Gallygirl's 95 month challenge - now 'only' 92 months

evab_2

Fab! Fab! Not so fab and lovely glass of wine - fab!!!

gallygirl

Oops, been a bit remiss of late, but not much to report.

I haven't factored in the 0.5% drop in my spreadsheets yet - will 'treat myself' when the letters arrive. Here's hoping for a further cut, and that rates stay low for a while so everyone's payments have a maximum impact :j .

Just had the final bit of money from mum's accounts so I have just transferred £2250 into offset. OH matchs me, but was around £600 ahead so will get him to pay another £1500.

A nice little boost, although we will be withdrawing at least 2k in the next few months as I've decided to spend a little on kitchen. It's around 12-13 years old and looks a bit sad, especially the vinyl floor tiles. The units however are good quality & I think new handles will really update them. The new handles will be joined by worktops, tiles (or possibly one of those perspex/glass splash backs - any experiences anyone?), floor, remove artex & replaster ceiling, new lights, sink & taps. Plus get rid of upright freezer in utility room & replace with new (hopefully off freecycle ) under worktop freezer, move a unit & shelf, fit new shelves, paint.... think that's it . I'm allowing 1k for fixtures (which seems ok, I'm not going for the luxury end!) and 1k for the work. Hopefully that will cover it, if not I'll cut back. However I do want to have it all rather than do painting etc myself. Lazy I know, but I do enough donkey work in BTL houses so this is payback time - however if quote is too high I'll get my brushes and sexy painting clothes out .

The update is not needed but is wanted . I'm justifying it by the fact that we'll probably be staying put for the next 92 months till all mortgages are paid off (not that I'm counting you understand ). The kitchen will need updated at some stage so if I have it done now I'll get maximum benefit. I'm quite frugal in other areas - e.g. 3 friends & I all got new sofas at the same time, around 9 years ago, they've all replaced theirs in the past few years but I'm happy at the moment. I do however intend to get some new furniture for DS's room in next few months, but that will come out of residue of mum's money.

Enough ramblings for now. Will not be about for a week as off to Canaries on Sat for a bit of sun :cool: . We've allocated £300 spending money so will see how that goes, bearing in mind poor exchange rate. We like to eat out every night, but we're not extravagent so we'll see. Looking forward to spending 'quality time' with OH - he works far too hard so weekends (when we see each other) are often spent with him collapsed in a heap on sofa. Here's to long walks and long drinks :beer: .

gg x

SmlSave

Morning gg.

Oh, what fun... I love decorating! 2k sounds like the right amount for what you want to do too. We redid our kitchen almost all from Ikea and were able to spend a little more on luxery items such as our wooden work top. I have tiles in my kitchen, white squares with little blue and green ones running in a border. I have heard the splash backs are supposed to be very good.

Have a good week's holiday!

StuartGMC

gallygirl wrote: »

I've decided to spend a little on kitchen. It's around 12-13 years old and looks a bit sad, especially the vinyl floor tiles. The units however are good quality & I think new handles will really update them. The new handles will be joined by worktops, tiles (or possibly one of those perspex/glass splash backs - any experiences anyone?),

Gallygirl when we had our kitchen refitted, we chose the "splashback" which was identical and have that all the way round; no tiles at all so easy to clean, looks modern and no grout etc to discolour. Ours was cut so it fits under windowsills but I've seen some where it has been extended highup to cupboards/ceiling. We have a stainless splashback behind hob up to extractor.

however if quote is too high I'll get my brushes and sexy painting clothes out .

Does this get you a discount on the quote then? :rotfl:

Have a wonderful holiday

setmefree2

gallygirl wrote: »

however if quote is too high I'll get my brushes and sexy painting clothes out .

Hope you have/had a good holiday

gallygirl

StuartGMC wrote: »

Does this get you a discount on the quote then? :rotfl:

em, probably a premium I would have thought , my sexy yellow tshirt has every colour I have used over the last 12 yrs. Maybe I could display it in the Tate a la Tracey Emin :rotfl:

sml - wood is out - apart from the fact we have wooden units so it wouldn't be a contrast I would be bound to put a hot pan on it .

Haven't started to pack yet. I work to the principle that the Canaries are not a 3rd world country so if I forget something I'd be able to buy it there. Also, I need to go to London for a meeting & have a lot of emails to write, so will be working there & back - when I get in car to go to Gatwick tomorrow afternoon then I will be looking forward to it - forecast is sunny but showers Tues - however humidity still quite low so hopefully will be ok.

However, afraid I may be getting a cold

Still, end on a high note - had an email to say won some skincare. That's 3 prizes this year I should be able to sell so a little extra to OP pot :T

see you all in a week when I look this colour:
:rotfl: gg x

EssexHebridean

Have a fantastic week GG!

setmefree2

gallygirl wrote: »

:rotfl: gg x

LOL - That's just nasty!

StuartGMC

GallyGirl
Hope you enjoy your holiday!

A twelve year-old T-shirt that still fits - that's got to be good!

gallygirl

StuartGMC wrote: »

GallyGirl
A twelve year-old T-shirt that still fits - that's got to be good!

Only because it was ginormous to start with

StuartGMC wrote: »

GallyGirl
Hope you enjoy your holiday!

Hmmm, I'm back :rolleyes:. Hate coming back off holiday, so don't cross me as I'm grumpy.

We had a great break, however weather was not really good enough - OH has almost agreed to go to Gambia next year to get 'guaranteed' sunshine. We spent around £375 - at ever decreasing £ to € rates :eek:. We found costs had gone up a lot in the last 2 years - factor in the exchange rate and it was pretty dire. A lot, lot quieter than normal, but interesting to note some busy bars & restaurants - either cheap prices or good deals.

Came back to find out CC has been cloned & £90 cash withdrawn. Luckily CC Co had picked up on it so I should get it back ok. Hmmm, would love to know where it happened but have my suspicions.

Also came back to see Asda have finally paid £68 quidco cashback so that will be a bonus next month.

Having an early night & will catch up on all diaries tomorrow.

gg