Second Time Lucky

amycool

The doctor said to stop the drugs as people have been known to tear tendons on these drugs. I'm still slightly achy, but much better.

So, I have just overpaid another £850 and I'm edging ever closer to the £50,000 point. I reckon I'll be there by September, which is when we need to remortgage.

I've just been looking at deals and it will be cheaper to stick with Halifax at 2.44% (I'm on 2.64% now) than to switch to a 1.2% deal and pay £2000 of fees. You can also do it 3 months early so I'll try to do it as close as possible to save a few extra pennies. It also has the benefit of being less faff.

According to my calculations, in theory we should still be able to overpay £300 when I lose my salary completely (next month).

So, assuming we start with £50,000 and pay 2.44% for 2 years, by Sep 2018 we should be down to £33,000. That would be nice.

Our savings should be able to absorb a few big costs like the new car and a few appliances need replacing.

So that's my interim goal - to be down to £33,000 by Sep 2018.


In other news...

+ We did a lovely NT Easter Egg hunt for £2. We took a picnic so it just cost the petrol + £2.

+ Spent about £10 on easter eggs as gifts but received loads in return.

+ My Mum found a Frozen art set for £1.60, which kept DD busy for hours. We have craft stuff EVERYWHERE at the moment.

+ Mum bought DD 2 new school dresses

- Had to buy DD a new coat - £14

- DD has a school trip, which is going to cost £10.

- The microwave is very rusty and could be with being replaced.

- We're in desperate need of an extra freezer as ours only fits a few loaves and some chips and it's full.

debtfreeoneday

You're sounding more positive, hope things are evening out a bit for you all. How is DD getting on at School now?

Muser1

We did the nt Easter hunt. Ours was £3 I feel cheated

Your ops are amazing.

Could you manage without a microwave? I've been debating it.

Firegirl

Amazing planning and 33k by 2018 is very exciting! Some people would have more than that on credit cards!

amycool

Thanks guys. After a week of Easter holidays I'm not feeling particularly positive anymore. The change in routine has massively increased DD's anxiety, which means a solid week of moaning, whinging, whining, breaking things, lashing out, and today we even had faeces smeared over the bathroom and some of her clothes. Sigh.

I'd made her some little fun challenges we could do together and planned loads of fun trips, but aside from a few nice hours we've had to abandon most of it and I've eaten a lot of sneaky chocolate and had a few sneaky cries. It's made harder when I hear the other parents saying how much they love the holidays. And of course the in-laws are on holiday, as are the neighbours - my only saviours. OH is particularly stressed with work so can't take any time off.

At least they're out now so I get a few hours to pull myself together for another week of fun. Did I mention she's not sleeping well either?

Anyway, money. I tried to apply for the marriage allowance but I don't have a P60 and as it's all electronic now at work and my login no longer works, I've had to go into work to find out the HR email address and send them a message. Fingers crossed they sort it soon.

I've spent more than usual this week on eating out with DD and emergency chocolate, although my Mum kindly gave me a load.

It's a shame because I was in the right mindset to eat healthily and was doing remarkably well.

I have started doing some very slow running with DD to try to get fit. I've been out on the bike too but my legs weren't happy!

I made some beer traps to kill the slugs but they only catch the tiny ones. The lettuce is all gone. The broad beans look like they've been attacked by caterpillars. So my plans for a veg garden aren't going great! I have some back up plants though and I have finally done my mulching.

Wish me luck for this week (and probably the week after as she'll be adjusting back to school).

Muser1

I find holidays challenging. Mine take a while to adjust and it's all quite stressful. My daughter suffers with anxiety and has real rages of temper. She trashes things, hits out screams and I mean screams and is generally awful. It's horrible and it terrifies her brother. I end up in tears and I know all she will need when she calms down is a hug. It's draining. Anyhoo just wanted to know you aren't alone.

Xx

amycool

Thank you so much Muser1. Just what I needed. I guess if everyone dreaded holidays I wouldn't feel so bad! It's heartbreaking that she just can't enjoy the moment - ever. Even if we're doing something really fun and she seems really happy she's asking what we're doing next. It's horrible that our children have to cope with such intense negative feelings.

I guess you have to just keep doing your best and hope it helps.

Muser1

My heart breaks for my daughter she's lacks confidence in herself so badly. I'm glad it helped I don't tell many people, I quite often feel like a failure. Xx

debtfreeoneday

I think most parents if they were honest would say they don't enjoy every minute of the holidays, I love the idea of them, in reality - we have good days and not so good days. The kids need a break, but I feel like I need a break after the hols!

My two have had so many moments this holiday, they reduced me to tears one day this week so don't think you are alone, we just all have different not so good days..

I hope the next week is better for you all, but if not - stock up on chocolate, breathe and remember tomorrow is another day - you are doing awesome!

in_need_of_direction

I'll confess. I used to volunteer to provide cover for one day between Christmas and ny when my children were primary school age. I found the holiday excitement generally combined with added sugar too much to deal with. All those parents so on top of things are probably also the ones in debt that they don't admit to.