Jo_R's debt-free diary, slow and steady progress!

Jo_R_2

Okay so I *still* can't get the timer I bought for the washing machine to work - I've adjusted it to the right time, plugged washer into it, plugged it into socket and switched on, then switched timer on and switched washer on - and it comes on straightaway!:mad:

Thought I'd maybe misunderstood the switch on the timer but it's deffo 'on' as the little red light comes on - so why is the washer coming on right away? Help!

Called Halifax about my loan - and this is what happened. Totally confused but even they can't tell me much more. So now I'm wondering if I'll be getting a cheque as I was previously led to believe or if they've put the refund straight back onto my loan

Just ordered two scooters for DDs from Sports Direct online. Been searching and got DD1 (5) a Disney Princess one and DD2 (3) a Lazy Town one as one of their Christmas prezzies each. Really glad I took a bit of time searching for best prices as most other permutations were coming to around £55 before P & P, this has totalled just under £39 inc. P & P:D

Going to have another couple of hours this evening scouring again to try and get other outstanding prezzies online, then have a list of stuff I need to get from town over the weekend for stocking fillers, clothes for baby (from Primark - he's not fussy;)) and a few little things for family. The plan is to have things pretty much wrapped up by the end of the weekend so can stop worrying about missing anything for DDs' presents and can relax!

Both DDs have Christmas fairs so going to spend a couple of hours after tea visiting. Have some pennies in my purse but hoping to not spend more than those plus £10:eek: Silly but quite enjoy their Christmas fairs Am just a big kid when it comes to Christmas

Keeping_Positive

on the loan front how :mad: dening.

Christmas fairs are fun but add up missed out of the guides/brownies one by accident so saved some money there.

You sound really organised at the xmas shopping I still have a fair bit to get so need to have a spurge at the weekend. Prob is I know its money from December pay do hate spending it.

Great deal on the scooters :money:

EssexHebridean

You're doing well with the girls presents Jo - I bet they love their scooters! I think when they are that age to an extent it works to remember back to the sort of stuff you liked at the same age. If they are into art/drawing etc why not try the pound shops for cheaps pens, pencils, crayons and paper? You could make up a bag each for them for only a small amount of cash.

Re the timer - I wonder if the switch you mention is the one to over-ride the time setting? If so, the timer will need to show "off" unless it's supposed to be on IYSWIM - why not try it with something like the kettle - set the timer for half an hour or so ahead (remember to make sure that the 'actual' time is set correctly too) then walk away and leave it - if you are sitting down with a cuppa 45 minutes later you can be fairly sure you've cracked it.

Jo_R_2

Cheers EH - I did try that with the washer the other night actually, left it looking like it was 'off' and came down in the morning and nothing had happened. I really can't work it out! What brand of timer do you have?

Okay so missed town this morning - fell asleep on the sofa last night, managed to drag myself up to bed about 6am:o Baby was in bed with OH, turns out he'd gone up to baby as he woke about 1am and left me sound asleep so I could get some kip bless him

Downside was after baby woke about 8.30am for a feed, I fell back asleep with him and didn't surface until 11am:eek: Feel better for the sleep though!

So town in the morning first thing, and my task for 'in a bit' is to write out a list of shops and what I need to get from each.

My sister has bought DDs a board game each - the one on DD1's list she didn't like the look of so it's not exactly what DD1 was after but sis picked a couple of tried-and-tested ones (Guess Who? and Hungry Hippos for DD2) so we're pretty sure they'll like them. Parents have offered to have the Baby Borns they picked up for me from Argos as their present to the girls - means I have funds free to pick up a bit more than I'd anticipated which is good, just not sure what else to get!

Mum asked me what I wanted and I said I needed some new clothes, so she's told me to go off and pick a dress and she'll pay for it. Had my eye on one for ages on ebay so very happy with that She also wants to pay for some clothes for baby - I was off to Primark tomorrow to get him some bits so means he'll have a nice stock of clothes as he desperately needs some more as well.

The idea about the bag of arty things EH is one which OH suggested last year so I did something similar by buying a pencil case and filling it with crayons and so on. Was going to do something similar as they both love that and have been promising to buy them some new stuff for ages.

Spent £10 plus the pennies in my purse last night at the Christmas fair (had about £5 in change.) Had to leave eventually after an hour as we'd pretty much spent up!:eek: KP you were right, I couldn't believe how much you can spend - without realising! But they enjoyed themselves and got a visit to see Santa, with a present and a photo that should arrive at school next week.

Jo_R_2

Well my presents fund is spent, so am going to go over the amount I saved, but I did expect that. Luckily I have quite a surplus in my current account this month which will cover any extra spends, but not going to go crazy, small gifts for my sister and dad still to buy, then anything else I can fit in for DDs.

Worried they won't have much to open: they each have a scooter, a DVD, an annual (Disney Princess and Peppa Pig) plus some pretty pink nighties which they've been asking for. Stocking fillers are fine as have a few little bits and bobs.

OH has bought them a CD player each so was going to get them a cheap CD to go in them, but wanted a couple more 'Santa' presentI've had my eye on a wendy house and some Bendaroos, either of them would be joint presents though.

They *do* have stuff off their lists but other people have bought them. Hmm not sure - going to have a think about this one and decide soonish, but def. by the weekend so can have whatever ordered.

EssexHebridean

We have several makes of timer Jo - at least one of which is a wilko own brand one I think. Is yours a digital or an analogue one? I personally think that the analogues are easier to work out...

Jo_R_2

Okay. Nearly done on the present front. Just got my sis and dad to buy for, know what I'm getting. Extra presents on top of my savings fund has come to just over £40 so am thinking I may buy DDs one more each to no more than a cost of £30 then call it a day. Just not sure what though - still a few things left on the list *thinks*:eek:

Need to tot up my receipts and running totals then can see what I have left to overpay - can't say I've ever had much spare money left of a December previously:j

I need to stop bringing my purse out with me when I pick up DD2 from nursery... I am noticing a worrying pattern of buying bits and bobs that I used to do, which means I spend any cash on me, which of course all adds up. Cash is dangerous to me - if I have it, I will spend it here and there, if I don't, I won't usually go to the effort of withdrawing it unless it's for something budgeted for that needs paying in cash.

I also need to get on top of grocery shopping - I don't do too badly but usually forget some staple which means picking bits up which inevitably cost more at the local shops. Hoping to cut grocery costs by starting to make our own bread and do more batch cooking which would help.


To do list:

• [STRIKE]check online banking[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]clear table and wash breakfast pots[/STRIKE]
• tot up receipts and adjust running totals (probably do tonight)
• [STRIKE]dry laundry (might risk hanging it out if weather stays sunny)[/STRIKE]
• ebay some baby bits tonight: aiming for 5 items minimum
• [STRIKE]make red lentil lasagne to freeze with leftover sauce from last night's dinner[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]book delivery slot for shopping for next week[/STRIKE]

Jo_R_2

Good news - received my PPI refund cheque at last! :j Coming in at just under 4k, so pleased - just need to decide how to best use it. Going to bank it tomorrow at any rate. I do need to check the status of my loan though: there seems to have been some confusion over the balance with my monthly payment not being taken this month so going to phone up (again) tomorrow and find out definitively.

Just off to amend my Tesco grocery delivery for tomorrow so going to do that before my eyes start to close LOL!

beanielou

Great news on cheque

SarahNeedle1872

Hiya Jo, great news on the PPI cheque finally coming through!!

Sx