Healthier, wealthier and wiser – My DFW diary!

Marty82

The_Dragon wrote: »

You are welcome (you will have to lay the fire when you arrive though )

No problem; get the kettle on!

Marty82

Lula-Hula wrote: »

Morning Marty,

I did my two minutes silence on my own too & as always had a few tears. I was at Sainsbugs first thing & bought a fab poppy shopping bag so proudly carried the shopping out in that.

I'll be straight with you & say that if I couldn't shove the mattress etc on a hot wash ... then I'd probably get rid of it as I just couldn't bear the smell of cat doo.

Sorry, that probably doesn't help much, have you asked the lovely peeps over on the Old Style board, they have tips for almost every eventuality.

Hope everything / one turns up as planned

xx

Afternoon Lula,

I didn't cry but just had a good think about those who have given us our freedom. Two minutes actually feels like an incredibly long time when you are sitting in silence. Jealous of your bag but I need no more carriers as I swear they multiply in the cupboard.

I would love to be able to get a new mattress but it's just not feasible financially and my mattress, despite being ten years is still nice and firm, unworn and incredibly comfy! Going to borrow my parents' carpet cleaner and use it on the bed instead. Well it's worth a try I suppose. I've never been on the OS board but will take a look. I can never find anything on here using search so I hope they won't mind me starting a new post.

Everything and everyone turned up as planned but not everything went to plan unfortunately. Too tired, as didn't sleep a wink last night, and too confused to explain just now but will post a full explanation once I've had a nap.

Stay fabulous!

Cherryjack

Hi Marty,

Hope you dont mind, im subscribing to yr diary :-) seen u on lula's :0) will catch up with it a little later x

Marty82

Cherryjack wrote: »

Hi Marty,

Hope you dont mind, im subscribing to yr diary :-) seen u on lula's :0) will catch up with it a little later x

Cherry,

Of course I don't mind; I'm happy to have you along for the ride. Off to update my diary as has been an eventful couple of days.

Cherryjack

Fabby :-) im a girl by the way well a 31 year old girl lol.. incase u get confused with the jack hehe

Marty82

Bon soir mes amis,


Ca va?


A double update for my diary tonight as didn't manage to do one yesterday due to various reasons which will become clear as I waffle on. It might take a while to type as the cat has decided to sit between me and the laptop and is even trying to stand on the keys!


Tided up the living room in the late hours of Thursday ready for the arrival of my sofas on Friday but then plonked myself down on my existing sofa for the last time with my laptop and the telly for company. Ended up buying a 2 in 1 steam mop/cleaner from Price Drop TV for £37.98 as convinced myself that this would be good for cleaning up after my cat and would save me money on cleaning products in the long run; potentially better for the environment too. I then had a nosey through MSE and noticed that Tesco had winter coats reduced to £20 so off I went to their site where I proceeded to spend £92.50! I did however get two coats (£20 and £19.50), a pair of boots (£28) and a suit (£25) all from the sale section. These are due to be collected at my local store to save on the delivery cost. Really shouldn't have spent all this, and on my remaning credit card too, but I think most of it is an investment rather than a throwaway spend.


Didn't sleep a wink on Thursday night into Friday morning as had slept late on Thursday and I was also paranoid I'd sleep through my two visitors calls. The sofa couriers phoned to tell me that they'd be at around lunchtime but said it was only doorstep delivery and that would be to the door of the block rather than my flat on the second floor! This surprised me so got straight on the phone to the retailer who told me that it would be my door which was a relief. It would be an extra £10 to have it in the living room but I managed this myself with the kind help of my neighbour. Unwrapped the sofas and they look really nice; especially when they were only £250 in total for the two of them!


The engineer contracted by my home emergency cover company turned up in the afternoon and it turns out my boiler is uneconomical to repair so I get absolutely no help from my policy at all! I really don't know what I'm going to do as still don't have hot water or central heating and have no idea how much a new boiler will cost! Currently showering at a friend's house and using the gas fire in the living room which is now playing up by not lighting without the help of a match and turning off randomly. Any suggestions as to what to do guys and gals? I might have to go and stay at my parents' house in the meantime as can't live like this but this isn't a long term possibility.


