Wendy's "To get it out of my head" Diary

GirlRacer_2

Hi Wendy, I phoned tax credits last week and updated my renewal. I'm earning about £1K more this year and Since 1st April I've been getting £98 tax credits per week instead of £104. Have checked online banking this morning and they've paid in £116 which divided by the last 4 weeks ives me about £25 per week more. I'm confused by this also and was thinking of telephoning them but I'll probably wait until I get my rewards notice which should be any day now. In the past its gone up or down by a few pounds but never by this much.....

Keeping_Positive

Strange isnt it. I wonder if its to do with the budget where they have targeted lower income families?

GirlRacer_2

I'm hoping its correct as it means I'll have £127.00 per week instead of £104 and my aim would be to save the odd £27 per week.

Keeping_Positive

Well had a breakdown of how the 70 is made up now I need to wait to find out have the extra 1k will affect it and if I was overpaid last year and how much?. To add after looking at the report declaring what I though we would bring in verses actual is about £1.9k out.

I havent really got a clue how they calculate these things. I am hoping that at worst I still get the 50 I get nowwhich is double the 25 was budgeting for.

Oh and the car report came back looking at 400-600 depending on how picky I want to be to get it through MOT and a couple of things that will need doing soon. This will mean an outlay on the car of 700-900 that will be worth £450 with MOT. Also due tax at end of month.

Mechanic may have a buyer for the Zafira in mind so fingers crossed we can get the 2300 I want. If not I may rethink. Need to speak to OH. The mechanic thinks the Vauxhall Cavilier is a good car that will keep going for a few years and be cheap to repair.

What do you guys think? Give up on cavelier an tryto get back my costs or stick with it and hopeully get my planned profit?

Keeping_Positive

Also on my other thread about the kids savings I have had a thought about borrowing the kids money less passport costs if they want them and paying a chunk off the loan. With that the 1.5k from car (maybe?!) and overpaying 75 a month I can be debt free in 3.5 years. I can then use my work shares currently worth 2.3k and will be added to each year to repay them in five years at 10% compound interest a year. It will cost me more in the long run in interest but they will get extra money from nothing and I can use this money now that they cant. I cant access my shares as I have to keep them for 5 years after each award. Only have 100 currently available which is a few hundred at current share price.

Girls are ok with it although DD1 thinks she is hard done by because "everyone else at school has a least 1000 I dont"! I worked blooming hard to save that much for the little madam and the monies for the others.

Keeping_Positive

Car quote to get through MOT £315 +£37.50 for today. Now have to sort out insurance and advertise the other car. Not feeling very productive today but did list a bundle of girls clothes and an unworn top of mine so fingers crossed I get some luck.

GR and Dizzy good luck with your items too.

Keeping_Positive

Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Have someone going to look at the Zafira in a week so fingers crossed. Cavilier booked in for its MOT/Work last day of june but Im nervous that it needs work before then. Mechanic says the car is safe. Dont want to get pulled becasue of the cracked number plate.

Kids want to change holiday destination and if I can find a haven site that will fit the tent on one pitch that will save money because I can use vouchers.

Spent about £250 yesterday

63 on car stereo and slow cooker both in sale
76 kids clothes and two new pairs of clark shoes for girls
17 Mc D's!
93 Tesco for girls phones - this is actually their saving money because I have cleared the savings account to go to the loan.

Plan with the loan is to pay them back using my shares in 5 years at 10% a year compound interest compared to the 5% they were getting. Dads idea to let them get mobiles. Not overly happy but I can live with it.

Got loads to do today but not much get up and go

Still need to do weekly shop
Want to back some bread rolls and hot x buns and some more hobnobs.
Bath kids
Mow lawn
Move tv upstairs with OH - not go a buyer and too good to freecycle
Fit last car seat cover with OH
Wash up and clean kitchen
Sort out front "garden" tiny but looks dreadful

GirlRacer_2

Good morning Wendy. Sounds as if you've got lots planned for today. Glad you made a decision about the savings after.

I still haven't managed to get the ingredients for the hobnobs so I can't see me baking them this weekend. I've been soooo busy trying to make some extra money for the May challenge. Not doing so bad but would like a little boost.

Hope you manage to get everything some today and even manage some time to yourself.

Keeping_Positive

Still need to do weekly shop - done tesco shop online for tuesday cant face abusy shop today. We will need a couple of bits before then, will send OH. Spent £80 less a £10 code so £10 over my £60 weekly budget but have over ordered a few things to hit code total spend required.


Want to bake some bread rolls and hot x buns and some more hobnobs. - bread rolls in BM


Bath kids Done


Mow lawn

Move tv upstairs with OH - not go a buyer and too good to freecycle

Fit last car seat cover with OH

Wash up and clean kitchen - done although kitchen not spotless I have found room for slow cooker. Really missed it since I broke the other one. A 6.5 Morphy richards one on sale at £23

Sort out front "garden" tiny but looks dreadful

Not too bad in an hour and 1/2 I guess

In_Search_Of_Me

Well done you! I dont disagree with raiding the savings - t can be paid bac later & its your money effectively as assume you paid it in? Mobiles can be expensive as they text like mad! Are you putting a limit on hw much they can top up each month? May be a idea to save rows & set boundaries from outset! The hobnobs are yummy arent they & so quick to make GR!! Made gngernuts last night from one of the library books I got yesterday! Have a good day!