Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass

Yes, I have been watching a traditional upholstery vid on U-Bend. Fascinating. I could do that!

trix-a-belle

SL please let me know which auction you went to as I'm always up for an interesting one & sounds like you got some good stuff. I'm especially interested in chairs as I am an upholsterer (currently formalising things by doing my qualifications but been doing it a few years now traditional and modern techniques) drop me a line if you need any advice x

Suffolk_lass

trix-a-belle wrote: »

SL please let me know which auction you went to as I'm always up for an interesting one & sounds like you got some good stuff. I'm especially interested in chairs as I am an upholsterer (currently formalising things by doing my qualifications but been doing it a few years now traditional and modern techniques) drop me a line if you need any advice x

The one I go to is the Clarke and Simpson general sale at Campsea Ashe, near Wickham Market. There is always lots of furniture, with padded sofas and chairs in the main salesroom by the offices and then lots of chairs and garden stuff down in the outdoor salerooms, 3&4 on a Monday. I wanted some china for serving teas and lunches but the timing was wrong for some and the rest was too pricey for me. Definitely bargains to be had.

I shall watch the three part tutorial here and will definitely follow up with any queries. Thanks a lot Trix

Suffolk_lass

How lovely - I just took the kitchen bin out and in so doing I dislodged the post - I received a £50 voucher from JL and £10 Love to Shop because I completed the follow-up Home Energy Survey for a Government Department. That is three lots of vouchers from them. What a treat!

It would have been my pay-day today and my old employer has paid me for the first four days of Feb. About a third more than I was expecting. I wonder what has happened to the tax? I expect I will get a payslip (and a P60) :eek: now my relationship with them has ended and I am with CS Pensions. I wonder if I will also get my employee Pension next week!?

I have been out in the garden pulling weeds before they take over (nightmare!) Then it started to piddle so in I came. Just having some tea before I get back out there! No shortage of work to do.

redofromstart

I do like surprise vouchers.

The auction sounds fun, my FIL went to them regularly when he retired. I think I'd get carried away, especially at a book auction.

Suffolk_lass

I am in danger of getting carried away - I bought three lots on Monday. I must make sure I do what I said I was going to with them.

In money news I have a 4-day pay packet from my former employer and a pension payment from the pension provider. They come to the same amount (give or take a few pounds) as my former take home pay. I don't have any payslips to support either so feeling as though something can't be right.

Very helpful if it is right as I have the combined buildings and contents insurance at the end of the month and it is (slightly less than last year) at just under £1200

Suffolk_lass

About time I did a bit of a finances update.

Debt - just the one
Outstanding mortgage is showing as £35,405.67 - I aim to get it into the £34s this month

Savings -
we have each maxed out our ISAs for this year (using my TFLS) and some investing has taken place. It is disappointing to see the lump fall on the taking of each share transaction (£11.50 each transaction) but mine are recovering gradually and showing at £2 more than I invested last month now. I have invested for income and still have over £3k in cash within the ISA wrapper. I was waiting to see what happens at B-day.

DH's ISA is a lesson in investing in funds, rather than shares as a novice. He has two holdings that are well down on their initial purchase prices but we are holding on. One might get taken over and the other is a packaging company. As long as they have paper and card packaging things should come back.

We have opened 3x5% regular saver accounts and DH has opened a 1.1% account with his third C/A holder so he can move the surplus from the 0.1% account.

I am undecided whether to put a lump into a fixed savings account that ties it up or put another £20k into my S&S ISA in April - I think I will go for the latter.

Potential projects
I also have a big lump sitting in a C/A. I have the buildings and contents to pay this month, a holiday to fund, and my new doors to pay off in April. I was hoping the rest might pay for a big trip, next year (Autumn 2020) and a greenhouse. I am erring against the idea of a camper van but we might go and look at a potential conversion vehicle at the weekend - less than an hour away and a high mileage, well maintained fairly new vehicle. We could combine it with a trip to the clothing outlet place as all my underwear is "tired" and there is an M%S up there, no decisions yet.

Suffolk_lass

Did my shopping yesterday (because I can, on a Wednesday!) and had to buy cleaner and rinse aid for the dishwasher (also got saver dishwasher tabs for my stores). Actually it is well over a year since we used up anything other than tabs. All my cups felt slightly grainy on the outside so salt and rinse aid have been added and the cleaner was on a yellow offer sticker, so I bought two. One for today and one for the next time. I am hammering through my stores budget (£400 per annum) with over 36% spent but my larder is full. I confess this is especially well-stocked because of the potential for B-word impact.

Food shopping was just over £40 and I plan to use up stores for the rest of March, with the exception of milk and fruit from the SM and eggs from my lovely neighbours, ahead of our hols over Easter.

I also got a haircut (at the barbers) - I was really lucky that when I arrived he was just finishing off the only person in there so no wait, and he was able to give it a really good cut - all for £15.

I also popped in to the only Bank in town (TSB) and I have made an appointment to open a current account with them on Monday. I need something close enough to go to as I do receive cheques sometimes. Not sure yet if I will transfer or just open another one. Probably the latter, and probably not a joint one. My thinking is some gentle recycling of money to meet the interest rate criteria and to maximise the balance so that the free money is accrued. If the offer is maintained we might do the same for DH. I will ask about a third for a joint one too. My hope is that I can set up a fixed date SO to put money in, and a later date to take it out to fund the regular saver accounts we have (tied to existing CAs). Busy Mee1 had had her influence on me, a bit like a dripping tap, the message is gradually getting through and I will make the Emergency Fund work a bit harder to earn its' keep!

Karmacat

The B word stuff is getting awfully close, isn't it I must admit, I got an extra pack of dishwasher tabs - a First World problem, but then, I *live* in the First World.

Suffolk_lass

It is, isn't it? And today's news suggests the Government will lose the vote on the 12th March.

My fear is that fresh goods will be short - not on Day 1, because the Uk will let everything in. It will be getting the lorries back out to get the next loads that will be impacted. If there are queues, it won't matter whether they are full or empty as we don't have room for a "sift and sort" function on our Kent roads. And if we suddenly prioritise fresh produce, I anticipate every lorry will have a box or pallet of something fresh on board with the machine parts or whatever.

All our exporters to EU, USA and Japan are potentially impacted. We don't have the trade deals or mutual recognition of safety and security agreements that the EU has and the playing field will not be level. Before we had the EU agreement with the USA it could take weeks for our exporters to get their stuff into the USA.