This put me in a right downer so when my friend phoned asking if I wanted to go for dinner I thought “what the hell” and went for it. Used an O2 voucher for a third off at Yo Sushi so spent less than £20 each for 7 dishes, a diet coke and water. We decided against dessert and instead went to his house via Sainsbury's to pick up wine. £8.54 spent on two bottles of pinot grigio and £1.97 on a four pack of Fry's Turkish Delight as we each love both! I also picked up a few bargains from the reduced section: 3 six packs of rolls (20p each), 3 packs of mini carrots and fine beans (20p each),2 packs of tender stem broccoli (20p each), 3 nets of limes (20p each) and a pack of four puff pastry mince pies. A wee question, can I cook all the veg now and freeze them to reuse as I guess I can freeze them without cooking them first? Any answers gratefully accepted.


Only had a couple of glasses of wine before falling asleep during Newsnight and being woken by my friend when Independence Day was on! Headed home but despite being tired I couldn't get to sleep so caught up on various surveys and put a few offers and requests on Freecycle. Had a long lie in today and then spoke to friends about coming round to watch X Factor. This, of course, resulted in me spending £8.50 on a Chinese takeaway although it was yummy. I suppose this was another part of my “what the hell” attitude this weekend which has been prompted by my boiler. I find it funny that when we have money problems we end up spending more money which makes the initial problems even worse.


On a positive note, Pureprofile £26.20 went into the bank and My Surveys £5 into PayPal but unfortunately still haven't heard from Opinium about my £25. Various other survey accounts at various levels but hopefully some more payouts soon.


Sent an email complaint to B&Q about poor service and contacted my local veg box scheme to see whether it would be worth me joining and what they offer. Does anyone use this type of service? How do they find it for value compared with the supermarket?


Today and yesterday's positives


Pureprofile £26.20
My Survey £5
Bargain jackets, boots and suit
New sofas look fabulous


Today and yesterday's negatives


Boiler unrepairable meaning no heating or hot water and potentially huge bill to replace
Spent on dinner, wine, clothes, cleaner and takeaway

Cherryjack

oH bless ya with the boiler.. why does this allways happen just before the cold weather?! last winter a few of our radiators burst and we was left freezing in the living room so had to invest in some electric plug in heaters.. only this month have i sorted them ready.
Ive been looking at new boilers recently.. british gas are a rip off and lure you in with a finance pay monthly option-i was quoted around £4000.00-£5000.00 to have mine moved to upstairs ( a new one added) along with expensive scaffolding needed. Checked with my very good local heating system plumber guy and he said around £3000.00 and if i was just to replace a combi boiler around £1200.00. Thats just the info ive found out recently so im saving..
Im not a pro at this stuff so hoping someone can advise u better.

Love the sound of the sofas, what a bargain! where did they come from? i have 2 three seaters (had them for 10 years) they have lasted well but now the springs are going on them.. a big hole, gap in both on one of the seats grrrr...

ive just signed up to a survey site not sure if it a legit one lol.. so i must share the name next time round to check :-)

Over and out xx

Marty82

Cherryjack wrote: »

oH bless ya with the boiler.. why does this allways happen just before the cold weather?! last winter a few of our radiators burst and we was left freezing in the living room so had to invest in some electric plug in heaters.. only this month have i sorted them ready.
Ive been looking at new boilers recently.. british gas are a rip off and lure you in with a finance pay monthly option-i was quoted around £4000.00-£5000.00 to have mine moved to upstairs ( a new one added) along with expensive scaffolding needed. Checked with my very good local heating system plumber guy and he said around £3000.00 and if i was just to replace a combi boiler around £1200.00. Thats just the info ive found out recently so im saving..
Im not a pro at this stuff so hoping someone can advise u better.

Love the sound of the sofas, what a bargain! where did they come from? i have 2 three seaters (had them for 10 years) they have lasted well but now the springs are going on them.. a big hole, gap in both on one of the seats grrrr...

ive just signed up to a survey site not sure if it a legit one lol.. so i must share the name next time round to check :-)

Over and out xx

You're up late (girl) Cherry!

