8.8 years

Octobergirl

We spent an epic 3.5 hours at the bank this morning as we had to close all our off shore accounts and open mainland ones. (We used to live offshore) A long torturous process. I now have to contact lots of people to change details which is a hassle. Worse...my mortgage payment goes out on Monday and my accounts are no longer linked, I can't see my balance aaaaahhhhh:eek: There is a slim chance my overdraft has been 'lost' in the change over as it's not showing up;) I should probably tell them.

Been off work with the flu for the past week, not had it before and didn't realise how nasty it is. Plus side, I've lost 10lbs. Downside, hubby has been holding the fort and tempers are frayed.

Muser1

Flu is absolutely horrendous! Glad you are on the mend. Take care x

Octobergirl

Thanks Muser, over it now, just a bit wiped out. X

feeling down and emotional tonight as Dd has said she no longer wishes to go to speech therapy. At £60 an hour it's partially a relief in financial terms, there has been very tiny milestones of success, but it feels as though we're giving up the dream that she might ever talk. A family pack of crisps and half loaf of bread and butter has got me through the evening. Emotional eater, moi?!

There has been no movement on my newly opened bank accounts, a little disconcerting as there is usually a constant ebb and flow of funds. The envelopes are going well and the mind is still focused.

My challenge is to book 3x mini 5 day holidays at a budget of £300 each throughout the 7 week summer break. I've got camping trips to cornwall and wales planned, but can't figure out what to do for the final week. Eurocamps look very reasonable, but I don't fancy the trek down to the ferry.

On a plus note, I had a £60 windfall today, which has gone into the 'luxury/ treat' tin.

Octobergirl

Had a talk about finances with OH today. These happen once a year and always result in him having a massive melt down about whats the point of working etra hours/higher position etc when money is taken straight off benefits and we're no better off, no quality of life etc etc.

I've learnt to let him rant, remind him that we're paying off the mortgage earlier and have been on x, y and z holidays. He rants for an hour, then comes round.

The positive outcome is that his salary has now been changed to come under my management. We used to do it this way and I was pretty good at squirrelling away savings. He flipped 3 or 4 years ago and we've been scaping along with him being in charge i.e. him spending his extra overtime wages, which i then had to pay back in tax credit over payments.

Roll on pay day;)

Octobergirl

Payday, had a wonderful couple of hours getting all our ducks in a row, which made me very content:D paid off oh's credit card and overdraft. I've reduced his monthly allowance as it was very generous (by my standards) and put the surplus pennies in our tax credits pay-back account. OH seems relieved to hand it back over to me.

Found a discount travel site last night and booked 4 nights in the summer in a Mongolian yurt for half price. So theoretically got 3 budget holidays planned for the summer:T

I've switched gas/electricity provider, which should save £30 a month on top of my phone savings.

And lastly, booked a couple of child free nights in wales, Oh will be doing some triathlon type thing and I shall eplore:)

I've now got a week off with the kids. Food budget stuck to, envelopes are going well and seem to be stretching the money further. I have an entertainment budget of £50 for the week and have even managed to put money aside for a valentine's gift and special meal at home, which I've never done before.

Meal out with the girls tonight from my allowance envelope:)

Octobergirl

Well, the happy, content feeling has gone......the boiler is not working, can't seem to find anyone local to come out and it's chuffing freezing! Waiting for a company who charge £70 call out charge:eek:

Best case scenario, it's the thermocouple at £10, worst case, we need a new boiler, to be fair this one is ancient and we knew it was on the cards. Best laid plans and all that.

Octobergirl

Fortune has smiled, the boiler was a small job - only the £70 call out fee, and the chappie thinks there's life in it yet.

After meandering through the housey threads I have had a go at Kon Mari-ing all our clothes. I am a frustrated minimalist, difficult when living with a hoarder and 2 kids that have toys that breed in the night. The wardrobes are now empty (I'd like to get rid of them, but not allowed!) the drawers beautifully arranged, it makes getting dressed so much easier in the morning!

Had a very dull half term, only a couple of trips out to cinema, railway museum and park. A far cry from my usual activity packed week, but great on the purse, and in teaching the kids that they need to occupy themselves. Now got house of sickies.

Luckyinlife

That is great news boiler services are pricey these day

I been to watch BIg 6 and shaun the sheep this week what you see ?

Octobergirl

Hi Lucky,
I'm afraid I only take the kids to the Kids AM viewings, I feel robbed if I pay more than £3.50 for the 3 of us (carer's perks) so will have to wait for those two to be on in a few months time! We saw Seven Dwarves fairy tale....pretty dire tbh!

Saw a deal on HUKD for cheap tickets to Lightwater Valley, so took boy child this morning. Surprisingly busy and bloomin cold, there was enough open to keep him occupied for a couple of hours but probably not worth the £10 fee. However, I found a £5 note, so happy with a cheap morning out:)

Octobergirl

My mortgage is now back online and viewable, which makes me happy.

I rang np@wer with final meter readings pre switchover, to find that I am nearly £700 in credit......which would explain why my monthly payments are so high.....

House full of builders, plumbers and electricians, correcting work from our adaptations 3 years ago. Not costing us anything, we've got beautiful new doors and kitchen being decorated next week.

Slowly kon Mari-ing the house, the hall is now a haven of peace and tranquility, as is my tea towel drawer:D