'SAHM to 2 boys' shambles attempt to reduce the mortgage

SAHMto2boys

Well, I'm back.

Had a really fabulous break - the children loved every minute of it! We had a very chilled out time, was so nice to all be together. Managed to have a good reflect on life too while I was there and have come back feeling raring to go and make some big changes.

Also I have BIG news.....I got the job! So excited (and completely scared too) but things are well on their way with it. Just need references and CRB checks so it could be 8 weeks before I start. Will only be working 3 shifts a week so hoping DH and I can cover most of the childcare between us but family have offered to help. I think after tax, etc, fuel costs to get there and giving a bit of cash to family for their help I should be at least £450 a month better off. Big chunk of money for OP-ing and just helping make life that bit easier. I don't have the boys two days a week while I study as grandparents love having them a day each so hoping it won't really impact family life too much, think I'm already quite organised with our home so should be okay. Just feels for the first time in years that I'm doing something for me, hoping it will make a positive difference in the way I am and how I feel about myself:o

With being away, I've not really got any MFW news so am chopping at the bit to get things done this month. Following on from Michelle's lead I'm going to set some April targets later.

Payday here but DH won't have computer access till later to send it over so budget will have to be done tomorrow.

Beautiful day here - got two friends and their LO's over for lunch so better go finish cleaning and make some sandwiches ready for when they all get here.

Froggy-G

Congrats on the new job! Well done! :j:j:j:j:j
Glad you enjoyed your break!

Froggy

yukkibear

well done on the job, and glad you had a nice holiday

cha97michelle

Congratulations on the new job. It sounds really perfect. You have such supportive family having the kids too.

Glad the break was so inspiring. I lurve CP. Wish i had a break planned there.

SAHMto2boys

Wow - thanks guys!!

So nice others are chuffed for me! Its exactly what I want to do and where my degree was heading so its amazing for me. The unit have already started wheels turning for training they want me to take so the experience on my CV will be invaluable. Still in shock though as its NHS and everywhere seems to be making cut backs and these are employing - think because its such a specialised area of the NHS they still have funding.

Anyway cheers folks! Right, I really had better go and mop the kitchen!!!

SAHMto2boys

Can someone please explain to me how its Friday already???!!!

Don't seem to achieve much this week as its gone so fast. I must admit and I've been quite lazy this week catching up on all my recordings on the freeview box and crafting. The house had a good clean at the start of the week and all the washing and ironing from the holiday was done on Sunday so I've been pretty lazy - have felt shattered though so maybe I needed it. Tuesday was beautiful here so I spent the afternoon in the garden tidying and clearing a rather large problem area (we had a neighboring tree visit during some gale force winds) so that is now ready to be re-planted once we get the money owed to us for our destroyed property. The boys have a little play area and I want to put some kind of flooring in, have looked at playmats but they would cost about £250 for the area so thats a no-no....anyone used faux grass/astro-turf stuff? Any advice?

Anyway 1st of the month so all but one D/D gone from the bank account. Huge Asda order came last night so hoping I can really knuckle down this month with the food budget, hoping to only buy in fresh stuff. Tea last night was HM pizza with the last contents of the fridge on top - was determined I wasn't shopping when Asda were coming but it was very nice actually. Kids enjoyed it.

Busy weekend lined up now - boys are a party later (one after another at the minute, its crippling my present budget), we have a family party tomorrow and then Mothers Day on Sunday so yet more visiting.

My water saving kit arrived yesterday so the main 3 toilets we use have got 'bags' installed in the cisterns.

So April's targets (some MFW some personal)
1. Re-work £1.50 footstool from charity shop - done
2. Make notice board for office
3. Finish heart
4. Make 2x cushions for bed
5. Re-work kitchen cushion
6. Source kitchen shelving
7. NO clothes spends
8. Save £100 from total budgets to OP (in addition to what I've already put aside, to see if I can scrape £100 off budgets and cut backs) - £44 from across all budgets for gas bill
9. No over-spends this month

Adding other things done this month to keep track
1. Changed tariff for gas and elec to cheaper one
2. Downgraded DVD rental - saving £3.50 pm
3. Installed all 5 toilets with water saving bags - either free water company ones or food bags filled and sealed with water.

Off to apply second coat of paint to footstool legs!

SAHMto2boys

Back after a busy weekend. Had a lovely Mothers Day and was spoiled rotten by the boys and DH, a few little presents but lots of kisses and snuggles and being waited on . Been thinking about this diary over the weekend and I really must put more into it, really try and get into some challenges and savings. Trouble is time, while DS1 is at school and DS2 sleeps is the only 'me' time I get all day - I can't really get online while their home as I'm busy with them and spending time with them. Although I read lots of other threads, I just don't have time to comment.

Decided this week I need to be 'on it' after my lazy moo week last week. Have already whizzed around the downstairs cleaning this morning - hoovered, mopped and wiped everywhere, have put the SC on for tea, Dirty washing sorted - WM on and next load waiting, paid gas bill:eek::eek: and checked bank and Asda price guarantee

This weeks to do (not all MSE but hey) -
1. Pay gas bill - a/w clearing
2. Look into tarrif switch
3. Catch up on OU
4. Finish footstool and noticeboard
5. Food spends £20 challenge
6. Touch-up paint work
7. Clean carpets
8. Post job forms back
9. Hoover upstairs and catch up on ironing and housework
10. AF till Friday and no takeaways.

By touching up the marked paintwork and cleaning the carpets, I'm hoping to keep things nicer for longer to avoid buying new sooner.

This weeks challenge is to spend £20 only on food top-up shopping.

Off to do a stack of ironing before DS2 wakes.

SAHMto2boys

Hmmm...after my last post about I don't have time in the day - here I am LOL! Boys are just playing and are shattered from too many late night and busy days I think.

Just wanted to update with regards £20 shopping challenge, just got some fresh bits in and spent £11.00 however Mothers Day bits were reduced by 70% so £8.31 spent/£11.69 left. Won't need anything for the next few days though now.

Just been looking at energy tariffs and trying to decide what to switch too. Must do this this week as our current deal has just ended and we are paying the 'standard' rates now.

Boys decided to get Duplo out so better go help them.

SAHMto2boys

GGgggrrrrrr.......feeling rather ranting this morning. Just fed up of thinking people are friends only to feel like I'm being completely used. Ho hum.

In better MFW news I've just down-graded my DVD rental package (put it up to watch a tv series) so will go back to two films a month £4.47- saving £3.50.

Also had a play about with the bank accounts and transferred some money over to the credit card in anticipation of the bill. Off to playgroup this afternoon rather than soft play (££££) or lunch out (£8) like a normal Tuesday so spends should only be £2.00.

Off to hrmpf over my foot-stool.

Tesco_points_addict

Hi SAHM, just read all your diary - love it!

Keep up the good work.

Well done on the job, I too work for the NHS and the support we used to get for training was fantastic...in fairness is it still pretty good now, but not like it used to be. Seems you have found yourself a good position though.

TPAx