From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

I've had quite a lazy day today really. I had a day off in lieu of the (few) days I've worked extra days. DS1 had his theory test today for driving and was ecstatic at passing first time. I am very thankful he passed...he needed that boost of knowing he can do things. I'm also glad because it's not something I need to pay again. DS is keen to have "proper driving lessons" now, in a bid to pass the practical test.

I confess to spending some money while I was waiting for DS to sit his test. I spent £8.50 on a pair of summer slip on pumps. Reduced by 50% so I'm paying much less and I'm down to boots for work, trainers and a pair of walking boots! A kitchenware shop is closing down so I did buy a large mixing bowl and 2 wooden spoons for a fraction of their usual price.

This evening I've been for a walk with DD1 and 2 & DS3. The cool evening air was very welcome and the air was scented with the fragrance of honeysuckle. Looking forward to getting my evenings back when we reach the end of term!

Honeysucklelou2

Busy day at work today. It started to mizzle when I got home but it was lovely and cooling so 4 of us went for a walk . The hedgerows are looking very full, with foxgloves, honeysuckle, vetch and cow parsley vying for space. There's lots of blackberry blossom out which looks promising for the Autumn.

Looking forward to catching up on s few home jobs over the weekend... report writing has taken precedence, so need to catch up on everything else!

One thing I did do yesterday was to update DD1's mobile contract. At the moment there is no cap on it, so when she is home, the hub seems to protest at so many devices on it, that it frequently crashes, so DD1 has used her mobile data, which has had the affect of giving me £60/70 bills. Unfortunately I don't get the texts to warn me so I've had a few sticky moments whereby these huge bills have come out. Yesterday I was able to get an unlimited data contract for only £1.50 more than her regular contract price, so an end to the unexpected high data bills.

Honeysucklelou2

Yesterday was a lovely day. I had a few niggly jobs that needed to be done, that I have been procrastinating about but got 1 done and just need to post the letter I've written to complete a 2nd job. I had received a scary letter from HMRC saying I was to be fined for not getting a tax return back to them in Jan, but I haven't done any self employed work since April 2017 and that was only the sale of 3 plants. I used to sell plants more regularly and kept records and filed every year but last time the accountant said I didn't need to complete a tax return on so little. I went onto the HMRC website and completed a questionnaire and it turns out that I don't need to complete a return on the basis of 3 plants. A phone call later and it was all sorted out which was a great relief.

I had 3 DCs with me yesterday so we headed off to the coast path. DD2 and I want to walk the whole path in stages. We have done some good chunks but we had a niggly 1 mile section that we needed to do to join up the 2 longer sections, if that makes sense. It was beautiful...the cloud cleared as we walked so the sea changed from a grey blue colour to sparkling turquoise. The NT has left some cliff top fields to be more meadow like so it was an absolute haven for butterflies. DS3 was beside himself with excitement!

We collected the others from school and work and headed off to the beach for the evening, cooking tea on the BBQ. The sunset was stunning, wisps of purple and pink clouds on the peripheral with a glorious orangey pink main sunset. The DCs swam in the sea, played in the rock pools and played tennis/ football on the beach until dusk. Perfect...

Cherryfudge

Your walks and beach BBQ sound idyllic! They will have the most amazing memories (as will you ).

I'm so glad the tax letter was irrelevant. Scary people...

Honeysucklelou2

I went to work for a few hours today to get some bits and pieces done. I've spent a little money getting odds and bits for a DC's school trip. We've been told the temperature is really hot so have been trying to pack accordingly.

DS1 has wanted me to drive him here and there tonight but I have been firm and resisted. It was late enough already and I didn't think driving him anywhere was going to do anyone any good.

crazy_cat_lady

I know I've said it before HSL but I love the way that you write.

Honeysucklelou2

Aww, thank you CCL.

Today has been busy. 2 of the DCs are away this week, one on a school trip and one for work experience. Already it feels very strange to have a smaller number around the table! I got one child packed up for her school trip. My lovely parents gave her some spending money which I got changed into € last week. We just had to get sun cream and a few toiletries so not too much to spend. I was pleased that we already had bite cream at home, so saved spending out on that. Just goes to show, its worth checking the cupboards at home before shopping!

I have, at last, made a start on the nettles and cleared about a third of them. I was wondering if there was some use for them besides soup or the outside of yarg and wondered about wine. After googling it, it turns out nettle wine is possible. I'll need to read into it more but would be great to find a use for these weeds! At least I can see the hedge now and parts of the garden are more visible.

Honeysucklelou2

I got another third of the nettles cleared on Monday night. It's good to be able to see across the garden again. Free exercise to boot! Hoping to get the rest cleared by the weekend. I have ideas for some plant choices that I think would look good. My grandfather always used to love pyracanthas. They have beautiful orange or red berries and are useful boundary plants. I think .I will start saving, even just £1 or 2 a week and see what I can get by Autumn.

Work has been busy...slowly getting through the week, then one more week to go before the summer break. I'm really looking forward to having more time with my family but not looking forward to the inevitable increase in the grocery budget. I'm noticing it already with having DS1 home most of the time ( sadly he didn't stick at the last job)

Honeysucklelou2

It's been a busy yet bitty kind of a weekend. I seem to have done a fair amount of taxiing children around. I had to go to a fete on Saturday. I always feel a bit odd, as a I'm trying hard NOT to spend money but feel obligated to be there and spend some. In the end I took £20 out at the cashpoint and we left when the DCs had spent it which wasn't long given that 1 DC spent about £4 on the tombola with nothing to show for it .

I must confess to taking my eye off the ball a little during the last few weeks when things have been frantically busy. I did sit down and go through and update the spending tracker. I was horrified to discover that I've spent £300 in the last 3 weeks alone, on diesel:eek:. I need to try and make sure I'm utilising every journey.

Honeysucklelou2

Different structure to my usual working day but I think it will be like that this week. I paid £149 in nursery fees and I think I have the same again .

I have the busiest time of the year birthday wise over the next few weeks. 8 significant birthdays ( children, brother & nephew) so I need to plan very carefully. DS said he was happy with spending the day at the beach so that should be easily doable, weather allowing.

I'm very conscious that I need to set money aside for house repairs. The cooker is on its last legs and is either cremating food or it's taking an age to cook. I also need to research boiler replacement options. Doing another winter as we did last year isn't the best option and it was surprising how much money was spent on nets of logs. The good news is that the oil tank is still full from last year, but just need a working boiler