Apple muncher's number crunching

philhbug

I *try* to do as little as possible when I'm not working. Unfortunately someone (i suspect my OH, though she denies it) keeps adding things onto a list of house things that need doing.

Ah well, I'll move in 18 months and then I'll get a brand new list :wall:

apple_muncher

philhbug - you need to hide your list! :rotfl:


Another decent day. Dd did school, tho' still isn't eating much of her lunch as she's just not hungry.

And another NSD, with £2 credit from another Sally Army bag. However, I 'spent' £4 in there - a RM book for dd, red tracky trousers for her too, and a rather bright yellow shirt for bunny bodies. Or limbs. So, now to move £2 to the % fund.

And then to find something for tea. And make packed munches for dd and I for tomorrow's school trip to the Monument and museum. Must remember not to drink too much at breakfast!!

apple_muncher

Another good night's sleep for dd - she may well go in her own bed tonight - yay!

Currently, the rain is pouring down - not a good start for a school trip! At least dd's school coat is both waterproof and warm, as I reckon both aspects will be needed today.

Dh has the schedule for his December/January gallivanting. According to it, he'll have a total of 34 days away between Dec 6th and Jan 25th. And then yesterday, an email was sent 'requesting' 2 volunteers to go asap for 5 days!

He's quite stressed/uptight about it all, especially as all the PA stuff seems to be going pear-shaped too, at the moment. It is a busy/hectic time of the year for PA, what with Christmas coming. But we all know when Christmas is, don't we? It's not a surprise every year! He's out 2 nights each week for November, doing PA stuff, and then is also doing several Sundays on top of that. I said to him last night that at the start of November, I'd felt uptight about all the appointments and things I had on for the month. They pale into insignificance compared with what he has had! Nowt like a bit of perspective, eh?!:D

He doesn't like working away, but me and dd will be fine. We'll poddle along together quite happily. Part of me would like to achieve some worthwhile tasks while he is away, but I suspect the realities of life will not allow that!

Our monthly mortgage interest statement arrived yesterday and dh was pleased with the drop. A year ago he was unemployed and I was working just 2 days per week. Now, we are extremely blessed - he has full-time work and I have 3 days. We are both being more frugal and paying down the mortgage as a first goal.

Rain has abated. Time to get moving...

apple_muncher

A day out with dd and her class, visiting the Fire Museum and climbing the Monument. We saw Despicable 2 on the coach . And I'm worn out! We got soaked on the way to school and came home in bright sunshine.

Tonight I have to go to our Prizegiving, complete with my new gown. I would sooo prefer to go to bed at 6pm! Ah well, I'll have to imagine it is a cape. And I am Wonderwoman... :rotfl:.

Another NSD for today.

Tomorrow dd has her dance exams. I feel very blase about them - or is it miffed? - especially since dd informed me that at the extra session 2 weeks ago, they were taught a new dance for the exam!! Now, I do not have a child who makes things up - she is one who I can trust to tell the truth. So I guess it must be true. Anyhow, we'll turn up fairly early and see what happens...I won't start on being told 10 days before the exam that tap shoes need metal bits on both heels and toes. Dd only has them on her toes...

And just 2 more weeks until the School Christmas Fair, and next weekend I'm down in Fowey, so can't do anything towards it then. Am glad I decided in Sept/Oct that I had enough stuff!

apple_muncher

Dd has finished her ballet and tap exams :j! Hooray!

Another TT done, after cheques I wrote weeks ago were finally cashed. This does upset the budget somewhat! I guess that if I used ynab or spreadsheets, then I'd not get bitten by it. It simply reinforces why I prefer to use cash...

Ooooh, 2 more rugby matches are on today - bliss! May do some bunny cutting out while it's on...

apple_muncher

Hmm, another night where I lay down with dd and woke up the next morning - guess I need the sleep!

