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I've been making small overpayments every month, not by much but it will all help. I found that my account with my utilities supplier was a lot in credit so I've reduced my DD and added the difference to my mortgage overpayments. I'm 53 and got 15 years left on my mortgage so blitzing it early is a high priority for me

I have started listing clothes on Vinted, just things I can get a few £ back for - it really adds up and is so easy to do - has paid for my MOT, and now my new glasses, in the last few weeks

can you explain to me how can I cash out and get my money and put it in my bank

Always remember to keep some free cash to pay for any surprises/emergencies. Losing your house even when you over paid ever year on your mortgage isn’t a benefit 😅

I hope you will have some really lovely times over the holidays with your children. I know how hard it is as a single mum to 2 boys, I did the holiday/childcare juggle for 10 years with mine but now they are 15 and 19 and pretty much self sufficient during the day so I don’t have that anymore. I am here as much as I can, but I can go to work part time and not have that stress of who can have them and what if they are ill how can I be off work etc etc quite as much. I regret not being able to do more with them as children - we did a fair bit but certainly not holidays full of activities as I suffer with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome I do feel they missed out in some ways and I feel guilty but do you know what my sons don’t feel that at all - they say they have done lots of things and feel lucky. Maybe try to check out some activities closer to home so you don’t feel so anxious about spending lots of money on every trip, there are some nice fun days, fetes and community events around us over the holidays. You could also reach out via the internet and facebook to some other mums and maybe arrange a picnic and games at a local park, or a walk by the river etc nice things but not high costs. Thanks for sharing the journey with us and hope you will enjoy the next few weeks

You’re doing an amazing job! ❤

But in 2024 you have bought a house, rennovated and been on holiday to disney! Your kids are so lucky! Dont forget the free summer reading challenge at the library and trips to library are free and the pool is cheapish

Glad to see you're still invested and the income coming in. As you know it's a long slog until dividends start to really snowball. Personally I no longer invest in individual stocks anymore, now in trackers and investment trusts for property. I moved into IUKD as it tracks the 40 biggest UK dividend payers in the FTSE350. Whatever you invest in, the important thing is to keep investing and hats off to you for doing that.

Picnics are your friend I the summer holidays . Food , snacks and drinks out are a ridiculous price these days o take them with you. Cool box is great . Maybe one day out a week as a treat. Otherwise play at home, go for a walk, Those are all things I did when my son was little.

🎉 Hi Nicola, I don't have much that I can pledge or donate, but I did watch 30 minutes of adds to support your channel. I'm now armed with a plethora of facts on aging skin and Chuck Norris's gut health program, and I sincerely hope the add-cents makes it's way to you!😅 You're doing what not many of us can do, and I hope you know that we greatly appreciate it. You keep me motivated 😊 thank you ❤

Good Afternoon friend. Here listening while working! 💙💙

something I used to do with my children when they were little - and was surprised at how much they enjoyed it, is take a basic picnic lunch and go their school so they could play on the playground without hundreds of other kids. Works best if you live within walking distance, or a short drive, and if your school allows access. We would take balls, tennis racquets - they loved having total access to everything when they wanted.

Hey Nicola! I absolutely love the penny a day savings challenge! Good luck! You'll get there.

With the help of your budget planner, meal planner & top budget tips I am now on track to try your penny saving challenge. Your doing good Nicola NOT failing. Just block & delete the negs they feed of youtubers responses because they are SAD! Keep up the good work 😊xx

Do you have free adventure playgrounds in the UK? That’s my go to when we need a break from the house and the budget is low, also the beach, nature walks and the library. It’s fun to mix in some paid activities as well if I can get the budget to work.

children tend to eat more during the holidays simply because they are bored/out of routine. The easiest way to deal with this is to pack them a lunchbox, with snacks and lunch. Set specific times for morning and afternoon tea, and lunch - just as they would have at school. Requests for snacks outside of those times are answered with 'it's nearly morning tea time/ lunchtime/afternoon tea/dinner' or 'you've just had morning tea/lunch/afternoon tea'. You can secure their long term health by not letting them associate boredom/lack of routine with snacking.

You are doing so well, you have all the bills paid and the children are secure in your love and well fed and clothed. Many people would see that as a total victory. Do go easy on yourself Nicola, what you are doing is amazing in these difficult times.

I'm sad that this is such a hard time for you :( I love learning from your channel and have purchased some of your Christmas bits before. I am hopeful that the summer holidays won't be too stressful for you. Can food banks or feed you children for a £1 help? I would do lots of low cost things, which you probably are. Different parks, the woods, bike parks, lakes, duck feeding etc (not sure the age of your children). 🩷

You are NOT failing! Your children are housed, fed and clothed. You are doing amazing. Enjoy these days while they are little. Those of us with adult children can testify that one day you will look back and be amazed how fast the years went by.

I make snack baskets for my son's over summer holidays. Once they've eaten what's in them that's it. I put a mixture of fresh fruit, treats, yogurts etc

You got this xx

Hi Nicola 👋 I used to be a Nanny in London years ago. There's plenty of free things to entertain children in your local park, library etc. Going to a friends house for play dates and visa versa. It gives the children a chance to catch up with their friends. Plus you can catch up with your friends too. Obviously they'll be trips out etc. Though you don't need to spend a lot of money to have fun. The children will benefit from having you at home and not being in childcare which costs a fortune. Quiet days at home are good for the children to recharge their batteries. Fun in the garden with the padding pool on sunny days. Plenty of cold drinks and ice pops. The children will have a great summer as will you. You're doing a great job as a single parent. I really enjoy watching your videos & reading your blog. I've been following you for years. You've helped me tremendously with my financial journey. Having a budget is essential as I'm useless without one. Good luck and enjoy the summer. Hopefully the sun will shine all of the school holidays 😎 x

Had to chuckle at the end of your blog….have to go out or they will end up fighting. Oh, remember that well. Hope you all have fun making memories this summer 😀

Im a new subscriber.Im enjoying your videos & I think your doing amazing so just keep doing what youre doing.