I have filled out my details on a couple of sites who then inform local companies who then contact me to quote. Will save me going through the Yellow Pages. Lol. The first one is due on Wednesday and has said in his email his cheapest installation is £1500 including VAT but will wait and see what the actual quote is. I really don't know what to do as although I do have £1500 (back benefit money) waiting in an account but it's there as my war chest when I start paying back my debts. The CAB said not to touch it until they had worked out who I should pay what and when. I have tried asking the Energy Saving Trust in the past about a boiler replacement grant but my boiler was too efficient to qualify. Does this change now that it isn't working as it's no not efficient at all? Lol.

The sofas were a Groupon national deal with a company called CFS Furniture Limited. I've seen the deal a couple of times since the one I bought so it may well come round again. They are apparently so cheap because they had a student accommodation contract cancelled so have thousands to get rid of. Are you planning to replace your sofas?

I'm currently signed up to loads of survey sites as I am determined to get every last free penny that I can to deposit in my war chest! I know some pay out in gift vouchers but they can go into a separate chest for presents, stuff for the house and treats for me.

Cherryjack

Hi Marty :-) i was up to a rediculous hour! had been clearing out the bedroom and it took the whole day and still not there. So was on a buzz from it all! quilts being washed today.. spring clean in autumn?? lol.. better late than never i suppose
I would most certainly go back to the energy saving trust..you have nothing to loose.. and u may just have someone more sympathetic that will help. Well done for looking around for quotes.. its just one of those things that needs to be bought, you dont have much choice really so dont feel bad about it. It will last you a good ten years or more.. make sure you get a good guarantee.. and maybe boiler maintenence? Just gives you the peace of mind really.
The sofas are amazing at that price and im sure they look lovely in the fresh painted living room Weve seen some sofas we like, but this whole house needs rewiring (im in a victorian terrace).. it will look stunning when its done (but looks like a hell hole right now).. im not impressed the baby is du ein january and i have no wall paper on the walls and some very old , dodgy looking graffiti! depressing.. we cant decorate until athe rewire is done (£4000.00 quote) YUCK :-( so im saving for that to be done and aiming for May lol.. its worth a try.. so no real money left for sofas right now... may have to put a lil mdf underneath for now.. also all the ceilings are gunna be ripped down in this house so if i but anything new it will be ruined. Im packing my life away in boxes right now and leaving out the day to day stuff...

Enjoy you sunday :-) and hope u get suff sorted soon x

Marty82

Cherryjack wrote: »

Hi Marty :-) i was up to a rediculous hour! had been clearing out the bedroom and it took the whole day and still not there. So was on a buzz from it all! quilts being washed today.. spring clean in autumn?? lol.. better late than never i suppose
I would most certainly go back to the energy saving trust..you have nothing to loose.. and u may just have someone more sympathetic that will help. Well done for looking around for quotes.. its just one of those things that needs to be bought, you dont have much choice really so dont feel bad about it. It will last you a good ten years or more.. make sure you get a good guarantee.. and maybe boiler maintenence? Just gives you the peace of mind really.
The sofas are amazing at that price and im sure they look lovely in the fresh painted living room Weve seen some sofas we like, but this whole house needs rewiring (im in a victorian terrace).. it will look stunning when its done (but looks like a hell hole right now).. im not impressed the baby is du ein january and i have no wall paper on the walls and some very old , dodgy looking graffiti! depressing.. we cant decorate until athe rewire is done (£4000.00 quote) YUCK :-( so im saving for that to be done and aiming for May lol.. its worth a try.. so no real money left for sofas right now... may have to put a lil mdf underneath for now.. also all the ceilings are gunna be ripped down in this house so if i but anything new it will be ruined. Im packing my life away in boxes right now and leaving out the day to day stuff...

Enjoy you sunday :-) and hope u get suff sorted soon x

I am exactly the same when I really get into something like cleaning but I suppose that's because it doesn't happen that often. I'm so messy and so lazy when it comes to cleaning.

I would love a Victorian terrace so I'm mega jealous that you have one but I suppose the downside of a beautiful old house is that there can often be problems when it comes to our modern needs; wiring, plumbing, windows etc. Hope you manage to get the place how you want it soon but it's a shame it won't be before your wee one arrives. Do you have a nursery ready?

Had a call from Heating Quoter, whose form I had filled out online, who will now forward my details to three companies so that will now be six with the three that Rated People will be contacting.

Having a think about what to post in my diary today as haven't done anything money saving but equally haven't spent any money. Hmmm.