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

judi24

List 2 - things that will cost a little more or I need help to do


1. Cut front hedges and trees - I will need to get someone to do this as the conifers at the front are huge but need a serious trim - preferably before the birds start nesting in them!

2. Get new drawers for DD3 and DS rooms and a desk for DS room - reorganise their bedrooms (don't need decorating at the moment!)

3. Get conservatory gutters cleared out - there are plants growing out of them!!

4. Get boiler and heating looked at - it works - just not very well - the boiler keeps dropping its pressure and although I know how to sort it temporarily it needs looking at properly - I have tried to bleed the attic bedroom radiator and its still cold so not sure if this is connected to the lack of pressure!

5. Decide how I want the conservatory - it isn't used much and should be! It would make a lovely room for reading and listening to music in but its got an old broken PC in it and needs a makeover - would love a new couch for in there too!

6. Bathroom - need to try to sort out shower cabinet - doors and tray need new seals and bath panel needs to be replaced - managed to fix toilet seat today - but not sure how long for! - it needs a bit of a face lift! (don't we all!)

judi24

List 3 - big things I want to save for


1. Front drive and garden - needs completely re-doing - not exactly sure how I want it but this involves removing some large conifers (who's roots are lifting the slabs so need to go before they effect the house foundations!), lifting slabs and lawn and replacing with something else and rebuilding the wall the wall that goes all the way round the front and side of house (only a few bricks high - but can't imagine it will be cheap!) - no idea of overall cost - I guess it depends on how I want it doing - but I know it won't be cheap!


2. Change the family room into a cinema room with big screen and projector so kids can watch netflicks or downloaded films maybe - my theory with teenage kids (especially difficult teenage kids like my DS is going to be) is to keep them close to home - even if that means I have a house fully of smelly boys! I want a space where the kids can bring their friends that they want to use so they are less likely to want to wander around the streets getting up to no good!!! I am happy to supply the popcorn - not the beer though!!!


3. En suite - I have a room attached to mine that is meant to be an en suite but it has no suite in it! my ex was supposed to fit it out but we split up - so it is still an empty room - it has plumbing and eclectics but nothing else - if I was to ever sell the house it would be better if this was done - but it is also a bit of a luxury that only I would get pleasure from so while kids are around it is not top priority


4. Wood burner and redecorate lounge/dining room - this is definitely a want but not a need - my lounge is fine - I have a living flame gas fire and it doesn't look too bad but I would love a log burner - to have this installed I would need new everything really - flooring, dccor and furniture

judi24

Wow it feels great to have sorted all that out by writing it down!!! It was all going round in my head! There is lots to do that wont cost much but will make a difference! and the bigger things can be saved for!


Thanks for the tip enthusiasticsaver - will look into that

kelpie35

This is just a thought, but if you have a facebook account there are many selling pages that might be in your area.

I have used these pages to buy and sell and it has allowed me to change my decor in lounge and bedrooms for nothing. I have sold duvet covers, curtains and ornaments or swapped for a different colour.

It allows you to also furnish rooms very cheaply.

I wish you all the best on your positive journey.

takingcontrolatlast

If I clean the work's microwave i might make new friends Thanks for pointing in the direction of the OS board - I'll look at that tomorrow Lunch just prepared for tomorrow's NSD - left over beef for stir-fry in the fridge and I have frozen left over veg for the first time for bubble and squeal for 1 - feel all domestic

I too have large house and can empathise with the maintenace - had survey on it and jobs that require doing are pretty costly: leaky flat roof, new boiler, electrics and tree too close to house

takingcontrolatlast

takingcontrolatlast wrote: »

I have frozen left over veg for the first time for bubble and squeal for 1

I meant bubble and squeak - but you never know there may be a squeal:rotfl:

judi24

Thanks Kelpie - I will have a look for FB selling pages - again its all about being motivated and getting things photographed etc - but I do feel quite motivated at the moment.


Loving the bubble and squeal - add some pork or some sausage - and it could be squeal as in pig! (sorry to offend any vegetarians around!) but well done of getting organised and domesticated takingcontrol!


Your jobs sound big too - I love my house but it does stress me out - I say I would like to live in an old farm house but I can only begin to imagine the maintenance!

judi24

In amongst all my list making yesterday - If forgot to mention that I had a NSD - making it 6 so far this month:j:j:j


Aiming for as many NSD to spend days so 16 in the month - so on track! Just!!! No plans to spend today - but who knows!

asparagus1968

Hi. just some thoughts I had when looking at lists,
you could get advertising on feegle/ gumtree for some roof bars,or have a look on e*ay?
also ask for decorating leftovers on freegle too,couple of tins of paint /few rolls of paper can be of great use (and free!) you might even see a freeview box being offered for kids TV room.


Has your local area got a streetlife website? have a search, people in our area offer skills/ tools to borrow/ advice on loads of different topics/ recommend local trades people. It's absolutely fab. Think more and more areas are getting it set up.


will pop off now to read the other lists!

girlsmum

LOL Judi your toolbox is a full as mine, although i have 2 hammers and some manual screwdrivers too..

I am on Streetlife, I found a man to clear the plant life from my gutters he charged me £10 well he asked for £5 but i felt bad only giving him £5 ...get me i am rolling in cash (not).

I also found a washing machine repair man on Streetlife, he came and fixed a leak in my machine said it would probably work forever, but to fix permanently i would need a new part. He was supposed to order the part and charge me for the work when he completed...I am still waiting, that was October. Machine is not leaking i am not chasing him yet.

well done on the NSD's mind you with the contents of your freezer you should be OK for a while longer.

I have some manky lemons in my fridge i am going to give that microwave cleaning a go, not that it is too bad, but quite like the idea of lemon fresh smell