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Main site > Forums > Essential Money > Debt-Free Wannabe > Debt Free Diaries > Debt-Free wanna be vs Maternity pay. Determined t...
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      hannahroberts1985
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    • By hannahroberts1985 15th Jun 16, 9:18 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Debt-Free wanna be vs Maternity pay. Determined to stay on track.
    • #1
    • 15th Jun 16, 9:18 PM
    Debt-Free wanna be vs Maternity pay. Determined to stay on track. 15th Jun 16 at 9:18 PM
    Hey everyone,

    I'm Hannah I'm 30 (not sure how or when that happened my memory must be going because I only feel 21 mentally 50 physically though )my debt is shifting in the right direction and we are able to pay £200-£300 off a month but with maternity pay fast approaching I felt a diary would be a good way to keep me on track. I am currently 22 weeks pregnant with my second little boy. DS1 ( darling son)is two on the 29th. We are going on a holiday to Devon Friday. Guessing all this expense has got me wanting to keep things in check. Since being so good I get panicky about spending but chunks of money. We booked a small family holiday though before DS2 arrives as we haven't been on a holiday for 4 years and wanted to take Kian before things got crazy. Everyone's got to live a little right. I'm also currently on an 8 week full paid sabbatical from work...it's great but that's also 5 extra days a week to try not spend money! I tell you this weather needs to perk up soft play isn't cheap!!

    I was awful with money years back even had a diary on here
    previously. I have been cleaning debt for a few years now. I have some of my own debt and joint from buying things for our home my partner has bad credit due to a mortgage he's stuck in with his step father. ...we will cross this bridge at a later date but it is all (touch wood) on track now. Other than that he is great with money and has taught me a lot!! Me and DP (darling parter) share money fairly we both have pocket money then anything else go into the joint account/off my debt repayment. I was part time when I went back after DS1 but went full time when we were planning DS2 1) for the maternity pay and 2) I know my 8 weeks paid sabbatical was due so wanted to get full time pay for this. I have 6 weeks full time to work before maternity leave and I'm dreading it, but hey ho needs must! Think of the money I keep telling myself. I feel I am in a good place and manage money so much better than I used to. I'll share my tips with you.....when I get a chance. I will also update my signature with SOA ASAP.

    Thanks for reading (if anyone is) now that's off my chest time for a bath then bed.
    Hannah


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    Last edited by Former MSE Jessica; 18-04-2017 at 2:48 PM.

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Page 19
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    • By chelseablue 2nd Mar 17, 12:24 PM
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      What's this?

    chelseablue
    Wow £800 is a lot to fix a car.

    Have you thought of leasing a car instead of buying one? You can get some good deals, we pay £129 a month for ours.
    Mortgage starting balance £231,000
    Mortgage after Year 1 £225,000
    Mortgage after Year 2 £218,000

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 12:26 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    My partner works in used cars at ford so could get us a good deal. We are just worried it would look bad on our credit record.....
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 12:27 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Thinking of leasing x
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 5:08 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    New car brought DP for the finance in his name as his hit score is higher than mine. £156 a month with no deposit so savings stay the same. I know it's a bit monthly payment but at least we know how much it'll cost and can
    Plan it into our budget unlike the old car saving bits here and there but it never really being enough. I won't include this as debt as think we will just lease cars from now on. We've had so much bad luck with old cars. Now he gets a company one it's not so bad paying for one. I need to call and see how it effects the insurance though. I stupidly filled up the old car with £30 petrol today so will tell him to stall the swap over until we've used the petrol up x
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By chelseablue 2nd Mar 17, 5:11 PM
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      What's this?

    chelseablue
    £156 a month is good I think, at least a new car is less likely (!) to go wrong.

    What car is it?
    Mortgage starting balance £231,000
    Mortgage after Year 1 £225,000
    Mortgage after Year 2 £218,000

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 5:13 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    2012 c-max DP put a warranty and assets protection as e said they are so worth the money. The tax is £30 a year and we've been spending £300+ a year. This is also 60 mpg and the old car was 30 so there are a few savings that will close the gap.
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 5:15 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Also he'll get commission for selling it to himself and I've brought a car from them before so can refer him and get some cash ha ha.
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By chelseablue 2nd Mar 17, 5:17 PM
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      What's this?

    chelseablue
    Is it a lease car? I thought you could only lease new cars?

