greent's mfw journey

greent

Thanks, guys

Aquamarina - it's a constant battle with 4 children to stay on top of the clutter here - and I often don't, but the OPs from ebaying are motivating me, I have to say (because I usually hate ebaying and will do the odd thing begrudgingly)

Also, DH found out yesterday that his contract finishes next Friday - eek!!! He has no more work lined up and was hoping it wouldn't finish until 23rd/ 30th July Pants!!! Not sure what we're doing - need to fix a meeting with accountant but I have a throat infection and can't speak (am trying to pluck up courage to contact the GP surgery for a triage appointment - I think I need anti-bs, but the receptionists are dragons, as are the triage nurses!!! )

Ho hum - off for a lie down whilst DS3 is napping....

greent

Phoned C&G this morning (interesting - with a throat infection I sound like a strangulated duck!) Balance now £98569 Slowly going down...... Have called £50 from paypal today and will put that on mtge, together with quidco monies when it arrives in current account - that'll be the odd £69 gone then!

8 ebay items posted today. ONly made £16.91 after ebay, paypal & postage fees, but as it was for stuff that I would have thrown away before, I can't really complain!! Have relisted some unsold items and put one new thing on there. Have a small box next to me with about another 8 things in - they're my target to get listed this week - anything above them is a bonus.

Need to get an appointment with DH's accountant to see what we do now that he has no contract - or anything likely to materialise before Sept. I still plan on OPing any ebay monies (and similar) but will not be looking for more than that whilst he has no income coming in! This may set us back a tad, but I aim to catch up at some point down the line.

Other expenses (not usually incurred ones) this month will be next instalment of DD's braces (ouch!) and payment for a school trip (£150) and some end of year photos - argh! I'm cancelling my cleaner but am not stopping DS1's extra tution - he really benefits from it. I have a couple of birthdays and then the end of year teachers presents - but am hoping all of that can be covered from my large stash of goodies

Another day, another challenge - but onwards and downwards will the mortgage go (well, if I have my way, anyway!! )

hebe

Good luck, I hope that it won't be long before another contract comes in.

greent

Thanks, hebe. Nothing expected until at least Sept -so he's going to spend the summer doing some exam stuff (cost us £4k over a year ago, so about time he did something with it!), some diy/ decorating (LOTS needs doing!) and some cheapy days out with the kids.

Have made a small OP today of £30 - quidco cashback rounded up to £20 and £10 from someone that they owed me from over a year ago . Still waiting for the paypal £50 to arrive and then I'll transfer that too I'm frustrated by these little bits - but they *do* all add up and make a difference. I'm determined to put 'extra' monies like these into the mtge as long as poss, even if he hasn't any work. Worst case scenario for us is that the OPs would be used to take a payment holiday - but I'm sure it won't get to that stage....

Haven't got around to my ebay listings yet - must do - maybe tomorrow - am looking at my tax return today - not a job that I enjoy!

Queen-Bee_2

Hi Greent - these little bits all add up, so well done!

It's only by being desperately frugal that I can afford to make the overpayments I'm making at the moment. Have to say that e-baying is on my list... I've loads of clothes that I ought to sell but where I've been holding off just in case I slim down to a size 10!! Maybe you're inspiring me to get on with it!

QB

greent

clothes... I have them ranging from a size 12 to 18 in my wardrobe. Only a couple of 12s left and they're sentimental, I think. I'd be happy getting back to a 14 (12 would be fantastic, but can't imagine it) I'm just getting into the 16 trousers - when I do 'properly' I'll get rid of my 18 ones (can't grow back into them then!!) Tops - hmm.. I'm still feeding DS3 so don't expect my top half to reduce *that* much at the mo - but I have some gorgeous unworn still with labels on tops for when I do

DS3 has just fallen asleep on my lap feeding whilst I've been typing this - sounds like a good time to list 5 thing on ebay and then get on with my tax return (I'm hopeful of a small rebate, so it's also a money making task)

greent

Well I didn't get around to ebaying - must do that today! Instead I finished getting things ready for this week's NCT sale (180 bundles/ items) and started my tax return (thwarted by not having all the interest certificates for all the bank accounts!! grr!)

Today the paypal money has arrived in my c/a so I've immediately transferred the £50 to the mortgage and updated my spreadsheets

I'm not sure that I'm expecting much else this month- the NCT sales money, yes, but not a lot else (although having noticed that p/pal withdrawal limits are now low (I was working on £50) I could possibly cash in £10 from there next week, too. NCT money isn't all mine, either - after the £5 seller's fee and 20% commission, the children also get the money for toys of theirs that sell (keeps them incentivised to regularly clear out their stuff) However, should be another small lump at least!

greent

£80 OP made today from NCT monies. A decent amount of stuff sold, but a lot was at 50p. Will list some of the unsold on ebay - didn't put anything on there last week, so now have that and the nct leftovers to do!!

DH has a job interview today - eek! He has another one coming up in a couple of weeks, too. Fingers crossed!!

Still haven't finished tax return - may get on with that. Haven't heard anything back from tax credits people yet, either - form for claim (didn't get it before) sent in 20th June - have no idea how long these things take, though....

ho hum, best get off my butt and be productive, I suppose......

greent

Another £80 OP sent to C&G today from refund from old energy supplier Also £20 withdrawn from paypal from some teeny 99p sales and will OP that when it arrives in current a/c.

Also, DH had a job interview yesterday - and was offered it at 8am this morning!!! They want him to go in tomorrow and then start on MOnday - main downside is that it's in Newcastle (4.5hr train journey min) so will be staying away all week - and school holidays start next week However, it's a job and therefore money and therefore overall it's a 'Good Thing'.... It's for an initial period of 3 months and will then be reviewed...

Ooh, and I chased tax credits people last week - was processed on Friday, so hopefully we'll get a letter about it soon......

SmlSave

Congratulatiosn to your DH and his new job! poo to the travelling and him being away during the week but like you said, it's a job and a good thing overall