To Freedom...

kirstypark

made a mistake with our budget this month - thought january was council tax free and had transfered the cash, then the phone bill came in quarterly again - so short by quite a bit. luckily daughter had rent money available and was able to pay it early to avoid the overdraught. Now just need to live quietly until next payday...

Joined a dance class last night - ballroom and latin, it was great fun and cost £10 a lesson, but very sociable, especially when we all went off to the pub afterwards. So hoping to carry on with that for the next year.

Not spent any money in shops yet - living off the fridge and freezer contents. And managed to pick up some overtime on friday and next monday at work.

BlueMoo

Dance lessons sound fab. I'm looking to take up a hobby myself so might have to investigate this!
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Glad no OverDraft. It's just so easy to slip in and never get back out. Sure you would have mastered it like a pro though!

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How's the kitchen going?

kirstypark

kitchen is finished - no room now for anymore stuff, thanks, Bluemoo. Haven't had to use our overdraught for over a year and do have some emergency money in our isas that i could have used, but trying not to touch that at moment.

Got a statement in from another building society saying i have an account with £16 in it - news to me! i did have an account with them years ago but thought it was closed. will have to go in and see what's the story...

kirstypark

son paid his rent today so transfered £60 over now - which covers the interest paid so far this month . Still not been near supermarket yet this year and freezers starting to look normal again.

kirstypark

Gave in and went to supermarket at weekend - and then into the boots sale today. spent about £70 on gift sets and toiletries we can use all 70% off so good bargain and will help during the year.

Went back to dance class tonight - it is so difficult! had to do our first twirl and reckon that will take a few weeks to perfect. It is the quickest hour - and then we all go to the pub! so not very moneysaving, but very much fun! Ach, it's all about the balance, isn't it?

kirstypark

was invited out last night to a couple we know - she was unwell over new year and they wanted to socialise a bit now. Could not be bothered after working all day, but had a wonderful night and met another couple there, lots of good chat, a few laughs and free (except for the bottle of wine i recycled to take with us). I do like socialising.

Got an interview for new job, but having cold feet now - my own job is usually fine, and i like the hours i work. New job would be full time, so more money, bit more security, and it's a new role so chance to develop the service from the start. But stressful starting again and longer commute every day. not sure what to do...

kirstypark

had the awful news yesterday that my brother has been diagnosed with malignant melanomia after i nagged him to get a mole on his face removed. He is waiting for more tests to see if there is any spread and then may need treatment. Our granda died of this 20 years ago so it is scary. Please - if anyone has a mole they are worried about go get it checked.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

So sorry to hear this Kirsty.

Best wishes Tilly x

kirstypark

thank you, Tilly, he is waiting for more tests to see if there is any spread..

got an interview in 2 weeks for new post - although i am enjoying my job at the moment, isn't it always the way? and i think i like working just 30 hours a week just now. might just go for the interview and see how i get on before i decide.

Got a few good deals shopping at the weekend - had £10 voucher to use, cashed in my nectar points and took my piggybank with me so only paid £34 for about £70 of food, with a few stickered items - gonna try and avoid the supermarket until payday. Tonight meal was stew leftover from yesterday with loads of veg and yorkshire puds from the freezer as i need the space in there. Made 2 batches of flapjacks to use up old oats, cranberries and bits from store cupboard.
OH did have to buy bread and eggs from the farm he visits on a monday - they are lush!

kirstypark

i often read on other folk's diarys that news of serious illness in a loved one makes people re-evaluate their plans and makes them realise life is for living not scrimping and saving. But my brother's news has made us even more determined to get to a place of security by paying off as much as possible. I think that is when we will get to owing half what we do now - that would be easy to manage on just one wage even with higher interest rates if we had too.

OH keeps looking up vintage campervans on the internet and i have promised him that next year we can start saving some cash to put away for the purchase of one of these...but this year we have to pay off the mortgage just to get the balance as low as possible while the interest rates are low.

Tea tonight is chicken in the slow cooker with veg at the bottom to make soup for next day. Have loads of tortillas left in the cupboard from christmas party chilli to use up so might do quesidillas. OH made too much mashed tatties last night so could do some fishcakes and freeze them.