Pavlovs_dog starting as she means to go on...

pavlovs_dog

under January's aim of seizing our finances by the danglies I've spent this evening putting together the start of a 'worst case scenario' document. The idea is that if anything happens to either of us, all of the information the other would need to pick up the financial reigns (account numbers, usernames, when bills are paid etc) is all together in one (carefully hidden) place.

It has made me realise what financial tarts we are. We both have lots of old savings accounts/dormant current accounts with just a few pence in them on the off chance that that bank suddenly begins to offer competitive savings rates meaning we can get money in quickly. The reality is that none of those banks have started offering decent rates since we tarted off somewhere else but we now have fingers in lots of financial pies. Time to do some shopping around for good rates and streamline our affairs I think.

On a positive note, our savings appear to be healthier than I would have expected (we work on the out of sight, out of mind approach to savings... fab for letting it build up, not so good on knowing our net worth).

By the end of January I hope to

1) have completed new life assurance application
2) cancel old life assurance policy & DD
3) complete worst case scenario doc
4) complete calendar and address book to go with 3)
5) investigate most competitive savings rate and transfer funds
6) take final decision on closing dormant accounts
7) work out our bottom line giving recent change in circs
8) work out how much savings is in each pot (pension, new car etc)
9) investigate best option for phone & broadband
10) get paperwork in order (streamline my share, get OH to establish filing system for his)
11) savings/OP plan for rest for 2013
12) investigate cost of having a basic will written

Look out world, I'm on a mission!!!

pavlovs_dog

food shop today. Prefer aldi but Lidl is much closer so went there to save petrol. They didn't have everything I wanted so ended up having to go to morrisons on way back. Also popped in home bargains to get some supplies for work (the 'just in case I forget my lunch' kind of stuff). Active effort to use up stuff that has been in the cupboards and freezers since forever is enabling us to keep spends down. Currently spent £30 less on groceries than I normally would have done by this point in the month. On target to have about £60 'spare' at end of month to replenish supplies, which I'm hoping to combine with the Aldi £5 off £35 voucher. If there is a good offer for 1st time customers I may even dip my toe into the waters of home deliveries. With some careful planning we should be able to have another frugal food month in Feb, saving money and freeing up some space in the progress :j

Need to get ready for school tomorrow. Need to

1) [STRIKE]make packed lunch for Mon & Tues[/STRIKE]
2) [STRIKE]make fruit salad for Mon & Tues[/STRIKE]
3) [STRIKE]have a bath, defuzz[/STRIKE], do hair etc so I don't scare the children or my colleagues
4) [STRIKE]write 'to do' list for week[/STRIKE]
5) [STRIKE]half hour ironing - make sure I have clothes for the week[/STRIKE]
6) bit of marking
7) [STRIKE]SB to target (this one's going to be slooooow)[/STRIKE]
8) pack school bag
9) [STRIKE]bake cake for friend's birthday tomorrow[/STRIKE]
10) early night

pavlovs_dog

First week back was a HUGE shock to the system, resulting in exhaustion to the point of faffiness. I've been too knackered to work, but my mind has been too busy whirring to be able to sleep. My to do list is growing exponentially. I am officially SICK of marking assessments. And don't even mention the word 'reports' :eek:

To add to the fun, a Tw*t in a bus cut me up on a roundabout, which resulted in one of the nearest near misses I've ever had. Then a colleague broke my favourite mug (accidentally, but it had sentimental value). It probably goes without saying that I've been more Eyeore than Tigger this week!

Chatting to a friend, who is only a few years older than me but has travelled to the most amazing places compounded my sense that I've been living to work for the past few weeks, rather than working to live. Our balance of fun and frugality has been off kilter, and needs addressing.

So I did what any normal person would do, and booked a holiday. How is this for frugal.... Mr Pavlov and I are off to Dublin in half term. 4 days/3 nights, flights and airport parking for £115 each :money: I'm really excited and it is lovely to have something to look forward too. It is a tad annoying that it is almost £100 cheaper for us to drive the 50odd miles to Bristol and pay for airport parking than it is to fly from the airport that is 10 minutes from the house but you can't quibble with the value for money. Hoping to make it up to see the Giant's Causeway whilst we're there :j excited.com!!!

On the Goals front:

NSDs this working week (Jan aim: 4/16)
Grocery budget currently £48.16 /£160
Lunch for work x 5 (Jan aim: 5/19)
Clothes purchases: 0/0
Litre of water a day: Needs work.
Swagbucks: 4/5 Only need 81SB to cash out
decluttering: Study

Seize our finances by the danglies: Life assurance quote processing (they need to contact my dr as I had very nasty illness as child). Aim to complete worst case scenario doc this weekend.

skint_spice

That sounds a great deal for Dublin, I love Dublin... you do need to get a balance I think so it's great you are having a wee break

pavlovs_dog

skint_spice wrote: »

That sounds a great deal for Dublin, I love Dublin... you do need to get a balance I think so it's great you are having a wee break

I've never been to Ireland before, OH went years ago when he was much younger. Everyone I know who's been raves about it. In many ways, I'm expecting it to be a lot like Cardiff... home from home!

Going to do our research to keep the costs down when we are there. Will see if we can exchange any tesco clubcard vouchers for admission to places we want to visit. And our hotel is next door to a supermarket, so we can take a snacks/packed lunches with us each day to save some pennies. Food at tourist attractions is often pricey for what you get.

skint_spice

Food and drink were both very pricey PD, I've been with friends and later with DS so two completely different experiences there are some nice places on the coast that you can get the train out to too - depending on the weather...

Never been to Wales so no idea if it's like Cardiff!

HelenDaveKids

When i finish my next assignment will you check it for me? ..... dont worry only kidding!

Was gutted when I got my last module last assignment feedback. Was a reasonable mark as had been scraping through. It told me basically that I cant spell, am fairly poor with grammer and that have I considered reading before sending it in? (only a few hundred times) for about 2 weeks Ive been thinking why of why do i bother, im clearly deluded to even think ill get through!

Gosh that was very cathartic.... Sorry!


We wnt to dublin a few years ago, was lovely. Went just the 2 of us and with Ryan air but was cheap flight and accom and no probs. Keep planning to take kids. Hope you enjoy.

Very impressive to do list.

pavlovs_dog

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

Gosh that was very cathartic.... Sorry!

vent away, its cheaper than therapy. Doesn't sound like you've been offered much in the way of constructive criticism :cool:

As for the to do list, it will be impressive...if I manage to work my way through it :rotfl: I'm full of good intentions, finding the time to realise them is another matter.

skint_spice wrote: »

Never been to Wales so no idea if it's like Cardiff!

I know I'm biased but I think Cardiff is a very friendly and safe city. The city centre itself is pretty compact, which seems to mirror Dublin. Awesome rugby stadium smack bang in the middle of the city....check!

I don't think our city centre is such a tourist attraction (castle, museum and millennium stadium aside). That said there is tonnes to do with a 20 mile radius, and some stunning beaches and mountains within 40 miles.

skint_spice

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

Was gutted when I got my last module last assignment feedback. Was a reasonable mark as had been scraping through. It told me basically that I cant spell, am fairly poor with grammer and that have I considered reading before sending it in? (only a few hundred times) for about 2 weeks Ive been thinking why of why do i bother, im clearly deluded to even think ill get through!

Very encouraging, did you write back asking which charm school they'd learned constructive criticism at?

wantabetterlife

I am irish PD but live in the North...Dublin is a great place with lots to do and see but is quite expensive to eat out and drink but i am sure you would love it.