Spend Nowt, Buy Nowt, Owe Nowt

Suffolk_lass

XSpender wrote: »

I am going to do a bit of batch cooking from the freezer and do some housework to my standard Is it only my DH who cleans the bathroom but not the toilet?

Err no. Got the T-shirt on that one. It was the same when his parents used to stay. They obviously were not trained as flush and check people.

I hope the job-hunting is picking up a bit for your DH.

enthusiasticsaver

Great that you have enough to cover July bills and hope something comes up for your DH soon. Sounds like he is keeping busy and doing up your house on a budget is perfectly acceptable both to save you money in the long run and keep his spirits up. You both seem to be working as a team which is good. My DH is hopeless with housework. When he cleans the bathroom he does a really good job (maybe once a year) and does it thoroughly but keeping on top of it weekly is always down to me. I have often wondered how long I can leave it before he notices but cannot stand dirty toilets, dusty baths and grimy shower cubicle.

I think in your circumstances I would be ditching treats too until your DH gets another job so limited or no beer etc. Good for health too.

Unfortunately something likes this gives you a shock and you realise how vulnerable you are when you have high debt. Luckily you seem to have either kept some of your money in reserve to tide you over for now and the bonus helped I guess otherwise you really would be in a difficult situation. Fingers crossed for some news on a job soon before August bills fall due.

Addressing this debt once and for all once your DH gets another job should be a priority.

XSpender

£5 spent today on a school activity today. It appears not all parents paid so it seems I am subsiding other people!!!8217;s kids afternoon :mad:

No other pennies have been spent except DDs. I forgot to cancel the boiler cover renewal and that has come out today. I will do it tomorrow. The renewal price has gone up another £72 and if it blows up it will get condemned. They tried to persusade us to have a new one instead or repairs 2 years ago as it was going to cost so much to repair. The thermostat system is obsolete and cant be covered.

One of my 0% CC texted me a credit limit increase today of an additional £5000:eek: DH and I were talking about how much trouble we would be in if we ran all the CCs up to their limits, it would be a shocking amount.

I counted up my £2 tin today, which I thought had about £26 in it and I have £54

DH has applied for another job but has still not cleaned the toilets. I didnt do it yesterday as he said he would do it today. He has cleaned the kitchen and made a lovely tea so not all bad. I have taken to writing him a list of jobs for the week to see if it can give him a bit of focus and he has added a couple of bits including DS haircut.

I am going to DH gym tomorrow to see about signing up for their 6 week weight loss challenge. I need to confirm that the amount I need to lose to get my money back is safe and achievable for me to lose before I part with my birthday money. I am determined to get back to where I was, especially as my DMIL patted my fat tummy with a giggle as she walked past me yesterday :eek:

DH and I have talked about how much money we spent on booze and snacks and food not on the list this weekend, probably 2/3 of our food spend. He has agreed to cut down on beer and this will cut down on the pops to the shop where we end up buying snacks and stuff we don't need. I am aiming for £50/week and this week we have spent £70. Before DH lost his job I would have been over the moon to spend so little but now we are skint I can see how much of this was unnecessary.

Off to bath DS before I curl up with a cup of tea to watch Dani and Jack reunite

XSpender

A bit cooler this morning but still a glorious sunny day

Just making a list of things I need to sort out this week:

1) Confirm work in house already committed to (unable to cancel
/delay this as materials already purchased by 3rd party)
2) Comparison for new electric and gas supplier
3) Comparison for phone line and broadband supplier
4) Cancel boiler cover
5) DH balance transfer
6) Spending balance transfer

XSpender

1) [STRIKE]Confirm work in house already committed to (unable to cancel/delay this as materials already purchased by 3rd party)[/STRIKE]
2) Comparison for new electric and gas supplier
3) Comparison for phone line and broadband supplier
4)[STRIKE] Cancel boiler cover[/STRIKE] - see below
5) DH balance transfer
6) Spending balance transfer

I spoke to BG yesterday and they have offered me 20% discount off my boiler cover to stay. It comes out slightly cheaper than last year's cover as I wasn't paying another £90 for the same cover for another year. We have decided to keep the cover. The last call out we had was in November and if it does need repairs we haven't got the money to fix it. It's OK in a heat wave but we have a bit old house that is freezing in the winter.

DH is hoping to complete the painting in the conservatory today and the furniture painting by the end of the week. That will be another room ticked off. I am trying to encourage him to get the 2 other rooms done in the next 2 weeks before DS breaks up from school.

The back bedroom will require a pot of one-coat plaster (£15), a maximum of 3 rolls of heavy duty lining paper (£20) and a tin of emulsion (£11 in Wilko). Oh and some wallpaper paste (£4). We will need a blind and bedding too but this can wait and I will use an old set I have. I have seen some beautiful bedding in the sale but can't afford it.:(

The utility room will also need plaster, lining paper and paint, a basic unit, door and false drawer front, 2 handles, a basic sink and a tap. We have the tiles and the worktop already. We will need some new flooring but will keep our eyes out for a lino off cut. I would like something thick as there is a man hole cover in the middle of the floor so it can't be boarded out. It has hideous carpet tiles at the moment.

DH is then free to look after DS and spend time landscaping and tidying the garden while DS plays outside. I have 2 weeks off in August and need to start looking for some free activities other than using our NT membership. DPIL were asking how much we would need for a holiday (to see my Dad) and we were very vague as I do not want to be given money for this (although I am very grateful for their kindness). We can't be swanning off on holiday when DH has a job to find and we have a mortgage payment to cover which is more than the cost of a holiday!

Working_Mum

I have been reading your diary XS - you should be so proud!

Have you considered dying quilt covers, conservatory sofa covers etc?? I had a big spate of dying light stuff darker colours a few years ago and have been so pleased with the results. A Freecycled Multi York lilac chair cover was rejuvenated into a black one for my bedroom! Love it.

There are a lot of dusky pinks/purples and darker greys and blues which are popular at the moment - I paid about £8 for the dye and pennies for the salt which you need to use - three rounds in my washing machine and a lovely result.

You seem so energised and motivated, keep it going!

XSpender

Good idea Working Mum. At the moment we have just turned the conservatory cushions over and they look good. The fabric is the same, just plain. I have managed not to buy the new bedding so far

Please send us all your positive vibes, prayers and what not as DH has just left the house for a job interview. It is a good match for him and although a little bit further away than ideal it is half the distance of his previous job. I am struggling to concentrate this morning. Putting his suit on has really made DH want to go back to work so hopefully he will start to focus a bit more on job hunting if this one doesn't work out.

Our food spending remains too high and we are going to have to adjust the budget or we will run out of it by next week.

I have a work review tomorrow so am going to raise the idea of a pay rise and promotion. There is no formal route for either so will not be holding my breath but I believe I deserve one so will raise it anyway.

3 weeks until my weight loss/fitness programme starts and I am chomping at the bit to start. DS is at a local event with DPIL on Saturday, they attend every year, so DH and I are going to do a day walk in the lakes.

System

Always read but don't often comment. Sending good vibes for DH hope he is successful today, or at least on the way to new employment.

I will also be out walking in the lakes on Saturday, have a good day .

apple_muncher

Thinking of you + dh x

Honeysucklelou2

Hope the interview went well.