30 small steps

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What a busy time we've had. Little man had his birthday so lots of fun had by everyone. Not MSE as our place too small to fit everyone into so had to hire somewhere. Envious of those with summer babies who can organise picnic parties in the park. I have written lots of thank you notes but have a couple to do today for presents which arrived this week. A few of my relatives overseas sent cheques so little man has a healthy bank account.


I am trying to put aside some extra funds to make an additional op to see if I can hit £4,000. Last week menu plans went out the window as my school got the O call so needed to check everything was in place. Housework got left too so been catching up this weekend. Feeling more in control this week as most of the housework done. Only downside was MIL decided to visit so couldn't pick up gift from Argos. Tried to go today but couldn't get parked and spent 30 minutes driving around car park before having to pay £1 to leave. Grrrr!

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Alas we are all ill apart from wee man thankfully. To get a good nights sleep I am sleeping in the spare room but as it doesn't have double glazing it is pretty noisy with the wind blowing a gale outside. Hope I have garden plants and furniture left in the morning!


I have been thinking about Christmas and think I may limit Santa Claus presents to the four I have already and a stocking of little ones. We had so many presents for his birthday I feel we shouldn't go mad at Christmas especially as a lot of my relatives will buy him gifts. He is pretty good as we have spoken about some of his toys being for babies and as he has had a lot of new big boys toys we will give some of the baby toys to babies who don't have any toys.


Christmas can be very expensive but luckily I have managed to save up various reward points so hopefully we can have an almost neutral Christmas. I have quite if few of the children's present bought but still have to get the teenagers. Thinking about novelty USBs as last year it was nail varnish. Need to give this a bit of thought.

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Terrible week for illness. Having been good with the heating so far this year had in on a lot this week. Fixed deal coming to an end soon so going to try and switch to BG deal. Need to speed up here as only a few more days left. At least food bills pretty low as haven't felt like eating.


Wondering how new requirements will affect me once the second mortgage fixed period ends this month. Hoping new book valuation will drop me below 60% LTV


Small update - Have used the MSE Cheap Energy to do my switch so hopefully will save some money and get cash back. Been frantically trying to catch up with work. Up at 4.30 am so tired now. Want to have a family day so that's the price I have to pay. Need to do my mean plan for the week. At least I have managed to do some Christmas shopping online so a few less things to worry about.

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Feeling a bit better today although my voice keeps coming and going. DH is buying me a new phone for my birthday. Can't wait as the basic one I have just doesn't take good pictures. I don't have a camera so do like a decent camera on my phone. As I will be switching to SIM only this means a good cost reduction for me. Finally called BT and managed to get a good deal on the Infinity package a we use the internet a lot and my Dh is forever moaning about the slow speed. Quite interestingly you don't need a MAC code to change ISP but it is a good tactic to call to check that is the case as a way in to negotiating a deal with your current ISP.


Once thing I still have to sort is setting up a household account with BA as wee man flies with me but doesn't build up any frequent flyer points. I am a fan of reward points if I am spending anyway.


Hope everyone is avoiding the winter colds!

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Spent most of today working but at least that is most of my prep for next week done. In between working I have been catching up with the mountain of washing and other household tasks that were missed whilst we were ill. At least I finally created by household account so when wee man flies with me now we can use his points too.


Alas I feel I am falling behind in the MFW stakes. Today I bought an outfit for the school play as I just don't have time to make anything. £23! Ouch. At least it is the big side so hopefully it can be used next year and he will look cute on our Christmas cards once his photo is taken.


I need to plan out our food for the week and also get our Christmas shopping completed. Wish me luck!

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Super news - with OPs and increase in value in house LTV is now below 50% so we own more of the house than the bank! Only my fellow MFWs will understand my excitement. It just shows that even small OPs count up.

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Just made my final OP for the year and have made my target for the year so very happy. Dh and I have been talking about our finances and he is interested in making OPs too. I number crunched last night and we could repay in ten years and then save our OP amount so we would have £85,000 in 4 years to help with uni fees and making sure wee man gets good start in life. I am sure interest rates will rise but if we can get a lower rate for a few years then hopefully that will offset when interest rates rise.


I have managed not to go overboard this Christmas although still a couple days of temptation left. Checked reward points on my various cards and have over £70 so planning to treat myself and family in the sales. Today it is housework day and cooking and freezing day. Two large potions of veggie packed pasta sauce now cooling for freezing. Thinking of joining C*stc* and buying meat in bulk as a few people have mentioned in their diaries. I would like to reduce food budget if possible.


Hope everyone is enjoying the festive season.

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Been a busy time visiting family and friends. Have managed to declutter wee man's room to fit in his new toys. Fortunately he received a lot of books and craft activities so they don't take up much space.


As we have been away a lot I have not prepared a meal plan so really need to take stock of what we have and plan accordingly. Picked up reduced carrots the other day so will be making soup. As a child I wasn't keen on soup but now I love coming in form the cold to have a bowl of warming soup. Of course as the new year approaches we are thinking about our health. Healthy living is a priority for 2016. This may have some cost reduction as we plan to walk more and use the car less.


With regard to finances I must hang my head in shame as I still have not switched accounts. I also need to research the Halif*x reward account to see how to qualify for the £5 a month payment. 2016 is not only healthy us year but also how to maximise our money year. I am getting some good tips from other diaries so hope these will inspire us.


Quidco payment of £15 now transferred and resisted temptation to get a jumper in the sales as my parents got me a nice one for my Christmas so don't really need another one. Should get my refund from my old supplier as have a credit balance and also due cash back for the switch. This brings total to £170 so a nice boost to OP for the new Year.


Best wishes for the New Year to my fellow MFWs.

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Small steps


Cost reduction
1) Have switched energy provider and as have credit in old account should get this back soon and also cash back for switching.
2) Have checked when insurances are due so can plan to get the best deal.
3) Have done this week's menu plan.
4) DH and I have decided that we have the TV on too much. More family games and jigsaws. Saving money and much better so us too.
5) Mobile now SIM only so saving few pounds there.
6) Christmas card and wrapping paper bought in the sales and packed away for the next 11 months.
7) Less jumping into the car for short trips and more walking.




Making money
1) Off to take photos of baby things to see I can free up some space and make some money too.
2) Plan to increase regular saving account.


Aim is to take off £10,000 before taking on new mortgage deal. Dream would be to get below £150,000.

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Old energy provider has paid me my credit balance which is good as I need to get a new laptop. That is a bit of a blow to making a big OP this month but these things happen. OP is a luxury not a necessity so it isn't the end of the world and I will try hard to make it up next month.
On the plus side I am becoming quite good at stretching out our food budget. Today I had some chicken so made chicken and leek crepes topped with cheese sauce and almonds and will use the rest to make tikka masala with dhal, rice and flatbreads. It's amazing what you can think to make when you can't face going shopping. I am making the flatbread because I only have a little rice left. Can't believe my massive bag of rice has been used up! Dh away on business for part of the week so wee man and I will be having omelettes and vegetable pasta while he is away.