Have you looked on line for free things to do with children , there's lots of ideas.

Life will always trump math😢 You are doing great. Very few creators have been so honest.

Just to flag up to watchers your local library has loads of stuff available online. You are paying for it so please use it. You can pick up the kids summer reading challenge online as well as in the physical building .

Hi honey, I have been following your channel for years and when you were putting £600/800 a month away for investing it was inspiring, however being a single mum it was unachievable for me. I appreciate your honesty and Im proud of how you have got through this chapter of your life. Keep going xx

Ignore the negativity, they do not have anything better to do x

How is your budget looking for August? ☺️

I have money in a CD that gives me several hundred in interest each month for I think a year. Then I have to find another one. Not sure I want to invest until after the crazy election comes and goes! Voting Blue for sanity and women's rights. Project 2025 is awful!!

Great to see one of these videos again Nicola, must admit I haven't put anything into my ISA since April (my mom passed away suddenly at the age of 60 during May) but I've got nearly £500 in dividends to reinvest so hopefully I can get on and do that this month. I wish I had a share that went up 100% like with BAE systems (one I used to own oddly enough, and Legal & General), but my closest is Lloyds Bank that's gone up by about 35%. Hopefully I can have some others go up!

Your new home reflects you … lovely 🎉❤

„Momma always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on „ Nice seeing you Nicola and all the best

Yes, I remember that video. I'm so glad you're making good progress now. Good luck. 👍

When you were investing, how much on average were you adding each month? Np if you dont wantvto answer as it is personal. Thanks

Nic I have always been wary of investing more of a premium bond girl and isa i am a saver now and love kakeibo method of budgeting and frugality no spends you get the drift im yet to start simply because im, not sure how and how much to invest it all seems pretty confusing to me i suppose whats stopped me is that I couldnt afford to loose any money as I earn a minimum wage the savings i have have been built gradually ill take a look at the link xx

What are your holdings in each company?

Did you transfer half to your stocks to the other party or sell outright? Transferring would help avoid paying capital gains taxes on the transaction. I know that ship has sailed for you, and UK rules are probably different, but others in the U.S. facing a similar situation might want to consider this option. PS Happy to see that Legal & General dividend. Hooray! Tfs

Hi Nicola do you reinvest the dividends? If so do you put them into the same companies or other ones?

Thank you for sharing this video with us ❤.

Thanks for this encouraging video. I don't stick to my budget very well, I'm usually in the red and repay it with interest from an investment. So it's not really budgeting, Dave Ramsey would say, it's expense tracking, but it does give me an idea of how much I am spending.

Do they warn you when about to go over the 10 percent ammount

How do I lose weight without being on a plan weight loss food cost a bomb

You are doing fantastic, I love all things budgeting and could watch all day long 😊

"You can't change the people around you, but you can change the people around you" Joshua Fields-Milburn, The Minimalists

Hello Nicola❤ thanks for this video. I'm 67 year old woman and retired because of depression. I'm always home alone and that's why I want to eat at restaurant once or twice a week and see other people. One meal is only 9 or 12 euros (here in Finland). It's not expensive, but because of that I can't save any money. If I have to go to a doctor or by new medicines the budget goes on minus. (Sorry my english is terrible)😊

I learned to grow these free (I get free manure) 2 varieties of potatoes, Bush & pole beans (green beans) Garlic & Onions. It shocked me at the Produce Swap that people weren't growing these. This saves us about $125 a month and it's healthier to get locally grown produce to buy/swap. Maybe you could do the same? We actually save more as the garlic we used to buy in abundance. We juice as our son has schizophrenia and we aren't that healthy, organic juicing veges and fruit is quite expensive.

Nicola, thank you. We're 57 & 65 yrs old in Northern Calif. Bought a major fixer Cabin to live in on 9 acres. It's nice now, we did all the work *Monthly Income- $1700 Social Security +$410 Food Stamps= $2110 a month* *Monthly Expenses*- $84 Property Tax, $16 RUclips, $25 Garbage, $75 Clothing/Grooming, $100 WIFI/Cell, $350 Transport, $150 MacBooks Wear & Tear, $75 E-Bikes Wear & Tear, $700 Groceries/Eat out, $50 Pets, $150 Misc, $150 Donation, $50 Gardening= $1975 a month expenses. Our son lives with us 50% of the year reflected in monthly expenses. He has schizophrenia. We usually have $150 or so leftover to go into the Emergency fund. We grow, for free, about 4 veges for free in abundance and hers we swap at the Produce Swap so earn about $125 a month doing that for about 7 months a year. This is not reflected above in numbers since it goes to the Emergency Fund. We also make about $200 during Xmas at the Craft Faire but it's used for gifts and food for family. We have a fenced backyard with 4 ducks, 15 hens, a small pond w/waterfall and a few dogs. Do not have these bills- Healthcare, Homeowners Insurance or Water

Have you thought about growing your own strawberries and raspberries. I was given one strawberry plant last year, and I’ve already got 9 new baby plants from the runners so should have an abundance of fruit in a few weeks. Also I got a raspberry bush from Morrisons for about £3, I think they sell blackberry and blackcurrant bushes too.