museumworker's quest to consign mortgage to history!

gratefulforhelp_2

It also means you're likley to see a consultant so if anyone annoys you, tell them you will "discuss that with my consultant" LOL.

museumworker

to the comments, this pregnancy will be be what it will be and i can't really get stressed about it.

Off work today as woke up dizzy and have intermittent double vision. I think it might be my first migraine for 10 weeks, or just a bug, hard to tell.

Have bought my difficult to buy for nieces and nephews their Xmas presents online - body shop are doing buy 5 get 2 for free, plus a body butter for £1 when you spend over £26 before discount. With a lot of jigging the basket around, have 2 complete presents (body butter + body wash) and 2 other presents which I will top up (body butter + mans facial set) for £22 + 10% cashback (£50 worth of stuff). Will just get chocolates or something to go with the body butter, and a nice pair of socks for the guy, so should do 4 decent presents for £30, which I am pleased with. I wouldn't want to look as cheap as i am now, would I :rotfl:!

Did anyone pick up a copy of the free $tylist on tuesday/Wednesday? They had a card giving a discount off topshop, the amount of discount depends on the symbol on the card. I am looking to get a pair of maternity jeans, and managed to find the star which is worth 30% - just wondering if anyone found the diamond or club which are worth up to 50% and doesn't intend to use it? Cheeky, I know .

Peonie

museumworker wrote: »

Peonie - no ads yet, he is early days on his blog and I think he needs to get more followers / work on his content a bit before he goes for ads. Plus he is on wordpress, can you even have adverts on that?

I used to have a blog so I read about what the readers think about advertising on blogs, and I agree he should wait until he is established. Even then he should not overload the page with ads. I used blogger which did allow adverts, sorry I can't help you with Wordpress.

Sepa74

Is he on the wordpress site, or has he used wordpress software to create his blog?

Has he considered getting his own web address and finding a host for his own website? It will allow him to 'brand' himself better than a blog on the wordpress site. It isn't particularly expensive, but of course does mean extra money. It also means he can have as many name@mybusiness.com email addresses as are suitable.

As he builds up his 'brand' the advertising could kick off. There is a real lack of quality content on the web, so he could build his 'brand' quite quickly, and potentially start writing blogs for commercial photography equipment websites.

My blog doesn't bring in any business, but certainly enhances my professional standing in the industry. I now write for an industry website, and would almost certainly be able to get more writing gigs if I had time.

museumworker

It is on the wordpress site. I think at the moment it is more of a hobby - he writes about food, photography and other stuff - and he uses it as a creative outlet. I don't think he could fit in any professional work around his demanding ft job, but I will keep these comments in mind for if and when he feels ready to make his blog more professional.

A good weekend, trying not to do too much. Planned visit to party with family member was cancelled yesterday, which I was relieved about, and I've emailed apologies to 2 drinks events today. Instead we have baked cakes, helped DD sort out her toys in her room, bought her new boots for school (after comments from the deputy head on her inappropriate for winter daps ) and watched some films together. Yesterday we treated ourselves to pizza (our first take away at home in over 2 years), and today we went to the local park for a tree planting event which was lovely. We also bagged a few bargains in the local nursery bazaar, some of which will be xmas gifts for family, and some toys for baby bean (couldn't resist!!).

We did have to fork out £170 to get the rear brake pads and discs changed in our car :eek:, but OH is saving the service til the car reaches its next 12K miles point, so at least we didn't have to pay for the service as well.

I still feel tired but much better than I have had did everything that was in the diary! OH has been great, done all the cleaning and cooking - we have a roast chicken to look forward to in a little bit.

Aims for the week:
* send favourite boots for fixing by head office (had them resoled and the sole is now hanging off!)
* collect boots that are being reheeled
* buy maternity jeans from top$hop with discount card
* take DD's unwanted games to charity
* order Xmas cards

[Deleted User]

sounds like a relaxing weekend was needed mw craft/xmasy fairs sound lovely I will have to try and find some local to me as love that kinda stuff!
Cars are a minefield of expense at times- but with things like brakepads you gotta do it! mine always needs something at the most inconvenient times!
Well done OH on being a domestic God ...roast sounds yum!

lulabelle1

Ouch rear pads and discs, that we need for one of our cars. Was going to wait, but we need them now, so will have to fund them from this months pay.......
Still, it's cheaper that paying out for a new car on a car loan, so happy days

Best, L

CathT

Hi MW, just popping in to let you know my cashback from PO has become payable. I applied after seeing it on your diary so thank you for that.

museumworker

Hello all, and glad the money became payable CathT - it seemed to take a lot longer than mine, but it was an extremely easy £50, wasn't it!

Made it to the end of the week - and without taking any more sick days :j! Really drained though - am absolutely exhausted, about to start watching some rubbish telly to unwind.

I caved in and bought some maternity wear, from H&M. Skinny jeans, cardigan and a top for £60 :eek:, which takes me well over my clothes budget, but I had no choice whatsoever! I am absolutely enormous for 10 weeks (today!), and starting to get uncomfortable. I also bought a monsoon non-maternity top from a charity shop today which will be perfect for the next 3 months, and after the birth, £5. I will have to grovel to Lula-Hula and see what she says about my clothing splurge. The worst thing is I know I still need more!

I have gone through and found some non-maternity outfits in my wardrobe which are suitable, and pulled out the couple of maternity dresses I have bought second hand over the last year. I also was lent a dress and a couple of tops from a friend, so should be able to get through to the new year without buying any more. It is made extra hard because I am still not telling people, so trying to find outfits which don't make me look pregnant! But I will get a maternity clothes wish list together for the new year, and hit the sales then I think.

This weekend OH and I are off to an industry ball, in some fancy hotel near Manchester. The tickets and hotel are paid for by a supplier, and we can claim the petrol back off work, so a completely free weekend away. We are going to see some friends and their baby tomorrow afternoon, which will be lovely. I have a black dress which I think I can hide my bump in too! The food sounds yummy; I am a bit worried about how long I'll last in the evening, but I can always leave after dinner and head up to the room.

£14.68 OP today from Ama$on sales.

summerday

Hi MW,

Congrats on your baby news, when are you due? I'm 35 weeks with my first, and although very excited about it I think as a MFW it's only natural to think about the impact that a baby will have on your finances. I have made a spreadsheet/budget to help see my likely income on mat leave and if work hopefully let me go back part time, it made me feel more in control financially, perhaps its worth a try for you if you haven't already.

Maternity clothes-expensive indeed I agree, and I've only bought the bare minimum, 4 pairs of maternity leggings from Matalan that can be worn with long dresses/tunic tops I already own. Some people have suggested buying bundles of clothes from Ebay, but I 've not tried this. I got a nice maternity coat from New Look for just £31 in the sale, ordered online for free store pickup, may be worth looking to see if they still have the sale on? I looked at coats on Ebay but they were going for the same price as my new one so I'll just sell it on Ebay when I'm done with it.

Hope you enjoy the exciting weekend you have planned. x