but good pay and conditions