The Road to Financial Security

Pushkin

Emptied my big change jar last night and counted it up. Was disappointed it came to £65 (sure it's been more before) and even more disappointed when they counted it in the bank and it came to £55!

i was naughty and kept the cash, used it towards some birthday presents for DH while I was in town. Although its proving hard to know what to get him and i'm loathe to buy for the sake of it. Ended up with the old favourites - a shirt and some chocolate - dull I know!

DS has a hacking cough which he can't seem to get rid of so I gave him a pass on the shopping trip. He isn't too ill to play xbox so I know not to worry too much!

Tomorrow is batch cooking and house work - be still my beating heart....

Pushkin

The eagerly anticipated and somewhat overdue annual mortgage statement arrived today :j

Total balance at end of December 2015 is/was £98,578 which was just over £100 less than my spreadsheet was showing. Pleased my calculations are closer than I thought.

Made 2 lasagnes and an apple crumble, not been out apart from the dog walks so no money spent.

Pushkin

Today we went to the Crime Museum Uncovered exhibition at the Museum of London. It's evidence that has been kept over the last 120 yrs or so to use for police training and is open to the public for the first time ever. At the risk of sounding disturbed I have a fascination for true crime so found it all really absorbing, and was done in a very British way so wasn't at all salacious.

Went for lunch afterwards, high cost but typical London prices and very little choice as where we were had very little open. Very weird as not used to seeing anywhere in London so quiet.

Got home and did the ironing while catching up on the political shows - I think we might all get sick of the referendum debate over the next few months - and I say that as someone who enjoys politics!

Back to work tomorrow and DH has booked his car in to have the brakes looked at - it had a service just before Christmas so somewhat surprised (and not in a good way) that we are looking at forking out more for it already.

Pay day Thursday...

Pushkin

:j Payday :j

Shoved £200 in to slush fund and £200 (Council tax & water rates that we don't pay this month) into long term savings.

Credit card bill for April already too high due to lack of money in the last couple of weeks - still haven't bought anything for DS's birthday (mid March) either so more financial juggling ahead.

Pushkin

Should have said for once there was no charge at the garage for the assessment on DH's brakes - he has been getting increasingly frustrated with their high prices over the last couple of years and I think they might sense that.

Also of course they were only doing an assessment and really only spent 15 or so minutes on it. Still always nice to not have a payment which was expected. :beer:

Trip to Heathrow tomorrow to pick up my parents - that will be expensive on the parking but I do enjoy going so am not complaining touch sad that I am talking about a trip to the airport as a social occasion - however I just love the energy of them, plus they have been away for a month so looking forward to seeing them!

Pushkin

Surprise good news today in that DH has had a £2,000 a year pay rise :j:D.

I've already told him I think he should pay all the extra into his (woeful) pension.

racing_blue

Pushkin wrote: »

Trip to Heathrow tomorrow to pick up my parents - that will be expensive on the parking but I do enjoy going so am not complaining touch sad that I am talking about a trip to the airport as a social occasion - however I just love the energy of them, plus they have been away for a month so looking forward to seeing them!

Perhaps we could swap lives- you could go to the airport while I stay home by the fire with the dog. Can't stand the places!

Pushkin

:rotfl:

Hi Racing Blue - do you know that my parents flight was on time and they were processed so quickly they were waiting outside the terminal when I got there - never even got out of the car! No airport coffee for me today.....

Pushkin

Up early today for haircut at 8.30, then off to the shops to return some trousers I bought for DH that didn't fit. Ended up swapping them for some trousers for DS although am dubious they will fit so I may be back again next week to return them! :rotfl:

Also bought my mum a top for Mothers Day next week - 20% discount on all items in L@ur@ @shley, beautiful colour but made sure to get a gift receipt. So hard to know what to choose.

Tonight we'll have high tea as part of DH's birthday weekend so I splurged on a few bits from M&S to make it special.

Tired now will have a granny nap after lunch after which I will then make DH's birthday cake.

It's all about the food at the moment!

Pushkin

Lovely birthday for DH, took dog for a long walk then nipped to see my parents who are just home from there month long trip down under.

We had lunch out so no cooking at all!

Despite a late lunch I am sitting here thinking about the cake I made for DH and wanting to try it - looks pretty good for me (I'm a terrible baker) but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Really need to take my eating in hand....