greent's mfw journey

greent

Pffft! Dishwasher has died again. What I did last time hasn't worked this time, so more G00gling required..... We also have 2 slightly duff toilets - hopefully both (loos) are quick/ cheap fixes from BnQ or similar (assuming they have the correct parts!)

So... quick review of Nov.... OP to BTL of 530. Payments to hol fund of just 480. But we did pay 500 into slush savings, 1050 into regular savings, 200 into S&S ISA, 500 into accounts to fund students (they get a lump once a term to pay all/ some rent) plus 'bills' account transfers, so I'm happy enough

Not very Xmassy here so far - but we do have the outside lights (and inflatable polar bear....) up in the garden. Internal decorating is scheduled for Sun 15th - DD and DS1 return Sat 14th, so we'll 'do' DD's bday on the Sat afternoon/ evening and then start Xmas on the Sunday

On the subject of Xmas, I still have some shopping to do... sigh.... not too much, but it does feel like I've been shopping for ever - but in reality that's because I buy pretty much all our household's presents from my mum (and she repays me) and DD and DS2 have mid Dec/ early Jan bdays - so 'double' the shopping. However, I think I've only got left to get: a present for bestie's hubby, a c0sta voucher for DD and some bits for ds2 (for Jan bday) so that's actually not bad at all!

More election stuff on tv... will be glad when it's over, tbh

greent

Sigh...… WD has decided to stop working.... (along with the DW) WM is waaay more important than DW, so today's task is researching a new one (have had repair shop out 4 x in the past 12 months to WM - and last repair cost £100 in parts alone. This time the drum isn't turning... - possibly the motor or capacitor. Whatever, we've spent £300 on it in the last 12 months…. I figure it may be time to cut our losses (sob - I don't want to spend my slush fund money!!!) And the students are both back tomorrow - so I have messaged and said to get their washing up straight at their end, rather than coming home with heaps of it (as DS1 tends to - DD brings home a day or 2's clothes)

Have been working this week - and next. Nice extra bit towards hol fund That's it on invig now until March, so shall hopefully pick up some cover work in Jan/ Feb instead - it all helps!

the_cross_rabbit

Oh no greent, I hate it went the whitegoods have a secret meeting and all decided to go on strike. One year I had DW, WM, TD and fridge go in a matter of months (did try and get them repaired). Just realised I've probably just jinked myself!
CRx

brizzlegirl

Horrific timing indeed for the white goods. Hope you’re coping. You’re certainly more prepared for Christmas than me!!! Hope you’re doing Ok and congrats re the additional cover supervisor work.

Have a good Day

Brizzle x

brizzlegirl

Have a great Xmas greent x

greent

Ooops - didn't realise I'd not posted in a while.

Got new wm from ao - paid for premium installation (and also £20 for them to take the old one away), although we removed the old one ourselves (was hardwired in and apparently they don't deal with electrics - just plug things in and do the pipes) They were all done and dusted by 8.15am - but they have destroyed the door to the wm - the kitchen cabinet one (it's fully integrated) - the supplier has said it's non-repairable and will do us a quote for a new one. However, as the kitchen is bespoke, handcrafted from a single tree the new one is unlikely to match exactly.… SO cross! Have a claim in with ao - not sure they get the idea of a bespoke, solid wood, handcrafted kitchen..... they seem to think that we can a get it repaired (nope) or easily get a new one (not on the shelves at Howdens!) Huge sigh...… And we still need to get a new dw..…..

Anyway, aside from that the run up to Xmas was busy with work and Xmas prep. Smalls finished on the 20th (as did I) and OH on 24th. DS2 has been properly poorly over Xmas (didn't eat at all for 4 days and lived in pyjamas as he kept falling asleep randomly) - he is getting better now, but very washed out and still can't manage more than 2 small meals (hasn't even been eating choc - still has advent calendar choc!!!) He, his brothers and OH are off to the cinema today to see the SWars movie (free tickets with bank account and drinks/ snacks will be from our never-ending supplies....) We did the Zombie escape rooms on Fri and escaped with 12 mins to go (whoop!) - even DS3 contributed really well May try and fit indoor crazy golf in this week and also a family meal at M1ller and Cart3r (paid for by expenses - choice was Ivy Brasserie for the 4 adults or M&C for the 6 of us - the whole family group won!) - may look to use it as DS1's bday meal (for 6th) and just get the smalls (and prob DD) and McD's that day

Presents were successful (in the main ) and a chilled time was had :T

Almost at the end of the year/ decade.... time to review and also look forward...….

