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

Jo_R_2

Been super-busy this morning catching up from the housework from the weekend, slacked a bit and boy did it show, the house was/is a mess!:o

Still, did washing up/cleaned worktops/cleaned table and high chair/put load of whites on - when I type it out it doesn't seem much but with DS "helping" (aka getting round my feet bless him:D) it takes twice as long!

Receipts sorted last night. I have just over £100 left of my HiP grant. I do need to buy some more maternity clothes (still avidly Ebaying).

My monthly surplus is looking reasonably healthy, have again just over £100 left which is a lot more than I thought. Having said that I haven't yet deducted the £50 I gave to OH towards the rent as not sure which 'pot' to take it out of.

I still have £260 sat in my current account from my savings which was towards detachable bunk beds (need to PM you again KP whilst I think about it) and a CD/DVD shelving unit plus new quilt covers for DDs - however can't find a unit I like that's in stock anywhere so that may have to wait!

Do need to withdraw cash to pay up-to-date DD2's nursery lunch/snack money for the end of term, need to check how much it is as it needs to be paid tomorrow.

Diesel budget is all paid up, I stuck £40 in on Friday so hoping that should last a while!

Jo_R_2

Okay...

In good news... The Ebay seller that I bought the doll's house from has refunded all my money:D I wasn't expecting that so quickly as I filed an item not received dispute and thought I'd have to go through that but got a message from her yesterday evening. So now have to search out another!

Not so good news is that I have had to pay for this week's shopping with OH being skint:( It's a minimal (ish) shop, came to £42 and covers pack ups and some basic meals for the week which will be 'supported' (LOL) by using up some storecupboard things.

Need to pay DD2's snack/lunch money for July today, have withdrawn £20 in cash but my calculations tell me it should come to around £10. Any surplus will go back in my purse as I am rapidly collecting cash which needs to be paid back into my account next time I go into town.

Got to compile a 'To Do' list later for the week which will post when I have sorted it:)

bevan840

well done on the refund, hope it doesn't take you too long to find another x

Jo_R_2

Having a quiet day - am child-free at the mo so making the most of it, went to a friend's birthday party last night (first time in ages me and OH have had a 'proper' evening out and not seen most of the friends there for aaages!) and just catching up on internet and money stuff whilst OH is lying in - surprising that:D

Got letter from Eon who want to increase my DD - again, they did this a couple of months ago - it started at £73, then we negotiated it to £115 (they wanted £173:eek:), now they've said it needs to be £158... They read the elec meter the other day so I assume it's based on that reading (not done it myself yet) and I do have arrears accrued over the winter period (which were expected) but we have been sooo careful esp. with our electricity usage that I'm surprised they want to bump it up by so much. Going to call them to discuss it:D

Need to get going on SOA for August soon, as well as calling Tax Credits to renew our claim. I just need OH's end of year figure although he looked at me comically when I asked where his P60 was:mad::p

Also need to get remember to bring Sure Start Maternity Grant form to my midwife appointment on Tuesday so she can sign the back sheet then I can get it sent off.

Hoping to get OH to help tidy up the garden in a bit as want to get it done whilst kids not here, need to tackle weeds between paving slabs, mow grass and get all the stuff out there (assortment of bikes, scooters, DDs' shoes and completely random articles like a dustbin lid?!) tidied away. No doubt it will all be replaced later in the week with other random things:)

Also wondering what to do with our old fridge freezer - got given another by OH's mum which we are using but still have the old one and need to move it as a) it's still plugged in with stuff in the freezer and b) it's in the way of the window that I put the tumble dryer thingy out of so the house doesn't steam up:D

E.ON_Company_Representative

Jo_R wrote: »

Got letter from Eon who want to increase my DD - again, they did this a couple of months ago - it started at £73, then we negotiated it to £115 (they wanted £173:eek:), now they've said it needs to be £158... They read the elec meter the other day so I assume it's based on that reading (not done it myself yet) and I do have arrears accrued over the winter period (which were expected) but we have been sooo careful esp. with our electricity usage that I'm surprised they want to bump it up by so much. Going to call them to discuss it:D

Hi Jo_R,

I noticed your post and just wanted to offer to help investigate the increases and decreases your Direct Debit has seen recently.

If you’d like to deal with me rather than having to call in, please feel free to email me on the address in my profile page.

