Millionaire Challenge

Karmacat

I'm glad you were so polite to the gin and the wine, LL, it never hurts

Well done on starting on the cottage - life does tend to get in the way of becoming millionaires, doesn't it! Health for me, yet again - an infection inside an old crown, and after I spoke to the dentist, I realise it *may* have travelled and connected with my sinuses, because of symptoms they asked about but I was in too much of a stupor to think about :o:o

OTOH, my mum ( who talks about her death all the time and is healthier than me, by the way!) has finally started saying she'll get a dishwasher plumbed in. Since she knows I won't live with her without one (I was prepared to buy it myself, but she *has* to have it in the kitchen ) I think we've sorted the issue of what I'm going to do medium term after I retire - she's taking it seriously, me coming to live with her, and she can't bear the thought of going into a retirement community (she likes her own space, my mum ). I'll get the internet connected up, of course ...

lessonlearned

Sorry to hear about the tooth infection. Tooth ache is just about the worst.

Sounds like a good plan with your mum, Karma, if you think it can work.

My sister is going to have dad live with her, although obviously at some point that may need to reviewed. My SIL had FIL live with her for a few years, although he is now in a nursing home, unfortunately both my OH and my mum were too ill and nursing homes were the only option in the end.

So sad - I just wish there was another way - Perhaps some sort of commune where likeminded people could get together........

Apparently they are springing up around the world, I believe the latest one is near Paris, women only.

I honestly think my dad should become a Chelsea Pensioner. As an ex military man i think he would thrive there but there's no point in suggesting it, he would just bite my head off........:rotfl:

Anyway Ive had a very productive morning, my study is finally ship shape and Bristol fashion....the paperwork mountain is no more, my new desk is neat and tidy with a place for everything and everything in its place .........Even the lever arch files on the matching bookcase are in complementary colours and standing neatly to attention;). It's all co-ordinated and looks Like a photo shoot for Ikea.:rotfl:

There is a new fancy pants swivel "directors" chair, and a sexy new lamp. It is now the perfect workplace from which to plan my empire..........;) cue evil cackle.

No more having to borrow the dining room table and boxes of files and papers all over the place. Order at last.

Kayalana99

Well, I didn't think I would be spending my wedding morning updating you guys but I'm to hungover to get out of bed just yet and my OH is out like a light.

Had a fantastic day overall, my photobooth broke the night before so my caterer very nicely gave us £350 compensation even though we only paid her £125 for the booth (although about £1k overall) I did say to her that it wasn't needed and it was to much but she insisted and has already paid it over to me, the bestman's suit still had the electronic tags on it so he sent his mum to get that off in town luckily they noticed pretty early in the day!

My 2 year old son was with my Dad in the morning and when they came to collect me he was let loose in the house, all my make up was on the table and no one was helping (I don't mean that in a horrible way, but I just don't think people realise that kids get into trouble when left to their own devices!) and he grabbed my mascara and got it everywhere... all over his sleeve and over my dress...luckily managed to get most of it off but still lol.

It ended earlier then expected but in a way I was kind of expecting it as it was mostly family with young kids and people that age aren't always wanting to get up and dance. I was 100% sober the whole time, but then we went straight into town with all my bridesmaids and my god I drunk to much and couldn't keep still...was honestly the best night of my life and it really made the day going out dancing with everyone as I felt so sub conscious in this puffy wedding dress dancing etc and I'm not someone who enjoys having my photo taken...everyone was just like stand here do this and I was like ok... lol

Everyone came apart from one friend but without getting into the whole story I really wasn't bothered, she invited herself basically and then bugged me for the invite and then didn't show? but hey ho. My uncle dropped out last min as his wife aunt got taken ill.

My Dad did the most amazing speech, I actually welled up in tears at one point and I'm not easy to bring a tear to.

My partner is/was a bit distraught as his Dad went to watch the Derby(?) more or less when we got at the venue, it's a shame he looks up to him so much, wants his approval etc (as most father son relationships go to be fair) as he is a very selfish man, nice enough by far but my OH gets hurt as he will always put himself first.

I'm sorry I've not really read the above posts I tried to but my eyes aren't quite focusing and my head is spinningguess it's the hang over and being tired but I won't be back now till after the honeymoon so I hope all is well and I will speak sooon xxx

Karmacat

Good news from both of you :j :T :j :T :j :T

Kaya, no, I *really* didn't think you'd be on here - I'm glad you'll have some time off! Sounds a wonderful, wonderful day

LL, if it really does happen with my mum, I'll have all the upstairs, she'll have the downstairs - we'll have our own bathrooms, but share the kitchen. She mostly eats ready meals from Waitrose now, and I eat lots of frozen veg and pasta, so there won't be much competition

And fancy your new office! I didn't realise it was going to be that thorough, sounds brilliant. My office is also the spare bedroom, but the bed is submerged in cushions from a leftover sofa and stuff to sell on ebay I'll probably get it right just as I leave here :rotfl: but most other rooms are how I want them

lessonlearned

Yes I love my new office, I keep peeking my head round the door just to admire it.....:D

Actually I really haven't spent much. The most expensive item was the chair which was an absolute bargain from Costco, dead posh, really comfortable and around £80.

