Hope is not an Effective Financial Strategy

shangaijimmy

Oh, we booked DS1's birthday party. A sign of the times (and it really hurts me) but we've plumped for an X box party van! He's outgrown soft play, we did a trampoline thing last year, he's been to a shedful of mad science parties (so many that he groans about going to another) and the nerf party that his friend had last year was a bit naff (had a much better time with just him and 2-3 friends went for a play session). So we're hoping he'll be the first of his circle to have this. It's about £25 more than i hoped, but it's 90mins, doesn't involve food so we can just do drinks and a cake at the end, and no-one is in our house!!

lippy1923

Xbox party van? Not heard of this, but please tell me more.
This sounds like something my little man would like in a few years, as well as my DH lol

shangaijimmy

Basically its a big van that pulls up outside your house with 10 x box's in and they play against each other.

lippy1923

Think I would lose my DH to that van! He's a gaming freak. He might enjoy the party more than the kids lol

jodles16

Haha I love the idea of the Xbox van! Amazing!!! As always impressed at how well you are doing, juggling everything around with a plan!

Jodles

shangaijimmy

Thanks jodles. I have to confess that the last few months the juggling seems to have been harder than ever though. At the minute life just seems a hundred miles and hour and my little legs are just about keeping pace.

The house is all but finished (i seem to keep saying that). They're measuring for carpets and flooring in the hall and stairs tonight for fitting next week. So this weekend i'll take out the old carpet and move a bit of furniture around ready. I've also decided to re-paint the downstairs toilet whilst we having new flooring in, and it is only 3-4 hours worth of work so ill fit that in this weekend as well.

The alarm gets fitted on Thursday morning as well.

Countdown to Christmas starts for me this week as well. Only 4 1/2 weeks left of work....! Got a few big things to complete for work which im hoping to box off before the end of November so i can have an extra 2 weeks off 'in work'!

Moneywise we're in reasonable shape following maternity and SMP. We have money aside for Christmas so im determined to continue OPing in December and start 2017 without Christmas debt. Just 3 more weeks to go and i can lock i that 1.64% rate for remortgage as well, or do we think the Trumpsters victory may knock those rates down a few more points?

shangaijimmy

2 days to payday which is desperately needed as we're £189 overdrawn...........!!!!

Otherwise all quiet. Busy day ahead with my regular 11hr Wednesday work day, but off tomorrow so can't complain.

debtfreeoneday

Better not tell my DH, he will want an xbox party for his birthday! Hard isn't it trying to do something they enjoy but not what everyone else has done!

shangaijimmy

Been a bit absent for a few days. Had carpets company into measure up for hall stairs and landing, which naturally triggered more decorating at the weekend! Dare I say we're nearly there??? So need to take up 2 landing and 2 sets of stair carpets on Sunday ready for fitting next week. Then I'm definitely doing no more jobs in 2017...!

Bank accounts looking healthy (finally back on even keel following maternity leave) so optimistic about November OP totals. Reading debtfree post this morning has got me thinking that I really need yo set some 2017 targets. Thinking cap on!

debtfreeoneday

One of your targets will be no more jobs - I bet you end up doing jobs! hehe.

Nice to see you back!