Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

Kitten868

Well done merfe! That's great news and I'm sure they'd want you for your shift pattern x

MERFE

Thanks Kitten, fingers crossed but it is promising.

I am not well at all which is just perfect timing during the holidays. Spent too much at the beach this morning. Didn't have enough change to get long on the car park so got 3 hours, bought the kids a ball as they don't have one. Must have lost or punctured their last one but then I had more change. Played at the beach, put an extra 2 hours on car park then had a picnic in the park and played at the park. They'd all been so good I let them have £1 each in the arcades and bought a pack of doughnuts for a treat. So I didn't go crazy but the budgets so tight I wont be able to do both swimming and ice skating now. It was so hot today though so glad we made the most of it, if there is another good beach weather day I will drive a bit further to the beach that has no shops. Going to take them to a play area tomorrow, free parking, lots of fresh air. Just need to make up some extras for in the packed lunch tonight, probably do some flapjacks. Then I am having a long lay in on Saturday.

MERFE

Always something. OH phone wont charge, he is taking mine tonight. His was gifted so he has a Sim only contract so does that mean he isn't tied in. I have no idea. I've got him a new one, he isn't fussed about fancy phones or need loads of minutes so managed to get him another £7.50 a month one with cashback. He has gone to check on the chickens, I think he actually hates technology now.

On a positive at least 3 of the chickens are laying now so we get to enjoy the most expensive eggs we have ever had daily. It will pay off eventually and the kids love them so since we cant keep anything at home with renting its really just like having some pets that give back a little.

milasavesmoney

I just read your diary and I am so very very impressed and amazed by your resolve and tenacity. What an inspiration you are to read about!! You have almost climbed this mountain. Great great job!!!!:T:T:T

MERFE

Thanks Mila, we are getting there.

Always a set back though, hoover just stopped working today. Yes I have got another on the catalogue. I could have gone for a cheaper one and used my tiny savings but the one we had was brilliant and lasted over 10 years so have gone for the same. So I need to find another £28 a month for the next year. But with the car finance coming to an end it shouldn't be a problem. OH wants to get the cambelt done and brake pads with the first months car savings then make a start on overpaying everything. Makes sense because last thing we need is once we have finished paying for the car for something to go wrong with it.
Should get the £120 switch bonus soon for the bank account and I will try to use that to overpay the Barclaycard.

MERFE

New hoovers here, I have real guilt because I knew I shouldn't have got it but it is fantastic so easy and light which I need for the stairs. If it lasts the 10 years the last one did it'll be well worth it.

Been making use of all those exercise dvd I've bought in the past and am losing a steady 2lb a week so that is going great. Not much change to the diet except no snacking in the evenings because there is nothing to snack on, being broke is good for weightloss sometimes.

Not much else happening, definitely packing in the crafts in May so going to sort out a big car boot as well for the big bits that are harder to shift online.

Hubby has been super busy sorting out the allotment and we've loads of seedlings to plant out when the stupid frost goes, why is it so cold in April. We've grown too many courgettes and the kids hate them. Wanted to leave them in the greenhouse but there isn't room so will have to risk some outside so they might not be so productive. Still might be able to half my shopping bill in the summer. Got a huge section for blackberries and raspberries so hoping they do well, strawberries in the cold frame, hoping it keeps the slugs away. Otherwise we have beetroot, radish, broccoli, parsnips, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber and sweetcorn. Also have a dwarf apple tree and a blueberry tree at home. OH planted some garlic before we moved too in big planter so they should be ready soon. I hope his hard work pays off, it keeps him busy anyway and the kids love helping out.

MERFE

argh not been well at all, april is officially not my favourite month. Gone so far over the grocery budget, gonna be around £400 by payday on Friday. Is it wrong that I still don't think that is too bad for a family of 5 for 5 weeks? We cant afford it, I broke into my sealed pot for this weeks food but its not ott.

Only one more payment on the car to go - this thought keeps me going.

Not at all sensible but plan now is to use some of Junes payment to have a meal out for my birthday, not the whole £224 though. The rest goes to EF. Julys money going on cam belt for the car. Then in August will we start to overpay everything again.

Still not heard from waitrose, 2 more weeks to go until the 6 weeks is up. Hate waiting on phone calls.

Kitten868

That is a long time to wait to find out about a job! You're still in the running so that's something
Someone else feeling guilty about the Hoover! The thing is me & you both know that cheap hoovers are a bad economy. I think forking out every 10 years is good! That's my plan certainly.
You're still not borrowing anymore. I think we are the long sloggers. Which makes you feel awful when you overspend. Keep going Merfe. It's nearly may x

milasavesmoney

Catching up and want to ask if you meal plan and batch cook? You probably already do both but if not, it's a real help with grocery cost.

As for buying the more expensive Hoover, good job! One of the essential parts of financial acumen is making long term investments. You have made a very sound decision.

Raising kids is so expensive. I raised six (and half the neighborhood:D). There were some really lean years. Most parents wants to give their children wonderful things, but I can tell you it's the experiences and family events they remember most. There are lots a free things to go and do with kids. We had game nights that they loved. Crap food and some sort of game. They still talk about those nights, and they are all grown. Well, I'm rambling now...

I have six more payments until my care is paid off. So excited for you as I know that will help ease your finances. I certainly am looking forward to my final car payment!

MERFE

Kitten technically the hoover is on the catalogue so it kind of is an extra debt, hopefully repaid asap though.

Mila I do meal plan, sometimes I don't stick to it. I do some batch cooking but could do more.

Will be so pleased once the car is all paid for, 6 months isn't long either.

Kids are really outdoorsy so I tend to take them to loads of open spaces for picnics and a little car park money, it's a bargain. Just need to get everything on the list for their residential but I think we have most stuff.

My dad has a shop he has refitted this year so he has sent me some of his old stock they don't sell anymore and said I can sell it and keep whatever I make. Hoping to make enough to go visit in the summer.