The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

Busy_Mee

Hi Judi sorry to hear about your boiler issues but really impressed on how you have turned it all into a positive ...x

Cwtchie

Wow! That's a huge sort out.
I can't believe how strong you are now, you've done amazing x

newpennypincher

Wow, you've been on a roll today - all that moneysaving is brilliant :T

You've saved loads and can still look forward to having a great time with your family - win win!

By now I hope you have a nice warm house.

takingcontrolatlast

well needs must with the hotel switch and you deserve a pat on the back for sorting that out - where do you get the time and energy? I think ive already answered that ... needs must ! I bet you are looking forward to the wedding with the family. Do you have anything new to wear?

I absolutely hate being cold and it must have been a nightmare so again well done for sorting it out and staying positive - you are an inspiration

betsycat

WOW Judi, you star! You'll have just as nice a time at the wedding – in fact probably even nicer as you won't be worrying about the cost of everything... and a bed's still a bed

Enjoy your lovely hot bath!

judi24

Nothing else for it Busy me - It could be and have been a lot worse. In my quest for a solution to my boiler issue I rang a company who offered me a brand new boiler for 'Just' £37 a month! Once upon a time I would have gone for that as ;what's £37 a month'? would hardly even notice it coming out my account would I?


Now - the first thing I asked was 'how long will it take me to pay it off, what's the interest rate and what's the overall cost?' - the answers were 10 years!!!:eek: 10.9% APR:eek: and £4400:eek: - and guess what I said to that kind offer? Err 'no thanks mate - I will have an super duper eco boiler with flue heat recovery costing just £1250 with the governments very kind Greendeal grant saving me around £120 a year in fuel so essentially costing me £50 over 10 years! Thanks very much!!!!'


yes - it requires a bit of belt tightening (but the hotel thing is actually going to work out better and more relaxing) to stay on track to be debt free this year but in actual fact I am actually really happy that I have knowledge and skills to sort this out and make a really good financial decision in a calm and considered way - rather than panicking and taking the easy (but most expensive!) way! Thanks to this site and the knowledge I have built from Mr Lewis:money:and all the supportive people on these forums!!!

judi24

Yes I feel much more relaxed about the wedding now it is at a more reasonable cost - I guess booking the expensive hotel was once again me trying to show that I am successful and financially ok - but I don't need to do that anymore!!!


I haven't bought anything new but I have a dress that I have only worn once that I really like so don't feel the need to buy anything new. DD3 got a dress in the sales that we had seen before Christmas that I wouldn't buy as I thought it would drop in price. I took 2 items I bough in the sales that were a 'bargain' but not really needed back tonight and exchanged them for a lovely outfit for my DS (very smart dark jeans and shirt, waistcoat and tie set that were reduced - all I had to add was £2!!!


We will take a picnic on the train and going to be sneaky and buy a bottle of wine to have in my room for the wedding night to top my glass up as the prices in the hotel are seriously :eek::eek:


My next dilemma is whether to ask my mum to pay her share. I was going to pay it all as she is good to me and helps with the kids - but now with the boiler things are rather more tight that I had imagined even with the reduced cost of the trip - my Aunt had offered to pay for her room anyway so my Mum wouldn't be paying. I feel bad asking her to contribute as I am working and she is a pensioner - but it would really help towards the spends if she gave me her accommodation money.


Today I was so cold I sat in the lounge wrapped in blanket sorting out money things I had been putting off I couldn't even face doing housework as I think I was frozen to the seat! - it would be interesting to work out how much I have saved today! I might just have a go at that!!!

Kantankrus_Mare

Faced with a set back you have made great use of all your MSE skills and come out on top.

Brilliant! :beer:

Im impressed!

kdalwayskint

:eek: at boiler issue :j that you have got it sorted out

Hope you are feeling warmer now. It's great that you have been money savvy the last year and have been able to put a plan into place for both the boiler and the wedding weekend. I would have struggled so glad we've got a council house, they would send someone to fix the boiler.

Much love to you all x

judi24

Thanks guys - actually quite pleased with yesterdays effort although it was frustrating to put neatly £1800 on my Tesco CC. Going to wait until payday and decide how much I can pay off but I am already planning on paying £1100 to my CC's plus the loan payment so might have to wait until I get the grant back - at least that will be £1100 off it!


Anyway the issue with asking my mum to contribute to the wedding trip is not an issue anymore - she offered and instead my usual response 'no its fine - my treat!' I said 'thanks very much that will really help as I didn't expect to pay out for the boiler!!!' she was fine about it - although I still feel a little guilty not paying it all for her


Another real result today was that I have had a NSD!!! Its result because I was meant to be going out for a curry with friends but it has been cancelled - so then I thought we would have take away - my thinking was : its Friday, its been a hard week, I had my 3 month probationary meeting at work and got really good feedback so need a celebration, I'm tired and its cheaper than going out


But instead I am making home made chicken and veg fried rice with chip shop style curry sauce and oven chips. All things I had in! Washed down by a beer left over from Christmas and I might even open the last bottle of left over Cava and have a glass in my nice hot bath!!!!


Happy Friday everyone:T:T:T