The trials & tribulations of a 1st time landlord & investor

TallGirl

Wow another week had a brilliant time in Denmark really good to see everyone and lovely to take DG to my sisters house as she's never been. Lots of sweet shopping in Germany not good for the diet but I'm stocked up now.

Busy week back lots of things to do but the new project I'm rescuing from an incompetent colleague is going well and the staff are really supporting me so that is fab. Still struggle with CEO sometimes well actually more senior management meetings they are so unproductive I thOught it was incompetent colleague that was to blame but she wasn't there so it's finance that's the problem. Anyway they don't happen that often at least.

Diet back under control and three early starts with excercise. All good. We've been invited to one of the bootcamp ladies wedding in Ireland in three weeks. It's super expensive to fly assume late with Ryanair but we're going it's a one off and she could become a really good friend. Hotel is £120 a night each, £40 car hire each and £300 for return flight to Dublin. We go Friday back Sunday.

I've decided to take my inheritance out of Denmark investment fees are huge and you pad 27% take on dividends too much and too complicated. Also my adviser can make sure I invest it properly over here. I think it's all going in my pension which is great.

Will leave £10k there for holidays etc and leave £10k here for DGs business loan when she starts up herself. Bad news has come at her work they have lost a contract she really enjoys working on but we shall see there might be new opportunities. The exchange rate is really good now so that's all fine.

Off to the driving range tonight when traffic dies down, then Golf tomorrow and I have match early Sunday and then it's DGs mother down for the first time in this flat Monday which is good.

DGs Birthday is on Wednesday we're going to the pictures and I'm buying her a Golf weekend away.

Oh Jack my old cat is now ok he's had steroids and we're now confirmed as house and pet sitting end of May which is fab..

I think that's enough ramblings for tonight

TallGirl

Busy week at work but lovely weekend really needed the time off. Golf Friday night at the range then 18 holes Saturday dg managed to play them all only one minor meltdown so all good. I played with the members yesterday not the greatest Golf but it's early in the season. Both booked in for next Sunday for dg to do her first card. Would be good if she can get it done she needs 3 in total.

Today was meant to be Golf but I'm glad it isn't dg has gone with her mum to Camden market I'm cleaning the flat and generally chilling they will back late afternoon and we will have dinner before she heads off. She's not been here before so nice she can see the place finally.

I would like to get my accounts up to date with my rented property don't want to do the tax return yet but make sure I have all receipts etc. Also need to sort out DGs present it's her birthday on the 9th. My mum has got her something and I'll get her a weekend away. I'm also going to wipe her debts but I need her to save for our next holiday. She's only on 4K less than me she thought it was a lot less the silly girl.

My IFA is working on Danish inheritance looks like I'll max out tax year 15/16 for my pension which is all fine.

Well best get on with it loads to do before they get back incl cooking.

TallGirl

What a change in the weather not good for golf at all been at the indoor range today and yesterday. Going to play in the competition tomorrow and DG is doing her first card doe handicap. I really hope she stays calm and gets it done. Will be nice when she has a handicap and can play with the rest.

Spoken to my friend tonight really nice she's getting better just got out of a bad marriage to someone twice her age, domestic violence too not good. She's getting stronger so that's really good.

Not done an awful lot today slept late then had a nap and been to Asda today and last night so fully stocked up now.

Work has been fine busy but all good trustee board meeting good too learnt quite a bit definitely going to apply for be a trustee at a place linked with dream job. Still loads of time to apply for don't need to do it yet.

I think that's it bed time soon early start tomorrow.

TallGirl

Excellent MSE result today I needed a jacket to go with my 15year old dress I'm wearing for the wedding, £13 in a charity shop I should say I know that's a lot for a charity shop but this is London and it's a nice brand new one. Well looks new.

So comes the issue of shoes I didn't have any the white ones I usually would have worn aren't around (ex wedding shoes 10+ years old) but happened to remember I had some silver ones that will do nicely. They have heel and I'm a foot taller than DG but she's in heels and venue is at the hotel we're staying so I can change into sandals later on and no one will know. So dress wise cheap flights hotels car hire etc isn't but it's not often you get invited to a real Irish wedding.