The rest is just Ikea "hacks"......... Google ikea Hacks and there are some brilliant ideas.

My desk is just a long white melamine 200 cm counter top, placed on top of two small white drawer filing cabinets at each end, with a centre support leg for extra strength.. Then the "bookcase" is just their cube type shelving unit which just slots into a 40 cm gap at the end of the counter top/desk.

One of the cubes has a door fitted and the other one two drawer Inserts, to hide all the clutter.I reckon I have only spend around £200 for the whole thing, including the chair and the new lamp. So not quite as extravagant as it sounds.

I just need to get some artwork for the walls and a notice board and then I'm done.

Right I'm taking dad out to lunch, then we are going to visit the cottage for another rummage and then I have to help him with the pre contract enquiry form for the Solicitor. It's all action stations now.

Kay - lovely to hear from you. really glad that all went well but now it's time for you to Bu&&er off and enjoy your honeymoon.:rotfl:

Broken_Biscuits

I think i set myself a target of a 50% savings rate this month? Oh dear. Been out for 3 meals this week alone and its only Thursday!

havnt kept a close eye on things at all. So will be interesting to see how the count up goes in 2 weeks.

on the plus side if i keep this up my newly expanding belly will keep me warm and so no need to buy any new coats or jumpers!

funnily enough the local pub did the nicer food in competition with the other 2 restaurants. So although none of them were "cheap"... The cheapest one was the nicest. Looks like my tastes are still frugal even when im spending like there's no tomorrow.

lessonlearned

Well ive blown my savings target this month too, so you're in good company.:rotfl:

I bought a senior rail card and train tickets to Scotland. I have also booked an appointment to see a podiatrist - don't ask!! And Im going to have to see the Physio because Ive hurt my back again with overdoing it when sorting out my parents cottage.

I wouldn't mind but they are all "essential" spending. Even the trip to Scotland is a family visit rather than a holiday. And, although I won't have hotel bills to find, I shall be treating my hostess to the theatre and a nice posh dinner somewhere.

Never mind - it's only money........

I'm sure we will get back on track next month.

As for the expanding belly..... I have a wardrobe of stuff I cant get Into at the moment but I am too mean to buy any new clothes because I'm determined to lose weight. So the other day I bought a few items from a charity charity shop to tide me over until I shift the excess weight. So still fairly frugal......;)

re substandard meals out. My dad took me out for lunch last Sunday, he chose the venue. One of these overpriced fancy pants family friendly pubs - used to be an ordinary "proper pub". The food was expensive for what it was - a Sunday roast - and it was absolutley dire. And yet, the place was heaving......

We would have had a better meal at George's chippy.:rotfl:

Ah well .......

No money making at all so far this month although now that I have sorted out all my aCcounts I shall at least be making a bit more interest now.

Hopefully I can get back into my stride next month. The cottage wil be cleared, ive done all the paperwork for the sale so hopefully I wil finally get some time to start looking after my own affairs.

Onwards and upwards......

thegentleway

If it's any consolation, I'm £375.21 behind saving target as well! Been buying holidays and paying fine for not submitting tax return on time!


I'm often disappointed when we eat out but we've got a nice local pub which does decent food for good prices, the beer is nice as well!


Kitchen is being delivered Monday morning, here what it looks like:


http://my-kitchen.howdens.com/plan/ueD8314680001Bbq


My chippy wants £570 to fit it, is that OK? Or should I shop around? Any recommendations where I should buy stand alone cooker, fridge, and washing machine?

lessonlearned

Snap. Your kitchen is the same range as ours, we went for cream. its a good quality and i think its quite robust so should do well in a rental. The soft close drawers and doors are nice.

I bought real wood worktops seperately, rather than melamine to upgrade it just a bit. I wouldn't recommend real wood worktops for tennants though, they do need handling with TLC.

Oddly enough the wood worktops were the same price as the cheap,melamine ones in B&Q. Just goes to show it's worth shopping around.

I bought all our appliances from Appliances Online. they have some good deals and I can throughly recommend them. (I'm not on commission honest;)

Re the joinery quote, that sounds fine. It will be a two to three day job, so it's a good price.

Consider your holiday spend as an investment in you.....your health and well being. We all need a break to recharge our batteries. Some of my best decisions and ideas come to me when I'm on holiday.

I have this theory that when we take a holiday, even just a short mini break, it's not just our bodies that rest but we also allow our brains to rest too. We free them from all the daily rubbish that clogs them up and our thinking becomes clearer and more creative.

Well that's my excuse for holidays.......

Broken_Biscuits

How about the is this quote fair section of this forum:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=94