Brian

Jo_R_2

Thanks Brian - it's on my list of things to do now.

Been super-busy organising money stuff. Saw midwife yesterday and got my Sure Start Maternity Grant form signed so off to post it later (need to buy a big envelope!)


I did have a To-Do list that I did on Sunday evening - however having done most of it it seems pretty redundant to actually post it up now!:o:D This is what I have left though and what I need to do today added:

• start SOA for August
• phone EON re: DD increase
• [STRIKE]order quilt covers for girls[/STRIKE]
• find CD/DVD cabinet (seen a lovely one in IKEA but out of stock everywhere so might phone up and see if I can find out more, also checking Ebay for any near to me)
• [STRIKE]post SSMG form after buying envelope[/STRIKE]

After reviewing my spends this month, I am making a resolution. It is apparent that a fair chunk of my surplus has gone on grocery 'top ups' - I'm going to work out exactly how much later but I predict I can alleviate this for August by booking online shops for the start of the week, plenty of time in advance so we don't end up topping up the day before the shopping is due.

Kids activities for the day include watching a Mr. Men DVD that DD2 dug out, taking DS round to OH's mums for the afternoon, and taking DDS to the library later as there's some activities on.

Pinky15

Hi Jo - thought I would pop by for a catch up. I must take my gang to the librarey I bet they would love that - will add to my activity list.
How is the pregnancy going and when are you due - remember to take it easy! (easier said then done I know;)).
Well done on the credit card!!!:)

Jo_R_2

Hellooooo - nice to "see" you Pinky!

Library didn't materialise unfortunately as DDs weren't interested! It's still on the list of things to do with the kids as we have a stack of books to return, won't be tomorrow as because it's a local library, it's open odd hours and is closed all day tomoz!

Am due 2nd October according to scan dates - my estimate is around the 18th though:D I'm working it out based on my estimated due date - 27th September - plus 3 weeks as both DD2 and DS were 3 weeks late on the same principle so is pretty fair to say this one will be late also. Also posted my Maternity Grant form earlier - not sure what it will be used for yet although may use part towards a double buggy.

Am watching a couple of sofas on Ebay - I'm wanting to kit out the conservatory (as well as various other bits I've wanted to get for aaaaages for the house) but realise I'm only gonna be able to do this secondhand or via cheap Ikea bits, which is fine by me:) Any bargainous finds will be reported here - currently watching a Klippan sofa.

Other big thing is have started tackling the car as we are looking now in earnest at buying something bigger before baby arrives... Today was purely cosmetic and involved vacuuming the horrendous mess that was the inside, plus a bit of a wipedown. Cosmetically it looks tonnes better already:j Still need to tackle cleaning the seats (not that bad but could do with brightening up, just bit grubby here and there), another once over of the footwells and properly clearing out, cleaning and tidying the boot.

The brake pads also need doing (OH going to tackle those) and we've been debating getting it professionally serviced against OH doing it (prob with a hand from my good old dad if he's up for it!)

As an aside, I'm really thinking of getting DS a new car seat. The straps on his are horrendous to adjust and it's quite old anyway as it was DD2's car seat when she was younger. Both DDs have the Graco seats but DS isn't big enough for one yet so not sure where to start looking really.

Jo_R_2

Had a bit of a kids' day today, lots of cutting/sticking/gluing, trip to the library to return old books and pick lots of new ones, then quiet time this afternoon watching films. DS is having an early nap so enjoying the peace and quiet sat with DDs and their films and a few mins on here:)

Finished calendar/planner for kids activities over the holidays. Can now pencil in when parents can have DDs to stay as mum been asking. Lots of activities at children's centre booked in for, plus hoping to arrange some playdates inbetween.

Still desperately searching a CD/DVD cabinet, there's a few of the Ikea ones I saw that I liked on Ebay but none near enough to make it worthwhile picking them up. Watching loads of potential bargains and trying to keep on top of finish times as have a nasty habit of forgetting!

Pinky15

Sounds like you are sorted on the holiday activity front. I am pleased first week is over as the rest always seems to go quicker:D
I got my lot some bargains in the last ELC sale so going to do some crafty things tomorrow and then after little ones nap going to take them on a nice loooonng walk lol! Tire the little monkeys out! I am watching a few bits on ebay but also forget the finish times and miss out.:D