Our attempt at being MF!!

newgirly

Oh dear I hope the nails turned out ok, don’t let them fake tan your legs whatever you do :rotfl:

CathT

Haha Newgirly, that would have been a step too far!

Well we are back from an amazing weekend away with friends. Memory bank filled up and stayed in control of finances. Can't say the same for food/drink but I tracked what I could! We were also pretty active as were outside mostly due to glorious weather.

Payday for me today and money shuffle done. T3sco site down so will make payment after work. We only spend £50 whilst away and had spent £60 on fuel for journey but am hoping still plenty left in the tank for me for work this week.

Am completely confused by my mortgages at the moment. I think it's because in my head we are on the new rate but the new payment amount hasn't gone out yet and my spreadsheet continues to confuse me! Have sent across a 24p Tilly tidy and will choose a mortgage to pay t off after work. Also requested £1.80 from tcb which will end up in the same place. I think I'll just pay our usual £300 off old mortgage this month as that should keep spreadsheet in line with balance.

Also had a bit extra in my wages this month so have that to use wisely. That will probably get paid off holiday balance before it disappears elsewhere.

April spends

Supermarket £146.23
Fuel £131.01

CathT

I think I may have overdone it today. Full day at work followed by the gym, then came home and cut the front lawn and put bins out. Stripped two of the outdoor cushions due to a bird using it as a toilet and washed those. Got a load of washing in, prepped my classic lentil meal so have 7 servings for the next few days (that's lunch and dinner sorted). Completely ran out of time/energy to sort out finances so hopefully that will get done tomorrow. Did have a letter from fd saying that mortgage payment isn't changing until June which I don't really understand. The switch was early in April and they also said our old mortgage rate was 4+% when it was actually 2.99. The sooner it's gone the better!

The children have had a fab day at the beach as dh took them to visit friends. They have had a brilliant time but are shattered. Definitely worth the long drove for dh especially as the wonderful weather is not forecast to last.

Not sure Tuesdays are meant to be this busy!

CathT

Good evening, just a quick post as am still shattered! Finally decided what to do with some of the finances. £122 paid off the smaller mortgage, it seems even just £100 knocks a month off so this could be super-motivating! :rotfl:Also paid £90 off the holiday balance and paid for dd's piano exam which was another £41. I expect the account is now looking rather depleted.


We seem to be managing without daily 'top-up' shops this week. Have encouraged dh to have a bit of a fitness drive in the weeks leading up to holiday which will curb alcohol and treat spends. I made my veggie lentil mix last night which helps keep costs down. I've also switched to dried instead of fresh fruit (although higher in calories) in my breakfast which keeps those spends and need for frequent shops down.


Am already looking forward to a quiet weekend, feel absolutely exhausted.

newgirly

Morning Cath, not sure what fruit you are having with breakfast but I find frozen blueberries quite good from the cheap supermarkets? I love fresh but tend to gobble them up quickly if the are in the fridge and it’s expensive

CathT

Hi Newgirly, I usually get frozen blueberries/raspberrries but had got into a habit of buying fresh. Need to go back to my old ways although sultanas are super cheap, just really high in sugar and more calories. Am still losing fat on extra calories at the moment though so very happy with that as never hungry and feel stronger in the gym. No rebound weight gain for me.

Have been up an hour and although not been super productive I feel more organised. Receipts totalled and money sent to the correct place, dh has sent me his wage slip. There's barely any overtime but at least that allows us to see his basic pay and I've also checked what he's putting into his pension as was looking at increasing it. There's around £175 a month going into his pensions but I've no idea how I work out if this is enough. Really we should increase his private one as not changed that for a few years.

Trying to be frugal and healthy until holiday next month. Dh was missing his wine last night but appears to have survived. Have managed to shave a few days off the budget as we go away just before payday.

89p Tilly tidy this morning and have received some paperwork through re new payments so need to work out what I need to set standard overpayment as to keep that mortgage on track for December 2027.

Right, need to get moving. Storm has hit us here but I need to go to the gym and we need some bits of shopping we didn't know we were running out of so will make a quick trip to shop on way back.

Have a good day, stay warm and dry. Can't believe the change since last week!

CathT

April spends

Supermarket £180.67
Fuel £193.02

We should creep in under £400 again and budget is £500. Can never locate that floating £100 though!!

shangaijimmy

Ah, the hunt for the mysteriously floating underspends...don't even think Sherlock would find ours...

CathT

Jimmy that did make me smile. Not just us then?

Smashed the gym this morning, upped some more of my weights so feel like I've had a really good workout. Just going to sit with a coffee and my book now as can feel fatigue setting in.

Weather slightly calmer here now, just very wet!

CathT

I've had a really good weekend as it's felt relaxing yet productive with some lovely simple family time.

Had a fab workout again this morning concentrating on upper body and legs still suffering (they have until Tuesday to recover) and tried two new machines to help me progress with my goals. Had felt a bit anxious about using new area of gym but absolutely loved it. Weight and calliper readings down which shows some great fat loss this week whilst hopefully building muscle.

Did a £12 food shop yesterday which I need to add to totals. Dh doing another small shop tomorrow so hoping that he will stick to the list and we will remain on budget.

Had a conversation with ds this evening about climate change whilst watching new 'undoscover3d worlds' series. I'm very climate aware but it was a real eye opener and I am fully expecting more questions from him in the morning. He's only 7 but very empathic and quite a deep thinker.

Children in holiday club tomorrow but only £25 which won't break the bank. Just need to remember to take the cheque with me in the morning.

Going to read for a bit with a herbal tea to round up the weekend and prepare me for the week ahead. Can't believe there's only 5 working days until the next bank holiday.