Sweetdaisy's aim to be mortgage-free

southerndave

Is the job hunting going well btw?

sweetdaisy

southerndave wrote: »

Is the job hunting going well btw?

DH has applied for 9 jobs and registered with some agencies. He is being really proactive and going to the Job Centre every week. He gets made redundant at end of October, so not long, and I have been busy completing job applications for him.

I had a job interview last week and didn't get the job unfortunately . I am disappointed but hopefully something will come up soon - my fuel costs are going through the roof! I am checking for jobs online a couple of times a week to see what's about, but it seems that many jobs around my current salary are only available for internal employees.

sweetdaisy

I have done around 60% of my Christmas shopping online tonight (presents for the children). Used a few sites to gain maximum cashback and free delivery using Top Cashback. I do have a Christmas budget and will buy the children some nice presents, however I don't go mad as I would rather the children appreciate and play with fewer presents than have lots of presents and be ungrateful.

I have also been doing really well with my surveys and was paid £14 today, so £7 was paid towards the mortgage. I know it's only a small amount but it all adds up. Besides, I see earnings from Survey/Cashback sites as a bonus, so it's not used towards paying bills.

I am continuing to keep my weekly food shop under the £80 budget. Today, however, I spent £78 :eek:. I shop at Aldi and my trolley was full, but even though I was £2 under budget I was disappointed that I was only slightly under budget. When I used to do my shopping at Tesco, I never used to bat an eyelid about the fact that my weekly food shop used to come to £80-90 and I wouldn't have much food to show for it. How times have changed?

Had some car problems this week which resulted in me needing a new water pump, timing and fan belts - I am lucky that the engine didn't blow up! So my car has set me back £398, but this also includes a full service for the winter, so it's all ready for any bad weather/snow.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning SD, sending your OH best wishes with his job hunting. It's definitely a numbers game. Even if he gets a bit down, encourage him to keep applying as one of those jobs out there, has his name on it

Best wishes Tilly x x

southerndave

Bummer with the car. I hate the damn things, a real necessary evil. If there was the slightest chance of living without one again I would - they are constant money drain.

Glad to hear the job hunting is at least active, which is half the battle something'll turn up for sure.

I know what you mean about the shopping budget as well. We are still using Tesco but have cut back and ony buy what's needed for the week, unless there are really good offers on a particular product we use all the time (toothpaste and the like). The last two shops have crept near our max which is is horrible, but we have had some dearer items that last for ages in those shops, so hopefully it'll settle down again.

Keep at it though!;)

sweetdaisy

Did some more :xmassmile shopping today. Also sorted out DS2's wardrobe (again) and had to get new vests and babygro's as he has had another growth spurt. Also got some Halloween costumes as they will be going to a Halloween party this year. Last year I made up lots of party bags (which were popular), but this year I am doing something a little different - I have bought Orange and Black paper serviettes and I am going to put some sweets/chocolates in them and tie the tops with some green elastic bands that I have, so they will look like little Pumpkins or Cauldrons - cheaper and more fun and DS1 can help make them up, which he will enjoy.

I spent a good while updating our finances on the many spreadsheets that I have and moving money around. £15 paid to the Mortgage as an overpayment, as I am now using my online Childcare Vouchers again. My online Christmas shopping yesterday has earned me £2.05 in my Top Cashback account. Also, all spending is done on my Cashback Credit Card, so that should be adding up nicely.

It was a bit cold earlier on, so the heating went on for the first time. Only needed it on for 2 hours to heat up the house before the boys had a bath, then it was switched off. Whilst sorting out the attic, I found an old sofa throw, so brought it down, washed it and it's now on the sofa - lovely and warm. Not so much as 'Make Do and Mend' but definitely making do.

southerndave

We had a sofa throw which drove me nuts (I hate those kinda things) so last year I got SWMBO a Slanket. Best pressie ever apparently and it has already re-surfaced for this winter!

CathT

Good luck with your DH's job hunting, am sure something will come along. Well done on the Christmas shopping. I don't plan on going mad at all but even so have barely started. There is too much stuff to declutter first!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SD, just checking in to see how everything is going. Best wishes Tilly x x

sweetdaisy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi SD, just checking in to see how everything is going. Best wishes Tilly x x

Hi Tilly, all is well here thanks.

DH applied for a couple of jobs last week - but not heard anything yet. I have also been looking for a new job but there's not much around on my pay scale at the moment.

Total overpayments made for October so far is £55 - which I am pleased with, as I have been adding more money to savings. But even though I am not managing to overpay vast amounts, I am at least doing more than I was this time last year. So, slowly chipping away at it.

I have almost done my Christmas shopping, but hopefully will have it all bought in a few weeks. I aim to wrap them all early, like you, but not sure that I am that organised :rotfl:! Also, as Christmas is only 10 weeks away, from tomorrow I am going to start walking more and eating healthier (only allow myself occasional treats) as I would like to tone up for Christmas.