A Ditherer's Diary (again)

Naomim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899682#Comment_81899682

No, mocks all done. They've done two lots. Oct & Jan. Now it's just exam prep basically.

Been given the exam dates. Looks like her last one is on her brothers birthday. But at least means we can look into holiday booking now.

Naomim

Just done my last Tilly Tidy of the month and finished on £28.28 so this will be another overpayment to the credit card.

MrM's bonus has come in and tucked into my ISA for now. We're hoping to have a holiday abroad this year. Luckily we might be able to go just after 16's GCSE's which is before everyone else breaks up so could be a little cheaper. Just trying to find somewhere and sort out dates.

Naomim

Evening all. Got told my payrise & bonus today. 4% increase in salary & £5k bonus. MrM and I are very fortunate we both work for companies that pay decent wages.

Been looking at holidays but all so expensive! I wanted to go back to Turkey but that's off the travel list and now looks like Europe's prices have really risen.

I do need to earmark some of the money to cover what I'm short on my car insurance pot and new glasses. Then I need to set up a glasses pot and adjust the budget. Car insurance pot already been adjusted for next year.

Naomim

Aldi is re-open. I much prefer the new layout, things are easier to find. Weekly shop has come in at £94.87

Off to Amsterdam tomorrow. Promised my colleague some wagon wheels 😂 random I know, but they are one of my favourite snacks and was explaining them to him last week.

I land about 3ish so I can check in as the hotel is near the airport then take myself off to Amsterdam for the afternoon & evening. I'm looking forward to the trip, even though it is work.

Naomim

Back from Amsterdam with a cold. Had training all day at work yesterday and then had to take 16yo to football training. MrM cooked so I had a bit and went to bed at 8.20pm. I had a great nights sleep, so although I'm a bit bunged up, I feel much better.

I've put my expense claims in for the AMS trip so hoping it will be paid quickly.

My bonus has been paid today and transferred over to our ISA which is looking healthy. I need to book an eye test and do does MrM. We're currently like the blind leading the blind! 😂

Cherryfudge

I've got the cold too - commiserations. Plenty of sleep, plenty of fluid and some anti-inflammatory stuff, that's how I'm treating myself.

Good to hear about your pay rise and the bonus and yes, do look after your eyes.

I am puzzled about you going to Amsterdam for Wagon Wheels, but glad to meet a fellow fan! I remember mentioning them to a colleague once, and she said 'Oh, so you're the person who likes them!' 😁

Naomim

@Cherryfudge I didn't go to Amsterdam for Wagon Wheels 😂 I took them with me to try and tempt my Dutch colleagues away from stroopwaffels. I failed. I still love them.

Sadly I can't take any anti imflammatories due to high blood pressure tablets. Colds always affect my sinuses. I'm feeling better, bit of a cough.

I found out last night that you can set up savings pots that earn interest on Monzo 🤯 I thought you had to have a flex account that's paid for. Most of my pots are funds for everyday things like petrol but I have moved my Christmas savings & passports pot. Interest is only 2.75% but better than the nothing I was earning!

I've also fiddled with my budget for all the pots. Increased car insurance and a new pot to cover the dog insurance as we are currently paying monthly.

The holiday search is ongoing. 20yo and gf say they're not coming. She doesn't have a passport and can't save enough due to low wages. So this may help with costs for us if he can take the time off work to dog sit. We then have the issue of 16yo as if it's just us three, she'll be bored. She took a friend last year who didn't join in with anything we were doing and she doesn't really have another close friends. So many things to think about. It's like a military operation.

Cherryfudge

I love stroopwaffels too. Nice that you get to have the Wagon Wheels for yourself. ☺️Nice, too, to get some interest on your savings pots.

The anti-inflammatories can be in the form of food: DH's favourite is Rooibos tea and mine is garam masala. I had to look it up to see if I was imagining the benefits but there's science to it. As far as I know they are okay with medication but your pharmacy label or patient information leaflet will tell you if you shouldn't have them. Anyway, I hope the cold is clearing up.