From debt to freedom...

savingholmes

Hi HSL

Closing an account can improve your credit score.

Good luck with the plumber. 

Impressive diy skills 

Parkyp

Life seems to be going well for you - kids doing well in education, making significant home improvement changes, paying off your doing and finding you time with your so.

Don’t let your ex spoil things, if his moods aren’t having an effect on your ds then get as much of his stuff dropped out as possible. His stuff his problem what he’s going to do with it all. 

Enjoy your day. 

Cherryfudge

I'm in awe of all the DIY you've achieved - I think I'm doing well over far less impressive things! And it's lovely to have things to look forward to - plans from your so, new flooring and having the cc gone for good. It's odd that the other cc wants to increase your limit, could it be they see you as a valued customer because you've shown you can pay off what you borrowed?

joedenise

I've just put our big holiday onto one of my CCs and when I logged out after checking my statement it came up with a page asking if I wanted a loan!  I've budgeted for the holiday and will be paying it off when the statement comes through next month, same as I do every month!

That's the first time it's come up when I've checked my account.  Often get emails about getting a loan or a transferring another balance but never a loan!  Wonder if it's because I don't usually spend that much in one month!

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, Parkyp, Cherryfudge and Joedenise.

Its been very quiet here for the last couple of days as my lovely parents have taken the youngest DDs away for a mini break. Although neither of them is particularly noisy, it’s just very odd when the older DDs are working and it’s just DS3 and I at home. I have spent a little taking DS3 out so he feels he’s having some fun times too. We went to the cinema yesterday and went out with SO today. 

The flooring is finally finished and am really pleased. It’s not perfect but my first attempt at taking on a DIY project so am happy to have got to the end and now have a clear, light hallway.

DD1 moves back home tomorrow which I’m really looking forward to. It will be great to have her back home for a while. DD3 had her results this week and did well. She is still adamant that she is having a gap year before starting uni. She started a job a few weeks ago and is concentrating on saving some money for uni and any gap year adventures that she wants to do. I know it’s selfish but I am thankful for extra time with her at home.

Cherryfudge

I've valued the extra time I had with each of mine and their partners too. A crowded house but a lovely family and a privilege to get to know the 'other halves' better.

Well done on completing the flooring, I would imagine it makes a big difference.

savingholmes

Well done on the flooring. 

Spendless

Hallway sounds nice and it'll be lovely for you to have DD1 back even if it's jsut for a while. I was wondering how DD3 got on with her results. Re her taking a gap year this year. She is aware that anyone taking a degree starting this year repays back over a 30 year term, whereas anyone starting one next year pays back over a 40yr term isn't she? That's the position my DD is in because she only got onto a 1 year course so when she eventually goes to do a degree it'll be over the 40 yr term of repayments. Mine doesn't mind this, as she's aware that you repay on what you earn not what you owe, but I just thought I'd flag it. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, SH and Spendless.

Spendless - I did have a chat with her about the change in student loans. She had already heard about it but is set on going next year. I think in her mind she has given herself a year off studying and isn’t in a rush to change that. It will be nice to have a her home for longer and with DD’s wedding next year I’m sure both will enjoy the planning process!

Today is the extra DD’s birthday ( aka DS2’s ex girlfriend) .  It’s her first birthday since she was kicked out of her original home so trying to make sure we can make it as special as we can.

 Money seems tight as the moment, just with spending more on groceries as the children eat more in holidays,  coupled with multiple birthdays. 

Honeysucklelou2

Poor extra DD...she ended up feeling ill yesterday so spent most of her birthday in bed.  2 Covid tests, one at either end of the day, were negative so hoping she is feeling better soon. DD1 and I did a cake between us. I like making the actual cake but have no patience for decoration whereas DD1 is the other way round! She cut and sculpted the  cake into extra DD’s favourite Disney character and iced it so looked amazing.

In the evening DD1, her bf and I wandered down the lane to look for blackberries. It does shock me when I realise that so many people have never been blackberry picking. It was much loved time of year when I was a child and am so thankful to have happy memories of blackberrying with my grandparents. Each set of grandparents had their own spot that was their favourite place to pick! I think this was DD’s bf’s first blackberry picking trip and I still need to introduce extra DD to the joys when she is feeling better!

Hoping to Bank some tips this morning and pay off a debt. Spent quite a bit of time yesterday getting a paperwork job done that has been hanging over me for a while. I’m very conscious of trying to get as much as I can done this week as I’m at Job 2 for quite a few shifts next week to cover colleagues holidays and the week after term starts.

Have to say it was joy to make normal ( to me) lasagne for tea last night. 8 around the table again...sheer joy!