Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

Ah thank you! It's getting spent slowly (only in theory up to now!)

Fairly relaxing day, hung some washing out (my mum did loads yesterday as gone on holiday today,) so I needed to get the all dry. I brought it back in in the same state I hung it out! :rotfl: it might be breezy but maybe we're not quite at the line drying washing stage yet.

Food spends updated, we've somehow only spent £110 so far this month. I'm doing a nutrition plan which means I'm only having to buy food for dinner and then snacks such as houmous, blueberries and apples. Sounds restrictive but I've loved it and have seen results and realised my bad habits and emotional relationship with food. I've not been hungry either

Have started pricing up appliances ready to compare to the ones off the company doing our utility room. Tiles also chosen for the shower room, that was much harder than I thought and I've just remembered I was meant to go on Pinterest to look for ideas of how to do the tiles. We're having a neutral colour with a mosaic border so wondering whether to have a double width strips around the room or a stripe on two levels. Also wondering how to design it around the sink. First decisions we've really had to make and it's taking us forever!

Have made homemade pizzas with DD, dh is baking with her and we have a roast dinner to look forward to. Almost feel ready for he week ahead

CathT

Well that's Monday over with:)

Small food shop done after work spending just over £30. That takes total food spends for the month to....

Food. £196.96

Builders not been today so fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Not much else to report really, just one day closer to payday.

CathT

Well, no builders today but have been reassured they're coming tomorrow and plasterers starting on Thursday ( my day off which is typical!) The house is freezing tonight so having a room with no doorway or insulation isn't helpful! We've also had the quote for the utility room, it includes washing machine and tumble dryer for £3385 which seems a lot but is what we were expecting. It really will finish off the extension brilliantly and provide us with some much needed storage space!

Had bank fraud team on the phone today but I'd gone to make a payment to my cc last night and a box came up asking for extra information so I cancelled the transaction. Fingers crossed it's gone through fine tonight!

AlexLK

This doesn't sound good. Did you know about the builders break or is it impromptu?

CathT

AlexLK wrote: »

This doesn't sound good. Did you know about the builders break or is it impromptu?

Overall we are really pleased with them but we're now days off being 5 months in and still a bit to do. We haven't had a full week of work for ages. Some weeks there's only one or two days where here are tradesman here which has been frustrating as those gaps have added up to weeks over the course of the build. In some ways I feel our build has been forgotten about now as we know they are busy taking on other projects. However, apart from the brick and steelwork they subcontract everything else so that shouldn't impact. Hopefully once the plasterers have been we are only waiting on electrician, plumber and joiner for second fix work. Then the builders need to finish guttering. I just didn't expect the project to go 3 months over estimated timescale!

Fingers crossed for some good progress the rest of this week. I know I shouldn't complain but when the tradesman don't turn up in the week it means work spills over into the weekend. I'd much prefer the work to be going on when we are all out of the house!

CathT

Having a productive day off. Hospital appointment for DD and no intervention needed until she's had orthodontic treatment when she's older. Dental appointment for me, piles of washing taken to launderette to be washed, dried and folded. I'm splashing out on that!

Have been to look at fridge freezers and have reserved an American style fridge freezer, washing machine and condenser dryer for £1020 including delivery. All we need now is the water supply back on in the utility room!

Also went to h0wdens as we have had a quote from the company that did our kitchen to supply and fit 5 cupboards. They have quoted us £2700 :eek: mentioned it to our builders who said it's something our joiners could do. H0wdens will send price to joiners so that all went well!

Plasterers here today and they have boarded the shower room and most of the utility room. It's all a bit slow progress upstairs as the building inspector wanted all the insulation taken back out so he could check something. The builder was only supposed to be here to meet the inspector first thing but he's still here now. Hoping it hasn't delayed things but there seems to be quite a bit of work to do up there.

In other news, dh needs an x-ray as the GP wants to rule out a fracture from the slip he had at work a couple of weeks ago! Fingers crossed all is okay! :eek: he's going tomorrow but am sure results will take a while.

chumpy45

Hi CathT, I have just finished reading your diary from start to finish. What a journey you have had. I feel your pain with the builders. We had an extension 3 years ago now, and although it is challenging to experience, especially with young children, we absolutely love the end result. It has made such a difference to our house and the way we live in it iykwim! You are so hard working and a real inspiration. I look forward to following the rest of your journey

CathT

Hi chumpy, wow thank you for reading the whole thing! It's was mostly drivel of should we move house or not! We are definitely settled now and I have cured my rightmost addiction. Although the house isn't quite finished we know we probably wouldn't be able to afford a house of his size and standard in the area we would like. Was definitely the right thing for us to do. I am looking forward to making a large overpayment with the leftover building funds though

Today hàs consisted of....

DS already has been to a birthday party and has another with DD later. He has made a swift recovery from having steroids for croup last night!
Food shop done and splashed out £6.99 for mats for dh car.
Basket of clothes taken to launderette
Tried to analyse my statement from student loans company and wondering why balance only reduced by £106 in a year when I've repaid on average £80 a month :eek:
Plasterers spent the morning here, insulation back in and bedroom almost fully boarded. Shower room and utility plastered apart from one small bit by he door.


I'm off out for a meal with friends in a bit and am looking forward to being for a couple of hours! Then plan is home to share wine with dh (not had a drop for 5 weeks!)

CathT

Trying to rein in the spends at the moment! Had a lovely meal out and spent £11 including a rip. Drank water and declined a dessert! The launderette cost £10 so am relieved my lovely mum is back off holiday today! The children had two birthday parties but we used present from supplies here (both re-gifted presents). DD has been invited out for Sunday lunch by a friend (better social life that me!) Dh has gone for a sleep as was up early to do an overtime shift today.

I've also renewed my professional subscription and for the first time have had the option to pay in quarterly installments which helps with the cash flow!

Spreadsheet checked and mortgage balance on part one has reduced by £546 this month. It's nice to know every other month we will break through a £1k barrier and colour in another mortgage brick.

CathT

Sudden end to that post as DS wanted a cuddle. He's losing his voice but is coughing less so hoping he's on he mend.

Meter readings submitted and we are £55 in debit so they are suggesting I increase DD by £30 a month, I think not! We will recoup that but it doesn't help that it's been snowing today!! However, I was the only one who was a bit cold so just popped on an extra pair of fluffy socks!! Dh never feels the cold and the children don't stop moving around!

March spends

Food. £144.40
Petrol £105