New House, new MFW goal

Queen_of_the_Hive

Updated Action List:

Upcoming Bills:
* Car Insurance (expires 25th December)
* Christmas presents for hubby
* Christmas presents for family (money coming from hubby bonus)
* Continue to monitor gas/elec usage.
* "Summer holiday" spending money (monitor how much owe hubby as having to borrow for this cost)

House:
* Bed for spare bedroom (to be our room) MUST BUY BY APRIL
* Mattress for spare bedroom (to be our room) MUST BUY BY APRIL
* Energy saving assessment on house - 25th November
* Clock

Savings:
* Continual monitoring renovation pot £400 / £20,000 inital target (add bonus money from 15th Nov)
* Continual monitoring of joint account
* Latest mortgage balance (after 3rd over-payment)

Everyday:
* Print ASDA £5 voucher - use for this weeks shopping

Sepa74

Hi, don't be too hard on yourself. Overpayments are a luxury - yes, an important luxury, but they are a luxury. If you can't afford an extra £250 pm for a while, then reduce the amount.

The only reason to overpay is to enjoy life and allow us to nurture our relationships. If life feels uphill because of them, or we find the struggle to make them damages our relationships, we need to rethink what is possible and what is not.

((((HUG))))) I hope you feel a bit cheerier soon.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Yay, sorted out a couple of problems I had so now feeling much better than I was last week. This week we also added 1kg to renovation pot!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Time for a quick update.

Nothing really exciting has happend this week. Cycled to work mon to thurs. Friday took the train as we were out enjoying dinner in Covent Garden.

Bought a lovely dress from Debenhams in their 40% sale, got a work event this week which it will do for and also for the holiday.

We go on holiday next weekend - its part to visit hubby's family. Anyway hubby struck gold by organising for us to stay for 2 nights in the place where we got married, 1 of which is free!

Also put a bit more fuel in the car - great price at 128.7p per/ litre. Thanks ASDA.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its been ages since I could last update the diary. Well since the last update we have made another £250 routine overpayment, bringing the grand total overpayment since the start of this mortgage to £750, so January's payment will be a great mini milestone of £1000! Must ring the bank and find out what dent this has done....!

Not done too bad on the christmas shopping. We had £250 budgeted and so far well in that target with most gifts already bought.

We also didnt go too crazy on holiday as well - there was a good reason for this. We've found out we are expecting our first baby. He / she is due July 2012. This was a bit of a shock but a great early christmas present. Its also put some amnunition up the preverbial and now we need to get on with the home improvements. Father to be is now looking for a new job, now that his chartership has come through! We need his money for the home improvements! Re-wriring the first job.

Merry Christmas everyone and looking forward to posting next update!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Tried to be MSE clever yesterday but didnt work! Our christmas tree is a lil 4ft one and now being 5 years old a bit tired. We tried to make use of B&Q's 75% off christmas range and buy a big tree and lights for next year but the store we went to were all sold out! Rubbish - think we'll try some more of their stores over the festive period in the slim hope of picking up a bargain.

Car insurance also sorted - Direct line matched the best quotes we found online so pleased about that too!

elantan

congratulations on the good news

Queen_of_the_Hive

Yey its NYE 2012 and time for a quick update! If all goes to plan 2012 is going to be a huge year for me and hubby. We'll become parents for the first time which will affect all areas of our lives including our budget! Our plan is to continue with the £250 p/month mortgage overpayment, unless we really are struggling. Hubby is looking for a new job so hopefully he gets something sorted before maternity pay kicks in.

In time for the baby we are also planning to:

1. Get the house re-wired - we've had a few quotes. The best one so far from someone outside of london who'd stay in the house while the job is in progress. they also recommended we move out for a week while the job being done. Its someone my dad knows so not as dodgy as it sounds.

2. The bathroom needs re-modelling to accommodate a bath and a shower (currently a large shower).

3. The baby's bedroom to be re-decorated. Built in cupboards to be removed, electrics done, re-plastering, painting, new carpet etc. Hope wont cost too much!!

Elantan thanks for your message.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Thank god for the Mamas and Papas shop!! It seems to be the only shop I have found so far that caters for decent maternity wear. Bump is only really small at the mo but it was time to invest in a comfortable yet stylish pair of jeans. I was royally disappointed by what was sold in many of the high street shops. Being short in height just added to the frustration. Some shops stock trousers in my size but then in std leg length which for me is no good - lots of trailing material!!

Today was the last shopping trip before return to work and desperately needed to find something better to wear. At my work, we are lucky that we can wear smart jeans in the office. Fearing another wasted trip (this was the third or fourth attempt to get something) hubby and I even tried the new flagship M&S store near where we live and we were very disappointed to be told the maternity clothes are only available to buy online!! (As you can imagine some colourful words popped into my head!) Poor hubby was starting to feel my pain - plus he was getting really bored with me dragging me around the shops (yet again!!).

Anyway long story short we finally found the Mamas and Papas shop as a last resort (im not a typical baby person so expected dodgy dungarees and tent clothes!) however as you can see was pleasantly suprised. So 10 mins later and £28 quid down (good price) I bought my first pregnancy piece of clothing. I'll be back soon to buy a smart pair of trousers.

Also forgot to add a washing machine to our pre baby shopping list. Need one for washing all those environmentally friendly and financially friendly nappies!

In time for the baby we are also planning to:

1. Get the house re-wired - we've had a few quotes. The best one so far from someone outside of london who'd stay in the house while the job is in progress. they also recommended we move out for a week while the job being done. Its someone my dad knows so not as dodgy as it sounds.

2. The bathroom needs re-modelling to accommodate a bath and a shower (currently a large shower).

3. The baby's bedroom to be re-decorated. Built in cupboards to be removed, electrics done, re-plastering, painting, new carpet etc. Hope wont cost too much!!

4. Replace the washing machine - one we have is old with small drum. Plan is to replace with an energy efficient, large drummed machine, in prep for all the extra washing.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Like most of the population, today was the first day back at work. The day was ok, but found out my pay increase was very disappointing. Basically job is changing as boss is now working part time so for two days a week i'm now on my own (his two day work load and my 5 day week). Boss was trying to get me a decent pay increase and job title change to reflect the change. However there is no change in job title and pay increase is a measly 4% with more coming as a stepped increase in next few months (boss couldn't say when this would be) and suspect when I tell them i'm having a baby in July that will put pay to any further increase.

We've also realised we are currently putting less in joint account each month than is going out in monthly bills so we need to up the amount we are paying into it. So the little extra pay will go on tube fees, student loan payments and increase in monthly fees. pooop start to new year!! Complete reality check!!