newgirly

Hi greent, just wanted to wish you a happy new year

greent

FAMILY
* Make Memories - a perennial favourite now. Ideas include days out (possibly with some Tesc0 CC deals), more family games, the family events we have this year, time spent together doing things together. - hmmm... we visited the students in the Feb and Oct half terms, using a1rbnb accom both times (cheaper than hotels ) and had a 5 day break at CParcs in Aug. 2 family weddings, a big family bbq and DD's graduation. Some walks up the hill. Family games. Cinema trips (to the tiny local art-deco cinema where possible - so cheap and so cute!) Meals out (Nand0s feature a lot - family favourite but also the Ivy Brasserie at least twice)at various places And not forgetting our Xmas family event of scaping the Zombie Apocalypse!
* Family Events - this year we have 2 family weddings (2 of my cousins), OH turns 50, DS3 turns 10 (he's very excited for 'double digits'!), DS2 turns 13 (this month) and (the biggy) DD's graduation. I'd like all of these to be memorable and enjoyable.Yep - all were :T
* Continue to support DD and DS1 whilst at uni (financially and otherwise!!), DS2 in y8/Y9, DS3 Y5 into Y6 (so through his 11+ entrance test) and OH whilst he's looking for another contract....Uni costs us around £7.5 - 8K hard cash/ year plus OH collects them/ takes them back (so fuel)and they get huge piles of food/ toiletries/ cleaning stuff to take back with them. DD graduated (just missing out on a first by a point!) and has started her MAsters (her boyf is also doing a (different) Masters) DS1 had a very good first year (end of year exams were equivalent to a first marks) and is now in a house share. His Gf started at same uni in Sept (diff course)
DS2 is now in Y9 - chooses his options for GCSEs next term! - and is doing very well - although really does not like the increased homework in Y9!
DS3 had a rough Y5 - very poor teacher (usual Y5 teacher taught Y6 that year so a floating teacher far more suited to Y1/ Y2 at a push covered Y5 - very nice person but honestly doesn't cut it for Y5 - at least half the class complained that their child had stayed the same if not gone back in ability.....) and fell out with some friends a few times. Y6 is going much better, thankfully and he is pleased with where we have applied for for secondary (roll on March so his place can be confirmed....)
OH got a new contract in March - was in Staines, so meant staying away Mon-Fri. Was not a good place, really - although money was not bad! Contract was renewed but he ended up leaving there end of August as he got a perm role starting in Sept much more locally (only 24miles/ 45 mins away) He is thoroughly enjoying this new (very busy, very demanding) role. And the money (and ultimately pension!) are a bonus!


HOME
* The House - update the spreadsheet of jobs to be done around the house. Aim to achieve something each month from there, especially if little/ no cost, just time.this quickly fell by the wayside - expect to see it again for 2020!! :rotfl:
* Garden - look at what food to grow (if any) Make it a pretty place to spend time in (am hoping for nice weather again!) Paint fences. Finish decking (??)Decking done (and used), lots of solar lights added, lots of pretty plants (new pots obtained from emptying my nan's house/ garden), new shed (again from my nan's) painted purple :j, fences all painted (although some new panels now required after Autumn/ Winter storms), patio and paths professionally jetwashed (well worth it - went from grey/ black to buff cream), new tiny stones/ chippings around edge of house (old ones (20+ years)were dirty and wouldn't come up with jetwashing - new ones are smaller and look fab. Grew tomatoes & courgettes - and the usual strawberries, apples, pears, plums and heaps of cherries
* Maintain decluttering - we have made lots of progress on this over the past few years. Ensure things identified to go have a clear exit strategy - sell towards 2020 holiday fund where possible Got rid of heaps of stuff - sold some (£632.63 after fees/ costs) and donated/ recycled loads. Any money made went straight towards Florida fund

FINANCES
* Pensions - increase our monthly contributions from April (currently 10% - look to increase to 15 or even 20%, depending upon OH's job) - pension contributions were increased by 10% from Feb. OH's obv stopped when he got new f/t role - but he has ensured his new co pension has maximum employer contribs (I think 7% employer and 10% employee, from memory) - may increase his contrib later in year. I will have new pension in 2019 from new school job (so only low contribs) and a lump sum into (probably) a SIPP from closing old company early next year.
* Ensure company accounts and personal tax stuff delivered tp accountant asap after relevant period ends (Company = 31/01 - deliver records in Feb; personal tax stuff to be delivered no later than June (depends how quick I get my P60 from invigilating) - both achieved
* Extra funds (sales of items, surveys, cashback, £2 coins, invigilating money) to be added to 2020 holiday fund - all went there (and were rounded up)
* Reduce outstanding capital balance on BTL mtge by £5K over the year - yep - approx. £5845 paid off (need montly int figure to get exact fig)
* Look at a new ISA. May consider just cash one until Brexit - opened new Vanguard LS ISA. Stopped contribs to previous one but increased monthly amount to new one. Also opened up 2 new monthly cash savings accounts
* 2 x CTF accounts for smalls - look at transferring these elsewhere for better returns - done - transferred to junior ISAs with new provider
* Make our money work harder (eg: P**kb0x vouchers for shopping) - slightly achieved -could do better with this

HEALTH
* My fitness levels to be regained to minimum where they were a couple of years ago. - nope. Not at all.
* Lose weight/ reduce dress sizes - better for mental as well as physical health - some weight loss. Still a w-i-p
* Small niggles to carry on being dealt with (trapped nerve/ eczema) and any others as they arise - trapped nerve mainly under control (niggles and requires strapping/ splint for a few days if any heavy work done without wearing strapping), eczema was under control - Xmas has seen some reappear on hands (not helped by lack of dw) but legs have totally cleared up. Achilles tendonitis currently at bay, thankfully

I'll take that, overall!

greent

newgirly wrote: »

Hi greent, just wanted to wish you a happy new year

A happy new year to you and yours, too, new girly! x

Moneyfordreams

How annoying about your kitchen door... ggrrrr
hope you get some resolution