Jumping aboard!

downsizer3

I won the lottery on saturday! :j Only £10 but beggers can't be choosers eh?
I am prone to fantasies about what I'd do with £10,000, £100,000 etc etc and have come to the conclusion that a smaller amount like £250k or £500k would be much more fun than a few million. I must be a sadist.
These days even £10 makes a difference.

Heard a worrying tale of a friend of a friend - one of the many who had a huge mortgage (where I live anyway) and had two kids at private school etc. Well - he lost his job and bam! Reality has hit. No savings, no back-up just vomit-inducing collapse. Been there, seen that and I really feel for them. Its like your world collapsing in.
At least I didn't have to change DDs school - always think thats cruel somehow. Poor things.

downsizer3

Haha. The bairn told ex i'd won the lottery. It was only £10 but the wee tot didn't think to mention that. Needless to say ex was round like a shot asking how much I'd won. Nay chance!

Feeling old today. 45 and looking to change career soon. Is that too old I wonder? No pension or savings ( going to start addressing that soon) but I'm not exactly set up for life. I wonder who is these days but its not a comfortable position - especially as a sole responsibility for a young 'un. How on earth will I be able to help he in the future?
I've reconciled myself to living in a wee house ( can't see me ever affording the extension somehow) but its future proofing us that I'm looking at now.
This career change needs to involve a decent salary! I either go part time so I don't need the childcare or a full time better paid job.
In something I'd enjoy but am probably not qualified for.
Hmmm.

downsizer3

Just phoned Coventry BS as I was unsure about my mortgage rate. Online their variable rate is 4.15% but I was on 2.99% and apparently still am. Strange. Do they adjust annually I wonder.
Anyway the good news is that my mortgage is coming down quicker than my spreadsheet says. No idea why and its a small difference but with charges etc I started at £33,672.14 and today ( exactly one year on) I sit at £30,397.54. Two months and I'll be below £30k - yahoo!:j
Small steps, but steps forward at least.

downsizer3

A payment of £200 I had made had come off and I thought it was still to come - result!! Usually works the other way about.

After my last card payment this month coming - its save save save - got to see how much money I can put away before I bale out of my job............:eek:
I much prefer saving to paying off a card - that money just seems to do nothing - at least I can watch my savings go up instead of card coming down.
I have one year. Gulp.

lexington013

Hi downsizer ,have read your posts with interest. Wow you are so committed to achieving a future for yourself and your child. I hope your ex does start to contribute, it's only fair, if he doesn't then he should be ashamed. Anyway 2016 isn't so far away, keep going. Having that security will be great for you both. Good luck with the career change, I'm sure you won't look back! As for 45, well I hit 45 (single dad) although my 2 are now teenagers! Yes it's tough but 40ish is the new 30ish.... Your an inspiration to many of us! Good luck.

downsizer3

Thanks lex - nice to know people are looking in - and if you gain anything from my ramblings - all the better!!

I'm a bit nervous today - our end of year accounts show our profit share ( betwen the 3 of us) as about £5k more each than I had predicted - about £15k more than my initial prediction for the year ( which was looking at a very bad year!!) . Which is great - its a decent enough 'salary' but the bad news is that my tax credits for last year will need adjusted down again. Which means I'll owe more. Gulp.
I've paid off £1k since Dec so I'll just have to bite the bullet......always something eh?

I was joking with the lady that looks after my daughter yesterday about winning the lottery. She said 'hah - if you won that you wouldn't be living in a wee two bedroom flat would you?' - cheek! I love my flat.
People forget that I've bought and paid for that on my own - no husband to meet me half way. I shall rise above such judgements! :A Comes of having the wee flat in a street of big fancy houses...........bet my bills are cheaper though mwahahaa!

lexington013

Wee flat in a nice area, nothing to be sniffed at! People are quick to make assumptions....Every day you are a step nearer to your goal, well done you.

downsizer3

Thanks lex!
Off to call tax credit people - 'fess up to last years earnings and get the latest OP news. Have guessed its another £750 or so I'll need to pay back. EEEK!..........:eek:
Last time I'm being cautious about my projected income!

downsizer3

I seem strangely OK financially this month and its making me suspicious!! What still has to come off I wonder? I keep a list so I know whats supposed to come off...........maybe I can sneak a bit into my savings account. Wowser!
Off to visit friends this weekend - just one night but a cheap weekend as I'll take the wine my dad gave me and a box of chocs I have. No supermarket run required this week! Result.
The bairn wants to join Rainbows ( pre-brownies club) A relatively cheap one compared to swimming, ballet etc - just wondering if its too much on top of everything else .Makes the logistics hard I guess but I can look into it. Glad she's got an exciting life.........;)

downsizer3

Going to be a bit tight to the end of the month because I squirelled a wee bit away and paid for the photographer - that was a bit steep but nice photos to come. I think they may have touched up the photos of me a bit haha! (just as well)
Should make it though if I watch myself in the supermarket. I've a quiet weekend ahead so should just make it. Freezer contents will take a battering but thats what they are for!!
Had to pay for extra childcare this month so next month will be tight too ( when is it ever the other way??) Going to tackle ex again tonight for some contribution - he makes it so difficult. Remember him doing this to his other ex too. No shame.

Hoping for decent weather this weekend. I've loads of repotting to do of the tomato plants etc - looking forward to that.
Just realised I've forgotten my gym stuff so I'll save £4 and go for a cycle tonight instead whilst bairn is at her dads. :A