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

donner_kebab

Hiya Wendy24g!
First off huge well done for starting your diary! I find mine a godsend!
Just noticed about your telephone and broadband...can you get Virgin in your area? I pay £11 per month for line rental of the phone and £9 per month for 2mb Broadband...they were charging me £18 per month for the broadband but I complained as there website said standard price was £9 so they changed it if I took out a new contract for 12 months! But as a new customer, you can actually get it for £4.50 per month...even better if you can get it where you live!
Take care and keep on at it! xxx

Keeping_Positive

Thanks Donner Kebab.

This diary and everyones input has helped a lot.

Unfortunately I dont think I can go to Virgin (another bargaining tool I cant use with Sky) had a look a few months ago. Also tied into Talk talk for another 6 months or I would probably bundle with Sky. BB and Telephone will be a challange in late summer when contact finishes to get a good deal. Need to get a BT line again. The chap at Sky did mention something about sky paying BT fees but I didnt have time to go into it.

sparky0107

wendy24g wrote: »

Thanks Donner Kebab.

This diary and everyones input has helped a lot.

Unfortunately I dont think I can go to Virgin (another bargaining tool I cant use with Sky) had a look a few months ago. Also tied into Talk talk for another 6 months or I would probably bundle with Sky. BB and Telephone will be a challange in late summer when contact finishes to get a good deal. Need to get a BT line again. The chap at Sky did mention something about sky paying BT fees but I didnt have time to go into it.

Hi wendy,
Sorry to barge in hun, be careful with the sky BB, my brother had nothing but trouble with it and couldn't get online for 2 months, then he couldn't access his email account for a further 4 months, he ended up having to cancel & moving to virgin.
On a lighter note, I've got a tasty tomato sauce recipe which can be made as a huge pan full and will freeze for later use
Also sympathy on the mood swings, my DW has the same problem and I know she gets frustrated by it.
You've really got to grips with your budget though, I have just read all your posts from start to finish & I'd like to say well done to you

:T :T :T :T

Keeping_Positive

Thank you Sparky that makes me feel great. Barge in anytime!

I will bear that in mind with Sky it took a few months to settle TT down so not really wanting another battle on my hands.

Tomato soup recipe sounds good. My cooking skills are ok but Im quite picky on food. The last couple of years I am really expanding my tastes but kids are not impressed. They need to be persuaded even with simple casserole and stews. I knew I would get a picky child as just deserts for being a pain food wise for my Mum but all three!

Sassamac

LOL Wendy. I was a fussy eater as a child but started expanding my taste buds when I went travelling, uni, left home etc. and now I eat loads of variety. Ive made a real conscious effort in the last couple of years to eat a wider variety and it definitely shows in the kids. The 3 year old isnt very accepting of new foods, whereas the 1 year old is. I think its definitely harder the older they get but there is hope.

We're with virgin and we live pretty close to you but it might depend on whats available in your street. I think I need to do some bargaining myself as from seeing others SOA's on here it doesnt appear that we're getting a very good deal for our phone and internet package.

Keeping_Positive

Quick update.

Lovefilm cancelled. £20 spent on Guides/brownies but other than that no other spends. Have a £22 bill for Brownies (uniform) due end of March. This is darn expensive. Hopefully it will settle down now they both have the uniform. They do love it so.

DD2 is unbelievably excited by Brownies that she cant wait to be inducted so she can wear her uniform. She convinced herself today that it was happening tonight so got changed into her uniform. I got her to take a spare top to change into and Mummy was right it wasnt tonight. Thankfully no tears. This one cries if I forget to cuddle her before school.

Sassamac

LOL be greatful that DS isnt a DD or you would have had Rainbows to fork out for too. Luckily Beavers dont start til age 6 so you have another years reprieve on that one.
Bless you DD being all excited though, makes you realise it is worth the money.

Keeping_Positive

Beavers! No no more :rotfl:

Keeping_Positive

Managed to get to 10.30 last night withough spending a penny then OH needed £10 for petrol which as always when I log online to the bank actually translates into £20. Not really annoyed half expected it. This is why I dont count the extra £30 he wants to pay each month. Ill just end up giving it back for something when hes short. He is trying.

Spent some money on petrol today which will be almost all expences. Then a usual spot of weakness £2 on chocolate:D .

Tomorrow will be more petrol and cash wash, the hire car is being swapped so I need it clean. OH has hovered inside so I just need a cheap wash. Overall this week other than todays slip I havent spent anything on lunches which is much better than usual.

Keeping_Positive

UPDATED SOA TO SEE IF ANY PROGRESS

Income:
Wages £1335
Child Benefit £170 (3 kids)
Tax credit - £25 currently £47 a week but this will reduce alot next year so budgeting less.
OH £100 and possibly another £30 on top for the car repairs (OH on benefits and has own DMP to pay he does contribute to extra groceries and childrens treats etc)
TOTAL £1630

Outgoing:
Rent £430
CTax £131 (intend to stick to 10 months)
Home Insurance £15 (just redone)
Water £28
TV £12
SKY £55 -£43 three month deal till 3rd June, will then cancel movies and a mix saving £7- Complete luxury but OH would be up in arms and its cheaper than a new childminder!
Gas: £25
Electric: £40 - just switched both to EON and expecting £70 from quidco with then change back
Lifeboats £3
Phone and Broadband £30 - aim for £25
Groceries for five £300 - aim £250
Lunches - monthly work spend - £50 - aim to keep this a lot lower
American life Ins (ref cancer a worry of mine) £6
Brownies/Guides/ School £30 - again would like to be lower B & G fairly new so not 100% sure of costs yet. OH helps out on these as well. £20 so far and another £22 due eek
Catalogue £50
Loan £224
Petrol £30 feb £21

Total [strike]£1492[/strike] £1444 = £48 saving

Balance £[strike]138 times 12 =£1656[/strike] £186 times 12 = £2232
Yearly budgets - This is where I need to start a spending diary alot is guess work

Xmas Savings Club:£500 (also time MOT and service due so aim high with this) £200 so far
Car Tax yearly: £180
MOT & Service yearly: £150
Repairs yearly budget: £300
Birthdays yearly budget:£300
Holidays £1000 including spends £116 paid
Car Insurance £600 guestimate (OH new driver and me bump prone )
Hairdressers £70 for all £40 spent already:eek:
Clothes £200 £70 spent on kids so far
RAC £100 - hopefully less this year not due till end of year
Total £3400

Shortfall [strike]£1744[/strike] £1168- to be covered by underspending on budgets, quidco £85 due, pigsback £9.47 & yearly bonus money saving madness £39.83

£576 a year saved not including underspends so far and £36 Sky saving with another £900 targeted by underspending on Groceries £50, Lunches £20 Phone £5 a month.


Still tight, think grocery spend will be the hardest. Got bonus to help and I plan not to waste it