From debt to freedom...

Spendless

Totally understand it's only the beginning of the month and seeing that's it's already going to be tight! You're still in a lot stronger position than you were at the start of the diary, this is just the next chapter. Other than the mortgage do you still have any other debts to pay off? I know you were coming close to them all being gone. 

@joedenise - what's Tilly tidying? Is it when you just round up money? I must admit I now have an OCD thing that has kicked in about not seeing my savings accounts with oddments of pence in and if it happens I then add money to make it full pounds -lol. 

savingholmes

Sorry this month's so tight HSL. It's all finally sorted with the mortgage and that's a blessing and hopefully Ex has no more power over you.

Hope you don't have to work as many hours soon. You are one amazing woman the way you provide for your family. You should be very proud.

joedenise

@Spendless - yes Tilly Tidying is just rounding down the bank accounts.  I only ever did it with our two current accounts and didn't worry about odd amounts in the savings account as didn't look at those often!

Cherryfudge

I love that you've already overpaid the mortgage! We went many years without overpaying at all but still managed to take about four years off the repayment time (mind you that was a mortgage from 1994, so by today's standards it was very small). Very worth doing if you get the chance but feeding the family is also a good idea.  

I hope the tight month isn't too bad. Is the garden producing any edibles yet?

dawnybabes

As in the supermarkets words, every little up helps ! Pennies make pounds 😃

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, Spendless, Cherryfudge, Joedenise and Dawnybabes.

My positive start to overpaying the mortgage have somewhat ground to a halt as just surviving the tight month is a challenge.

Have had a tough week as we lost the elderly lurcher. He went off his food on Monday and by Wednesday his breathing was starting to sound laboured. He was no better when I got home so took him straight to the vet. They graciously treated him in the car so he was at least in a place he knew but so sad that the end came quickly😭. We buried him at the allotment alongside other lovely dogs we’ve had. They have all spent hours together racing up and down the allotment so it seemed poignant and fitting that they should rest together under the hazel trees.

Finances feel in free fall at the moment. I have the vets bill to pay in the coming week along with DD4’s birthday and DS2’s 18th. Have been just limping through on energy levels with both jobs so hoping that when term finishes next week, I’ll have a bit more time to think and cook so be able to plan money saving a bit more.

My dilemma about working hours resolved itself as a colleague retired and another colleague was moved to the same area which resulted in one of my shifts being lost. On the positive side I have an extra evening at home which has been productive on the 2 weeks that the new hours have been implemented. On the flip side, it means less pay. The shift that I’ve lost was a summer only shift so hopefully will be able to keep the shifts I have year round.

lucielle

So sorry to read about your pooch, hugs. They do leave a gap in your heart. 

L

savingholmes

Virtual hugs on the loss of your pooch. 

Money juggling is hard but you do really well. I know we want to bless our kids but sometimes we have to be real about what's affordable too. 

Spendless

Sorry to hear about your dog. I think that he was treated in the car was a lovely farewell to him. I have a friend who's a Vet and she has started a business giving end of life treatment to pets in their own homes/surroundings and it has really taken off as people like this option.

I'm sure you will come up with something for the next 2 birthdays. You've managed brilliantly so far and under far worse financial circs. The gift won't be important, it's the time you spend together that will be, haven't you previously done birthdays at the beach or the allotment, though I think  to do something at your   house celebrating that it's now yours would also be amazing.

Finances are forever giving twist and turns, ups and downs but I think you've been given your additional summer evening off for a  positive reason - you've just yet to find out what it is.  

Sun_Addict

So sorry to read about your dog. He had a great life with you and what a lovely final resting place with the other dogs. Sending virtual hugs x