Introduction, MF wannabe

lincoln-potter

Morning all,

Haven't updated for a while as been rather busy at work so not had the chance.

On the home front just had DD1 birthday this weekend, so missed most of the tennis!!! #badplanning

I have arranged for a quote on Tuesday for our guttering and fascias to be done. They are long overdue, even though a part of me still thinks I am best keeping the cash ready for next year.

Sold recently an old headboard only £15 but every little helps right.
Did a few skip runs over the weekend too to shift the old bed.

Had pay day so the "kitty" for next year's OP/guttering is up to £3200

lincoln-potter

Morning all,

Had a very very busy weekend, painted the kids swing/climbing frame thingy, did some more skip/tip runs and also moved some bits up into the attic.

Took the kids to swimming lessons and DD2 is allowed to start next term, whilst DS has been moved up a class. They "achieved" some badges but looking at whats needed it seems like a money making scheme to me! One thing they had to do was "be able to blow bubbles in the water"....i mean come on!

I have had a quote and accept it for the guttering so that should be done around September time.

Had a clear out in the garage of some of the baby items which OH has given to her buddy, so I am happy with that as its giving me back some space!

Had a few bills of late, water, vets etc so my saving this month hasn't gone quite according to plan.

lincoln-potter

Afternoon all,

Had an eventful month, but nothing really MSE but I'll update you all anyway....

Went with my old man and the LO's camping to the seaside the previous weekend, the weather was glorious and the kids enjoyed it. So did my old man by the look on his face.

Prior to that as a family we went camping with some friends to a theme park, really good value and had some really nice weather so was a roaring success.

Guttering is penciled in to start towards the end of next week, which will be a relief as I have had yet another wasp nest set up home in our fascias.

Been busy removing ivy from the house walls which is making the house look tidier, but still plenty left to remove over the coming weeks.

LO's are off to stay with grandparents for a week which will give OH some time to herself and DD3.

MSE matters, had the quote for guttering which is in the region of £3200 so depending upon what the final cost is my OP amount for Jan 2014 stands currently at £3500.

OH wants some overpriced earrings to match her ring for x-mas, I've told her to get on her bike as I've earmarked pennies for the mortgage!!

misscousinitt

Hi LP

Just catching up. Glad things are progressing nicely and the kids are having a good summer.

Will be a relief to get the guttering done I guess, you seem to have been talking about that for a long time.

MCI

lincoln-potter

misscousinitt wrote: »

Hi LP

Just catching up. Glad things are progressing nicely and the kids are having a good summer.

Will be a relief to get the guttering done I guess, you seem to have been talking about that for a long time.

MCI

Hi MCI,

I know i've been pretty slack of late and not been on the forum much at all.

Guttering is coming along nicely and it certainly will be a relief. No more wasps, hornets, birds gaining access to our roof now! It was certainly overdue, half the wood is rotten so another year and it might have started to affect the joists.

Not had the best of months for MSE, had several payments to make for nursery, new school clothes, work clothes and a few hefty petrol tanks to fill.

LO's had a good time at their grandparents which also game OH a nice rest.

Depending upon the end cost of the guttering my OP post for 2014 is looking about £3-4k, hoping to reach £10-£14k by start of the year. NExt year is my final year of the fixed term, so with some good OP's saved up I am hoping to make a real dent in the amount ready for my next fixed term.

Best go do the rounds and read up on all the other diaries!

lincoln-potter

Hey all, long time since I last posted.

I'll give a quick run down of the developments over the past 3 years.
DD2 still has her sleep episodes but otherwise is developing well, DD3 is a nightmare and had she been first born she would definitely have been an only child!

Regarding the MF dream, made some good progress. Currently in a fix rated with Halifax on 3.29% for 5 years which ends April 2019. Coupled with utilising my over payment allowance I should be able to come out of the fixed rate and able to clear the MF (Yay!).

The house is a bottomless pit which coupled with a demanding OH means its been 3 years of non stop jobs and building work. But the house itself is looking better and better and works for us really well now.

Financially I have recently moved over to using a cash back credit card for all purchases (except those that charge) and opened two santander accounts to get the 3% cashback on direct debits and the high interest rate they offer up to 20k per account. We have a NEST which has saved us a fortune in oil usage! Absolutely love it, almost as much as my fitbit!

Next gadget/money saving I am doing is changing all GU10 halogen bulbs for LED, and after that I'll be looking into smart electric sockets, its a long payback but I like the gadget side more than anything.

I'm going to be good and pop in on a regular basis like I used to, now just to check how the names I recognise have been getting on.

misscousinitt

Welcome back LP - good to see you and hear your news.

We changed all our halogens to LED - takes a while to get used to the different type of light, but apart from that it's great.

We also changed alot of the other bulbs - but some of them must have been duff as at least 3 have gone already - be careful what brand etc... you buy to ensure the best longevity.

Be good to catch up on a regular basis - don't be a stranger!

MCI

lincoln-potter

I changed all the bulbs at work to LED, but never bothered at home..... obvious but I just never got around to it. I know at work it cut the monthly bill by a quarter....

Got a few costly months coming up, the big garage build is coming to an end next 3-4 weeks and the wedding is penned for next year. Honeymoon has finally been chosen too! Only took looking at 200+ hotels....

Got a few house jobs to do coming weeks though in preperation for the wedding
- New fence
- Topsoil, level and re-turf back lawn
- Lay new path at front of the house

Final point, big day tomorrow my electric smart meter is being fitted, yipee

misscousinitt

At least the wedding is forcing you to get the jobs done - sometimes it's better with a deadline.

MCI

lincoln-potter

misscousinitt wrote: »

At least the wedding is forcing you to get the jobs done - sometimes it's better with a deadline.

MCI

Yes there is that I suppose.

Had the smart meter and very disappointed first utility don't have an in home display.... only got until December and I'll be able to change provider, I'll want one who can provide one.

Euro sweepstake done this week.....I got Hungary.... Not going to hold my breath lol