Spend Nowt, Buy Nowt, Owe Nowt

apple_muncher

I'm 52 and was vaxxed a couple of days ago. Dh is 10 years older, same GP practice, no call up. Tis a mystery...

Suffolk_lass

apple_muncher said:

I'm 52 and was vaxxed a couple of days ago. Dh is 10 years older, same GP practice, no call up. Tis a mystery...

Strangely, your post has made me feel a bit better and slightly less anxious. Lots of people are suggesting we should just book ourselves in on the NHS "book a vacc" portal but we have not been called. It does not seem to validate that part, maybe just that your DoB has to be in a range that may be eligible. Our part of Suffolk is in a shared PCT with North Essex and Essex seem to be way ahead of Suffolk. All quite anxiety provoking!

XSpender

DS got into his first choice secondary school    I am chuffed to bits    It was touch and go as it is a faith school and he isn't baptized in that faith but goes to a feeder primary. Not all his non-faith class mates got in.  Apart from a local academy, which takes kids from a massive 11 mile catchment area and gives preference to those from more deprived areas, the school he got into is the only other local outstanding school locally.

We have cancelled the floor sanding and have decided to do a whole revamp of the ground floor.  The hall, landing and stairs were plastered (really badly) 5 years ago and need doing again then decorating as does 1 wall in the dining room where we filled in an arch and the seal has cracked.  The kitchen walls and cupboards need repainting.  We are also going to have to replace 2 radiators (1 hanging off the wall and propped up with gardening books, 1 leaking and both ancient), replace some mismatched and damaged skirting boards and architrave, new flooring throughout, fix a cupboard door and hang 4 new doors.  We are waiting for some quotes to come in and some tradesmen to come and provide quotes.  Its going to take us a few months to get everything done. 

I may decide to have the cupboard fronts replaced in the kitchen rather than painted as they are a bit fussy in design.  I did this in our last house and the result was really good. We need to replace the extractor fan and housing, add a wall cupboard and replace another one.  If I get the kitchen made over it won't be done for 6 months as I will need to save up.  Let's hope DH earns some more bonus. 

I have some money for this saved but most of it is mixed in with the EF savings so I am going to separate it out so I don't feel like I am stealing from the EF when I use it.  Because of the extra debt repayments we are making I don't think we will hit our EF savings goal of £10,500 but will over achieve our debt payoff target of £7000.  I might swap the targets over to £7k savings goal and £10,500 debt pay off.

I feel like we spent a fortune this weekend, probably because I hardly spend anything during the week and then, bang, its shop, shop, shop.  We did the big shop at Costco, then smaller food shops at Iceland, Morries and Sains.  Bought some new cushions for the living room and some shirts for DH from Sains (50% off so 2 for £7, DH says they are as nice as the M&S ones), ordered some shirts from M&S (now going back) and all the puppy food and equipment we need for next weekend.  We also bought £40 of decorating bits from B&Q to prepare the floor which can now be returned and a battery charger for the camper van. Everything was planned and covered by the budget/specific sinking funds but it still feels like a lot.

I weighed DS today and he is very overweight.  His level of activity is too low and he needs to eat less, cut down on sugar and fat and drink more. It's not his fault, he never helps himself to food and will eat fruit and veg, I am the one who puts food in front of him. I don't want him starting secondary school overweight.  DH needs to lose 3 stone and I would look and feel much better losing at least a stone so we are starting a healthier lifestyle from this week; more exercise, smaller portions and less 'treats'.  I have fired up my fit bit and am aiming for 15,000 steps a day in March.  I have done 4256 so far today, the joys of only going from kitchen to office and back again.  Oh, and I went the recycling bin, that must have added 20 steps! The dog will be going out later though for a slow half hour.

March Goals
1) Read four books, including 1 non fiction
2) Lose 4lb
3) 15,000 steps per day (465,000)
4) Save £400 to EF
5) Pay off £800 debt
6) Paint the bedroom bay window (interior)
7) Establish a good puppy routine/toilet train puppy
8) Put tents and camping equipment up for sale
9) Sell board games
10) De-clutter DS room

apple_muncher

Woohoo! Dd got his first choice!!

XSpender

First week with the new puppy and it is like having a newborn again! He has woken every night for a wee except one and as DH has been under the weather I have done the nights. DH is doing tonight since it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow.  The pup is worth it though, he is gorgeous 😍

Things are very uneventful money wise.  DH had had to have new work trousers (ripped crotch to waist band 😱) and new shirts as his are too small.  This wasn’t budgeted for but I am hoping to cash flow or use a bit of my account buffer to cover it and not touch savings or sinking funds.

