Small steps with a small budget!

Luckyinlife

aww sorry about all you been thro i hope it all gets sorted soon

I think you are right by wanting to pay it of asap but give yourself a month or 2 off a year and enjoy the money you earn this way your mortage gets smashed and you have fun in the sun :]

LIfe is for enjoying

niftythrifty33

Thanks for your replies Monkey and Lucky.

Have withdrwan the cashback (£63) from TCB this morning. I used it last night to get some birthday purchases for DS2. It's great getting money for buying what you'd normally buy anyway, except when they don't pay but glad it's all sorted now though.

I've been thinking of getting a loan for a new car and home repairs. It's so out of my comfort zone! DH hates our old banger and I get frustrated with the state of the house. I could do some myself and DH is very handy but he hates doing work after doing a physical job all day and I'm really bad at it Sometimes I wish DH would just take the reigns and TELL me we're buying this or that so it's not all my decision.

niftythrifty33

The insurance has been sorted for the leak. We decided to get our own builders instead of using the insurance contractor, this was we have more control over what we get done. It all worked out well in the end and now we just need to organise tradesmen for repairs and redecorating. I'd sorted out everything with the insurance so I've asked DH to help with the organising. He has some local contacts

DS1 has just been home from Uni for the first time, it was so great to see him. Had the usual chat about finances and encouraged him to start a spreadsheet and a budget as he loves buying clothes (a bit too much). He said he would do this and seeing as he created my spreadsheet in 2 minutes, it shouldn't be too hard!!

Another OP made today,albeit a small tilly tidy taking the mortgage to £55,400. It goes down soooo slowly but I do love a round number

DH and I made a meal plan yesterday and did a shop with a list. I know this sounds extremely sad but I got SO much pleasure from being organised and only buying what we needed instead of graze shopping. We spent £65 for 1 week for 4 adults, using some freezer stuff. We had an amazing tea tonight, sausage & chorizo goulash with rice from a Sunday Brunch (TV show) recipe. Yummy and quite cheap woohoo!!

niftythrifty33

More meal planning today. Cod loin (YS) with a homemade herb crust, asparagus (YS) new pots & lemon sauce.

Done 10 mins on treadmill. I need to lose 2 stone and was going to go for a jog but figured the dust collector would be less embarrasing
Now to do some core following a youtube video, any recommendations gratefully recieved.

Need to take stuff to the tip and make some phone calls. The weather is awful but I'm in Wales so it's normal for us! I watched Hugh's war on waste last night, shocking :eek: has made DH and I more aware and will be making changes and doing what we can. Good ol' Hugh for taking them on.

Monie

Hi nifty, subscribing here!

niftythrifty33

Thanks Monie

Had the most awful sleep, awake since 2.30am now feeling like a frazzled mum with a newborn baby!!! (yes, I can still remember it). I know why I can't sleep, I just can't write about it as you never know who's reading.

Have DD's 18th party this weekend...it's possibly the worst decision I've made as a parent! For any of you reading with younger ones...DON'T DO IT!!! and if you do, don't do it joint with someone else and for 1,000,000 kids (okay I'm exaggerating). I just can't wait until it's over. Plus the cost is DEF' not on MSE wavelength.

Chicken out of freezer last night for a pasta bake. Soup to be made for lunch with leftover veg. Few phone calls to make and maybe a trip to the tip unless I fall asleep!!

niftythrifty33

Lovely meal out last night for DD's birthday, with a little financial help from FIL.

Cash has been put by over the past few weeks for DD's big party on Saturday so nothing to come out of the bank hopefully.

Spreadsheet filled in today. Forgot to get meat out of freezer for tonights tea so it'll be HM pizza and chips. Will make another meal plan ready for next week if I get time.

Have bought a few things for Christmas but still a lot to get. Have no idea what to buy for DH though!!

niftythrifty33

Don't know where the time goes from one post to the next!

Have had some really good Christmas bargains...DD wants a TV for her room. I found one in T3sco for £130 reduced from £200, I had £40 vouchers which doubled up to £80, another 10% off and another voucher through the post, total paid £16 what a bargain! although the next day was black Friday and they had TV's the same size for £99 so could have had it for free, but it wasn't a very good make.

Also used double up vouchers for an expensive xbox game paying £17 instead of £40.

We've found it hard this year to know what stocking fillers to get the kids now they're older. They mostly want clothes but it's so boring now that they're too old for toys. Although, eldest DS would love toys as he's still a big kid but I've no idea what to get?

I'm doing loads of overtime over the next few weeks which is good as January will be very quiet...Happy Monday everyone

Pearla*Merle

I would go with something daft/ironic for stocking fillers. Wind up toys? Science-silliness? Or small things like bath bombs? Nail varnish? Cookie cutters? Stationary? Temporary tattoos (awesome grown-up/trendy ones can be found on etsy these days), daft Christmassy earrings/socks, Lego mini figures or small set (they do a good xmassy train one around £5), candles...

Crafty Crocodiles website has loads of fun things that are super cheap. Or try somewhere like Hawkins bazaar? Ooh, another good places is Wilkos

Pearla*Merle

Oh, your last thread is here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4804725

If you click on your username you can find all your old threads on your profile