Dh is now sounding rough, so I think he has finally succumbed to the bugs. But at least dd is so much better. We're off to Kids Klub this morning - I was asked to help because I missed last week due to dd being poorly. They only had 8 kiddies so 2 adults were fine. Would rather not do an 'extra' but found myself agreeing to it before thinking properly!

I did get some bunnies cut out but only 2 as both dd and dh kept 'needing' me to do things for them. And I saw just 1 of the matches as Barbie was required!

This week's NST challenge is to plan how to pay extra off a debt. Our debt is only the mortgage, and i've a few ideas knocking around. One is to cash in my only shares - worth about £5k? 3 to mortgage and 2 to savings? Also talked to dh about cashing in one of his life insurance thingies (yes, he has more than one!) and splitting it between the mortgage and a pot for him to play with for investing... Either of these would be a good boost.

Have also been mulling over how much mortgage to aim to pay off next year. If the joint account continues to pay the same, that's great. I have to recognise that my days may decrease to 2 in Sept, thus reducing the amount I can add in. I currently add in all the 'extra' plus whatever I can save. Therefore, I'm considering about £13,000 total.

Best shake a tail feather and get dressed and feed us breakfast...

apple_muncher

Dh skipped church, dd and I did Kids Klub - a total of 68 children! The most ever. And we came home to a better dh, certainly a more relaxed one. Dd on the other hand was in quite a state - everything had been - and still was - too much. So a quiet afternoon has been had. (and I managed to see the England rugby highlights)

And I am officially a domestic godess . I made dd some chocolate chocolate chip biscuits and while they were cooking made myself a carrot and red cabbage soup (onion, garlic and chorizo too), AND washed up! Then made dd some cheese scones to see if she likes them - they can go in her lunch box, as they have her thumbs up. Yippee!

2 bunnies have all their machine-sewing bits done. Need to get another pillow down for stuffing them.

Still not done my marking for tomorrow. Oops! It's is a MUST as I promised the kiddies I would. Maybe I can do it whilst watching Power Rangers with dd...!

apple_muncher

Another NSD under my belt .

When dh came home, I asked if there was any news about the 5 day trip. No, he said, but there was other news. The company are preparing for redundancies in Jan (ish). As he only started at the end of December last year, we aren't too hopeful! But let 's not jump the gun...

Except my mind is racing ahead! Have mentioned to dh that we need to do a list of what monies /shares /investments we have. Then we can choose to use or leave them. That would make me feel more at ease. And possibly pay a chunk off the mortgage... Our interest is under £60 pcm, but as a repayment offset thingy, it needs terminating in just under 9 years. So, about £600 pcm, not counting interest... I think!

If dh is made redundant, I shall have to revise the total mortgage payments goal for next year! But this is almost where I started 13 months ago!

I have learned a huge amount since then, and am aware that there is still a vast amount I can still learn. And practise!

apple_muncher

Another NSD in the bag. So I can thoroughly enjoy tomorrow's food shop! I'm pretty sure the food budget will be blown - once again grrr.

We have 4x £5 off a £40 spend in aldee for the next 4 weeks. Somehow I don't think I'll be using them all. And tomorrow I shall be going round with a calculator.

I was going to do a 'hot choc' selection for dd's school's staff room. Then today it occurred to me that I could do a 'food' one instead: mint fudge, peppermint cream trees, shortbread, flapjack...all of which I already have the ingredients for, instead of spending pennies...


Have just realised that it's 2 more sleeps till I go down to Cornwall for uncle's service. Must do a list!


Tomorrow's list includes:
- see dd's teacher before school
- cheerleading
- aldee
- nurse appt at 9.50
- make blood appt
- check dd's presc went down to the chemist
- buy more child ibuprofen
- make vanilla cake for dd
- make vanilla biscuits for dd
- make mint fudge?
- finish 4 more bunnies
- bring home dd plus friend
- sweep
- hoover
- tidy
- note some big bill amounts and dates
- analyse last few months spending, esp food

Goldiegirl

Slightly unsettling with the talk of redundancies, but no harm in looking at the finances just in case, but hoping for the best