Second Time Lucky

debtfreeoneday

Glad you get some you time.. sorry to hear it's still a few weeks before School.. does your library run any events? (not your one of course) or maybe google home education in your area, there is usually some free events you could join in with?? Just thinking of things to fill the days..

amycool

Hi everyone!

We've had another up and down week with a few lovely days and a few truly terrible ones (lots of stress over an event, which went amazingly well in the end) but yesterday and today are good so far!

OH has taken DD to the grandparents so I have wrapped the last of her gifts and sorted out the advent. We have a fabric one with pockets so alternate days are chocolate and then I have 11 books, a goodie bag and a bookmark for the other days. I'll hide them and I've written clues. I don't think she's had one before as she had no idea what they were in the shop.

I'm just uploading a load of photos so I can order some for relatives as Christmas presents and so we can start an album for DD. I'm rubbish at taking photos so we don't have as many as I would like! DD also has a habit of pulling a face on every picture!

I've done the banking and it's weird not to be overpaying this month. Very unsatisfying! I don't want to get a penalty though and it is nice to see the savings building up. For some reason OH has been paid more again this month. It's £118 more than 2 months ago. I'm guessing it's because he's gone up a band but no idea why we've had two increases. An extra £118 a month would be amazing, so let's all cross our fingers...:rotfl: It would certainly make my pay drop less painful. With the child benefit, we actually had more coming in this month than ever before (I got 90% pay)!

I keep wondering if we should use some of the savings for a new car. The one we have is okay but it's a 3 door and not ideal. We also need new windows at the front of the house as a few have misted and they're so old we get terrible condensation. I'm not sure I can bring myself to part with the money yet though. Maybe I should treat myself to a window vac instead.

I guess I should just be happy that we have money saved. When it comes to the end of the mortgage fix, that's when I'll have to decide whether to overpay a chunk or invest in the house/car.

Saved 50p this week as the little shop we usually get flapjack from (25p!!! Such a bargain!) was closed. I'm oh so close to getting £50 from yougov. Nana bought us cakes and sausage rolls this week (must remember to buy her something back soon).

So everything on track really!

Just got 47 prints for 47p -hooray!

Muser1

I've just bought some dehumidifier boxes from pound land they work brilliantly and they are scented. Much cheaper than new windows. I have a 3 door and a 5 door. I prefer my 3 door as I know once they are in they are safe and secure. Hth.

debtfreeoneday

5 door easier, but I echo the feeling safer in a 3 door thing!

Dehumidifers are great as well, or look at a PIV - more expensive, but totally changed out house in terms of damp and condensations!

Glad to hear the week was good, if a little bumpy x

amycool

I hadn't thought about that with a 3-door. She's certainly the kind of child who would open the door!

So, the week began with bad money news! It turns out I have been overpaid for the past few months so my December pay will be miniscule. They did offer to spread out the overpayment but it makes no real difference to us.

I popped into work yesterday and it sounds like all the things that were stressing me out are still going on and if anything are now worse, so that reduces my yearning to work!

A spendy week as OH has been wearing the same coat since he was 17 so I ordered him one for Christmas (£70) and got myself a hoodie for £7.

The Christmas tree was £19.99, although we did get a pack of baubles worth £3.99 for free and we got free hot chocolate, and they gave DD some bubbles. It does smell lovely and looks wonderful. It's only a little 4ft one but we sit it on a table.

Our energy direct debit has gone down to £5 now as we're so much in credit.

The end of month tally was pretty good and the little savings line on my graph took a little leap up, whilst the mortgage line barely moved at all.

I need to buy some picture frames still for Christmas gifts and obviously we'll be getting more expensive food than usual, but we won't be going mad. We need to keep things fairly normal for DD.

I also spent £17 on PE kit and book bag for DD as she's starting school tomorrow! We're going part-time at first but she still needs all the stuff. My Mum bought her some wellies and refused the money again. I'll have to find a way to sneak the money to her as they weren't cheap ones.

Feeling very anxious about school! I'm sure I'll be sat by the phone the whole time waiting for them to call.

amycool

Just redeemed £50 on yougov!

debtfreeoneday

Whoop to £50 on YG.. don't worry about your Mum, they like to do these things don't they and my MIL gets really offended if I try to pay her back in any way.

Hope School goes Ok, sure it will.. how part time will she be?

Muser1

Eek school! Hope it goes well xx

turtlemoose

I'm pretty sure all cars (apart from really really old ones) come with child locks you can activate/deactivate on rear doors

amycool

Aaaarrrggghhh!!

Just wrote a massive message and then clicked on another tab to see if my cashback is through yet (it isn't) and the whole thing closed!!! Damn.

In essence,

DD has started full time school this week. Quite guilt-inducing but good for both of us.

Despite this, I still seem to have a neverending list of jobs to do (I think I've wrapped everything now at least)

I am 90% sure I'm going to take some money from the savings to overpay a lump sum in January.

We all have colds.

I bought some more gifts but still haven't spent that much this month - yet.

The only Christmas food we have bought so far is 3 truckles of cheese.