Fed up of watching every penny.

[happyclapper]

Will it ever end? Husband had 2 bouts of redundancy since 2nd child born. Got job immiediately 1st time but on much lower salary.
Took 6 months 2nd time by which time we were maxed out on credit cards\overdrafts etc.
Now in debit managment with Pay Plan which has saved ours lives. Can't reccommend them highly enough.
Will take another 5 years to pay debits off which I can live with but am just fed up of the panic attacks I still get when I have to check bank balance even though it is mostly okay, if just scrapping through.
Have managed to book holiday in uk for us so can't really complain but despite working all hours DH has been in desperate need of new shoes for about 2 months. I haven't been to hairdressers for 6 months. Just soooo wearing.
Just feeling sorry for myself and hard-working DH

[mumblechum1]

Ok, these may be obvious, but:

1. What are you doing workwise? Could you do shelf stacking inthe evenings or something like that? Or party planning/office cleaning?
   

1. You can probably get your hair cut for less than the usual rate if you go to a trainee. When I was brassic I used to go to Toni and Guy and have a cut for £12 rather than £50. It takes a long time but is supervised by a qualified hairdresser.
   

1. Could you ebay any grown-out of children's clothes?

[happyclapper]

Thanks for the ideas. Have 2 part-time jobs that fit around my husbands hours as he had taken a second job in the evenings too. Have become a registered childminder to avoid child care costs myself. Has helped alot but obviously not great money.
Do all the usual car boot sales and Ebaying. Watch for offers on everything as all the little bits help but it just seems endless.
Usually find it okay but feel bad that we are in this position now when our children are young when I was previously quite flush with a well paid job but that's the price you pay for choosing do the stay at home mum bit. Also feel guilty for very bad spending habits in the past which have contributed to current debt.

[lollipoppet]

Aw, sorry to hear you're so fed up, it is crap when you're watching every penny and I don't care what anyone says, you need those little indulgences (though I would call it a necessity!) like hairdressers appointments.
At least, looking on the bright side, you say your kids are young so probably don't notice or care very much about not having lots of money... imagine they were awful demanding teenagers!

[sleeplessinderbyshire]

another tip for haircuts is looking for groupon or livingsocial delas. I have a mate who always looks immaculate with gorgeous hair but is on a mission never to pay more than £15 for a haircut and she's had some amazing dela son groupon and living social

[lollipoppet]

Yes! I've used groupon and living social too, had some great bargains for hair!
And try not to let guilt eat you up (easier said than done, I know) because you're tackling it, be proud! I know a lot of people who are in a terrible mess financially but won't do anything about it. They miss rent/mortgage payments, borrow from every source imaginable and yet are out every weekend, always taking kids to McDonald's etc basically letting the debt snowball out of control. It is rubbish at the moment but in a few short years you will be debt free and back to a nice, comfortable lifestyle. Plus I doubt very much you would ever let yourself get into a horrible situation again. Chin up! Hth :)

[HarrietJones]

Local college for haircuts etc. I used to pay £5. Although ours shuts for the summer so not good timing now.

[happyclapper]

Thanks guys, especially lollipoppet. Yes, you are right, do feel good that we are slowly but surely clearing the debt and you are right we make sure the kids don't go without though obviously no spoiling but that's not a bad thing. Would advise everyone to deal with their debt asap because it never goes away and will only get worse.
Husband went through a period of not opening letters from bank which only ended up making everything 10 times more stressful.
Feel better today. Like you say there are alot of people worse off.

[vickibee]

I get my hair cut at home bu a mobile cutter, she only charges me £13.00. YOu have to wash it yourself before she arrives and sweep up all the mess but she does a good job.
Does your area have a passport to leisure where you can do things for half price like swimming etc. This helps