Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

Thanks @kerri_gt , I looked into that a few years ago but ended up not really trying it - I would feel uncomfortable lending or borrowing a dog to/ from someone I don't already know quite well, and though the neighbours at the last place offered theirs I didn't feel it would really work to decide at the last minute and head off for a 3 hour ramble, which is the kind of thing I plan on doing with my own!  I think I've decided to go ahead, as it's looking like I can swing WFH for quite a while and this place is just so ideal for a dog.  But still things to be sorted out - am just making lists and thinking through stuff for now. 

RosaBernicia

Belated shuffle update...

Curtains ordered, which ended up being the expensive ones because once I had the sample I really wanted getting the other fabric would annoy me every time I saw the things ; more house plodding but still not that much can be done til after lockdown.  Clothes mostly going back as not quite right, not helped by my lockdown layers - need to do some exercise!  Bought a thing that needs fitting in the van and am rather proud of myself for doing that instead of leaving it to pay the garage instead (let's just hope I can fit it right). 

Not much other news really!

moneyonmymindsam

I agree it's frustrating that things are on hold. Can't go wrong with quality curtains at all - they just hang so much better, plus it's nice to have nice things.

Still trying to be on a no buy at least until I move. Just shuffled the finances and moved a "cushion" into my account so I don't feel like I'm suffering 😁

Seen a few places crop up just in budget so happy about that,and anything I could knock off the asking would be a bonus. 
Good about the van, I think try and if you have to pay the garage so be it, but at least you tried. 
No real news here either, just plodding along. 
Sam x

RosaBernicia

Sunday shuffle - oops, I haven't been entering things as I go and found a few transactions I'd forgotten about.  Hopefully sorted out now. 

I have dutifully budgeted this month and next without allowing for paycheque in a few days and at the end of March, so currently look hideously underfunded.  Hard to predict what I will need to spend as most of the work on the house is lockdown dependent.  I've allowed for puppy costs in March with what I need to pay the owner plus food, but will have some stuff from others and it looks like insurance would be the same cost monthly as annually (which is great, completely approve, just slightly taken aback as had got used to yearly being the best way to do it). 

Debating whether to finally give up on my 'ethical' bank account - the app is very clunky and never seems to give an accurate cleared balance compared to the transactions actually showing (quite apart from the issues about whether they are truly ethical any more).  There is another nearly as ethical option that would solve all that and also mean I could try out SyncForYNAB and save myself some time on shuffling.  It would mean losing about £3.50 a month in rewards though, plus the same in outlay for SyncForYNAB, and £7/month feels like a lot even though I am really trying to value my time as much as my money.  I'll continue trying to be better organised for a while and see!  I've never regretted the money I spend on YNAB itself, and if I am getting off track due to time pressure then it may be worth it. 

All other plans currently pending either fabric samples arriving (I think I know what I want for the rest of the windows now, but I do want to see the samples before I order) and lockdown decisions.  I can strip some wallpaper though, once the exam is done, even if nothing else can change.  Revising for the next couple of weeks so not much else will get done. 

I hope everybody else is having a more interesting weekend than I am

RB xx

kerri_gt

Hang on....rewind....puppy costs....does this mean you have decided on a new addition for sure.....

RosaBernicia

kerri_gt said:

Hang on....rewind....puppy costs....does this mean you have decided on a new addition for sure.....

  errr yes I think so... I know it will be something of an adjustment but I don't think there's really going to be a better time... and tbh it would make me really sad now to have to see 'my' puppy go to another home.  Even if I have only seen pup in photos and Zoom! 

kerri_gt

Ohhh how exciting, what is he/she like? 

RosaBernicia

kerri_gt said:

Ohhh how exciting, what is he/she like? 

She is mixed breed ie mongrel - which I have just found out from the pet insurance sites is now different from crossbreed, they take that to mean deliberate crosses like cockapoos now!

kerri_gt

RosaBernicia said:

kerri_gt said:

Ohhh how exciting, what is he/she like? 

She is mixed breed ie mongrel - which I have just found out from the pet insurance sites is now different from crossbreed, they take that to mean deliberate crosses like cockapoos now!

I love mongrels, always think you get the best of mummy and daddy hound. Is the insurance cheaper for a mixed breed? 

RosaBernicia

I love special blends too

Not sure about pricing Kerri, I didn't bother checking the rest!  Pleased to find it was much more reasonable than I expected though (maybe because someone with pedigrees gave that impression, so perhaps it does make a difference?).  Even for the lifetime cover - £190 for the year, and I can probably get £30 off that via TCB.  I thought it was going to be hideous but really want her insured as well as possible.  I grumbled about all the insurance money the big cat cost me, but it was worth every penny to know he could have any treatment needed when he did need it.