misscousinitt's MF Diary

misscousinitt

Well, decided that I didn't want spag bol on Monday and we went out for a cheap and cheerful - £24 for starters, main courses and a bottle of wine, so can't complain.

And to be fair it did me a power of good - was really happy yesterday - though I now feel like the wind has once again been knocked out of me as I seem to be surrounded by people who are not very happy for one reason or another. I need to keep myself positive though (and it doesn't involve going out for another meal out )

Lots on at the moment at work, home and mum's. DH has managed to clear a space in the loft 2 x 3 ft :rotfl:

Yesterday I cooked and did salmon in cream and dill sauce (left the spag bol in the freezer for another day).

Tonight is posh sausage and mash - nice and simple, but very satisfying and comforting - just what I need to cheer me up).

Happy hump day everyone.

MCI

misscousinitt

DH kindly cooked tea last night while I watched Bake off for Comic Relief!

It was delish - even better as I didn't have to cook it myself.

Was feeling a bit down again this morning - but my new colleague really cheered me up! I think I tend to get this way approaching my birthday - time to take stock.

Carpet samples have been ordered for my mum - I hope she can make a decision soon so we can get moving on stuff again...she keeps saying that she's 'making haste slowly'! I really want to get most of it done so she can use the room by her birthday which is 4 weeks away.

I really wish I was able to do things at Al's speed, but with my Mum and my brother it's really difficult.

Going to fetch carpet cleaner for charity tonight - (hiring and will get money back - plus nectar points) - I'm not doing the cleaning, but will have to return the cleaner tomorrow evening - it's a pain and who would have believed that you have to present your passport in order to hire a carpet cleaner!!!

Tonight's tea (when I finally get home) will be HM Paella - simple, tasty and warming - just right on this dreary day.

MCI

misscousinitt

Been looking at savings accounts and as you probably all know, the best instant access ones are the current accounts.

So, thinking about the S123 account for £20k of our house fund - any tips? I have read the blurb and it looks like you don't have to switch your whole bank account to get the interest/cashback - am I right? I am not disciplined enough and need to keep house fund separate from other monies.

So, was thinking - set up standing order for the £500, transfer Internet/Broadband/Phone Direct Debit and the one for the Gas/Electric - would that do it? I don't want it to be too complicated, but I also want the potential interest/cashback. Can I transfer the money back out afterwards or does it need to stay there for a bit?

Then just got to find another account for the growing remainder of our fund - don't really want to split it into more than two.

MCI

misscousinitt

Paella turned into spag bol last night as I was shattered after getting back from shifting all the the chairs from the sanctuary to the sports hall in readiness for someone else doing the carpet cleaning.

Planned my decluttering for tomorrow - going to attack the paperwork on top of the bookcase in the spare room (sounds like a small task, but it's not!).

Carpet samples have arrived at Mum's already, hoping she will chose one of these and I can get it ordered for fitting. DH has still to order the underlay off fleabay (more nectar points).

Minimal shopping to do on the way home before I take the carpet cleaner back before 6.30pm (90 nectar points collected).

Tonight's tea is going to be a Chinese New Year supper - be it a day late! HM Prawn Toast and HM Chicken Chow Mein.

Gong Hei Fat Choi everyone!

MCI

Goldiegirl

I opened a 123 account a few months ago, and I've been very pleased with it.


I use it as a bills account and savings account, so I do have to keep a running total of what is in each pot.


But you don't have to switch an account to get the interest rates. Just have Two ( I think) active DD's and £500 going in each month, and you get the interest and the cash back on qualifying DD's


The £500 that I pay in each month is a monthly contribution for all the bills, so the money stays in the account. But I think you can pay in £500 and transfer it out again straightaway if you like.


Enjoy your Chinese celebration!

misscousinitt

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I opened a 123 account a few months ago, and I've been very pleased with it.


I use it as a bills account and savings account, so I do have to keep a running total of what is in each pot.


But you don't have to switch an account to get the interest rates. Just have Two ( I think) active DD's and £500 going in each month, and you get the interest and the cash back on qualifying DD's


The £500 that I pay in each month is a monthly contribution for all the bills, so the money stays in the account. But I think you can pay in £500 and transfer it out again straightaway if you like.


Enjoy your Chinese celebration!

Thanks for the tips Goldie - I think I am going to open one next month along with an AA instant saver for the balance - need to discuss this with DH first, but he will just go along with anything I say as it's me who does it all and he hasn't got a clue!


Chinese was nice thanks and much cheaper than a takeaway.


MCI

misscousinitt

Happy Sunday everyone - after a very cold and frosty night, it's very grey, drizzly and cold here today. No allotment for me (apart from to drop something into the shed).


Spending diary is up to date now (was far too busy with that paperwork yesterday) and the groceries stand at £183.90 for the month - I don't think I will have anything to add to that - fingers crossed.


It certainly is interesting keeping track of everything - I really do spend more than I thought - though I am loathed to cut back in some areas, but there are areas that could be improved too.


We did some chores round the house yesterday and DH hoovered right through and changed the bed. One load of washing done and I re-arranged two of my shelves in the kitchen, which has made some room in one of the cupboards (did this while DH was hoovering).


Then I attacked the paperwork - it was a long job - 4 hours in all. 1 carrier bag of recycling, 1 bag of shredding (which DH takes to work) and a couple of things binned. Everything is neatly filed away now and although it doesn't look like I've done much, it's much more organised and I can find things.


It also brought up a few things:


- A hit list of things that need to be done including finishing swapping maiden name to married name on a few things and collecting the deeds for the house (found the letter dated 2012!!!!)
- Found my new credit card (which still has maiden name on), so that needs to be changed and the card has been signed and put away.
- Also found a missing Mr M Miles voucher for £5 which I am going to use to stock up on a few bits for the cupboards helping with next month's food budget.


Also got some paperwork through for transfer of rights for the grave of our family friend - the trustee at the moment is 82 and as it's me that is tending the grave anyway, it's about time we got it all sorted. Going to get that all done next week.


Mum has chosen a carpet and it's the one I liked too. DH is ordering the underlay and we are going to pop up at some point this week to remove the old knacked storage heater and complete painting the woodwork behind.


So hopefully in the next couple of weeks the carpet will be down and the furniture will be back in - plus fire from my cousin - it's all coming together now.


March is going to be a busy month...


MCI

Alchemilla

I really wish I was able to do things at Al's speed, but with my Mum and my brother it's really difficult.

It was a "needs must" situation since we are both too busy/exhausted to do anything extra.

misscousinitt

Alchemilla wrote: »

I really wish I was able to do things at Al's speed, but with my Mum and my brother it's really difficult.

It was a "needs must" situation since we are both too busy/exhausted to do anything extra.

I know yours was a needs must situation :-) (emoticons don't seem to work on my laptop) It's just that anything quicker than a snails' pace at Mum's would to be good. The state of the place dictates that it will be slow - but not this slow.


Moving forward though and determined to get it liveable for mums birthday.


MCI

Alchemilla

Great that you got the carpet done.