Taking the plunge

Jelllibeanz

Just back from lunch with a friend (her shout) so that's another couple of quid in the pot. I popped into the supermarket and picked up my free mince pies (claimed via clicksnap) and thought I'd have a nose about the charity shop. Ended up with a few stocking fillers (a card game and some books) and a designer top for me. Total spend today £3.

Also signed up to Shoppix and have a referral code that gives newbies free coins: CYL5CURJ
It's another upload your receipts in return for vouchers. In for a penny in for a pound why not?

Still waiting to hear back from the vets. Praying she is ok.

Jelllibeanz

Well my baby came back from the vets last night very sore. She's been spayed and had a couple of lumps removed. She's snuggled up beside me and has spent the night in bed with us for the first time in ages. Am glad I can be home with her. MrJ is a little annoyed with the vet as we were told it would cost circa £350 and it's come out at nearly £800!! Good news is the lumps were fatty deposits and nothing untoward. In my mind that is all that matters, but the cost was something of a shock.

Has meant I need to re-evaluate my OPs for this month and Xmas present expenditure.

I'm stuck indoors today and possibly on Monday too. Need to stay in for the delivery of the joist for the bi-fold doors. Excited about having them done though so am not grumbling too much.

Jelllibeanz

Bit of a strange weekend so far. Have managed to save some money by not going out last night. We popped into town yesterday and got some fresh bits. Almost killed the Sunday dinner as the joint was defrosting in the oven and I'd switched it on without checking.

Have a little one to stay for a few days as her grandfather has just passed away and her mum has asked for a night or two to herself. She is absolutely adorable. We are all enjoying having a littlie around. I picked up a puzzle in the charity shop for a quid and it's given her hours of pleasure.

Money shuffle has been done and an OP made. Will check the mortgage balance in the next few days and update my signature accordingly.

Jelllibeanz

So we spent yesterday at an outlet centre browsing the shops and picked up a few pressies. Came home to a beautiful slow cooked joint of beef.

Today the kids are back to school and my little princess has gone back to her mum. The house is quiet once more.

I've noticed that there is a very small leak coming from my boiler so I called the boiler cover people and they're coming round tomorrow to fix it. I also discovered that the cover is up for renewal in a few weeks and was astonished at the price they wanted for a year £370!! So I will be cancelling it at the end of this policy.
Have just sorted out an alternative one that is only £110 in comparison and by going through TCB I will get £30 back plus £2.50 bonus! Thus saving me just under £300!!! Totally doesn't pay to be loyal. I've sorted it so that the cover starts a couple of weeks before the current one ends so that we remain fully protected.

Oh and to cap it off as I warned the call operator I was planning to cancel my policy he recommended I go onto their rewards website whilst I was still a customer as I may be able to get some freebies or discounts - subsequently got myself a hub and 2 dimmable lightbulbs free of charge!!!

Happy days

Jelllibeanz

This morning I've done another money shuffle, evaluating what is left to go out, what can be put aside and what still needs to be bought. Discovered my energy switch cashback has landed so that's been put straight over as an OP.
I haven't made nearly as many OPs in the past couple of months, which is a little disheartening, but I have to remind myself that there have been some big expenses just recently including the dog and the windows. The windows are at least helping us to save on heating costs especially with me being home more at the moment and they do look awesome. Plus I am having to keep some money ring fenced for the builders this weekend. Then I will have the bi-folds I wanted for years.

Jelllibeanz

I had conversation with the boys regarding Christmas this morning and how I would prefer to get them things they really want. I explained the four gift theory and they both gave me a few ideas. Littlest one wants jeans, a watch and a book by a specific author. DS3 was able to suggest a collection of books too. They seemed to appreciate the idea too. I know I will get them more than four presents, but want to manage their expectations. In fairness to them they haven't asked for anything expensive.

