8.8 years

Octobergirl

Yes, but I want an extra 250 points BECAUSE I'm drinking wine and reading a book, that would be my version of exercise:D

Octobergirl

I've been humming and haaing over the past few weeks and finally bitten the bullet today, I've enrolled both children onto a home schooling programme. They will stay in school, but I will do the lessons with them in addition at home. It's very difficult to know what DD knows/understand, computer learning/responses might be the way to go. Not very MSE at £30pm, but I can cancel at any time.

Octobergirl

Ooooh yes, and I booked our holiday, yippee:T very low budget MSE ish this year, so ferry booked, we shall be off in our campervan for 10 days. Although I am going to book a sneaky night or two in an apartment, so we can have a decent nights sleep and wash our clothes half way through.

Octobergirl

A good week so far.....we finally have a new front door, that closes and doesn't let all our heating out, after a 4 month wrangle with the builder. And it's lovely too, makes the hall seem huge:)

Had an unexpected financial gift for dog-sitting, which means I shall (if all goes to plan) be overdraft free at the end of March whoo hooo:T

DS birthday party went well and was in budget:D

Although the c.van has been poorly, the bill was very reasonable and didn't kibosh my budget:D

Big birthday meal to look forward to on Saturday, with money in the kitty to pay for it:T

Looks like I don't have to pay my council tax this month, it hasn't gone out of my account and a quick google shows I might be on a 11 month cycle:D

Two things to ponder...do I start overpayments next month, or do I get some more emergency funds saved....heart says overpay, head says save.

C.van will need a probably expensive service in May, with no money put aside (whoops). do I use our holiday fund for it ....or do I hope for the best and still plan for another little cheaply holiday in the Autumn....heart AND head both say holiday:D

Fortune_Smiles

Hi Octobergirl. Just popping up to say hello.

I love my kindle too. Do you do $wagbuck$ or Valu£d 0p1n10n$? You can get paid in Amaz0n vouchers and I usually keep mine for kindle books.

Fortune x

Octobergirl

:wave:Hi fortune,
I tried valued ops last year, but kept getting thrown off. I've just started one p@ll again, as they're short and sweet. I try to just stick to the free books on the kindle, but running out of the crime ones:(

A satisfyingly Mse day today. 2 loads of washing on the airier, 2 nice pieces of whoopsied haddock for £1 each, chicken pie for dinner, the third meal from a £5 roast chicken and a large bundle of socks (24pairs) from mr m for £3.50.

The jars are empty and I've nibbled £20 from next week, however we've had a couple of evenings out requiring babysitters. payday on Friday, £7 left, which should be doable

Octobergirl

:TThe good news was that I was going to be overdraft free at the end of march, the first time in 18 months.....

However....the flippin c.van has had to go back to the garage:( bad news, it will take another month to be overdraft free....

Worse, my mum has started lecturing me on getting a reliable vehicle (I'm 40;))

Good news, I'm saving petrol whilst its undrivable.

Good news, My food bill is low, as eeking out the cupboards until I can do a big shop.

Good news, Was going to have to wait a week until they could get parts, but we already have them:T...hopefully only a small garage bill....please?!

Octobergirl

Dilemma of the day...

I'm currently a SAHM, caring for DD and toddler. A job has come up locally which appeals and I'm qualified for. It would be full time, so I would need wrap around child care term times only. Having taken into account childcare and reduction in benefits, I would be £300 a month better off working 35 hours.

Would the interest, getting back in job market and £300 be worth the stress and childcare issues when they are ill or have appointments....??

Lois_E

That works out at about £2/hour actual take-home after childcare. How badly do you want the money? How lovely is the job? How rare are job opportunities like that locally? You've mentioned home schooling your kids - would you still be able to fit that in, and how much would it matter to you if you couldn't? There are so many things to take into consideration.

FWIW I admire anybody who can work full time and bring up kids, but I work part time because I know I couldn't cope with full time, and mine are older and don't have the kind of special needs that you're dealing with. But then I'm on my own and you have a partner.

Octobergirl

Hi Lois, initially I really wanted the job as it's on the doorstep, term time only and working with complex needs, of which I have loads of experience! I've been at home for 8 years now and beginning to feel that my qualifications and career are becoming a relic of the past.

However, having had a chat with OH, he doesn't feel the money warrants the potential stress involved with childcare issues, appointments and therapies.

I shall have to keep looking....l