Lulabelle's MFW Diary

lulabelle1

Right, I'm getting focused again.......

Have just updated accounts and made some MOP's. signature and o/s balance updated again - for the first time in ages.

All of the spends are pretty much saves for the Florida holiday - just need to order some park tickets. We're not actually going to Disney this time (strange?). Looks like we will be going to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and then I'm considering buying a ticket for Busch Gardens and maybe getting a combo ticket with Seaworld and Aquatica too. I'm too fussed about Seaworld but since we are staying fairly close (can see it from the resort) then I guess it makes sense to get a ticket to go there, plus on the combo ticket it doesn't cost much more.

I used to work in the travel industry and get very cheap flights and free accommodation so we've been tonnes of times before and this time round we've decided to just spend a handful of days at the parks and use the rest of the time to explore some of the stunning beaches on the West Coast or just chill out at the pool. I really can't be bothered with the crazy Q's at Disney......

When DS2 is old enough for all the rides, then we'll go again and do all of the rides, assuming we have the money to do so....... (no longer get cheap flights and free accommodation!!!!).

So, I've been AWOL for a while - truthfully I just had enough of penny pinching and been really careful. Don't get me wrong, we didn't go wild, but we spent some money on the house and garden etc, new clothes for the boys and hubby and I had some treats too.

We came very close to putting the house on the market but realised that we really need to stick to our plan...

Two plans really - not sure which way it will go.

Plan A - mortgage free on this house, save for a few years and then consider whether to buy a bigger house using money we have saved and possibly a small mortgage.

Plan B - OP as much as possible with the intention of using the OP's to fund a deposit on 1 or B2L properties.

Not really sure which way it will take us - but we just need to get the focus back and OP as much as poss in the meant time.

Buying a bigger house now would be a bad idea as it will just give us a massive mortgage noose around our necks and also make it much more difficult to invest in a B2L property or 2.

Holiday is in 19 sleeps..........

Well, that's pretty much it for now. I haven't looked at any diaries for well over a month, but will aim to try and catch up a bit in the next few days.

Lula xx

moneycurious

Hello!! sorry not been in catching up, you seem to have done so much!!! x

lulabelle1

moneycurious wrote: »

Hello!! sorry not been in catching up, you seem to have done so much!!! x

Hey, don't worry - I've been AWOL myself for the last month or so.... Back on the wagon with a restored sense of focus though.

Sun is shining which makes such a big difference to my frame of mind.

Calfuray

Over 7k in not even 5 months sounds like on track to me

Nice to see you back, and don't be so hard on yourself, we all need treats and motivation every now and again.

Holiday sounds like it will be amazing!

lulabelle1

Calfuray wrote: »

Over 7k in not even 5 months sounds like on track to me

Nice to see you back, and don't be so hard on yourself, we all need treats and motivation every now and again.

Holiday sounds like it will be amazing!

Rrrrr, thanks for popping by

lulabelle1

Well, approx 4 hours after posting about my new found focus, I have done lots of spending (just to please/amuse you Natty!):
* Sainsbury's - £6 something, bits and pieces for dinner as decided to have a BBQ to make the most of the weather
* Park tickets for the holiday - searched around, saved a few pounds, still spent £734, eek!
* Parasol for the garden £29.99
* Trunki booster seat back pack thing for the holiday - £32.50 - searched around this was the best price, also with free delivery. To hire a booster seat costs a small fortune - could feed a family of 100 in India for the cost of the booster seat from the car rental company. I suppose we could have packed a booster seat, but only planning on taking a few cases and need room in there to bring some Pancake mix and syrup home!

All items above were from the various budgeted accounts. Does that make it OK?

nattypants

Thank you lula, I can always rely on you to make me feel better - a true friend indeed:D

Although you have spoilt it somewhat by having BUDGETED accounts - what's all this about;)

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning Lula, I would go as far to say this spending doesn't count as real spending, as you had budgeted :T

Doesn't the sun make life so much better - I felt full of energy over the weekend, and yesterday's grey sky seemed to knock me for six.

Have a good week, Tilly x

lulabelle1

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Morning Lula, I would go as far to say this spending doesn't count as real spending, as you had budgeted :T

Doesn't the sun make life so much better - I felt full of energy over the weekend, and yesterday's grey sky seemed to knock me for six.

Have a good week, Tilly x

Thanks Tilly.

You are spot on in regards to the Sun - I had a lovely weekend but was a very miserable moo bag indeed yesterday, happy to put it down to the grey clouds......

lulabelle1

nattypants wrote: »

Thank you lula, I can always rely on you to make me feel better - a true friend indeed:D

Although you have spoilt it somewhat by having BUDGETED accounts - what's all this about;)

Hey Natty - I've decided to go and get my hair cut today - not budgeted and full price in a "classy' salon - have I redeemed myself??