Given I begrudge spending £8 on a book I figured I'd spend a little while this afternoon scouring the charity shops. As a result I've managed to pick up loads of bits including 10 books (3 for DS3 and 7 for DD), a pair of jeans, 2 starter packs of YouGeeO cards, a build your own race car, a board game, DVD for them to watch on Xmas Eve, 2 console games and a paint your own dinosaur set. All in excellent condition for less than £20! And the charities get to benefit too

Jelllibeanz

Hmm.. so my plans for today and the next few days have had to be shelved. The builders arrived today and the lintel was incorrect for the job. So we've rescheduled the work and installation of the bi-folds for the week before Xmas. Hopefully it will be a little warmer then too!

Yesterday was a successful NSD. I shopped online and bailed every time I got to the checkout. Good news is my freebie light bulbs and hub were delivered. I'll let MrJ have fun installing them.

Today I do need to pop to the DIY store to pick up some paint to patch up where there's been some damage from the new windows, some plasterboard and a few other bits. I have a voucher that I can use and have figured out a way to do some repairs myself
Also need to pop up to the local one stop shop and get some lager that free via check-out-smart as part of an Advent promotion. They will be stashed away for Crimbo.

Jelllibeanz

Yesterday we picked up some new curtains and rails. Installing them was a right faff as the plaster is shot on my bedroom wall. So we will need to re-plaster. Removing the old plaster is going to be a very messy job, one I am not looking forward to, but I will tackle that myself next week. MrJ managed to get them up though and I am pleased with them. We no longer have a curtain rail balancing half way across the window for some privacy at night (I've been worrying I'll knock it and end up breaking the glass) and he was right in that there was a bigger variety at better prices in the shop he suggested. 8 windows (very big ones) all now dressed for under £100! We can finally watch TV without the glare and have some privacy!

There was a Xmas market on outside the shopping centre. I felt awful after seeing the prices of the sausage stall and commenting that £4 for a sausage in a baguette was a rip off given we could go home and make 4 of them for less than that! As a result MrJ agreed, but I think he was a little disappointed. So today we are heading off to another local town for a wander around their Xmas market. No plans to buy food whilst there, but will be good to have a mooch about. Parking is going to be a nightmare. So we will be parking in the supermarket car park of one town and walking over to the other to guarantee a space and save on fees.

Happy Sunday x

Jelllibeanz

It's nearly Xmas and I am looking forward to my next OP allbeit a small one. Haven't really made much progress with the OPs. However, the bi-folds have finally been installed. We spent 4 days with a hole in the wall covered with plywood, which led to the heating being on much more than it has been in recent weeks to keep the chill off things. Downside is the knocking through the wall has brought some rotting floor joists to our attention. When we first discovered them we figured we would be able to get away with joist clips and reinforce them, but quickly went on to find out they were resting on wood that was also starting to rot. This means more work will be needed. Am looking at it optimistically though. Finding out before the floor drops and causes more potential damage to the house is better.

When it snowed last week we also discovered the chimney needs flashing as the mortar currently around it is cracked. Yes - you've guessed it - more money!! So even thought we had some work done to the roof there is still a small amount of water coming through when it rains heavily. Am hoping the roofer comes round as planned this week and makes the repairs to make it watertight again. In the meantime my bedroom has a bare brickwall and there's no point replastering until it's done.

Suppose there is no point making big OPs if we ignore some of the essential maintenance.

In the meantime Xmas is for the most part sorted. Have used a range of strategies to reduce costs and done some serious shopping around. Last few bits to get and the fresh food. Now the main thing I need to focus on over the next week is getting the house clean (there is dust absolutely everywhere) and half presentable as we are hosting this year. We are not in a position to have completed the plastering, rendering, decorating as we had originally hoped, but I am at least going to redecorate the boy's room - fingers crossed x

Jelllibeanz

I hope everyone has had a happy holiday season so far!!

I've not been too good at staying on top of the OPs, but then we have had a fair amount done to the house over recent weeks. I will tackle this with a small Tilly Tidy up and endeavour to get back on track for the New Year.

I've already started a 365 pot for next crimbo - just need to get a sealed pot to put it in.

The cupboards and freezer are still heaving with food. So I need to keep a close eye on dates etc and avoid shopping for anything that is not required.

I must get focused again and be more disciplined. Think that will be my resolution for NY.