Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

themadvix

Morning (just, maybe) all!

Thanks KC and Charly - much appreciated. The day improved and had a good afternoon/evening. DH took me out for dinner (it was supposed to be date night last Thursday but we weren't bothered then). It was only £23 at the Harvester, so not breaking the bank (shockingly that was the full price - no vouchers available!!). Feeling much more like myself today but seem to have a million and one things to do between now and Friday on top of plenty of work.

One way and another yesterday was quite spendy - bus and train fare, cuppa for friend and I, chocolate egg (*ahem*).... But this was offset by paying in ~£60 worth of cheques from the Brownies into my account - some of which have already been paid off my cc/I used Am vouchers to pay for in the first place (net result, up on cash!). I'll transfer this back into savings - so actual amount I've taken out this month will only be about £150.

MS things:
* Scooping up Santa and TSB rewards
* Rang L&G about home insurance and they can't reduce the quote... It's gone up by £25 for no reason since last year. I'm not happy about this, but the cheapest quote is only about £8 less and has the hassle of switching etc. Not sure what to do - runs out on Friday!
* Bread made for the week
* MS rewards, SBs, YG survey, PA survey
* No sign of FB purchaser (not that he committed after initial conversation)

(Sneaking in a NY resolution - podcast listened to!)

Gratitudes:
* Lovely food last night and quality time with DH
* Fresh bread for lunch
* New workspace (in one of the newly decorated bedrooms) is much warmer than downstairs!

ch4rly2002

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but if there are no discounts to be had from L&G and the next cheapest quote is only £8 less, have you factored in the cashback you could get if you get insurance through TopCashBack?

Glad you had a nice date night with DH last night, sounds like you really needed it x

themadvix

Thanks Charly.... no cashback to be had I'm afraid! Have already checked

shangaijimmy

I'd switch. I have the opinion that if they are so dearer and have put it up by £25 for no reason (not sure on what opercentage increase this is, but i bet its at least double inflation) then they don't deserve your business!

themadvix

Sorry BusyMee - I hadn't spotted your comment up there Thanks for your kind words.

Jimmy - I think I agree with you, but time is now a big factor as I have an insane amount of work (and complicated Brownie prep) to get through before Friday. I might try and farm this out to DH, but as I usually do it, it'll probably take me less time, if I can find any to start with it!

Belated afternoon all!

Ridiculous amounts of work (I'm not complaining!), so it'll be a quick update. New oven has started making clanking noises (think the fan needs tightening), so have booked engineer for Saturday (v. impressed as it's IKEA and I was a bit dubious about quality of aftersales care - so far, so good!).

There's a hoo-hah happening about BIL's wedding in September - all good fun, but potentially going to be expensive!

Was feeling more in control of my to-do list until I checked my email this morning - lots of work arrived overnight, and once I'd got my head around that a UK-based client asked me to do something else (fairly major!). Fortunately the main thing I wanted to get done today was another project for her, so we've renegotiated the deadline for that, but even so, so much work! As I'll invoice this financial year though (my accounts run 6/4 to 5/4) this will substantially improve my EOY figures which will have the effect of helping when it comes to mortgage time (SE people have to show 3 yrs accounts, not just 3 months payslips!).

Other things:
* Podcast this morning
* MS rewards, VB poll
* Hm pizza for tea tonight
* Sunshine
* May have scoffed the small box of mini eggs I bought yesterday!

Have a good afternoon all!

Busy_Mee1

Mini eggs are the fuel of champions and it certainly sounded like you needed them today

Karmacat

Brilliant about the work - and as for renegotiating the timetable, I bet that client is really impressed that you're on top of it all enough to do that.

Chomping on mini eggs is sort of required when things are that busy

themadvix

Haha, not sure about that KC - fortunately she opened with 'I'm still catching up because of the snow' (she has two children, so snow days mean no working), so it was an excuse to make it clear that I'd need a bit longer than she hoped for all the work!

Yes, mini eggs were definitely necessary. I hope you're taking it veeeeery easy today.

Work is a bit more under control now, but of course that could all change again at short notice! Am working my way through my to-do list as well so feeling a bit less stressed. Have also reworked to-do list so it's in order of priority - it makes it much easier to see what I *need* to get done.

MS bits:
* TCB tracked for Brownie purchases
* £4.40 claimed from TCB
* MS rewards done
* Work, work, work

* Listened to podcast again - two days in a row. And kitty playtime last night too. Exercise is shockingly bad, but I am trying to get up when my fitbit buzzes and do 250 steps.

Gratitudes:
* Lots of work
* Lovely house is much easier to keep tidy now it's finished.
* Evening with Dad tonight working on questions for an upcoming quiz night in aid of the Guide hut

Have a good day all!

try_harder

All sounding very positive themadvix but dont work too hard .Enjoy your evening with your dad .

themadvix

House insurance renewed.... the alternative didn't have garage cover.... definitely needed here! It's still £120 'under budget' (it's never been anywhere near that much but that's how much I put away), so a good deal. Sadly I think we OP'd the difference at the weekend so probably can't take any money from it to top up my savings

At least it's a job done and ticked off the list!