Tired tonight early night then run in the morning didn't manage it this morning. Diet crap too need to get back on track.

TallGirl

Hectic day today did our 6am run meeting at 10 am so lie in as went straight there got to worked for lunchtime quick check on emails then sat in the park and ate my lunch. Just about to start my work when told there was a person there to see CEO. Now CEO was working from home and I had been invited to join this meeting but obviously something had gone wrong. Person was quite important so ended up spending two hours with her talking about what I do. Really interesting but obviously ate into my time and turned out ceo had not put meeting in her own diary. Oh well. Loads to do tomorrow so will get in early. Need to work out when to leave Friday for Gatwick could do with a nice mystery better get off and see if I can get one.

TallGirl

very MSE tonight was about to buy the extra car hire insurance when I rembered Martins rants about it and sure enough using his article I saved £31 and the policy cost me £4.79. Very happy days.

Meeting today with hot lunch from the lovely local restaurant below our offices yummy Malaysian food at its best.

Nice chilled evening sorted boarding out with Ryanair refuse to pay to sit together they are such a stupid airline. Glad i don't usually have to travel with them

TallGirl

Staying at friends house pet sitting it's lovely hot tub is amazing I need one when we get final house for sure. Cats nice not seen my favourite yet I thInk he's moved house sadly but fingers crossed he pops in. Dog is cute quite a lot of work walking them but also nice and found out DG can't do poo bags guess we're not having a dog cats only then.

Yesterday we played golf it was free due to our other membership. Shared a sandwich and hired a buggy hungover plus it's very hilly. £18 buggy, £8 sandwich and drink each with chips. Had takeaway last night £21 and bought dinner for special friend Friday £115 but well worth it.

Absolutely love it down here so can't wait to move back. Today seeing DGs mum and shopping in my old town. Getting car valeted and also going to see a free exhibition well £3 parking.

Need to write an application for a trustee post but just don't feel like it enjoying time off too much.

vandanfc

Glad you got to see at least one of the boys.

TallGirl

Yes it was good to see one the other came in that evening typical.

Plodding along look forward to the weekend work manic but getting there so much to sort out that isn't really my patch but person who should sort it out isn't as she cant. Been there 9 years is totally useless.

Been a bit spendy weekend but out of joint funds. Still waiting for final funeral bill for headstone then I know what's what. Need to transfer money over from Denmark but IFA not got back to me yet. Might try at the weekend.

Got counselling booked via work feel I need it with the work I'm doing brings my past back in terms of death etc all a bit weird. Really glad to have first session Wednesday hope my team get theirs soon I was first to book it.

Got to book hotel for concert in Manchester the prices are stupid so leaving it to last minute only doing one night train is booked. Should be nice.

Also booked tickets to my first music festival it's one day and I've gone VIP never done that either. Paying for DG at around my birthday,

Have done two runs this week onto stepping stone which follows the C25K programme struggled doing the stamina one today didn't comeplete last 5 min fast run.

Eating crap at work donuts and sweets stupid stupid also buying lattes need to stop. Bought some raisins nice and sweet if I need it.

Didn't sleep well last night due to work but that particular issue is sorted now.

TallGirl

Where did that weekend go? Golf Friday at the range, Saturday slow round so only played 13 today 18 it was so hot and 5 hours but dg played under 54 hcp she is getting there.

Bit sun burnt but luckily had suntan lotion on some bits forgot others. Dg fits into the clothes that too big for me and she got a new light weight Golf top cheap from SportsDirect. Didn't have sleevesless one other than white but found it online so ordered three. Also some spikes but the ones she bought Friday lasted one round they are rubbish shame we ordered another two packets online actually dislike SportsDirect a lot.

Decathlon on the other hand does Golf too good prices not much in stock but got a branded cap doe £7 that is half price of all other shops so happy days.

Running tomorrow going to try to get three runs and one squat track done this week we haven't so far but let's hope we can do it.

Next weekend is Billy Joel concert in Manchester my Christmas present. Not got hotel yet but it will be expensive but that's fine. I'll pay.

So tired need sleep for sure.