Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

*Jellie*

These diaries are great for letting off steam. It is really tough deciding when to put money into house etc. As you say it might be better to get the bathroom done if leaving it could end up being more expensive!

newgirly

Thanks Jellie and mummalove, I think I've just got the post xmas blues! Oh and feel free to pop in any time mummalove

On a more serious note, I've just found out that a close friend has been burgled last night, they broke in whilst she oh and 4 kids were asleep and stole their new apple mac than stole their big 8 seater car.:eek: They are all ok, and did'nt find out until they woke up this morning. Its not good timing as they are kind of seperated and he is moving into his own new house soon so she will be on her own with the kids. Not nice in any circumstances, but not what you need when you are about to be a single mum.
I have offered to run her around for work and shopping etc. so I hope she will let me help, she is the type who does'nt like taking favours but is quite happy to help others.
Anyway, I am failing terribly at giving up alcohol as I'm sat here with a big glass of red, maybe i should have started after I drank all the xmas leftovers.

cha97michelle

I failed miserably last night, but i have an OJ now.

I hear noise terribly when no-one else does so i feel your plight. I just thought that the kids were crying but it is nextdoors telly on really loudly. They are on the whole pretty good though, so i don't complain at all, though i think i would if it were 3 and had woken the kids up. Maybe they put the telly on while they fall asleep and then it is left on. My sister used to do that when we shared a room and drove me mad.

newgirly

Have just thought of a good solution for the noisy neighbours, drink MORE wine not less and it will knock me out for the night!

mummalove

How terrible for your friend. Very scary and certainly not what she needs at a sad time like this. I am sure with your help, she will get through this, but not a great start to the year bless her...

Well I am kind of doing ok on the 'semi-diet'!! Had cereal for breakfast, cereal for lunch and then had a small piece of pizza with rice (ok, not that good) but dear oh dear, there it was...in my fridge, calling me...Baileys...I am now trying to finish the bottle off, so I cannot be tempted by naughties later in the week!!! My son has the job of eating all the leftover celebrations and quality streets... :rotfl:

pupsicola

Clear any debt first. Then save up an emergency fund to cover any unexpected things that might crop up, like trouble with the car etc. Budget realistically so you know exactly how much you really can overpay on the mortgage. These things will help keep you on track.

Cleared my mortgage 8 years ago. Part luck, part crazy salaries in the city, mainly sheer hard work and utter determination. Its life changing and so worth doing. I now live by the coast and work part time doing a job I love. Go for it.

newgirly

Thanks Pupsicola, its good to hear about those who have become mortgage free, its a long journey of which i'm only at the start. I think the hardest bit is deciding how much to spend or not spend on the kids.

pupsicola

So know what you mean about kids. Dont think I could have done it if Id had kids at the time. They are now what stands between me and a holiday home. Oh well wouldn't swap them for the world. Good luck.

newgirly

I have been trying to get a bit more organised today.

1. booked the kids for a dental check up
2. booked kids eye test
3. cancelled credit rating trial (to get cashback)
4. transfered first 2011 loft savings for jan to new isa
5. requested tcb money
6. did a couple of surveys

still to do

• 3 loads of washing
• empty all airers
• cook turkey curry for dh
• start mountain of ironing
• double check mr a online shop to see what needs adding
• tidy messy house

I have also been out today and bought some clothes for ds1 for summer (early, I know), I don't have the money at the moment but thought I'd borrow from next months as they were so cheap. I got 2 tracksuit bottoms, 2 shorts,3 tops all for £22, all sporty names really reduced, so am very pleased. Would have bought for ds2 but he is more trendy than sporty

I have been reading some of the new diaries that have popped up in the last few days there seem to be lots, I'm going to be on here 24/7 if I'm not careful!

newgirly

I have managed a NSD today finally! I was going to buy something for dinner out of the change I have left, but popped round my dm's for a cup of tea, and came home with a bag full of xmas chocs and some gammon, So am doing gammon and chips for tea and left over frozen veggie chilli for me.
Now we have another tin of sweets to get through.

My DM&D have also been very generous and booked a holiday for us all to go away together in august , a week in (salcombe) devon
We have been loads of times before and love it there, but its very expensive. We have already booked a week in the isle of wight in a caravan for the end of august so I'm going to have to try and put some money by for two holidays now, so oping the mortgage may slip a bit, but you can't turn down a free holiday can you :j

I've not checked on surveys for a couple of days so I should take a look really, I've been busy scouring the net for cheap but nice bathrooms. We have decided to do the bathroom and I think we should go for a better than basic type suite but I can't bear to spend too much money, so I'm trying to find something georgeous, good quality but very cheap!

Anyway I'm off to heat up the chilli and watch primeval with the kids, have a good weekend everyone.