Hope is not an Effective Financial Strategy

A_Frayed_Knot

Sounds like a fun day, have a great time, and enjoy the evening.

Karmacat

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: fantastic post, and sounds like a great day. Have fun!

shangaijimmy

Well days out are all about making memories, and in true fashion for our household things didn't exactly go smoothly. We arrived at the train station with DS2 reaching fever pitch about the train journey...only to find an empty station...! Someone hadn't turned in for work so there's been no trains since 6am (it was now 9.45am). Now I'm not one for panicking, but Mrs SJ didn't take it too well.

Anyway we had a few options to way up, but either way we needed petrol. So Mrs SJ drove whilst I had a check of train times from other potential stations to work out a plan. We pulled into Tesco to find the petrol station all closed off, so as you can imagine Mrs SJ was verging now on a meltdown, not aided by the continuous stream of questions from the back seats all starting with "Mum" or "Dad"!

So after the initial dramas we decided to drive and hope that the traffic was kind. DS2 was pretty devastated that we couldn't go on the train, but 75mins of eye-spy did the trick.

We had a great day, and a great evening...and have an extra tale to tell with our memories. Unfortunately for DS1 he very much matter of fact reported - "Dad, I didn't find any torture devices that I didn't already know about..." So I'm not sure what to make of that...I'm hoping its due to his Horrible Histories books.

Busy week ahead, but thankfully we have 2 paydays and accounts posting on Sunday.

shangaijimmy

Wow yesterday was even more hectic than a usual Monday! So feeling decidely jaded today, on top of a high pollen count morning, grrrr...

Payday today for me so can start some money shuffles tonight. I love money shuffle day.

Suffolk_lass

Me too - it is just the best day! DH gets paid tomorrow and I am trying to spend nothing today. The pollen count is killing us but it has been raining this morning. I am about to walk (other people's) dogs so we shall see.

shangaijimmy

Rain makes my hayfever worse. Presumably it knocks the pollen off the trees on the way down. At least our office is like a nuclear bunker and I get some relief!

Suffolk_lass

A few sneezes and I was dressed for weather a good 10 degrees cooler than it is outside - it's the thing about a thatched cottage - the insulation is blooming marvellous and a bit like air-con in here today, so I just had not realised how hot and muggy it is outside. The dogs loved it and so did we - five of us with 3 dogs today - a good old chat and 2 miles of walking - great fun.

Elephantchunks

SJ your diary always gives me the motivational hit I require, it's great to see your monthly financial updates and see how much extra you have paid off when most of the population don't/won't/can't. I haven't been on MSE for the past year so I'm glad to see you are still going for it.

debtfreeoneday

Glad you still had a good day out! Hope the hayfever improves!

shangaijimmy

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

A few sneezes and I was dressed for weather a good 10 degrees cooler than it is outside - it's the thing about a thatched cottage - the insulation is blooming marvellous and a bit like air-con in here today, so I just had not realised how hot and muggy it is outside. The dogs loved it and so did we - five of us with 3 dogs today - a good old chat and 2 miles of walking - great fun.

Dog walk time is my favourite time of the day!

Elephantchunks wrote: »

SJ your diary always gives me the motivational hit I require, it's great to see your monthly financial updates and see how much extra you have paid off when most of the population don't/won't/can't. I haven't been on MSE for the past year so I'm glad to see you are still going for it.

Thank you elephant. Such kind words. I can assure you my motivation dips and plummets as much as everyone elses! The last few months have been particularly hard and at times the end of month updates have been the major motivating factor (plus when i keep telling myself loudly that we've paid off £50k in 4 years!!). We are fixed now for 5yrs, which gives added motivational challenges. The last 2 have been 2yr fixes whcih means I've always been looking a touch ahead and playing around with what if scenarios. But that play time trick is largely done for a 4yrs, so I've had to find a new spreadsheet toy... Up to the plate steps "compound calculator" for our S&S Isa that is earmarked for pre retirement funds where I can reduce to part time, or full time but with less responsibility...

debtfreeoneday wrote: »

Glad you still had a good day out! Hope the hayfever improves!

I can always look forward to going to bed with a flannel over my face!!