Back filling the big hole I dug with my credit card

PiggyBankShaker

Made another overpayment of £17 to the mortgage today.

Also had a bit of a spendy weekend.

I paid £35 for a month long gym pass, so that I can do something constructive with myself rather than mope around the house when ATS is watch the Euro's football. I used it to take DD swimming on Friday

Also we went to see some friends on Saturday and bought some cakes to take which cost £4.80

We bought a book and some posters for DD which came to about £5.00

I took DD horse riding which cost £18 and £10 in diesel.

It was a lovely weekend though and the weather stayed nice enough for ATS to do some work in the backyard.

PiggyBankShaker

PiggyBankShaker wrote: »

I am still owed:
[STRIKE]£115 Travel x1[/STRIKE]
£74 Travel x1
£24 Expenses x1 (+£20 more if I can find the damn receipts)
£25 Expenses x1
[STRIKE]£51 Tax[/STRIKE]

Just to keep track of where I am.

PiggyBankShaker

Okay a bit of a catch up post.

I'm on a bit of a health kick at present (yes, so I did have 2 cupcakes, a slice of cheesecake and 2 glasses of wine today BUT...) all week I have been quite good. A few things prompted it. First, not fitting in to a size 12 swimming costume, not even close :eek: Secondly, weighing myself (I NEVER weigh myself) and discovering that I weigh 10st12lbs. When I was 21 I weighed 7st, a decade and two kids later and I have put on nearly 4st! I was shocked. My weight gain is more than DD weighs! Basically I am constantly walking around with the equivalent of a 4 year old child strapped to my body.

So, long story short, I have entered a half marathon taking place in October. I actually did one 3 years ago and whilst it was tough I really enjoyed it. However, the day after the race I stopped exercising and haven't done any since... until now.

This week I have:
Been to the gym twice and done running and cross training
Been to 'vibe cycle' - bike
Been to 'urban rebounding' - trampoline
Been to Zumba
Cut down on biscuits (my weakness) and wine (my other
weakness)

Piquant_2

Urban rebounding? that's a new one on me :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Well done on all the exercise I'm very impressed, maybe seeing what you're doing will motivate me a bit more - fingers crossed!

PiggyBankShaker

Piquant wrote: »

Urban rebounding? that's a new one on me :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Well done on all the exercise I'm very impressed, maybe seeing what you're doing will motivate me a bit more - fingers crossed!

It was really good actually, the best of the 3 classes I went to.

You have the Captain to keep you fit, and the jodhpurs and boots to make you look sexy - no need for the gym I say!

PiggyBankShaker

Where has the weekend gone?

Saturday we did some cleaning and tidying, and didn't leave the house all day. I wouldn't say I was tired much but at one point I fell asleep lying on the landing - I think I gave ATS a bit of a scare.

Yesterday we visited a farm as part of Open Farm Week, it was really nice. The kids had a lovely time and DD had a pony ride. I was knackered when we got back and I had a 1.5hr nap. ATS did some relists on the ebay free listing weekend too.

Had a bit of good news on Friday, I was told I passed the first assignment of my course. I was stressing when I submitted it that I'd have to retake it as I thought I hadn't done very well. But... I got a merit. I'm equally pleased and annoyed, because having looked at the marks breakdown, if I'd done a bit better on the other paper I'd have gotten a distinction. And the only reason I didn't do better was that I left it too late before starting work on it. However, I have learnt my lesson and I have booked two days study leave from work to work on the next assignment, which starts Wednesday. If I get distinctions for the next two modules I'll still get a distinction overall.

Booked two mystery shops, one tomorrow and one next Friday. Other than that no news to report on the making extra money front.

ATS has got an interview on Wednesday so crossing everything for him.

PiggyBankShaker

Just checked online banking:

Received a payment of £7.16 for Child Tax Credit. Haven't received a new award notice from HMRC yet so not sure what this is exactly.

Also, Electricity payment has gone out, £10 more than the normal DD, but this is our last bill before changing suppliers, so not bad. Checked with our online energy account and we are owed £176.69 for our gas, which will be credited on the 2nd July.

PiggyBankShaker

So the award notice for Child Tax Credit arrive and we'll be getting a whopping £225 a month from July. We'll be putting in a separate account in case our circumstances change in such a way (new job for me or ATS basically) that HMRC want to reclaim money off us. We'll still have the interest that way if they do. It also means if work cut my hours down to 21 at the end of October and ATS hasn't got a new job by then that we'll have more tax credits on top again. Far from ideal, but needs must at this stage.

Other news, we have 3 mystery shops to do on Saturday and some free manure to collect. One of our items on ebay has 5 watchers. It is listed at £75 so I really hope it sells.

I joined WeightWatchers today; it cost £1.95 for 3 months as I got cashback from topcashback for £30. I've never 'dieted' before, and whilst we already eat quite healthily I think I need help to get my portion sizes right.

I'm off to a college open evening later to enquire about enrolling on a course to do with horses and I've also made an enquiry about some horse related work experience too. AND I splashed out last night on a smallholders magazine! Not quite living the dream, but getting there!

Piquant_2

Any money in is better than money out!

Sounds like there is a strong possibility that your ebay item will go for more than the listing price. Fingers crossed that it does.

What sort of horse course and experience are you looking to do?

Piq

PiggyBankShaker

Piquant wrote: »

Any money in is better than money out!

Sounds like there is a strong possibility that your ebay item will go for more than the listing price. Fingers crossed that it does.

What sort of horse course and experience are you looking to do?

Piq

Piq,

I only just saw your reply - how remiss of me. The ebay item ended but no bids We'll relist next time a bit cheaper again, and it'll go sooner or later.

Well, I made enquiries about BHS Stage 1, but I didn't actually get a very good vibe from the woman from the equine department in the college. She was more interested in telling me all about the diverse range of people they have on the course than anything about the course itself or their facilities. Also, I don't think that I'll be able to learn to canter in enough time for the entry assessment in July. I can always do it next year, when things are a bit more regularised on the ol' money front.

The experience is with a woman horse logger who uses her horses to do timber extraction from woodland. Its a really specialist skill and there are only about 15-20 or so professional loggers in the UK. We've arrange for a full day on the 19th July and I'm very excited. There are some week long training courses available, but they cost about £500, which we can't justify at the moment. Anyway, wathc this space...