New House, new MFW goal

Queen_of_the_Hive

Oh dear the shower has finally died. it was on its last legs for the past few weeks. Now just waiting for eletrician to call to advise us on the ideal replacement. Bit of an expensive start to new year!

Next mortgage overpayment next week!

abouttimetoo

Hi Clarissa

Congratulations on your baby news, how exciting for you both :j

Well done on all you have achieved so far, you sound nice and organised but just take things steady and you'll get there, it's sounds like your OH is a good support too so don't try and do too much over the coming months until your lovely baby arrives. Have you given any thought yet as to when you might start mat leave and how long you might take?

Regards
ATT

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi Abouttimetoo,

Thank you for your post. I'd like to think i'm organised but there is always something coming up! The pregnancy is going well so far, this week had the 12 week scan and first midwife appoint. Both went really well, everything is good so far which is fantastic. Baby is due end of July (20th) so at the moment so thinking of starting maternity leave two weeks before so that will take me upto the end of the first week of July. Not yet confessed to work about the news, but think this will be fine and not wanting to go back to early I think 9 months is realistic. I'm hoping I can bolt on some holiday to the start of maternity leave just to give me a bit extra time!!

On the positive we got the shower sorted this week, it was a bit of a hit to the budget at £90 for new shower and £80 for installation but absolutely wonderful. Instant hot water! The other one in the end was taking 15 to 20 mins to heat up! Not good as we on a water meter. Also this week we've learnt we have been visited by mice! So we need to get pest control out, another expense however we really don't want to leave it!

Yesterday had a bit of fun in the supermarket looking at the baby section - oh so many cute clothes. Don't worry didn't buy anything. Not for a long time yet and also been on the Preloved site. Decided defo going to be MSE smart and get most of the initial baby bits second hand. Baby will go through these so quick so makes little sense buying brand new. We also could do with putting the money saved towards house renovations.

Tomorrow is next mortgage day and another £250 overpayment. This is a mini-milestone as will be our first £1k overpayment in this house!! Yay!!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Time for a quick update! Our first mini milestone was reached on Monday so very pleased - £1000 overpayment made so far!!

Its fair to say hubby and I have found it quite hard. Mortgage payments are painful, however we know in the long term its well worth it!

We also banked a bit of money into the renovation fund - £40 was from hubby's christmas present money and I got an unexpected £25 cash-back payout from Quidco so that also went into the pot as well!

Also realised that we have nearly £50 on Nectar card rewards - this will do fab for baby stuff so quite a nice little nest egg.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Yay another £7 quid cashback payout from Quidco. Now added into renovation fund along with the other £25! Not huge amount but every penny counts!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Oh no annual mortgage statement popped through the letter box today, not including January's payment we have only knocked off £2661 from 3 over-payment months, 1 non over-payment month and initial payment off the amount we originally borrowed. Signature updated to reflect statement. Next years will be much better. Interest who'd have it!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Cheep weekend on the cards this weekend! Yesterday was payday so paid the monthly bills this morning and with the pay rise i've actually got a bit left over for me! yay!!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Nice quiet week so far, work was a late one yesterday so might leave a bit early today or save that for friday.

Its our friends birthday on sunday so going for sunday lunch - luckily spending not been too bad so far this month that there is enough budgeted for it. Also because i cant drink it makes it cheaper for me anyway.

Enjoyed reading some of the other diaries.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Thanks Sainsburys!! Just bought our first item for our baby! Changing mat for £4.65 instead of £6.99!! 1/3rd off. Guess this is the sold off from their baby and toddler event!!

Queen_of_the_Hive

This week should be a bit more exciting on the home renovation front. We are bidding to get workmen in to remove two of our bedroom ceilings. First person was way too expensive so we've got a bit more hope for the second person. He's coming around on thursday morning at the ungodly hour of 7am to quote. Hopefully he is more reasonable!!

On friday read a really interesting article in the paper. Apparently the average UK savings pot is just £5k however in China its nearly £20k. I recon I have about £8k in various pots so good to know above average, however i have a little debt to family which is being paid back every month. No other debts bar mortgage and student loan.