    Ours is a Hyundai i30 x
    Mortgage starting balance £231,000
    Mortgage after Year 1 £225,000
    Mortgage after Year 2 £218,000

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    • By hannahroberts1985 2nd Mar 17, 5:30 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Maybe it's not a least....think im confused but must be pcp. Where oh but half then after a few years but the other half or trade for a newer model. X
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 7th Mar 17, 9:00 AM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Signature updated with a few payments. I sold £40 worth of clothes on eBay so I move £30 to savings and £10 to dp'a Birthday fund. I need to package all theses up today ready to post. Dp's mum came up with all his old Star Wars today's so we've been cleaning and sorting these and I'll get them on ebay the next couple of days. Hoping we'll get £100-£150 for these.

    DP got the finance approved for the car we have just brought it outright no pcp etc this is a loan at £150 a month for 6 years! I'm not sure if I want to put this is the signature just yet but know I should :0( if we'd of paid the mot bill and fixed the clutch this would have worked out at more than £150 a month for the bext year anyway so it makes sense to spend that money on a new car that won't break again next mot (hopefully) we will be saving on fuel too as the old car was 30 mpg and the new one is 60mpg also tax down from £240 a year to £30. The insurance is only going up a few £'s too.

    Pocket money situation is a bit rubbish. We are going for lunch tomorrow for my sisters birthday to pizza express my mum has some Tesco vouchers but not mention how much. It's dp's day off so I've told him he'lol have to pay for us all. I have £20 in the bank. Heading over to my sisters Friday as she has a beautisian round to her house and I've booked for a eyebrow was and eyelash tint £12 total so that's me pretty much wipes out cash wise until 15th. I've no other plans really as me and the boys are full of cold so will have a few quiet days which will probably take us to payday.

    Still waiting on payslips to go live to see if I'm getting any extra mat pay they said if I am it will be on this pay slip. Fingers crossed!!!!

    Right best go entertain DS1 he's getting restless x
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 11th Mar 17, 9:54 AM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Quick pop in. Not much to report though. The beautician that was going to my sisters had to cancel so nsd yesterday. £27.50 left in the bank until 15th £7.50 will come out for ds's weekend box and I'm popping over to the social club Tuesday night but this will cost about £10 tops!

    Still no pay slip. I worked out hopefully in due £800 extra but we shall wait and see.

    I've book for someone to come to our house and colour and colour my hair on 22nd £55 I'm just feeling so run down and old I think I need a change. I also wants a massive shopping trip for new make up and clothes but that's not going to happen ( still paying for all the shopping trips I went on years ago and now non of the clothes fit.

    New car is here. I reallllly don't want to put the finanace in the signature :0( at least this is good debt as it's an asset and should save us wasting money on fixing old cars.

    I'd fallen off the heathy wagon a bit with being poorly and taking the health visitors advice to eat more a bit too far. Back on the wagon today!!! I really want to get out running again so that's my goal when this cold finally shifts.

    Getting excited about the warmer weather. I really want to buy some flowers, grass seeds and more wood chip and some hanging baskets to make the garden look pretty but we shall see if I get extra pay and maybe put a little aside to sort this but on a small budget.

    Basically I want to spend spend spend!!! but I am skint skint skint!!

    Day in with the boys today we will pop out for a walk before lunch but other than that just the usual routine of making mess then cleaning it up! It never ends! I keep googling holidays as I just want to get away from staring at my washing and dust for a few days but then I see the cost and think no no no is rather have that in savings!! Must stay strong! DP said he'll take some time off and we'll have a fun filled week. But with him on commission any time off will cost us massively as he won't hit his monthly target and he's not entitled to holiday commission bump up until after a years service.

    Hummm think that's all that's been running through my brain. Xx
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 12th Mar 17, 9:12 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    I've spent some money on random bits!!!

    £13.99 on a tuff spot for DS (I did cancel my £15 per month weekend box as I wasn't impressed this time)

    £5.99 on a first aid kit for the car

    £13 on some grass seed and a new throw for the sofa.

    Think that's all.

