arguments with hubby

nicolacarr

iv started to save £40 week for over payments and hubby said at weekend im turning into a penny pinching granny. 1 minute hes moaning we got no savings then he says this to me. in anger i opened my xmas tin and told him to spend it. he apologised later but dont know where to start.
here's my problem. i need to do the garden which is gonna cost about £500 (kids cant play out to dangerous) 2 new windows and 2 doors which think will cost £2000+.plus fascias which are rotten quoted £2200. if i clear my debt not including mortgage it will take till 2012. i know i cant do everything all at once but what should i do first helpppppp

WorkingHardDFW

Hi nicolacarr & welcome

I've got to say that My OH and I are tetchy about money at present and its down to living a DFW lifestyle for a while. It feels a lot of the time like I am penny pinching (which I am) but its for our ultimate aim to be debt free next year.

My only advice, apart from posting a SOA, would be to work out a plan together of how you are going to tackle your debts and the things that need doing in the house. What are your priorities? Clearly like most of us keeping a roof over your kids head is top of the list....does your hubby realise this...does he realise the extent of your joint debt? Certainly it wasn't until we faced the cold hard facts that we faced up to the extent of our problems. Its not been easy but we are making progress.

Good luck and keep posting you'll get lots more advice and support.

bank_of_slate

Hi Nicola.
This is a common one.
Try to get him involved with the MSE way of life, remind him how much better it will be for the kids to have a safe outdoor space to play in and to have a lovely home.
allow yourselves occasional treats so you don't feel totally deprived, plus if they are occasional, you'll all enjoy them more!

I noticed above that you said "Here's MY problem"
Make sure he knows it's "OUR" problem!
Good luck, you've come to the right place!
...Linda xx

nicolacarr

thanx for replies. he works away all week and doesn't get back till late sat night. cant really talk to him bout it over phone and never seems to have time when hes home. iv always sorted the finances as he not got a clue which i dont mind but would like bit of support from him. we did decide at weekend to pay c/c and £8000 loan as this is on 15.9%. but it will take till 2010. which is not to far away but also need to finish house. why does everything need doing all at once.

nicolacarr

also should i put gardening supplies on c/c as this is 0% till dec.

Wibbledog

I am not one of the experts here but I would say, if you are going to spend money, spend your own. Credit cards do bite. Do not use them if at all possible. In fact Don't use them, period! There is a reason they give you the 0% it is because they can catch you in the long run.

chevalier

whilst I obviously don't know what needs doing to the garden, could I still recommend www.freecycle.org for garden supplies. I have seen offered on my local group (and I have no real idea if you need these)
hard core
paving slabs
a shed
a garage (!)
sharp sand
pond irises
bamboo cuttings
a lawn mower

you get the point. If you join your local group (free) then you may not need to use your card at all:D
chev

chal

Wibbledog wrote: »

I am not one of the experts here but I would say, if you are going to spend money, spend your own. Credit cards do bite. Do not use them if at all possible. In fact Don't use them, period! There is a reason they give you the 0% it is because they can catch you in the long run.

Pay the balance off in full when it's due, and you can keep money in an interest-generating account for a little longer, and also get cashback if you have a cashback credit card. Of course, if you know that you can't clear the balance it's a different story.

For example, we have an AmEx card that gives 5% cashback on the first £4000 spent on it within the first three months. It's unlikely we'll hit that number, but in the meantime all groceries, fuel, etc goes on that card and the equivalent amount goes into a high-interest savings account so ensure it's both earning interest and is unaccessible. When the bill is due, the money is then taken from the savings account and the CC balance is paid off in full.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/cashback-credit-cards

Sorry if this was off-thread, just seemed worth mentioning that there are strategies for CC usage.

klane

Folks on my freecycle group have been known to offer out internal doors as well! Re windows etc, have you checked with a local company, as opposed to a massive, well known, TV advertising one etc? Get several quotes, and work out what is REALLY necessary.

What do you need to do in the garden? I've just transformed ours on half your budget... could try to make some suggestions?

LilacPixie

What exactly do you need donein the garden that will cost £500??

It seems alot to just make it safe for the kids to play.

Are the wondows so bad your home is uninhabitable?? if not then they can wait. ditto the fascias.

stapeley

A skip is £120 . So garden can easily use up £500. As for windows and fascias only use a recognised company , there are so many cowboys about ,pay nothing up front .And wait untill its rained if guttering is replaced , make sure in don,t leak !