My first home &I want to OWN it!

Katzen

Hello from holidays! Have to say Center Parcs is not quite he'll on earth at half term as I imagined. They do know how to make their money out of you though, everything is chargeable! But, we brought some food and intend to head off site for more food shopping tomorrow, we have enough cheese,sweets and nibbles to last a lifetime and it looks like everyone is going to make it.

On the MSE side of things:
Bought some Christmas presents from the Book People using their discount codes. Split my order into two so I could use two codes and saved £13 on £73, plus 3% on quidco.
Took packed lunch in the car up here so the stop at the services only cost 2 coffees. Could've packed the flask but we are allowed some holiday spends.
DH has just found out he has a second training course in November. Obviously I'm sad that he will be away for another week but on the plus side he's doing the Body Coach diet and it costs a small fortune with all the meat!

try_harder

Hi katzen ,could you tell me the codes please for the book people ,i sat for hours last night choosing but havent paid yet luckily .Thank you in advance .

Katzen

They were on the front page of their BP website. It was POW40 but I think it was only valid for 24 hours

try_harder

Thank you .

themadvix

Hey Katzen,
Congratulations on the toddler and impending arrival - when are you due?

It sounds like you're getting everything back under control (if you have actually been off the wagon!). Plenty of positive action going on in your house! Good luck with the boot sale- I'm considering doing one too soon, but I know they're hard work from past experience! Still, it's a good way to declutter and make some pennies.

We're slowly doing up our house - nothing so dramatic as an extension, but slightly more involved than just cosmetic stuff. It does take a long time and a lot of money, even for small bits, doesn't it?!

Katzen

Hi thermadix thanks for dropping by. DH just got paid so I've transferred the leftovers from our joint account to the savings so they don't just disappear! I've got to pay for the plusnet contract which I put on my credit card so that little slush fund should just about cover that.

Katzen

Targets for November:
1. Get a grip of our outgoings including annual expenses like cars and animals
2. Make a plan for home improvements
3. Sell some stuff!!
4. Complete Christmas shopping plan

Katzen

Took my car in for the dealerships free brake check. Turned out not to be so free. They reckon it needs new discs (only pads are free), a replacement suspension spring (although really they should be replaced in pairs) and new rear trailing arm bushings- whatever they are!! Total close to £1500!!!

In a bit of a panic about the brakes and suspension, I left it with them and they gave me a courtesy car to come home. Called my local mechanic and he estimated £150 for the bushing things. Bit less than the £650 the dealership were after! I feel like I've been had really and should've taken it to my local guy straight away But, new brakes can't be bad and I'mnot sure I would've liked to drive it around until he could get me in. Plus they said they couldn't really let me drive it with the broken spring. I guess this is what emergency funds are for after all. Will be about £500 lighter today but I've learnt a lesson about 'free' brake checks!

shangaijimmy

Just popping in to say ive subscribed and will be catching up today (day off in work planned - shhh!). we too have a full house of kids, and the best way to describe is im permanently tired!

Katzen

Hello shanghai jimmy. I imagine this diary provided some great bedtime reading for you, it would certainly put me to sleep.

Update on the car. Total cost £457.00, so a it less than originally quoted. Still sure my local guy would've done it cheaper and also that at least one set of brake discs had some life left, but I do feel a bit more confident going in to winter with new brakes. Need to pick up some antifreeze and wiper solution next time I see them cheap somewhere.

DH sets off today for a week in Singapore with work, I've called in grandparents for reinforcements at the end of the week!

Plans for today: check I've got enough food to feed us and guests this week.
Pop over to boot sale and book a table for next month. Hoping I can get one indoors and that the last one before Christmas will be successful.
Do my mind map that the therapist set me this week.