Single mum - sink or swim!

selloptape

Gas direct debit has jumped from £40ish a month to £163 a month. Bit of a leap. Might need to reduce next months OP to £150 while I adjust to new budget. Must add insulation back onto the list of house jobs.

Grocery spend is on track, I've still avoided clothing spends, other bills seem ok.

House jobs are a bit disheartening atm. Half the tradespeople I call either don't turn up to quote or turn up but don't quote. So frustrating :mad:

Three things I'm grateful for:

• Two okay nights sleep in a row
• Have supportive friends and family
• There's leftovers in the fridge so I don't have to shop for tea

MeandO

Hi Sellotape,

That's heck of a jump with the gas DD - have they given a reason as to why or is it based on an estimated reading? Sounds an awful lot to me.

I can sympathise with the house jobs. I finally had some work done in my bathroom last week, but it's taken well over a year to get someone in to do it. As it was, he didn't finish everything I'd asked him to and said someone else would be coming to lay flooring for me but he didn't know when. I was so annoyed that I had a go and did it myself this weekend and it's actually worked out ok. I've saved myself £90 in the process too. It's surprising what you can achieve with a bit of guidance from you tube videos and the will to get a job done!

Hope you had some sunshine at the weekend and managed to enjoy it. I had a potter round the garden and a nice walk, always good for the soul.

x

greent

WoW - that's a huge increase!!

We always seem to have tradesmen issues - I think we had 5 plumbers out to quote for work. All seemed keen, 1 quoted straight off and then another did when chased 4x (I wasn't going to use him anyway, but I'd had him out and explained how much hassle I was getting someone to quote and he promised me he wasn't like that - took him about 3 weeks to quote after the date he gave) I then see them advertising on fb00k that they are available for work etc and it just annoys me!

We're also investigating pension options here atm - but I think I'm 10 or so years older than you, so it's a bit closer for me! :eek:

selloptape

MeandO wrote: »

Hi Sellotape,

That's heck of a jump with the gas DD - have they given a reason as to why or is it based on an estimated reading? Sounds an awful lot to me.

It's a bit wild isn't it? I've recently switched to a cheaper tariff as well so was pretty shocked. The email said it's just for six months to clear the defecit... So glad it's summer!!

Sorry to hear you've also had tradesperson issues! Hope all is well with you x

selloptape

greent wrote: »

I then see them advertising on fb00k that they are available for work etc and it just annoys me!

100% this!! Actually saw a similar post on FB today from a guy who turned up and never got back to me. It was so hard to resist leaving a sarcastic comment :mad:

selloptape

After a super spendy summer I've just made a sneaky OP of £100. It feels good to be back

Have made some improvements to the house, so hopefully won't get hit with another monster heating bill next spring (I'm still paying last one off :eek: )

Now off to do garden for a couple of hours, instead of a fitness class, it's saving me £7.50

MeandO

Nice to see you back sellotape! Xx

selloptape

MeandO wrote: »

Nice to see you back sellotape! Xx

Hi MeandO! How're you? Hope all is well x

Youthgonewild

Hello Selloptape

Just read your diary, I think you are doing fab!

I noticed in one of your previous posts you mentioned looking into pensions, investments etc. Just being nosey really, but do you have a work place pension? I don't really understand my pension scheme properly but I know that I *can* retire at 55 (obviously with my pension taking a huuuuuge hit) but I have set up AVCs alongside it not so long ago. Only £30 a month but it all adds up (assuming my pension company LGPS doesn't crash in the future :eek:)

Good luck on MFW journey. The road is long but you will get there

selloptape

Youthgonewild wrote: »

I noticed in one of your previous posts you mentioned looking into pensions, investments etc. Just being nosey really, but do you have a work place pension? I don't really understand my pension scheme properly but I know that I *can* retire at 55 (obviously with my pension taking a huuuuuge hit) but I have set up AVCs alongside it not so long ago. Only £30 a month but it all adds up (assuming my pension company LGPS doesn't crash in the future :eek:)

Hi Youthgonewild - thank you so much!

I do have a workplace pension and also have small amounts from two previous jobs that I need to decide whether to consolidate in - thanks for the reminder