I am considering taking my company car off the road to save the tax, about £180/month. I will have use of the camper van if need be and I don’t really go anywhere during the day so it is a lot to pay out for a garden ornament.  I won’t have access to the keys so I need to make sure I can definitely do without it and am confident driving the camper.  I drove it last week and was fine.  It has better visibility than my car, I just have to remember to shift down at junctions because it is a manual and my co cars are always automatics🤦‍♀️ I just need to bite the bullet and do it.  I should have done it last year but a couple of months tax free is better than none. I can’t see me visiting clients until at least July/August.

Work is going well, and I had some lovely feedback on a chunky piece of work I completed, but the house is a tip and we haven’t eaten brilliantly this week as I am constantly on puppy watch and sleep deprived. DH is at work this morning so I need to get my butt in to gear and tidy/clean downstairs and attempt to change the sheets while the pup is asleep/DS supervises as I doubt he will stay asleep long enough to get everything I want done.

Parkyp

Your getting in practice for baby sleepless nights 🤣🤣.  What have you called him, is your ds fussing over him ? 

Good idea to save a few months tax that’s a lot of money.  Have a nice weekend 

XSpender

Not many pennies left but we get paid on Friday.  Next month is going to be a toughie moneywise I feel.  No extra money coming in and lots going out.  I did take my co car off the road but I haven't had a new tax code sent yet so probably wont get the benefit until next month.

Budget wise we are over in fuel after filling up the camper, over in spending due to DH needing work shirts and trousers.  DH did win £159 on the gee gees.  He usually has an afternoon out with his friend when Cheltenham is on but couldn't this year but had a flutter anyway.   Food budget (excluding the separate Costco spend) is £30 over at £310 which is a lot less than normal and we still have most of the meat we bought at Costco in the freezer.  Everything else is under mostly by a couple of quid at the most.

DH is due a decent bonus at the end of May and I am looking at all sorts of options on what to do with it.  I will definitely pay off the tax bill (£480) and pay a little to one of the CC promotions that runs out in December (£237) to ensure I am on track to finish it.  Other than that we will add some to the EF and save some towards new flooring downstairs and 2 new radiators.  Some will get spent too.  I could do with some new bras and some jeans/tops.  I am fine with Mr T for clothes but am struggling to find any bras that fit with what is available at the minute.  I even bought a fabric measuring tape and tried 2 different ways to measure and came out with such widely different sizes I haven't ordered anything else.  DH will want to spend some of it too.  

My new savings goal for the end of the year is £5,500 which is 3 months mortgage payments. The debt pay off goal is £7,500.  We also aim to cashflow new flooring in the dining room, living room and hall and makeover DS room including a new bed, bedside table, bookcase and a desk and chair.  His wardrobes are fitted and I am going to attempt to paint them and add new handles.  

The pup is still waking at 4 then 5.30 and is now snoring at my feet.  It's OK for some!  He is keeping DS active and off the gaming console.  I finally got a physio/call for DS foot issue, only 10 months after his initial GP appointment, and it is what I said to the GP it was.  It has flared up again as he is back to school and being active.  He had to sit out of PE last week due to the pain.  He starts rugby training again on Easter Sunday and the physio has give us some suggestions to help with the post exercise pain and wants to see him in 4 months.  It isn't treatable, he will grow out of it eventually and we have to just manage the pain/inflammation in the meantime. 

I've spotted my March goals list a few posts up and most of them have not been achieved, it's all work and puppy at the moment.

Parkyp

Morning, typical puppy get you up early and he can snooze whenever he likes. That’s such a long wait your ds physio appointment hopefully the exercises will help him. You could buy a few different sizes that you think You might be and return any that aren’t suitable for a refund. 

You’ll be glad you have the camper van for holidays this year and can take the puppy along to. Still doing great with your debt busting and savings 👏👏.

Suffolk_lass

Re Bras - I remember going into Rigby and Pellor in Bluewater years ago and the woman telling me what size I should be wearing, then what size I was wearing, and only then measuring me. It was worth every penny of the expensive off the peg bra because it fitted brilliantly and I knew what size to buy. Fittings will be possible. I think the closest to you is Harrogate but it is a service some lingerie shops offer and a proper bra that fits is worth every penny

Verbatim

I'd recommend Bravissimo for great fit.