    Hoping pay slip will be online tomorrow. X
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By nkkingston 13th Mar 17, 12:52 PM
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      What's this?

    nkkingston
    If you're saving £210 in insurance for a £150 a month outgoing, I think the new car is definitely a positive step. The slightly higher insurance will hopefully be balanced out by lower petrol costs, so really you've got another £60 pm to pay off other debts with. I would put it on your signature, because every time you look at it you can remind yourself other payments are going doing more quickly as a result.

    Is there space in the garden for a tent? You can have a mini holiday at home Put the radio on loud, do face painting and finger painting with the boys because it doesn't matter if it gets messy (if it's an old tent, finger paint the tent!) and eat chips and ice cream for a weekend. All the fun of a music festival but with access to nice loos.
    Mortgage
    June 2016: £93,295
    April 2018: £78,045.97

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    • By hannahroberts1985 13th Mar 17, 1:35 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Thanks for commenting. The mini garden holiday sounds like a great idea but I think they boys are a bit small at the mo 2 and 4 months. Defiantly in a year or two though.

    It was tax saving not insurance unfortunately so it's a yearly saving not monthly. I will bite the bullet and put the car debt down there soo I promise. Xx
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 13th Mar 17, 3:05 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Just doing my online shop and I always feel like I spent far to much. We eat nice home cooked meals every evening meatballs, toad in the hole, chicken and rice etc and usually have sandwiches for lunch inc partners pack up. We raerly drink I'll probably buy a bottle of wine once a month as a treat. Inc nappies, toiletries and nappies I'd say we spend £250 a month for two adults, one toddler. How does that compare to everyone? X
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By enthusiasticsaver 13th Mar 17, 3:12 PM
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      What's this?

    enthusiasticsaver
    I would say that sounds pretty good if you are including nappies as well. We spend £250 for 2 adults which is high due to the fact our nearest supermarket is Waitrose and DH does the shopping now he is retired. When I was doing it I could do it cheaper. A bottle of wine a week in that though usually.
    Debt free and mortgage free and early retiree. Living the dream

    I'm a Board Guide on the Debt-Free Wannabe, Mortgages and Endowments, Banking and Budgeting boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Any views are mine and not the official line of moneysavingexpert.com. Pease remember, board guides don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

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    • By hannahroberts1985 13th Mar 17, 3:17 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    We have the Tesco super Save mid week delivery. It's £4 a month and unlimited delivery tue-thu! It's nap time here and I'm sat doing the shopping with a brew! Much better than panic grabbing bits with a crying baby and whining toddler!
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

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    • By hannahroberts1985 13th Mar 17, 3:18 PM
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      What's this?

    hannahroberts1985
    Would the extra petrol spent driving to a cheaper shop be more than you would save? Waitrose is soooo exspensive when it's basically the shopping experience and packaging your paying for. Saying that I would love to shop in Waitrose ha ha x
    Savings £208
    emergency fund:£0£1000 Uniform fund:£20
    Christmas fund £40 bday £30 Dp bday:£59
    Noodle: me: 622 DP:576 Clear: 475DP: 414 mse:991/66%
    Family loan £7000/£5875

    Sorry!

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    • By chelseablue 13th Mar 17, 3:20 PM
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      What's this?

    chelseablue
    Is there an Aldi near you? That's where I shop and have saved loads since shopping there
    Mortgage starting balance £231,000
    Mortgage after Year 1 £225,000
    Mortgage after Year 2 £218,000

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    • By enthusiasticsaver 13th Mar 17, 3:24 PM
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      What's this?

    enthusiasticsaver
    “
    Would the extra petrol spent driving to a cheaper shop be more than you would save? Waitrose is soooo exspensive when it's basically the shopping experience and packaging your paying for. Saying that I would love to shop in Waitrose ha ha x
    Originally posted by hannahroberts1985 ”
    We have a lidls down the road too and when I do the shopping I go there. My DH is not so MSE sadly so I just budget more for food.
    Debt free and mortgage free and early retiree. Living the dream

    I'm a Board Guide on the Debt-Free Wannabe, Mortgages and Endowments, Banking and Budgeting boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Any views are mine and not the official line of moneysavingexpert.com. Pease remember, board guides don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

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