It's kind of fun to do the impossible

Sholly

Finally, the weekend!!

I took littlie to his swimming lesson this morning, then went for breakfast with a friend (not very MSE but I'm writing it off as an essential gossip-meeting :rotfl:) then I was home and back in my jarmie bottoms by 12:30 - bloomin' perfect!! Have cleaned and hoovered, helped littlie (who has been suspiciously good today!) with his letters and maths and made curry, honestly if there was an award for domestic-godessness, I would definietly be in the running today!! :j

Money-making and debt-slaying went well towards the end of last week - Music Magpie stuff sent off (didn't know packaging wasn't essential, it just needs to be in a box apparently...mine was wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper and covered in Parcel tape - the kind newsagent put me right - how silly I am!!), ebay items are doing well and I've organised more stuff to go on tomorrow and paid off another £60-something pounds off my debt. Feeling very positive and really enjoying seeing the figures getting smaller and smaller <-- that is actually how my face looks right now, except not (so) green

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend

Ooo, my curry's ready, here's the recipe for you though if you want to try it (your own, not mine...sorry ) - it's low-cost, healthy and totally delicious

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/96608/sweet-potato-spinach-and-lentil-dahl

Sholly x

HeadAboveWater

Domestic goddess for sure

Well done on your debts, your ebay and your mm Glad you're feeling positive (and not green!! :rotfl:)

Mmmmmm that recipe sounds yummy!! Gonna print it off and try it sometime! Thanks for that!

Sholly

Mornin'!

Sent two ebay items off yesterday, another 2 to send tomorrow and two more that I'm awaiting payment for. One other that was bought by someone who lives hundreds of miles away - she 'didn't realise' that it was collection only :mad: so will have to find a way to send that, get it weighed etc. Got a few other items on there at the minute which I think should do well (I really hope so!!) but they don't finish until Sunday. Got my credit card bill through at the weekend, if I don't make some serious headway on eBay, I will go into my planned overdraft..ah well, nothing else that I can do.

Told my Dad about Tesco Price Promise, he did it and then sent me the voucher :j bless him!!

Have a good day everyone

Sholly x

Sholly

Happy Sunday!

Wow this weather is awful! Made my first snow angel yesterday though :rotfl: I'm actually 6 not 26!! The boys also helped to completely sort the house out from top to bottom - looks luverly!

EBayers finally paid for their items. Need to send those tomorrow. As hoped, eBay items this week are doing well. Moved some pennies (okay okay...pounds!) around and it looks like the credit card payment may be covered if this weeks buyers pay on time - I'll be so pleased if it is!

Also good news on the job front - they're creating a new team in my office so no-one will be moving out. I just need to hope that I'm selected for the new team now. Phew! I've slept much better since being told

Stay safe out there - I'm risking a trip to Ikea to spend some vouchers...the risks a girl will take for some new plates!!!!

Sholly

January!! I can't believe that was the last time that I posted in here...I haven't fallen off the wagon, I promise! The last time I updated my signature was 08.03.13. My figures were... debt: £4,500.00, debt free target: Christmas 2013. My figures are now...debt: £2,200, debt free target: September 2013! :j I'm really happy that I've been able to bring that date forward :T I've also decided that as soon as it's gone, I'm going to take a couple of months off and spoil myself and littlie a bit :beer: we've gotta have fun after all of the hard work! But then I'll be right back on the straight and narrow with the next focus being that bloomin' mortgage!

It's my son's last day in reception today - where does that time go? :eek: To distract myself from the fact that my son will soon be an adult (dramatic much?), I've been building a big pile of 'treasures' for ebaying so when I've got the house to myself on Sunday, that's the fun that I have planned! I should set myself a target I suppose - let's saaaay £100. I won't forget to do it now, I like targets!!

I hope everyone is well

Sholly

xx

LauraJo

Welcome back - sounds like you have been doing brilliantly

Sholly

I need help! My debt-free target was Christmas 2013 but I've been able to bring that forward because I've just been putting everything that I can towards it. But, now I have a couple of decision to make. My first decision is...windows. My flat has double glazing in all but 3 of the windows. The windows do really need replacing as they leak, one doesn't lock and the another is cracked. I've had some quotes and, for the three windows plus the back door which also needs doing, it will be £1,800. This is the cheapest of 3 quotes so far, I've got another 4 companies coming out this week. The next decision is a wood-burning stove. My fireplace is currently open (not an open firs, just an open chimney!) and I need to do something with it before winter. I like stoves and it would make a big difference to the property and would just be another step in getting my house how I want it (I can get free wood). The quote for this is £1,600. So, my dilemma is: do I spend (invest?) £3,400 in my property now and have these benefits for this winter but push by debt-free date back to January or do I wait, get my debt completely paid off well before the end of the year and have a comfortable Christmas? Eventually, the amount that I save in heating would pay for the windows and the stove but this is in the long-term.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Sholly x

MallyGirl

My first instinct is to say I would do the things to keep me warm and comfy, but then I realise that each year we sit shivering in the front room saying that next year we will fit carpet over the bare floorboards (with big gaps). Maybe this year we will actually do it as we will be causing so much disruption elsewhere in the house. I think when it comes to leaks that could actually cause further damage then I would sort that. you can always stuff one of those balloon devices up the open chimney to buy a bit more time.

Beckyy

Do you have a breakdown for the quote for the stove?
Does it include chimney lining (if applicable), installation, fixing etc.?

I only ask as when we had one fitted the majority of the cost was the chimney lining etc. We paid just over £1800 for a 4.5KW with chimney lining, fitting etc.

If you can get free firewood then I might be more inclined to get teh stove first as not only will it stop a draught from the chimney but will ehat your house for free providing the wood is seaonsoned and ready to go. That will mean you can save up the money you would have spent on heating and put it towards the windows/door.

I'm also in a similar position in our current house that we need a new front door and maybe windows, but would also like to replace our open fire with a stove. We've opted to get the stove first as it has a backboiler and will heat our water/central heating, the door and windows can wait til after as I think we'll notice more benefit from doing it this way around.

lamarsi

Hi, i'm new to this board so can't really welcome you back but hello for the first time!
Just been reading your past posts ..well done!! as far as your last post, I'd say get yourself warm!! we have no idea how bad the winter will be but a couple of years ago my boiler broke and I was so unhappy sitting in the cold for a week in the middle of the snow spell that now i pay for boiler cover it costs £14 quid a month and I never use it but the peace of mind is priceless.. I really hate being cold!! That said last year my under floor heating in my bathroom stopped working and in winter I have the fastest showers in the world I have to jump over the floor tiles they're that cold but I'm just putting up with it for now!!