Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

Thanks everyone it's all down to the inspiration of all the MFW's on here.

Had a busy but good day in work and am off tomorrow :j

Met my mum after work at a local expensive garden centre as they have fabulous christmas displays. Spent almost £17 on bits and pieces, could have spent soooo much more! I am looking for some stocking holders for the fireplace but have been looking since last year! They had one there but they were £17 each!

Checked accounts and made another 9p Tilly tidy.

Plan for tomorrow is

Exercise first thing
Watch DS first nativity play
Sort out Christmas decs
Clean house
Sort out car insurance
Ring childcare provider and hope for clarification
Read meters
DH is going to check oil and tyre pressure on both cars
Print off swimming booking forms

That seems quite a lot for a leisurely day off! I also need to fit in some financial planning!

CathT

Daily check of accounts done amd 82p Tilly tidy made.

Food/petrol account looking very healthy, it gets replenished on the 18th so there should be spare funds in there. Planning a low spend top up shop today, the grocery cash in my purse may cover it and I also need petrol. My fuel efficiency has reduced so DH will check tyres, wondering if cold weather uses more petrol?

Have a few things I need to pay for which will probably deplete the current account (that's where extra from grocery budget will have to be spent). Need to send £5 with dd today for a pantomime trip, I do have cash in my purse that has remained untouched for a few days so no need to dip into current account :j

Just had a bit of a panic....thought I'd washed £10!!!!

Busy busy day planned but hopefully enjoyable and productive.

lulabelle1

Enjoy the Nativity play!

CathT

Wow days off are tiring. I am going back to work tomorrow! We literally didn't stop today and although we did most things we wanted to, not everything got done. Full house clean didn't happen, just cleaned where I needed to, car insurance not done. I am going to end up renewing over the phone as my policy number doesn't seem to work in my online account.

Today has also been rather spendy :eek:

Made another 9p Tilly tidy.
Paid for a term of football for dd £35
School photos money has debited account £17.50
£21 spent at a local factory Christmas shop amd another £21 at mr s on crackers and chocolates!
£20.99 spent on a minecraft hoodie for dd! Christmas lists have a lot to answer for!

DH checked my tyres, I think I have a slow puncture in one so hoping that can be repaired rather than replaced. DH got petrol but 'forgot' how much and has no receipt (will update spends when it debits account. )

Our tree is up! DS did a lovely job helping me decorate it

December spends

Food £38.90
Petrol £28.05

CathT

Yay it's Friday :j

I have realised having a midweek day off is key to surviving the week!

Have checked account, S&S ISA money has debited and it's good to see ISA growing as I can't dip into it! Current account looking okay, 2 weeks to payday but Christmas shopping mostly done - 61p Tilly tidy made out of this. Food amd petrol account looking healthy and I have already 'borrowed' £100 out of it! I will stick to the original budget of £500 a month but hopefully this means each month I can swipe some cross to savings/repayments.

Completely frustrated about the house and not sure what to do for the best. I am thinking about reducing asking price on this and staying in rented for a while whilst we top up equity. Our current thinking is to get plans drawn up but leave property on market so if it doesn't sell we can say we tried and will also be in a position to extend without too much delay.

It's fizzy Friday but am not sure if I can be bothered! 2 weeks since I had any wine and quite like feeling refreshed and able to go for a run! Still have a tombola win bottle in the fridge so if DH fancies some it will also be money saving. Sounds like a win-win!

CathT

Morning all,

I need some motivation as feeling pretty glum at the moment. I think the house is completely stressing me out as I don't like not being in control and everything is out of my hands. We are exploring options if we end up staying.

Car insurance renewed online which took some time to sort out as I had to re-register as my policy wasn't showing online. Have opted for monthly repayments which incurs extra costs but I can't just keep putting expenses on the credit card. Done a couple of yougov surveys so a little closer to payout. Meter readings submitted and spends don't seem too bad, fortunately most of the house is very warm so this keeps costs down.

Anyone else's children wild and/or difficult to please at the moment? The weather isn't helping as mine don't do well being inside! Was hoping to do something at local NT property today but weather had been as wild as the children! For sale sign been blown about too, maybe that's a sign!!

No pennies to tilly tidy, think I will make a coffee and look at SOA and budget for next year.

smallholdingsister

I think kids in general are a dangerous combination of exhausted and overexcited at the moment.

How well you have done with your alcohol freedom.

BookWorm

Just popped in to say hello Cath Don't feel down - you are doing great! I have no idea how you juggle work, house stuff, hubby & kids the way you do. Cut yourself some slack hun x :grouphug:

CathT

smallholdingsister wrote: »

I think kids in general are a dangerous combination of exhausted and overexcited at the moment.

How well you have done with your alcohol freedom.

DH has just gone out for wine. First time in a while I have needed a glass or few! Dd has had a playmate and her friend is lovely, however DS did not make it easy! Budgets not done, I think I might ask if DH will do swimming lessons in the morning and I will do them then.

BookWorm wrote: »

Just popped in to say hello Cath Don't feel down - you are doing great! I have no idea how you juggle work, house stuff, hubby & kids the way you do. Cut yourself some slack hun x :grouphug:

Hi bookworm, thanks for popping in. I think I am just used to it. Hubby does an awful lot so I think we just manage as a team. We worked together on dinner and came up with a fab combination of pork in pepper and some risotto - was delicious!

Living room looking very festive, have put some bunting up and the window is also decorated now. It will be a lovely setting for my wine this evening! I am not even going to think about the presents that need wrapping or what antics I am supposed to be planning for the elf!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Cath, our two were always mega excited and knackered around Christmas. Glass of wine (or two, three) and feet up.

Gift wrapping can wait, as can budgets.

Best wishes Tilly x x x