MF at last! Now for the £300,000 'Mansion' Fund.

earthgirl

Just updated sig, been paid and although I have the christening and high nursery fees (£638) to pay, I have moved £1,500 to the savings pot.

I have £200 from tutoring, plus another £160 expected this weekend and next week. That leaves me £140 to find from somewhere before the end of the month... hmm perhaps I am being too ambitious?? Its good to push yourself though, sharpens the mind!

Peonie

We recently invited friends over and asked them all to bring part of the meal. We made lasagne and bought some garlic bread, another couple brought the side salad and another brought the desert. It made the evening so much easier, I was more relaxed as it took the hassle out of buying and preparing all the food.

Last week we met with another group of friends and they asked if we'll be having a moving in party. I said the only way it's likely to happen is if everyone brings food and drink. We even suggested an Australian style BBQ, as in everyone brings their own food and drink and we provide the venue and BBQ. They seemed to like the idea.

earthgirl

Thanks Peonie a good idea, but we have been to neighbours houses so many times, I really feel like I should cook and provide everything. I meant to go to the shops on Friday after work, but couldn't fit it in between school, collecting earthlet and tutoring, and I don't like using petrol to head to the shops when I pass them during the week, so I racked my brains to come up with a menu from the store cupboard and freezer... I came up with HM mini pizzas to start, with HM garlic bread, and spag bol, and HM apple and honey tart with cream to finish (don't have enough icecream so hope no one asks!) All homemade out of freezer or store cupboards, and I had a glut of apples, so AS LONG as i don't burn anything its all prepared and no money spent

Just when I was thinking that Ii might not be able to make my target on my 1st week, I was contacted last night about some translation work, and my sat morning private client wants to go up to 2 hours per week. Hopefully it will all come together!

I was supposed to send my nephew a birthday present, normally a voucher, but I want all my cash for the savings pot, so I will give him a present out of the Christmas stash, and use the next voucher I earn from shop and scan to replace the xmas present.

Enjoying playing with earthlet, and then I have one more private tuition client, and then our little dinner party, wish me luck!

Cash-Cow_3

Congratulations earthgirl, some achievement. Can I ask where you will be putting your savings now you've paid off the house? Will you just use savings accounts or are you going the stocks and shares ISA route?

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

The you tube clip is a dodgy bit of music....... didn't do a lot for me.... A cheap dinner party dish is baked ham with marmalade. I know you've already done it, but just for next time! £9 for a big piece for 6 people with enough for the next day's dinner left. We cook for friends at home a lot and DH has lots of bargain recipes that seem luxurious.

Hope you had a good time,

Squirrel

earthgirl

Yes thanks sss, we had a good time and the food was yummy, except for i burnt the pastry around the tart, so chopped the edges off so it looked a bit like apple and honey pizza! It tasted nice though.

I have just realised that the month ends of Tuesday, so I will be very tight to top up my savings by £2,000 by then.

To do:
-claim back an unreceived item from post office
- scan shopping receipt
-put some item on ebay
-transfer money over from paypal

earthgirl

Just updated sig, and I have managed my target on saving £2,000 this month as I completely forgot about salary sacrifice and childcare vouchers doh:eek: I am so thick! So I actually had 2 payments sat there, and only had to pay £151 for childcare for june:rotfl:

This means that I am over by 3.10 for May, and well on my way for June too! Love it when it all comes together!

twinklie

OMG...how you manage all this is beyond me. You make me feel lazy and a fraud! But you don't half inspire me as well. Well done you!

CathT

Great saving on the childcare, I love it when my balance is in credit! Do both you and DH claim them?

earthgirl

oh is self employed, and so doesn't claim them.

I have had a sleepless night annoyed about the nursery, and would love some advice.

The current nursery don't have enough space for earthlet to go in September, and so they agreed I would only pay until 15th July 2011. Its a flat monthly fee no matter how many weeks.

He started on the 3rd May, and we paid £637 FOR May, the same for June, and I expected to pay half of that for July. BUT when I have been speaking to the finance office, they say I have to pay for 3 weeks in July :eek: because July the 1st is a Friday so I need to pay for week commencing the 24th June as if it was July. total of over £450. To add insult to injury, the nursery is closed on the 1st july anyway, and I have to try and get other childcare or go unpaid at work.

I am tempted to just pay them half of the monthly fee and see what happens - let them do the arguing, or should I just pay up?what do you think??