Hope is not an Effective Financial Strategy

Karmacat

Happy New Year, SJ!


I'm not sure if I hope the others are surfacing now or not. Sounds like the longer everyone sleeps, the better and that hotpot must have been great.

shangaijimmy

• [STRIKE]Dog walk 1[/STRIKE] - done
• [STRIKE]6 mile run [/STRIKE]- done (6.5 actually)
• Snooze to football - failure, as visited Grandma instead (and only 4hrs kip is catching up with me now)
• [STRIKE]Dog Walk 2[/STRIKE] - done
• [STRIKE]Hot Pot [/STRIKE]- done
• [STRIKE]Worlds Strongest Man Final[/STRIKE] - done

So all that remains to finish off a fantastic Christmas is the Darts final with a couple of beers and a box of Maltesers! Kids are in the bath, and the youngest 2 are in rotten moods because they're (NOT) tired! So 20mins remain and they will be in bed, the dog is already snoring on the couch and I will have some peace for the darts. To round things off I've insisted Mrs SJ should have a bath!!

the_cross_rabbit

Happy New Year, hope you enjoy the darts in peace.
CRx

Kittenkirst

Happy new year SJ looking forward to you smashing your goals in 2019

shangaijimmy

Thank you rabbit and kitten. The darts was in fact peaceful and followed by a much needed 8hrs sleep. Been back into work for a half day today so easing back into reality.

Today was very nearly a NSD but i had to get a birthday present for my sister. It was budgeted for so no harm done. We have 5 family birthdays in January, 2 of our own kids and, 2 sisters and a dad (who is 80 this time so a special one) making January an expensive extension to Christmas planning! Whilst i was popping to town i made the decision to pay DD's Christmas present money into her savings account. She doesn't need anything and she has a birthday in 19 days, so I'm certain its nestled in a better place!

In terms of my running challenge I'm happy to report that i have ran both days of 2019 so far for a combined total of 10miles, which accounts for a whopping 1% of target!

shangaijimmy

Absolutely nothing to report from todays efforts. I have been off to have the kids. 1 went to a friends for a few hours but it kinds ruined and opportunities for the rest of the day because of timings for drop off and pick off. Happy to report that i managed 2 dog walks. One a normal size (40mins) and one a small scutch around the block. I also squeezed in a 3.5mile run whilst Mrs SJ was sorting tea out.

Now just settling in with the last of the Christmas beer to watch the football, and i might sneak in a chocolate reindeer! We have mountains of chocolate left and the kids haven't really asked for or wanted much of it. In fact each time i've asked DS2 if he wants any chocolate he says no, can i have a yoghurt instead! And any things they've eaten have been the small ones as well!

katep23

Yay, you're back! Only check in once a month when I do my monthly update and catch up (binge!) on diaries but noticed you were missing for the last few months.

Off to catch up with SJ land.

shangaijimmy

Well as much as I'd like us not to spending any money until Mrs SJ payday on Friday...Mrs SJ has other ideas...card has been going crazy these last 2 days and i don't like it!! Its nothing we can avoid as we have 2 sisters birthdays and a dads 80th, which we hosting the party, all between today and next Sunday, but the lack of control isn't a nice feeling! And thats before we even think about DD and DS1's birthdays on 21st and 31st!

And just to make matters worse i've developed a pain in my ankle (no idea where or what from...other than getting older i suppose). My intention was to run 5-6miles this afternoon and then 4-5miles tomorrow. Now i tried today in the hope that it was just stiffness and not actual pain, but alas i made it 15 metres down the road and realised I'd have to stop. It wasn't so painful that i couldn't run, but being sensible i know that i would pay for it big time tomorrow. So sensible head on...I stopped and am now on the couch with a bag of frozen peas on said joint, sulking i may add! I'm hoping it is just a touch of stiffness and that it will fine tomorrow. Strangely i did a 4mile dog walk this morning and it was fine, it just became sore when i got back.

To add even further insult I skipped lunch as i was going running, and now i'm starving!!

shangaijimmy

Oh i popped my target for MFiT in at £41k again. It looks like I'll miss last times target by about £1k, so this seems a reasonable and challenging amount to go for. It really does seem to go by quickly when on these challenges.

shangaijimmy

Well the washing machine decided that it'd had enough last night and wouldn't drain...grrr... So we were expecting another expense on top of the car and new dishwasher from December. Today was always going to be a busy one for me as i was working in the morning and then had DS2 at a party in the afternoon, so before i could even look at it, and attempt to drain it, the time had gotten to 4.45pm. I had no chance of buying one today anyway.

So i took to youtube... and decided that the drain pump was either blocked or knackered. Now my theory was if i could get the pump off, cleaned out and put back on then i had 2 scenarios. 1. washing machine fixed. 2. washing machine not fixed but at least i know that I'm capable of replacing one. I looked at the cost of a spare and figured that for £13 off ebay it was worth a go (after all the washing machine wouldn't work anyway so i couldn't cause anymore damage). All in all some good research whilst sat at a trampolining centre with a load of mums for 2hrs!!

I am so smug to report that I found the pump in a terribly blocked and filthy state so after cleaning and replacing it the washing machine is like new! So £300 saved I'd say! We'll see how long it lasts but I am so pleased with myself for trying to fix it, rather than heading straight to the shops via the tip.